Page 72 of He Has Pluck

“No. They gave me a contract.”

She grins and throws her arms around my neck, kissing my face, raining her lips all over until she reaches my lips. Someone nearby makes a comment about getting a room, and she laughs into my mouth and we separate.

“I knew it. I knew they were smart and could tell a good thing when they saw it. I’m glad, so happy for you, Hockey Boy. Now, it’s official. You’ve got your dream.”

“I’m glad you’re glad.” I stare into her eyes. “Is that a tear of happiness I see?” I grin, and she puts a hand up, trying to block my view and swiping at her eye. I push her hand aside and, leaning in, I kiss one eye and then the other, gently.

“God, you’re unbelievable,” I whisper. “You have such a big heart under that porcupine exterior; it’s no wonder you work so hard to protect it.”

She pushes me away and tries to scowl. I laugh. But then I remember the second part of my news, and I sober up.

“How long is the contract?” she asks before I have a chance to work up the courage to tell her. Fuck.

“Three years.”

She blinks. “An eternity.”

“Only for someone who’s used to living like a nomad.”

“Touché.”

“You think there’s any chance I can cure you of that?”

“Not sure, but it might be fun while you’re trying.”

The sound of a throat clearing catches our attention, and we both turn. The bartender is watching us with squinted eyes.

“You two going to get dinner, or what?”

“Or what,” I say and throw a couple of twenties on the bar. Because not for the first time, we have better things to do than eat.

I’m still not sure about our future, but the guillotine disappears from above our relationship, and I can breathe. For now.

As we’re walking out the door arm in arm, she says, “What happens if you get traded?”

Chapter Twenty-Three

JULIETTE

We’re sitting at our favorite bar, The Tea Party, waiting for O’Rourke, Finn, and their wives to show up for lunch, but we’re early.

“Don’t you love that poster?” he says to annoy me, nodding at the poster of the two of us hanging on the wall in the most prominent spot possible behind the bar.

The bartender winks at us. I roll my eyes.

How did a poster of us together come about and end up on the wall of our favorite dive bar?

Long story.

When the Brawlers’ documentary came out last month, it felt too soon, like it somehow wasn’t finished though I gave it everything I had, the same treatment as I give all my projects—a painstaking review and editing, over and over, until it’s pristine and as flawless as I can make it.

I added a postscript at the end of the documentary that says:

Jason Tansem signed a three-year contract with the Brawlers at the end of the season.

Ryan O’Rourke is in rehab for his injury and is expected to return to full strength for the start of the next season.

Tony Gaylord was traded to Philadelphia for an early-round draft pick.