Page 4 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

Finally, a piece of who she was. My chest warmed that she felt safe enough to open up, even a little.

“You transferred, right? Where did you come from?”

The question had me almost giddy. I had never let my emotions be affected by anyone before but she was different. She was mine.

“Westgrave. It’s where I grew up. It’s also where my dads played. They’re pretty big in the hockey world and I thought it was time to make my own legacy somewhere else out of their shadow.”

My sister Lana had chosen to leave hockey behind. I embraced it. It also meant that their name and legacy was forever attached to mine. Even here I knew I’d be compared, but this felt like mine. Untainted by them. I hadn’t realized how badly I needed that until now.

I wanted reactions like Gavin’s, where it was genuine and earned through my hard work, not theirs.

She studied me for a moment but didn’t question it.

“Before meeting you, I told Coach I’d be happy to help with the program, so we should be seeing each other around quite a bit.”

“Gavin will be happy,” she said quickly, not quite meeting my eyes.

I let the conversation drop, even though that was the last thing I wanted to do.

“I’m getting the impression you’re unhappy with matching.”

“No,” she said quickly.

The conflict was obvious in her eyes even as her words contradicted my assumption.

“Do you already have a pack?”

“No,” she said, snorting out a laugh.

It was adorable and completely indelicate. I loved it.

“Well, whatever it is holding you back, just know that I’m a patient man. I can wait until you’re ready.”

Because one thing was becoming painfully clear: whatever burden she was carrying, she had been carrying it alone for far too long. Something I was prepared to carry for her, as soon as she’d let me.

Chapter

Two

Dhara

“Why are you being so weird?” Gavin demanded as I drove us across the city. “Did he do something to you?”

“No. The locker room was completely my fault,” I admitted. “There’s usually no one in there this time of night, and I didn’t realize he was in the shower. My headphones were already in because I was in the zone. He said the coach had new guys and they were kept later or something.”

“He’s right,” my brother warned. “They transferred over four players this year. He’s not the only one. If Coach is trying to get them caught up to the pace, I bet he has all kinds of late practices planned.”

“I’ll talk to Coach and make sure he doesn’t want me to work later or something,” I said with a frown. It was already late enough getting us home at nearly ten.

Gavin stifled a yawn and looked up at me, finally looking his age for once. I wished there was more opportunity for him to be a kid and not have to worry about adult problems.

“I hope not,” Gavin muttered.

“Did you get your homework done before you got on the ice?” I raised an eyebrow, making sure he knew I was serious.

“Yes,” he huffed. “Of course, I did. I do listen to you.”

“Oh, sure… most of the time,” I countered.