Free Slap Shot by Lily Harlem Page A

waiting for you to call.”
    “Tina?”
    “Er, yeah, who is this?”
    “Tina, it’s Dana.”
    “Well, for crying out loud, girl, how are you?”
    “I’m good, and you?”
    “Doin’ amazing, finally got me a decent man.”
    “Is he treating you well?” Tina’s idea of a decent man was probably one who didn’t think it was fun to beat her every second night.
    “Like a princess, and Raif adores him, especially when he takes him out in his car on night rides.”
    An image of angelic Raif sitting in some mean and noisy roadster filled my mind. I pushed it away. “Did Raif have a good birthday last month?”
    “Yes, I took him to the mini golf, he loves it. Let him take a friend too.”
    There was a moment of silence.
    “You okay?” Tina asked.
    “Great.”
    “Got yourself a man yet?” she asked.
    “No and I’m planning on keeping it that way.”
    “Oh, give that a rest already, girl, it’ll close up.” She laughed. “Is your business still going well?”
    “Busy, really busy. Look, I’m calling to see if you want some work.”
    “If it’s my kind of work, honey, then sure, count me in.”
    “I’m organizing a party this weekend, some hockey guys, they want a couple of dancers.” I paused. “It would be great money, you’d just have to sign to keep your mouth shut about it.”
    “Sure, but what’s your idea of great money these days?”
    “Five hundred dollars for an hour’s work.”
    “Hell, count me in.”
    “Is there someone else you could bring? I need two dancers.”
    “Mmm, yeah, I’ll ask Cindy. It’s her night off, she’s new. A tall Amazonian type, rocks the pole.”
    “Sounds perfect, I’ll send a car to collect you both. Are you still in Canton?”
    “Yep, it’s a shithole but it works for me.”
    “Be ready for about nine and any problems call me on this number.”
    “Sure thing and, you know, thanks for thinking of me, I appreciate it.”
    “I often think of you.”
    “And I think of you too, honey.”
    “Also, Tina, would you mind not mentioning to anyone you happen to talk to at the party that I used to dance at Mackay’s.”
    “Of course I won’t, I know how hard you worked to turn your life around. You’re an executive now, got your own company, a car and a house. I’m proud of the new you, I wouldn’t jeopardize that.”
    “Thanks, Tina, I appreciate it, I’ll see you Saturday then.”
    “Are you gonna be there?”
    “Yes, the host is insisting upon it.”
    She snorted with laughter. “Ah, I think there’s more to this story than you’re letting on—hockey players, dancing. I’ll get it all out of you, Dana, I know the chinks in your armor.”
    “There’s nothing to get out of me.” She was as bad as Maddie.
    “Mmm, we’ll see.”
    * * * * *
     
    I pulled up at Rick’s gates on time and was met with a burly guy in a navy suit. Chainlink Security was embroidered in gold on his jacket.
    “Good evening, madam,” he said when I wound down the window. “Is Mr. Lewis expecting you?”
    “Very much so,” I said, remembering his threat of coming to collect me if I wasn’t there by ten past seven. “Dana Wilcox.”
    He consulted a clipboard, ticked my name off, then pointed a remote at the gates. They started to swing open.
    “Has Mr. Lewis had some more trouble out here?” I asked, glancing up and down the street, half expecting to see a crazy woman strutting around.
    “No, miss, and he wants to make sure there isn’t any.” He stepped back and I caught sight of a holster around his waist. I shivered. My hatred of guns only grew as the years passed.
    I pulled up the drive and parked next to Rick’s Lexus. Before I was even up the steps the front door was flung open.
    “Hey,” he said, looking like a walking invitation to sin in faded jeans and a soft green cotton shirt. “Glad you made it on time.”
    “I wouldn’t dare not.” Why does my stomach flip every single time I see him?
    He chuckled and stepped aside so I could walk