Page 16 of Cross Check

Mitchy

100%. Dude can’t lie to save his life.

Sully

You’re dead to me, Richardson.

Me

Be nice, Grandpa. No need to threaten violence.

Sully

You’re next, Everett.

Amelia kicks my ass, but I’m glad to concede to her.

“You’re fast.” I brush the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand. “What the hell?”

“I still hit the gym.” She glances my way. “I have to make sure I can beat someone when they challenge me to a race.”

After grabbing our food, we find a secluded table down a side street with a heating lamp nearby in case we get cold. We sit, and I position myself on my chair so my legs don’t bump hers.

Amelia takes the first bite of her meatball sub and groans. She follows it up with another quick bite, not seeming to care about the sauce that drips onto her chin.

“Oh my god,” she says around the bread. “I’m already addicted.”

“Easy there, messy eater.” I hand over a stack of napkins and laugh. “I’m glad you’re not wearing a white shirt. The poor thing would be ruined.”

“This is the best sandwich I’ve ever had, and I don’t usually like sandwiches. How did you find this place? Can I pay them to franchise out in Denver?”

“My teammates invited me for lunch one day, and the rest is history.” I shove the plastic basket her way. “Try the fries with the marinara sauce. It rounds out the meal.”

“Fuck.” She sighs, popping a fry in her mouth. “I might have to move to DC. I can’t imagine not having this food in my life.”

“Denver has some good food options, right?”

“Yeah. There’s an Indian restaurant I love around the corner from my apartment. They make delicious chicken tikka. I order three servings and eat them over a week.”

“Give me the name and I’ll stop by when we’re out there next month.”

“Little India. It’s near the arena and life-changing. Man. It’s a shame I’m only in town once this season, otherwise I’d be a regular here. Is it too late to put in an application for an East Coast coaching position?”

“Baltimore is getting an expansion team.” I lean back in my chair. “You could coach there.”

“It’s going to be another season before the team gets off the ground. That’s a lifetime in sports.”

“I might get sent to the AHL before that happens.”

“You’re on the second line now, aren’t you?” she asks.

“Keeping tabs on me, Green?”

“It’s my job to know lineups. Don’t flatter yourself, Everett,” she answers.

“You aren’t watching my highlights? Disappointing.” I catch her eyeing my fries, and I move my basket so it’s in the middle of the table in case she wants more. “I am on the second line, yes, and Coach is proud of the effort I’m putting in. Biggest compliment in the world coming from him. He scares me.” I pause to wipe my hands. “Do we really need to talk about hockey? It takes up so much of our lives as it is.”

“What do you want to talk about?”