Page 64 of Reckless With the Rookie
It doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but if he reads what the pundits are saying online, they seem to think I’m a better defensive player than he is, which is important on penalty kills.
Tonight’s game was grueling.Cole is in the ice bath next to mine, wearing the blue stocking cap I knitted for him.
“How’s your dad?”I ask.
“He’s sick as shit.But hanging in there.”
“Is he catching the games on TV?”
“Oh yeah.I usually have at least twenty texts from him after a game.He says you’re a hell of a skater and you’ve got quick hands.”
“Aw.Did you tell him I’m your bestie?”
He scoffs.“No.”
“Liar.You sent him a picture of you in the hat, didn’t you?”
A smile tugs on his lips.“He does like the hat.”
“I’ll make him one.”
“He’d like that.”
“You want me to teach you to knit?It helps me relax.”
“I can think of about a thousand ways I’d rather relax, but thanks.”
I’ve been knitting a lot lately.When I get an urge to open apps on my new phone and pore over hockey news and speculation, I knit instead.I hear things from others, but I don’t read it myself, and I’ll never be on social media.
The phone has been nice for communicating with Blair, though.We text and FaceTime a lot.The only time we get together lately is for a couple hours one or two evenings a week.I’ve tightened up my diet, so I mostly eat grilled chicken, rice and steamed veggies for dinner.Eli doesn’t mind eating that, but Coop only likes dishes with cheese as the main ingredient.
When I finish with the ice bath, I down one of the protein shakes the team chef made and then hit the shower.
It’s late and it’s been a long day, but I’m not tired.Blair’s in my hotel room right now, and she’s all mine until five a.m.
Since Jules is there, Blair was able to get away once the boys were asleep.Both of us are stressed—me about my contract situation, her about an upcoming test—but we need this time together.
However tired I am tomorrow, it’ll be worth it.I don’t have a game.I spend a substantial part of every day fantasizing about the one and only night Blair and I had together.Unlike many guys, I don’t want to ask my girlfriend for photos to keep in a spank bank.
The whole point is us being together.If I can’t have that, I don’t want anything.
“Hey, you want to go out?”Isaac asks me.“I’m meeting up with a woman with a friend who’d love to bang a hockey player tonight.”
“I have a girlfriend,” I remind him.
“Still?”
“Still.”
He grins.“Guess that leaves ol’ Isaac to handle both of them.”
“Cole might want to go out.”
“Outhouse?”
“We’re not keeping that nickname.I was being a dick that day.”
“He can’t even get into bars.I’ll manage.”
