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“That’s what they tell me”

“I think if it was baseball, it wouldn’t matter as much But in football, basketball and hockey, you have to pass to other players You need familiarity with them”

“We practice together,” I point out

“Yeah, but…it’s not the same I mean, the bookmakers didn’t think so”

I shake h “You bet on sports, too? You’re not like any woman I’ve ever known”

“I don’t lay money on sports, but I understand hoorks My dad used to bet on sports all the ti underdogs”

“Yeah, but what do the bookmakers know?”

Gia laughs and points her spoon at me “They know a lot, believe me They make a hell of a lot of money And if you want to see what kind of shot they think a brand-new tea above 500, check the futures”

“I just need to pause here and say it’s damn hot that you understand all this stuff”

She waves a hand “Not really It would get old quick, trustpoker six nights a week”

“We’ll have to agree to disagree on that But you’ve got le hockey futures “Holy shit No points for being the houess”

“It’s a straight-up assessment of the nuuys are assurow”

I sit back against the back of the booth, thinking about what she said

“How’s the bonding going?” she asks

“Well…”

“Tell el You really need to talk to your captain about it”

I scoff in amusement “Easily done, because that’s me”

“Maverick!” Gia shakes her head and leans forward, her elbows on the table “Get your teao to strip clubs or ga adventurous and fun Find out what your teammates love and hate and what they have on the line”

“You really think that’ll help us play better hockey?”

She nods “It will And you’ll all probably be happier, too Vegas can be…isolating when you first hts and power trips that revolve around money You have to work to find authenticity here”

I’ about how much I want to kiss her Gia is so sure of herself, so passionate about not getting sucked into the superficial parts of this city The first hour ere together, she just listened Now she’s trying to helpprofessional hockey Surprisingly, I don’t want to convince her to coh that idea sounds really appealing I just want to keep talking to her, and find out more about what makes her tick