“They’re going to fall in love,” Dom singsonged. “Mark my words.”
“I don’t know. Dani looked more in love with that cookie in the picture than with Tucks. Can’t say I blame her,” Timmy teased.
“Hey, you’re supposed to be the nice one,” I fired back. But I stupidly loved that we had the same favorite cookie at Anna’s.
That was pathetic, right?
“So, when’s the next fake date? And where are you going?” Micah asked.
“No clue. Our photo’s gotten traction. People think we’re adorable,” I bragged. I’d noticed a few rude comments, but trolls were always to be expected. Even Jensen hadn’t been able to resist commenting. Yeah, it wasn’t his normal handle, but I knewit was him. I was not a fucking downgrade, and I hadn’t taken his bullshit personally. Had Dani seen the comment? She hadn’t reached out yet.
“He’s totally going to fall.” Dom grinned. “You’re going to have a new mommy, Pucks.”
Pucks perked up at his name and trotted over to Dom as I rolled my eyes.
Dom chuckled. “You got any treats in your pocket, Tucks? Or you going to let this poor boy starve?”
I pulled one out of my pocket and tossed it in the air for Pucks, who immediately inhaled it.
“Should be entertaining.” Micah paused. “As long as it doesn’t fuck with your game. So far, you’ve been okay, but the regular season starts in four days and Booksy’s still looking stiff.”
“This won’t mess up my game, I totally got this. And Booksy’s better. Not one hundred percent, but he’s getting there. The D guys just need to do their jobs so we don’t have to stand on our heads.” I smirked, unable to resist goading our top D pair.
“Fuck right off with that shit,” Micah growled.
“Yeah. We’re solid,” Timmy agreed. “And I’m sure everything will work out. Now, can we finish this round? I’m ready for lunch.”
“Yeah, let’s get this done so I can take all of your money,” Micah said.
“You’d really take money from a young father just trying to give his daughter the best life possible?” Dom clutched at his heart.
Micah chuckled. “Oh yeah, you’re hard up. Didn’t you just sign a new contract?”
“I do it all for Livi,” Dom replied. “Did I show you the latest pic? I swear, she’s going to be walking soon, and then skating.”
I shook my head. “Dude, she’s nine months old. Let her learn to walk first.”
“Ally okay with you getting her on the ice so soon?” Micah asked.
“Please, she bought her skates already. Harty wants to teach her, but I’m her father, so I’ll be doing that,” Dom said. Ally’s brother Harty—Ethan Hartnell—played for the Strikers, which was Dom’s and Timmy’s old team.
“Dude, he’s just starting to like you again. Don’t piss him off,” I said.
“I gave him a niece he adores, so I’m back in his good graces.” Dom looked smug.
Last season, when Harty found out that Dom had gotten his sister pregnant, it’d been fucking rough. That first game against the Strikers, the fury coming off Harty had been intense. But they were all good now, and Livi was adorable so I never minded seeing more pictures of her. She made me miss my nieces back home in Seattle.
I’d loved being home over the summer and spending as much time as possible with them. At least Seattle wasn’t too far away from Denver, but with the season starting, there wasn’t going to be a lot of time for trips back there, unfortunately.
I definitely owed them a Facetime soon.
My phone pinged in my pocket and for a second, I wondered if they knew I had been thinking about them and messaged me. But that would’ve been ridiculous.
It was Dani.
Dani: Roger showed up outside my office as I was leaving for lunch just now.
“Son of a bitch,” I exclaimed.
