Page 86 of Body Check

The team plays at home tonight, but then we’re off on another away series. It’s the first time I’m on the road while Jason will stay at home. I already miss him, which is kind of ridiculous. It’s only a three-day trip.

But my friends won’t let it rest.

“When do we get to meet this guy?” Robby asks.

“Never.”

“How do we know he’s good enough for you?” Joaquin adds.

“You trust that I can make my own decisions and won’t tolerate someone disrespecting me,” I tell him, with a simple shrug. “I don’t see you asking any of the guys on the team if the women they’re seeing are good enough for them.”

Robby narrows his eyes. “We don’t have that type of relationship with the players.”

“Besides, it’s none of our business because they aren’t our friends. Not the way you are,” Joaquin says. “This guy is part of your life and he has been for a few months. He’s not a fling. He means something to you, so yeah, we want to meet him.”

I roll my eyes. “I already have two overprotective brothers. I don’t need any more.”

“Oh, honey,” Patrice says. “You think you have two? You have twenty-three guys on the team who would beat up anyone who looked at you funny. And that’s not including all of the staff.”

“No one will be beat up,” I say firmly.

“So, how’d you meet him, anyway?” Vanessa asks.

Shaking my head, I avoid the question. “Pass the soy sauce, please.”

“Amelia,” Robby says quietly. “Do we know him?”

My face heats, and I open my mouth to deny it.

But the lounge door swings open, and the place is flooded with smelly, sweaty hockey players, fresh from a yoga class.

“I’m done talking about this,” I tell them.

Gonzo and Sinclair approach with Larsson. The Swede ducks down to kiss his wife on the cheek, his palm rubbing her swollen belly. They snuck away to the courthouse a few weeks ago and made things official. He hasn’t stopped smiling since.

“Hey, Meels. Patty,” Gonzo says, ruffling my hair. Patrice glares at him, and he innocently lifts his hands. “Don’t worry, I won’t touch your hair.”

“Or mine,” I mutter, ruffling it back into place. It takes work to make the waves last longer than thirty minutes.

“Sorry, sorry,” Gonzo says. “It’s how we show love in our family.”

Robby raises his eyebrows, and Joaquin snorts.

“Well, I’m honored you consider me your family,” I start. Gonzo smirks. “But don’t touch my hair.”

“Let’s all keep our hands to ourselves,” Jason’s voice booms out.

The room falls silent as he crutches into the lounge.

“Do we need a reminder about the workplace sexual harassment policy?” he adds, glaring at Gonzo.

“Nope. We’re good,” the burly hockey player says, taking a step back from me. “Right, Amelia?”

“We’re great,” I say, with a forced smile.

Jason grunts, glaring at his assembled teammates. “That goes for all of you. I won’t tolerate harassment of any of our staff members. They are here to do a job, same as all of us. Don’t make their lives harder.”

“Yes, Captain,” a few players mumble.

MacGregor clears his throat. “How’s your leg?”

Jason sighs. “I’m out for the rest of the year.”

“Shit, man,” Logan says, shaking his head. “I’m sorry.”

“We’ll just have to win the Cup for you, then,” Easton says.

Jason forces a brittle, bitter smile. “Yes, you will.”

An awkward chuckle echoes throughout the room.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be here day in and day out with you,” he says firmly. “Nothing has to change.” His eyes fall to me, and then slip past to Robby, who’s staring at him with an inscrutable expression on his face. “Okay, back to lunch.”