Page 241 of Risking the Pucking Defense

It’s stupid. I’d happily wear a dress shorter than this. But seeing as I was wearing it at home, watching the game in private, now I feel utterly exposed. Or it might just be because of the claim of ownership that’s written across my back.

I haven’t looked at my cell, but I know it’s blowing up with notifications. The photos of me jumping into Hayden’s arms after the game will already be spreading like wildfire. And I only have myself to blame. I lit the match when I climbed into my car and started driving.

I might have been acting on instinct, but I knew what I was doing. And now, I’ve just got to roll with the punches and hope the cards fall in my favor. But for the first time in my life, I don’t really care if they don’t. My job is secure, and I’ve got Hayden by my side. The rest will be what it’ll be.

“Hey,” I say, looking between Hayden’s parents.

Trudy embraces me, holding me a little tighter than the first time I met her.

“He’s okay,” I assure her.

“I know,” she says, sniffling. “We all saw the way he caught you as if you were a football.”

Embarrassment rushes up my neck to my cheeks all over again.

“I didn’t really think that through,” I muse as Hank gives me a sideways hug in greeting.

“Sometimes the best thing to do is not to think. We know you’re worried about how people will take your relationship, but I have a feeling the reality won’t be as scary as what you’ve built up in your head,” Trudy says encouragingly.

I don’t know how much Hayden has told his parents about my reality, but for the first time, I don’t mind if they know. With only one meeting, they’ve proved that they’re supportive of our relationship, of me, and that’s more than I had from my own parents in my entire thirty years on this planet.

“I hope so,” I say, smiling at her.

“So, tonight’s game was something, huh?” Hank says, successfully changing the topic.

“I missed most of it,” I confess.

With a smile, Hank happily dives into a very detailed play-by-play of what I missed—of course paying the most attention to anything that involved Hayden. Pride oozes from him as he talks about his son, and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

“We couldn’t believe it when he came back on,” Trudy says in astonishment. “I know hockey players are a different breed when it comes to injuries, but it’s different when it’s your own flesh and blood.”

“Our team doctor is incredible. I’ve seen him work some real magic to get our guys back out there.”

“He was lucky. If that stick was a little higher…” Hank’s words trail off. They don’t need saying, and I shudder at the thought of that stick getting closer to Hayden’s eye.

Injuries are a part of playing hockey, no matter what level you’re playing at. I’ve always known that, and I’m constantly dealing with the fallout. But it’s never seemed quite as important or life-changing as it does now. Before, an injury was just a part of my job; now, it’s personal. I know it’s something that I’m going to have to get used to. I can’t always get in the car and drive to him to settle my own mind. The next time it happens, and there will be a next time, he could be on the other side of the country, and I’ll have no choice but to sit around and wait for news.

“So, what are your plans now? Where are you heading next?”

“We’re heading toward Texas, ready for the game there, and then we’re going to head back up to Las Vegas. We’ve never been, and it’s been on our bucket list forever.”

“Vegas is incredible, and the game is always action-filled.”

“Will you be there?”

“Absolutely. It’s one of my favorite games of the season. And I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise that it also provides me with more work than most other locations.”

“Oh.” Hank laughs. “I wonder why that is?”

“Hockey players and the city of sin are a deadly combination.”

“How many shotgun marriages have you had to deal with?” Trudy asks.

“Surprisingly, none. Yet. I’m sure it’ll happen one day, though.”

Conversation slows as we wait for Hayden to do his thing. There’s a TV in the corner of the room showing the press conference, and I find my eyes drifting over there every few minutes, but I don’t allow myself to get dragged in.

I haven’t told Hayden what he can and can’t say when it comes to us after our little moment downstairs, and although I’m nervous, I’m also excited to watch it back later.