“You planning on trading a bunch of us?” I ask him lightheartedly.
“Absolutely,” he deadpans. “And you’ll be first.”
“Thanks a lot.” I laugh with the others. Especially since I have a no-trade clause in my contract, which means they can’t trade me unless I agree to it.
Despite that, it feels good to have this kind of rapport with my teammates. Now that Coach Morrison is gone, we’re able to breathe. Relax. Get to know each other, both on and off the ice. It’s not just nicer for us on a personal level, it’s also showing up on the scoreboard. We’ve only lost one game since Coach Teller took over.
“By the way,” Coach says when the hand is over. “Since that charity event was canceled due to weather, I’d like it if some of you could make an appearance at the All-Star weekend coming up. It’s going to be family-friendly, so Viggo and I are bringing the kids. They have me on a panel during the fan fest event, and they’re looking for more people who aren’t actually playing to show up.” He looks to me. “How about it, McGregor?”
I automatically nod. “Whatever you need, Coach.”
“I can get you on one of the panels, maybe have PR set up an autograph thing? Just an hour. And then there’s an indoor carnival in the afternoon on Friday, where families can skate, play games, eat funnel cake. Everything you’d think of but with a hockey twist.”
“I’m in,” Ashton says with a grin. “Where do I sign up?”
“Good man.” Coach nods at him. “I’ll have PR get in touch. Anyone else?”
“Jayne and I are going to the Caribbean,” Bodi says apologetically. “Kelly’s going to watch Lindy. It’s our first time going onvacation together…” He lets his voice trail, obviously hoping Coach doesn’t make him cancel.
Coach laughs. “Have at it, buddy. You’ll owe me next year.”
“Absolutely.”
“I am already there,” Vik says quietly. There has to be at least one representative from each team for the event, and he was the only one chosen from the Thunder. Most guys are bummed when they’re not chosen, but as someone who’s been lucky enough to attend twice, I was actually relieved. I’m looking forward to some down time. Especially now that I’ve met Serena.
“You should bring Serena,” Bodi says to me.
“Who’s Serena?” Ashton asks.
“You have a girlfriend?” Another guy on the team, a rookie named Blaze Villaverde, looks surprised.
“Wait, I thought she was just a friend?” Simon asks in confusion.
I roll my eyes and then give Bodi a dirty look. “I haven’t known her long,” I say carefully. “But we got to spend twenty-four-seven time together during the ice storm because I got stranded at her place after I helped her when her car broke down.”
“Now she’s staying at our house,” Felix adds, nodding.
I want to strangle the lot of them. I don’t need the team knowing my personal business, especially this soon, but now the cat’s essentially out of the bag so I don’t have a choice.
“We were leaving on a trip and the electricity is still out at her place,” I say, like it’s perfectly reasonable. I mean, it is. It’s all true. It’s just the sharing a bed part that changes things a little. Okay, a lot. But if Bodi brings that up, I’m going to punch him.
“It could be fun,” Bodi continues, ignoring the looks I’ve given him. “Give you two a chance to get away and have a little fun instead of being cooped up in a house together.”
I open my mouth to protest but I’m not sure why. She probably can’t go because of work, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t ask. Or that it wouldn’t be fun. I could book a suite, with two bedrooms, so Joey wouldn’t have to sleep with us and?—
“You look like a deer in the headlights,” Coach says, laughing. “Leave him alone, guys. It’s obvious he’s into this woman but isn’t ready to talk about it.”
Thank fuck for a voice of reason.
“What he said,” I mutter, shuffling the cards. “Okay, are we playing cards or talking about my love life?”
“Your love life is the more interesting,” Vik murmurs.
Everyone laughs.
But the seed is planted.
I’m going to invite Serena to the All-Star weekend.