Scoring Position (Hockey Ever After #2)

by Ashlyn Kane

“I get it. It’s no fun to feel like the team problem child. Believe me, I’ve been there.” And then he got over it, got the girl, won the Calder, became a dad, and got his Cup ring just a couple years later. Kind of hard to equate their situations. “I managed because the guys on my team stepped up and talked me through it.” That was nice for him, but accidentally knocking up your girlfriend and failing to live up to your promise as a first-overall draft pick didn’t seem like comparable problems to Nico. The truth was, he didn’t even know what his problem was. He played good hockey—great hockey, even. Just not during actual NHL games. Frustrated, he blew out a breath and broke Yorkie’s gaze. “Yeah,” he said. There didn’t seem to be anything else to say—in any language. At least Yorkie hadn’t sent Misha after him. Small consolation not to be coddled by a giant defenseman who might or might not have an issue with Nico’s sexuality, but was willing to put up with him because at least he spoke Russian. The captain waited around a few more seconds, but when it became clear Nico was finished with the conversation, he shrugged and got on his own bike. “If you change your mind,” he said. Changed his mind about what? Wanting to get out of this excruciating conversation as quickly as possible? Unlikely. “Thanks,” Nico told him. Then he made a strategic retreat to the showers.