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"Yes," she says in complete candor "Part of it is personal withLexi, it's become evenprotective of Lexi because he's a known player"

"But ed in that respect," I point out "I ht to let her knoas thinking of her That doesn't scream player"

"I know," Gray huffs out "And ive him the benefit of the doubt when I don't know him"

"So get to know hiest

"Hohen he won't come to family events?" she counters

"I bet he'd be willing to perhaps go on a double date with you and Ryker," I offer "That's not as pressure filled"

"Maybe," Gray says grudgingly

"I'll start reaching out to hioalie coach and doesn't have anything to do with the defensemen, really, but he does travel with the tea all practices "We should probably try to get to know hi serious"

"She's getting serious," I say knowingly That look on her face said it all, and I can even relate to it ia, I'd have that same look on my face too

"You two are right," Gray says in a grudging tone "I'll try to figure a way to ease those tensions, but I can't do it at the expense of er duties"

"Would never want you to, honey," I assure Gray as I reach out and put my hand on her shoulder "That's still a priority, but I have confidence you can find the balance"

"I hope so," she says glumly

I hope so too, because all of these relationships are so fragile and new, there's a greater risk they'll be broken rather than strengthened

Chapter 24

Roman

Stepping off the bus, I follow le file into the Park Hyatt Hotel, exhausted after a brutal gaton Breakers, but all that matters is we caht cheekbone due to an "altercation" on the ice, but I'ot the first punch, but I got the last

Best of all, this fight was legit, and Gray Brannon can't give loves first and I was just obliged to take hiue with my reaction, and the five- to leave the ice to get stitched up I was completely fine with a few butterflies one of our trainers slapped onto my tiny cut

Theout to the players, but ets called the loudest and by the h I'm part of a team that just beat their ass, I used to play for the Breakers before I came to the Cold Fury

A quick scan of the crowd and I see plenty ofworn, and that's because I was revered here The Breakers built a reputation on gritty, no-holds-barred hockey, and I was the cornerstone of that philosophy Even the teaement turned blind eyes to my antics because deep down they kneas a necessary part of the game

Not so h

Or at least I' to learn

"Roraph?" I hear someone call out

Another, "Roman, we miss you"

And another, "Roman, please take a picture with me"

With an internal smile, because I don't want anyone to see I'm still flattered by the love I have from some old fans, I break off from my tearoup of Cold Fury fans clustered in the lobby Most are wearing Cold Fury jerseys, but there's a good chunk of Breakers' fans ant soe people who support me

I notice other pockets of fans throughout, and soraphs and autographs It's pretty ame, and et up close and personal with their hockey idols

There's a groove I get into,for selfies Accepting hand hit on by women--and hell, twice in my career by men It's all part of my job