Page 5 of Drop Pass

The guys agreed and we ran a few four-man plays while we waited. Our line wasn’t particularly heavy on penalties so we didn’t play four very often but the practice was still good. It got us out of our comfort zones and forced us to not rely on the same plays.

“Sorry guys,” McCann shouted as he joined us near the center.

“What happened?” Count on Murray to be direct.

“We negotiated another year.” McCann beamed. He was a rookie and after last season was in limbo while his agent negotiated with the team. It looked like both sides wanted him to be here, but it was a matter of details and contracts.

“Congratulations.” I patted his shoulder and moved into position for a face-off.

The rest of the line went on about how he deserved it and asked questions about the contract, but I didn’t care. He was staying. What else was there to discuss right now? We could talk about this, after practice, or even after our next game.

“Come on,” I growled and Murray checked me in the shoulder as he passed me to drop the puck. I took it and moved down the ice toward the goal, not looking behind me. After five strides I dodged to the left and backhanded the puck to Malkin in a drop pass we’d been working on. I continued straight as if I still had possession while Murray and Malkin moved to the right corner. Malkin passed to Murray who was in position and swept it into the goal.

I turned and looked to Fisher and McCann who were both cheering. “How’d it look?”

Fisher stopped next to me. “It was great, so fluid. I knew what was coming and still got confused.”

I nodded and moved back toward the center so we could continue. Malkin and Murray were still talking about how well it had gone, but I didn't see the point. We’d done well once. Now we had to do it a hundred more times until it came so naturally to each of us, we could do the pass with our eyes closed.

Three hours later, I was walking off the elevator on my floor when voices made me pause. My building was generally quiet. A tower one block away from the arena that was home to many of the city’s professional athletes, politicians, and executives. People that wanted to be left alone. My type of people.

I glanced down the hall and froze.

They were here.

I tried to turn and take the stairs to anywhere but here, but they spotted me.

“Nikolay!”

I cringed as I turned to face Chloe Murray, my teammate’s wife...and another’s sister. She also worked for the team in marketing. She was everywhere. Every team event, every dinner, every email. And now she was in my home.

“Chloe.”

I eyed the group of women behind her. None of them ever seemed to go anywhere without a small troop. It was overwhelming, and that was coming from someone that grew up in a house full of women.

“I’m glad we ran into you. We’re looking at a unit here and I wanted to know what you think.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You guys?”

Was she leaving Murray? The thought made me happier than I should. Something needed to knock him down a peg.

“It’s for a friend. Elena? You met her at the party where Noah proposed.”

A flicker of a memory of the tall blonde ran through my mind. She was stunning. An angel of a woman, but I didn’t want Chloe knowing that.

“Okay.” I wanted to get into my home and lock the door but the women blocked my path. Short answers were the best plan I had of getting inside quickly.

I edged around her, but they closed in.

“Do you like living here?” One of the other women, a brunette, asked. I was pretty sure she was Colin Brassard’s girlfriend or wife.

I shrugged. “I didn’t have a choice, but I like it.”

Chloe nodded. “Your agent asked for recommendations and I know the building manager so I was able to get you in on the short notice.”

I hadn’t known she was involved but it made sense. She was into everyone’s business.

“It’s been fine. It’s close to work so I can walk if I want.”