Page 7 of Center Ice

“Everyone got in a car?” Reese asked Chloe.

She nodded. “I made sure. We’re ready to go.”

The driver followed the convoy, and I felt like a politician or celebrity traveling in the back of a black SUV.

“Thanks for arranging everything, you guys. Sorry I didn’t help.” I directed my comment to Chloe.

“Don’t worry about that. We’re just glad you’re here.” She leaned forward and squeezed my shoulder.

“Yeah, it will be fun to see you outside of the arena,” Olli added.

“Babe,” Emma snapped, but Olli shrugged.

“What? It’s true. I’m not happy about why, but I am excited to see him more,” he argued.

“It’s fine,” I told both of them. “I get it, and I feel the same way. My mom wanted me to move on quickly and get out more. She would be very happy that I’m here with you guys.”

Olli sat back and shot a smug look at his wife.

“Can I make one request?” I asked.

“Of course,” Chloe answered from behind me.

“Can we come up with a signal or something when I need a break from Mikey and Lance? I don’t want to intrude on any couple time, but I don’t think I can keep up with them for a full week.”

Reese chuckled. “Yeah, man. I understand that.”

“Do you want to go with tugging on your ear? That’s a classic. Or maybe the code word is pineapple,” Elena teased.

“Either one works for me.” I smiled over my shoulder at her.

“Why not tell them no?” Nikolai asked.

“They won’t listen to no,” Reese answered for me. “I doubt those two will sleep this entire time.”

Nikolai huffed. “Fools.”

“I don’t think I want to know what they have planned,” Elena admitted. “I like them, but from a distance.”

Emma laughed. “Don’t worry, their prey are the naive college girls that they can impress by saying they’re in the NHL.”

I shook my head. That didn’t sound appealing to me in the least.

“They’ll slow down one day,” Reese said.

“I don’t know about that,” Chloe argued. “Those two have zero interest in anything serious.”

That part I could agree with. As much as I wasn’t interested in drinking, dancing, and hooking up my way through the week, I didn’t want anything serious either.

For the very first time in my life, I was on my own. No one else for me to watch over or worry about. I planned on enjoying that for a very long time. Plus, I wasn’t a big believer in lasting relationships. Sure, most of the guys on the team were happily married, and I really liked their wives, but I wasn’t afraid to face the truth. Half of them would end up divorced, bitter, and hating one another.

Love was a fleeting emotion. When the hard times came, and they always would, the facades washed away and you were left with the harsh truth that the only person you could rely on was yourself.

Romantic love and happily ever afters were as real as cupid and fairytales. I learned that lesson as a child, and I would never let myself forget.

“We’re here!” Emma cheered.

I looked out the window to the lush jungle-like foliage that opened up to reveal a sprawling resort.