Checked in the Heart: a BBW Hockey Romance by Megan Wade

Author:Megan Wade [Wade, Megan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LA Publishing Pty Ltd
Published: 2024-06-21T00:00:00+00:00

EMILE

The aroma of Cajun spices hits me the second I push open the door to DuPont’s. Even though it’s late, the place is still buzzing with the low hum of conversation and the rhythmic clatter of cutlery against plates. I spot Sara immediately. She’s busy wiping down tables, her brow furrowed in concentration as she meticulously straightens a stack of menus.

After giving her a quick wave to let her know I’m here, I make my way to the bar, my gaze lingering on her while I wait. Even in her simple black uniform and sensible shoes, she manages to look effortlessly adorable. She’s perfect.

“Hey, Romeo.” Natalie’s voice startles me out of my thoughts. “Didn’t expect to see you here tonight. Thought you’d be at home licking your wounds after getting benched during practise today.”

I wince, taking a seat at the bar and accepting the beer she sets down in front of me. “I promised Sara a ride home. How is Luc? I should probably call and apologize again.”

“He’s doing OK. But he’ll be out of action for this weekend’s game.”

“What?” I wince, remembering the sickening thud of the puck connecting with Luc’s knee.

“It’s OK. The doctor says it’s nothing serious. Just some deep tissue bruising. The rest is just a precaution.”

I put my head in my hands. “I feel awful. My head was all over the place, but…it’ll never happen again. I swear.”

“Good. Because if my fiancé’s hockey career ended because of a stray puck from his soon-to-be brother-in-law, things could get awkward at family dinners.” She winks, but her tone isn’t serious. “Seriously though, Emile. What the hell was that back there? Luc said you were playing like a man possessed.”

I take a long swig of my beer, the cool liquid doing little to quench the sudden dryness in my throat. “Coach got under my skin.”

Natalie’s eyebrows shoot up. “Because of Sara?”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Yeah. He doesn’t want me dating her.” I quickly recount the conversation I had with Coach Belanger, the warning, the threat to my position on the team.

Natalie listens patiently, her frown deepening the longer I go on. When I’m finished, she lets out a low whistle. “Wow. He wasted no time laying down the law.”

“He threatened to bench me if I don’t stay away from her.”

“I don’t blame him for being protective. I mean, she’s his daughter. But at the same time, she’s not a little kid anymore. He has to let her make her own decisions. Have you spoken to her about it?”

“No.” I groan, burying my face in my hands. “What am I supposed to do, Nat? I really like her. Like, really, really like her. But I don’t want to cause a rift between her and her dad, and I can’t afford to lose my spot on the team before I’ve played enough games to try and trade to another team.”

Natalie pats my arm sympathetically. “Look, I’m not going to tell you what to do here. You’re a grown man, and you have to make your own decisions too.

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