Page 124 of Game Misconduct

“There’s no occasion. I missed you.” And that was true, of course.

She arched a blonde eyebrow at him. “I missed you too. But you’re usually quite busy this time of year.”

“I am,” he agreed. He’d just gotten back from the Rockets’ road trip and the team was heading into the final weeks of the regular season. The pressure was ramping up for all of them.

Thankfully, the waiter arrived and they placed their orders and it wasn’t until they had food in front of them that Leif spoke about why he’d really wanted to meet up for lunch. “So, I did miss you,” he said. “But I also wanted to talk to you about something. About …someone.”

She studied his face again. “You met a man.”

Leif shrugged. “Not met, exactly. I’ve known him a while.”

“But you’re dating. Seriously.”

“Not … exactly.”

Her eyebrow went even higher. “Then what is it? You’re being so mysterious.”

Leif resisted the urge to scratch his neck. “We’ve been involved … casually for a bit.”

“Alright.” She didn’t look shocked, nor did he expect her to be. Leif knew she’d had casual relationships with men in her life from time to time and she knew the same about him.

“But I think I’m starting to developfeelingsfor him,” he added.

“Ahh. And this bothers you.”

It wasn’t really a question, but he nodded. “Yes.”

“Because you’d prefer to focus on your career?” She reached for her glass of water.

“That,” he agreed. “Although there are other reasons.”

“Such as?”

“He’s also a hockey player.”

Silje picked up her fork and knife. “I see why you came to me rather than your father.”

“You do live closer,” he pointed out. “But yes. It isn’t the sort of situation he could be impartial about.”

For a lot of reasons,Leif continued in his head. He cleared his throat and didn’t say that aloud. He did say, “He’s not a teammate.”

“A rival team then.” Her eyebrow went up again.

“Yes.”

“That would be complicated.”

“It’s not the easiest,” he agreed. “And I have no idea what to do about it.”

“What do you want to do about it?”

“I don’t know.”

“I think you’d better figure that out first, hmm?”

“Yes.” Leif sighed. “The thing is, when this started, I didn’twanta relationship. Especially not with him. Especiallynow.”

“But you don’t want to end it and move on?”