Cooper shot a glance at Justin.“You a hockey fan, Mia?”
I rocked my hand.“I don’t have a lot of time these days, but my team is Vancouver.”
He raised his brows.“Really?Even when JJ is playing here?”
I shrugged.“Sorry.”But Cooper must have a good reason to have come out here.“You two want to talk.Can I get you something to drink?”
Justin answered.“You don’t need to do that.”
I raised my brows.“Who broke a glass this morning?”
Cooper grinned.“Not going so well, JJ?”
Justin huffed.“It’s impossible, how much muscle disappears in six weeks.”
Cooper looked down.“At least you don’t have to get your whole damn leg back in shape.”
I waited while they made their way to the living room then went to the kitchen to get them something to drink.Justin wasn’t going to be doing more rehab exercises for a while.
The weather was warmer, so we’d stocked up on sparkling water, flavored fizzy waters, and homemade lemonade.I put all the options on a tray, with some ice and glasses.
The two men were talking about teammates when I came back into the room.
Justin smiled.“Thanks, Mia.That’s great.”
Cooper flashed me a grin that probably had women dropping at his feet.“Thank you, Mia.You’ve been keeping JJ in line while he’s been here?”
“It’s been a struggle.”I was getting over the shock of seeing one of hockey’s superstars in person.
Justin’s brows drew together.“Hey…”
Cooper laughed.“He’s been a handful?”
“You don’t know him if you’re asking that.”
Cooper picked up a glass and poured lemonade.“Has he left the house?”
It was my turn to laugh.“You do know him.”
I returned to the kitchen to do up the lunch dishes.Soon, the kitchen was clean.If Justin planned to finish his rehab exercises, I should probably stick around, but otherwise I might as well leave the two men on their own.I couldn’t help overhearing their conversation when I started down the hallway to ask.
“You’re staying in Toronto, right?I’m working hard with the team, but if you ask to be traded, they’re going to look at the rebuilding option.”That was Cooper.
“I told you, I’m in.”
“Sorry, things are getting to me.The team is asking whether I’ll lose speed after I rehab the leg.Wondering about your shot next season, and if you’re likely to attack a teammate again.Just when I think I’ve convinced them to keep the core together next season for a chance at the Cup, they come up with something else—like those questions they threw at you.”
“The Alek situation was a one-time thing.Jess is going to go with him wherever he plays, and I’m good with that.I want her to be happy.And I won’t let you down.I’ll be there for your camp?—”
“I think of it as more of a retreat.”
Justin snorted.“And I’ll be on the ice for training camp.As good as—no, better than I was.This year, we’re doing it.”
I stepped back to the kitchen.Something dark poked at my brain.Of course Justin was going back to Toronto.Soon.He’d be playing with the Blaze.They supported him, and he supported them.
Justin might miss Jess in Toronto, but there was no chance he’d be anywhere in BC this fall.I’d known that, and expected it.So why did the thought make me want to drop another one of the mugs?
Chapter23