God, has someone been waiting this entire time?I was on time—barely—but the idea that I was getting any kind of special treatment sort of knocked me sideways.
They know you’ve never been here. They don’t want you wandering around lost.Or so I told myself until a woman wearing a team jacket joined me just as I was retrieving my extra hockey sticks. I closed the truck, assured myself the alarm was set, and then I offered her a broad grin, sticking out my hand. “Devon Jarvis.”
“I’m Fatima. I’m here to show you around and to take care of you as best I can.”
“Great.”
We started walking.
“I’m nervous.” I blurted that out.
“Oh, so was I on my first day. I’d been to see so many games. The thought of working for the organization? Blew my mind. Like, so much excitement.” She grinned as she held the door for me.
Normally, I believed in chivalry. Something about this woman’s demeanor reminded me of Amy.I’m as strong as most men, can beat you in a speed competition, and don’t need to be treated differently because I happen to have breasts.Again, Mama’s admonitions came to mind. About treating women properly while respecting their strengths.
Plus, opening doors while carrying a bundle of extra hockey sticks would’ve just been damn awkward.
“Locker room’s here.” Fatima gave me a smile.
Fuck. Not paying attention. How are you going to get back here?
Oh. I’d be following Karim Khoury around like a puppy scared of losing his way. The captain was a damn talented top six power forward. Since I was swapping in for a bottom pair injured defenseman, I wasn’t likely to see much ice time at all, never mind alongside Khoury. Hell, I would dress tonight and maybe not play a moment on the ice. “Thanks, Fatima.” I tried to inject confidence I sure as shit didn’t feel.
She offered a beaming smile. “Wheels will take care of you.”
As Fatima predicted, I got a hearty handshake from Khoury, who everyone called Wheels for some reason.
Right. For some reason. Because he’s held the League’s speed record since his rookie season.
I had a couple of inches of height on the guy, but he was broad and ripped and powerful. I was in damn good physical shape, but he had me beat by a lot.
Gonna have to up my game if I’m going to hold my own on a team with guys like him.
“You’ll go great. Get your gear on—practice starts in half an hour.”
“Yeah.” I turned toward the locker I’d be using.
And there it was.
A Vancouver IceHawk jersey. That I’d be wearing for tonight’s game.
With my name. With my number.
Somehow, by luck, the number thirty wasn’t in use.
I’ve made it. If only for a week…I’ve made it.
Wheels nudged me. “Never gets old.”
“Nope.
“You ready?”
“Yep.” Said with way more confidence than I felt. Except, as I raced to unpack my gear and to get suited up, a mantra repeated over and over in my mind.This is just a game. No one’s life is in your hands. The world won’t come to an end if you play badly. Jack will still?—
I paused for just a moment.
Jack would what?