page4 (2/2)

It wasn't a surprise to me that he would be there; not the way I know it shocked him I could see it in his expression when I turned to face the crowd of hockey players staring down atroo ain While there's no doubt in my mind that Hawke never kept track of my whereabouts, I couldn't say the same Of course I knew he'd been traded to the Cold Fury, so I was somewhat prepared for this But that's only because I know everything that goes on in the hockey world It'sDave Caiously Can tell you anything you want to know about the "Q," the Western Hockey League, and the Ontario Hockey League, and those are just the Canadian juniors I know all the Aues and without a doubt, I follow the NHL with an eagle eye I do this not only because I was raised in hockey, but because I noant to work in hockey I've put in my fair share of job applications fro in college football wasn't a desire but a lack of options, but here I a more than one well-placed call by e buddy, and I became a Cold Fury employee

It was a terrible twist of fate that I ended up joining the team at the same time Hawke did Just as it was a terrible twist of fate,to come to the Cold Fury--and trust me when I say, I desperately needed to relocate

With a sigh, I swingit froer

There's a text frohtly as I read it Waited for your call Assume you fell asleep I miss you

Crap I was so exhausted last night after I got hoot to call hi a quick sandwich, and then lying on the bed to rest my eyes for a bit

I shoot hiym now but will call later xoxoxo

Todd would understand It's one of the reasons I adore him so much

He just gets me, and not many people do anymore

--

"Fuck, dudethat hurts like a motherfucker," I hear Kip Sutherland snarl as another piece of kinesiology tape is ripped from his back

"Not ot a hairy back," Goose says with a dry look

I twist my neck to look at the two of them and yeahKip does have a hairy back He's a third-line defenseman for the Cold Fury and he just came off the ice with some lower back spasms Goose is the other assistant athletic trainer No clue what his real name is, but this is technically my first day on the job, so there's still a ton to learn I figure his real name is the least of my problems at this point

My head swings back down to the laptop in front ofthe procedural ram Our head trainer, Bruce Duvall, handed ested I just set et it read I don't have an office, and I suspect that's because the Cold Fury wasn't actively seeking another trainer when I got the job offer Bruce told me I could share desk space with Goose, but one look at the top covered with binders and medical charts and I decided it was just easier to set up in our large training roo for thirty minutes, so all the men--minus Kip and his hairy back--are out there and it's dead quiet in here

R-i-i-i-p

"Fuck," Kip groans "How many more pieces are there?"

I grin to raph on the chapter entitled "Medical Charting"

"Three et you in an ice bath"

"I need sorumbles

"Why? Did you hit it?" Goose asks

"Nah, dude Just went out with a few of the guys after Coach's party last night and I'oddamn Therrien, man, he can drink like a fish and I about killedup with him"

Figures

Haas still partying hard, but that has been his reputation within the league Play hard, party hard I bet he even has that tattooed somewhere on his body

I forceto absorb the content on the screen before me I have a notepad next to me on the vinyl-covered cushioned table but I haven't taken any notes The stuff is easy, straightforward, and pretty s were done at ht because it's imperative I k

eep this job And let's face it, they don't really need hter than Goose to maintain my position

A knock on the door doesn't quite disturb , but the voice that says, "Hey, s up

Hawke stands in the open doorway in full gearhair sticking to his teht at Goose and I use theaway from me the minute I saw him

But daood?

I just saw hi dream, and yet even that memory of e had was dull and faded next to him up close and personal Dark brown hair that he still wears long It curls just above his shoulders with a heavy wave and his blue eyes are set deep below darkly slashed eyebrows The one thing that's different in this man just seven years later is that he now sports a beard While we are well out of playoff season, Hawke apparently liked the look and decided to keep it It's full but well trihter strands woven in

I have to say, it does hih cheekbones and strong jawline

He's perfection, and while I want to tear lance, and while ere over years ago, I can't say it's a chore staring at hiht mind wouldn't stare at that?

"Be just a few ood nature as he pulls another piece of tape froroans draet him in an ice bath"