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I watch the drills continue out on the ice, wondering if Coach is going to put me back in today We've been out here almost two hours already, so it's unlikely

And yeah, this shit with Dave has ot my jockstrap in a twist

In fact, probably not even the greatest thing

No, that's reserved for one Vale Cain to list all the ways in which she's bothering me

But I'll give it a try, because there's nothing else to do at thisain

First, the long-standing grudge I' over the way in which she cut me out of her life That sort of speaks for itself

Second, the fact that even after all this ti for her I' for e had, or the fact that I feel terribly sorry for what she's going through right now Hellit's probably because she's still the hottest goddaed over the years, but it's irking the hell out of me that I'm affected like this

Third, the fact that she's apparently got a boyfriend That was clear last night when she answered the phone with a "Hi, honey," all sweet and breathless sounding No clue who the fucker was on the other line, but I wanted to pound hi that way also irritates me

Finally, and this is by far thethat has --implied, really--that perhaps there had been an opportunity for us to reconnect years ago It was subtle, and her words were cut off when her phone rang, but she clearly said, "Maybe you should have asked why back when"

Asked what, Vale?

What? Why? What? Why?

All these fucking questions are driving me bonkers

I left after she answered the phone, pro Dave I'd cooing to let go of, h

Christ, it hurts to even think about it

Hurts to think about the way Valeand terrified for her father

One thing I know for sure is that she's back in ether, but now Dave is back in ure out a way to live with all this shit that's been stirred up

More ier and hurt over what she did all those years ago need to take a backseat right now I don't need to make this anyon her shoulders And besides, why do I really need the answers anyway? That's over and done with and I've moved on

She's clearly moved on

Sudden resolve surges within me and I push up off the bench Bruce Duvall is the only athletic trainer out here on the ice during this practice session, as there's usually one nearby at all tiets injured I assu or therapy rooms

Bruce looks at s over the boards and drop down onto the ice As I skate by hiet it iced"

He hardly spares aze slides back over to watch the drills in session I skate across the empty half of the rink to the far side where the door to the underbelly of the arena is, slapping onback toward the locker rooms

Confident that practice will be over soon, I go ahead and strip down out of e canvas bins on wheels set along one wall The equip of everything I put on a dry T-shirt and workout shorts, slip on a pair of athletic slides, and thenrooms

There are three roo department The treatment room where Vale taped my knee, the therapy room that holds ice baths, TENS units, and other modalities, and then the workout roo All three roo the interior of the locker rooine Vale gets an eyeful if she is so inclined after practices and gauys walk around naked and let their junk hang loose But she's a professional and so are we, so I suppose it comes with the territory

As long as none of the guys willfully wave their dicks in her face, it's all good

I can see Vale in the treat one wall, an adjacent wall holding a long counter with cabinets above and below that hold supplies The far wall houses Bruce's and Goose's offices with a s them I don't see Goose in there so I have no clue where he is, but it's even better that we're alone

I have sos to say

I walk in, watching as Vale rips tape off a box and starts unloading packages of Steri-Strips from it She doesn't hear htly on the door jamb

She still gives a little jump and turns to face ht off as she recognizes me, and cool politeness takes over

"Hey," I say as I walk her way "Knee's a little sore Thought you could take a look at it"

Vale's brows draith concern and shehappen to cause it?"

"Nah," I say, not feeling the slightest bit guilty for my lie just so I can have a few moments to talk to her "Just came off the ice and noticed it"

I hop up onto the table with e and kick off my slides She's silent as she turns to the sink and washes her hands After they're dry, she walks up to e-of-motion tests"