When Alec Met Evie (Appies, #6)

by Jenny Proctor

my phone buzzes with a call, and I answer it through my car’s sound system. “Hey, Meg,” I say. “Hey!” My younger sister’s voice comes through with all the enthusiasm I’ve grown to expect. “I didn’t think you’d answer.” “No?” “Well, I mean, it’s Friday night, and you’re you. You aren’t out? On a date?” “On my way home,” I say. “Got a game tomorrow.” “Ohhh, that’s right. I’ve seen the news talking about it. Everyone’s out to take down the Calder Cup champions. Did you read the Sports News Daily article?” she asks. “They were not nice to you.” The article Megan is referencing wasn’t nice to me. Well, it was sort of nice to me, but in a backhanded way. The point of the article was to identify all the players on the Appies hockey team who should be playing in the NHL, listing most of our first and second lines, as well as me and Nathan, who I usually play with as a defensive partner. It’s not entirely untrue. Most AHL contracts are signed through the team’s NHL affiliate so players can easily shift from one organization to the other, according to what’s needed and where. But the Appies aren’t typical. With our social media presence and huge fan following, there’s a lot of money in this team, even though it’s technically minor league. The Appies offer specific perks that give guys reasons to play here instead of aiming for the NHL. Which just means there’s a lot of talent on the Appies’ ice, and we’re hard to beat. Logan, our first-line left winger, has the most NHL experience a...