Heat it Up: Off the Ice - Book One Read Free Page B

the teens, even if I was no longer able to play with the league because of my fucked-up leg. It was an offer I couldn’t say no to, even if my family had reservations about it. It’s great experience for my resume, something I need more of if I want to pursue a coaching career. It’s a break from the painful memories. It’s a timeout from my family’s ever-watchful eye.
    Who wouldn’t have jumped at the position?
    “It’s not as bad as it sounds,” I explain. “You just called me at a bad time last night.”
    “You went home with her, didn’t you?”
    “Who?” I say even though I have a good idea who he’s referring to.
    “The girl who answered your phone.”
    I’m not sure how to answer. Cody’s sixteen. He’s not an idiot. But I’m hardly going to admit I had sex with her.
    “I thought you loved Gabby,” he powers on.
    I squeeze my eyes shut against the pain that has nothing to do with the hangover. “I did love her. But she’s dead, Cody. Me not sleeping around won’t change that. She’s not coming back.”
    It’s not like I’m even fucking all those girls to dull the pain of losing my wife. Gabby and I got married when we were only twenty. An idiot move, really. I didn’t realize it at the time. I loved her, but I’m finally getting to do what I missed out on by settling down so young. And to hell if Cody thinks he can guilt me into becoming a saint or some born-again virgin.
    A raindrop splatters against the windshield. A sullen cloud I hadn’t noticed before darkens the sky.
    “I know it won’t bring her back,” Cody grumbles. The same hurt and distrust I’ve heard in his voice so many times, since my accidental overdose, darkens his tone.
    “Look, bro, I know I fucked up last year. But I promise it won’t happen again. I’m not on those drugs anymore.” I’m not on any drugs, other than the liquid kind. And even that I save for when I’m not coaching the next day. I’d rather put up with the pain than risk another accidental overdose, than risk being addicted to the drug, than risk showing up at work with an epic hangover. An asshole move like that could screw up my future career.
    “But you’re still hanging out with Nik,” Cody says.
    I glance down at my favorite t-shirt. The t-shirt that says: May the ∑F = m a be with you. The t-shirt that Nik complained last night looked like I was entering a math contest instead of hitting the clubs. “There’s nothing wrong with Nik.”
    “Dad says he’s a hotheaded ass who’s eager to milk the benefits of his fame.”
    Yeah, I do remember that conversation with Dad. I just didn’t realize Cody had overheard it. I cringe at what else he probably also overheard when Dad forgot I’m twenty-four and not ten years old, and tried to ground me so I didn’t come to Finland.
    “I just don’t want anything bad to happen to you, Kyle.” Cody’s voice cracks on the last part.
    I might not feel guilty about the women I’m screwing, but I do feel like shit after he says that. “I promise you nothing bad is going to happen to me while I’m here. And I promise I’ll be back home at the end of August. I wouldn’t miss watching you play for anything.” Even if it will tear me up inside knowing he’s the one who has a shot at making his NHL dreams come true, while I only get to watch from the sidelines. I’ll never again get to experience the euphoria of playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The dream of every hockey player.
    The answering silence is louder than the rain hammering the metal roof.
    He doesn’t believe me.
    I’m about to say something else, when I hear our father’s voice on Cody’s end. I can’t make out what he said, but I pray to a God I don’t believe in that Cody never mentioned anything to my father about what I was doing last night. I don’t need any more lectures. I need some coffee and a shower. In that order.
    “I have to go.” Cody ends the call without giving me a chance to say goodbye, and without