Free Goalie Interference (NHL Scorpions) by Nikki Worrell Page B

what is it?”
    “You know how I’ve been a little sore lately? Falling on the ice? Almost falling the night of your wedding?”
    “Yeah. I noticed.”
    “Turns out I have avascular necrosis. It’s a career-ending disease for me. The Halloween game will be my last. I’m going on long-term injured reserve for the rest of the season, and then I’m done. I’m going for a surgery consult a couple of days after the game.”
    Jody stood immobile, stunned into silence. After Vlad’s words sunk in, he rubbed his hands down his face. “Holy shit, man. I’m really sorry to hear that. I sure didn’t expect you to say that. I don’t know what I thought it was. I guess I just figured it was Zoe.”
    Vlad told him the rest of the story and what the doctors had told him about the likelihood of him playing professionally again. “I’m not ever sure I’d want to come back if I couldn’t be one hundred percent. At least this way, I can go on LTIR so my salary doesn’t affect the cap. Then they can hire another goalie.” As he was talking, Jody got a peculiar look on his face. “I know that face. You’ve got an idea or something. Spill it.”
    “Well, I was just talking to Mr. Clark about filling another coaching position. I’m one man short. I was actually thinking about looking for a goalie coach and overall help with the defense. What do you think?”
    “I don’t know. I mean, I know I’ll need to do something, but I haven’t gotten that far. I have no idea how long it’s going to take me to get back to skating after the surgery. What if it takes months, or what if I never get back on skates again? Fuck, man! This is some scary shit.” Vlad had to admit, though, the idea was intriguing. It definitely had merit, but how could he expect Jody to hold a position open for him when he couldn’t ensure he could do the job?
    “Tell you what. Why don’t you just worry about the surgery, and let me talk to Mr. Clark? I’ve been operating without the extra coach for a while. I can hang on for a while more until we know what you’re dealing with. Are you even interested in something like that? I can tell you that working with the Mini Scorpions is a hell of a lot of fun. They’re good kids. Well, most of them.”
    Vlad pulled Jody over for a one-armed man hug. “I think it sounds like I have some thinking to do. But yeah, talk to Mr. Clark, and let me know how he feels about it. We’ll go from there. And thanks a lot, Chief.”
     

     
    Zoe had missed three calls from Vlad while she was seeing clients. Hoping nothing else had happened, she quickly called him back.
    “Hello, gorgeous,” Vlad answered on the first ring. It seemed he was feeling better than he was earlier. She knew it would take time for him to accept the situation, but there was nothing he could do but learn to live with it.
    “Hello yourself. You sound pretty chipper. I’m glad. I was a little worried when I saw you called three times.”
    Vlad laughed. “Well, I’ve finally got you where I want you. I don’t want to give you a chance to change your mind about us. Plus, I was wondering what you were going to wear to the Halloween game. Can I assume it’ll be something skimpy like last year?”
    “I’m not telling you; it’s a surprise. And Vlad, I’d still like to keep our relationship quiet until everything is finalized, okay?” Zoe was aware that everyone already knew how they felt about each other, but until Vlad was officially retired, she wasn’t comfortable declaring them a couple.
    He was glad to hear that she finally considered them to be in an actual relationship, but he was ticked that she still wanted to keep it quiet. “Oh, come on, Zoe. It’s just a few more days. Are you seriously telling me that I’m going to continue to be your dirty little secret until I’m officially retired? Technically, I’ll be on LTIR until the end of the season. No way. Good luck with that.” He was done waiting.
    “Why is it so hard for you