Page 14 of Full Strength

I couldn't change who I was. I couldn’t quit hockey. One, I was under contract, and two, it was my passion and my livelihood. Even if I did somehow find a loophole and get out of my contract, that would raise questions and speculation making me even more interesting to the media.

There was no way to get around it. If Addi and I dated, eventually it would be made public. She didn’t want that to happen, so I was out of options.

“Dude, perk up.” Erik elbowed me in the ribs.

I leaned away from him and looked out the window at the passing clouds.

“What’s going on?” I knew he was going to keep pressing and I had nowhere to run on the plane.

“Nothing.” I didn't really want to let people know. They all really liked Addison and I didn’t need my own teammates taking her side.

“It’s a girl problem, isn’t it?” Hartman turned around and faced me with an obnoxiously knowing smile.

I sighed. The more people that got involved in this conversation the more likely it would make its way back to Addison. I didn't want to freak her out even more than I already had. “I asked her out.”

Hartman and Erik shared a knowing look.

“I told you.” Hartman gloated.

“I didn’t argue with you. I knew what was going on, too.” Erik countered. Good, now they were arguing hopefully they would forget about me.

“Well, you didn’t call him out.”

Erik shook his head. “I didn't need to.”

I rolled my eyes and looked back out the window, but the distraction didn’t last long.

“So, she turned you down?” Erik said with way too much satisfaction.

“You’re enjoying this?” I asked and he immediately nodded.

“She only turned me down because she doesn’t want the media to get involved. She needs to protect Eli.”

Hartman’s expression turned serious. “She doesn’t want her ex to know.”

Erik settled down. He knew all about bad ex-boyfriends. Madeline's ex treated her poorly and he had to be patient until she realized it for herself and left him.

“Yeah, he hasn’t contacted her since he left and I don’t think she wants him to find out about us and come back.”

Hartman shook his head. “It’s tough. Kendall and I were able to avoid the media for a while, but we were found out eventually. There’s just no way around it.”

I nodded. “I tried to tell her I wasn’t as big a name as you two-” Their annoying smirks stopped me. I glared at them before continuing. “But she didn’t care. She doesn’t want to risk it.”

“Give her some time to accept the idea.” Hartman suggested. “She’s not going to be able to hide from her ex forever. It’s not like she’s moved away or something. If he wants to contact her, he can.”

I nodded. “I know that, but I think she’s hoping the out of sight out of mind plan will continue to work.”

“We’ve all seen you two together. There’s no denying there’s something between you guys. I’m sure she’ll come around, you just have to be patient.” Hartman’s reassurance actually made me feel a bit better.

Derek, the replacement goalie, stood in the aisle. “Dude, you dodged a bullet. Just be happy you don’t have to deal with a kid anymore.”

I looked up at the idiot, completely speechless. Luckily, Erik had the mind to speak up. “Her baby isn’t a bad thing. It’s another person to love.”

Derek scoffed. “You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to become an instant dad.”

“And thank heaven you’re not in that situation.” Hartman said with a stern tone. He stared down Derek until he had the good sense to walk away.

I let out my breath, grateful he walked away before the desire to punch him was too much to repress.