Page 17 of Defend Her Heart

Whirling around to face him, I poke him in the chest. “Youdon’t get to ask that.Youhaven’t spoken to me in overtwo years!” My voice rises, emphasizing how long it’s been since I’ve heard from him. “So, no, Connor. I’d rather not look at you. If you’re not on the ice, I have no need for it. Now, what is it that you want?”

His hazel eyes peer down at me and I watch as he blinks once. Twice. And then closes his eyes for the briefest moment before opening them back up.

This time when they land on me, I swear I see regret written in them.

“I never got the chance to say congratulations on the job. Not just commentating, but play-by-play?” He huffs out a breath, then shakes his head in wonderment. I see the faintest ghost of a smile before he speaks again. “You know there’s no other woman in the league who does that full time, right?”

Of course I know that.

“Of course you know that.” Connor shakes his head. I nearly laugh at how embarrassed he looks right now but I keep my expression neutral. “Well, congratulations. You deserve this.”

Before I can thank him, Connor turns and walks away.

I’m left staring after him, wondering how I’m going to deal with these awkward encounters every time I see him.

Pushing the door open to leave, there’s only one thought on my mind.

“I need pizza.”

“I think you need to give yourself some more credit, Connor. You’re sticking to the rehab routine your physical therapist gave you. You just need to remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. This groin injury has been bothering you for how long?”

Katie’s sitting with one leg crossed over the other, hands resting loosely on her knee, as we finish up today’s therapy session. Her office is anything but cold and clinical, much like the woman herself. The walls are painted a soft cream, warm against the soft morning light filtering in through the half-open blinds.

I shift, sinking farther into the dark gray couch beneath me, elbows resting on my knees. The cushions are too soft to sit on properly, especially considering how tall I am, like the room itself is designed to make people let their guard down whether they want to or not.

Across from me, Katie looks calm as ever in the armchair near her desk where a potted plant with big leaves sits near the window.

“Basically since last season.”

She gives me a small, but encouraging smile. “Exactly.Just because you’re not back to one hundred percent doesn’t mean you’re failing. If you push too hard you’ll just make it worse. And the team needs you just as much as you need them. Take your time. You’re doing the work. Trust the process.”

Trust the process.

My gaze drifts past her shoulder to the framed abstract prints hanging on the wall, all soft blues and pale greens. Everything in the room feels intentional, steady, balanced. The complete opposite of the noise in my head every time I step onto the ice wondering if my body’s going to keep up.

“I can try and do that. I think. Whatever you say, Doc.”

Katie rolls her eyes at me and then looks down at the watch she wears on her wrist. “That’s all the time we have today. When’s your next rehab session with your physical therapist?”

I take my phone out of the back pocket of my jeans and pull up my calendar app.

“Looks like I’m meeting him Friday at the hospital.”

Katie shoots me another smile. “Meeting with the kids again?”

“I am. Somehow Niko roped me into dressing up for Halloween for them. Well, actually Sophia brought up the idea and it’s impossible to say no to that girl.”

The team’s physical therapist sometimes volunteers at the hospital to meet with patients pro-bono. Since I have this visit scheduled with the kids, I asked if we could meet there instead of at the arena like we normally do, and he was happy to accommodate.

Katie laughs. “First Kristoff at Sophia’s birthday party, now what? Captain America?

“Thor, actually.”

She smiles. “You’re a jack of all trades.”

“Ha.” I shake my head because I’m definitely done talking about costumes. “But I’m going to visit them before mysession because Doctor Alvarez kicked my ass last time. I wasn’t in the best of moods.”

We both stand, and Katie walks me to the door of her office.