Page 32 of The Puck Stops Here
His brother’s prompt snapped him back to his senses. ‘She’s impressive. She writes some decent stuff. Still doesn’t explain the killer heels and the kick-ass suit.’
Aiden gave a laugh as he slugged his beer. ‘You know what your problem is?’
‘What?’
‘You’ve got the hots for her.’
Blake huffed. ‘Tell me you don’t.’
Aiden followed his gaze to the glass. ‘She’s attractive. Any man would have to be blind not to see that.’
‘Attractive or not, she’ll be sick as a dog if she keeps rocking up to the arena dressed like that.’
‘Play nice, Blake.’
‘I’m here, ain’t I?’
‘You are… but I know that look.’
‘I have no idea what you’re talking about, bro.’
‘Let her do her job and humanise you to the masses.’
‘Humanise me?’ He choked on the beer he’d just chugged.
‘Yeah.’
‘Did you forget the article is about you as much as me?’
‘I’m not the one in need of an image overhaul.’
Blake gave him the once-over. ‘You sure about that?’
Aiden punched him in the arm. ‘For once in your life, can you be serious?’
‘I am being serious. I don’t want to do it.’
‘You don’t have a choice; did you not hear them this afternoon? The NHL want you out, bro, and then it won’t be up to the Titans any more, you won’t be worth trading, you’ll be hanging up your skates for good.’
The idea chilled him to the bone.
He was nothing without the game.
A no one.
‘Would it really be so bad to let her in, tell her your truth? Let the world see that you do have a heart. Get to the man beneath the mask. The boy behind the goon.’
‘For fuck’s sake.’ Blake rolled his eyes. ‘How many more ways do you wanna put it?’
‘I’ll put it every which way until you realise it’s about saving your ass.’
‘Worried what you’ll be without me on the ice to save yours?’
‘I can save my own, thanks.’
‘You wouldn’t have an ass to save if it wasn’t for me.’
‘You wanna bet?’
