Her shoulders slumped but she said nothing.
I took it as my cue to keep going. She was no doubt wondering where this was going. “I got a call from Roger. The Gaters execs want me. They’re putting together a practice game tonight for me. Test my abilities after my accident. They’ve got a big offer on the table.”
She scoffed. “Like you’re not set for life as is.”
She was right. Between my contract years and the general success of my store, I didn’t need the work. And even though she wasn’t a partner, I split all the store earnings with Tisch.
“Anyway, I thought you already did that.”
“That was for the owners to see me on the ice again, before they brought me in front of the team. They want to see me play.”
She nodded. “You don’t seem thrilled.”
“I just…I want to make sure you’re okay.”
There was conflict in her. Like she wanted me to do it but had her own reservations. “You don’t need them…why go back now?”
“I don't need them, I just want to play.”
“With the team that almost killed you?”
“They didn’t almost kill me, they broke a limb.”
“To the point where it detached from the rest of you, Logan.” She snapped as if to remind me of the heinous incident.
It had taken me eight months to heal and even then I put myself through endless physical therapy to get my arm to move like it used to. The stiffness never left. Not until I hit the ice again...with Jax.
“And no. Not with them. I’m just showing up, play a practice game or two. That’s all it takes for word to get out that I’m back.”
She turned to the window, avoiding me. “You’re back.”She set her plate down, losing her appetite and settled on the couch. After a long moment she rubbed her face and nodded to herself, as if accepting it. “I’m glad you want to play again. You’ve been a grumpy walking zombie since you quit.” She glanced at me. “And I guess…I guess I felt guilty because I knew part of it was for me. Because of my relapse.”
I went to sit next to her.
“You were a little cocky, and annoying about how you were one of the best. But at least you were happier.”
We both knew that wasn’t true. Neither of us had been truly happy since we lost Travis. But we moved on. At least I had.
“I missed you,” she finally added when I was suddenly the one quiet.“Go today. Don’t worry about me. I’d love to see you on the ice again. I just don’t want you getting hurt again. By anything. Or anyone.”
“I might suck.” I doubted it.
“Well then find something else to do. You can’t babysit me in that store for the rest of your life.”
“Wanna bet?” That wasn’t meant to be said out loud, but there it was.
“Want me to come today?” She stood.
“No. You need to be there to close the store. Besides. I need to look as disinterested as possible.” I winked.
She laughed and pushed off the couch. “Yeah, I’d like to see you ‘disinterested’ when you’re on the ice with your blades and stick.”
She was right. But if Max was nearby, it’d be an easy sell.
After she left I checked my voicemail, hoping to hear from Rayne. But she’d been quiet since the other night at the rink. And clearly distracted by something.
There was a message from Roger though. “We’re all set for tonight. I’ve been waiting for this day, Logan. You’re going to do great.” Then he went on to tell me I could choose the Gaters if I wanted to, but we needed to at the very least consider an offer from New York, once the word was out.
I shot off a text to Rayne, knowing she worked the games but I doubted she’d be at the test practice game today. It was only fair I gave her fair warning if she was.
