Page 30 of The Offside Rule
I shot him a look. “Don’t start.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You were about to.”
He held up a hand. “I’m being respectful.”
“That’ll be a first.”
Catherine glanced over. “Are you two fighting already?”
“No,” Max said.
“Yes,” I said at the same time.
Her smile widened just a little. “Good to know the team chemistry is strong.”
Max tapped the table. “See? She gets it.”
Catherine focused back on the laptop, but one of the younger players hovering near the next station took that as his opening. He was one of the rookies. Luca, a D-man. Big grin. Bigger ego. The kind of kid who thought making the show meant every woman in the building wanted to hear his best line.
He moved closer to Catherine’s cart. “You’re Catherine, right?”
She looked up from the screen. “Yes.”
“I’m Luca Hill.”
“I know.” She checked the list. “You’re scheduled after Karlsson for intake.”
He looked way too pleased that she knew his name. “Guess I’m in good hands.”
“They’re Dr. Patel’s hands,” she said, polite but firm. “I’m assisting with notes.”
Max coughed like he was covering a laugh.
Luca didn’t take the hint. “Still. Nice to have someone friendly around here.”
Catherine’s expression stayed professional. “Everyone here is friendly.”
Luca leaned one hip against the table. “You been around hockey long?”
My fingers curled at my side. Max noticed.
Catherine clicked something on the laptop. “Long enough.”
“Family thing?” Luca asked.
Before she could answer, I opened my mouth.
“Her father is Coach Davis,” I said. The words came out calm, but the room shifted anyway.
Luca straightened. “Oh. Damn. Sorry, I didn’t know.”
Catherine’s eyes flicked to me. Not happy.
“That’s okay,” she said, her voice even. “But you should probably finish your forms before Dr. Patel calls you.”
“Yeah. For sure.” Luca grabbed his clipboard and moved back toward the other rookies.
