Page 161

“Ugh, it’s like being a little kid again and playing monkey in the middle,” he complains as he chases after me.

“You’ve got good footwork,” I comment, watching him.

“Thanks.”

I slow, finally allowing him to catch up with me.

“You’re a little rusty, but I reckon we could make a decent player out of you yet.”

“It’s okay. We’ll leave that to you. I much prefer watching.”

“You need to speak to our analysts, see if they need anyone,” I say, taunting him with the puck.

“Nah, it’s okay,” he says, finally stealing it and shooting toward the goal.

I let him go, letting him think he’s got the upper hand, before finally taking off after him, and picking up the puck straight from his stick before he gets a chance to shoot.

“Damn, so close,” I tease as I shoot around the back of the goal.

“I think I’d be better playing against the girls’ team.”

“What? Hell no. You’ve seen Sutton play; she’ll skate rings around you.”

“Jeez, thanks,” he laughs.

“Tell me I’m wrong,” I demand, arching a brow at him.

“Can’t. She’s a beast.”

“Exactly. Now, back to the analyst gig?”

“I’m not going to beg for a job. If one comes up, I’ll consider applying, but⁠—”

“Consider?” I balk. “Garrett, you can’t tell me that that wouldn’t be your dream job?”

I can see in his eyes that it is, but for some reason, he holds back from admitting it.

“I applied for an actuary position for an insurance company earlier,” he tells me.

“What’s one of those?” I ask, utterly naive about his line of work.

“Oh, I’d be using math and statistics to measure and manage financial risk.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “And that’s what you want to do?”

His hesitation tells me everything his words don’t.

“It’s a start. Right now, I just need a job.”

“But what if⁠—”

He sends me a look that cuts off my argument before it even starts.

“I can’t keep sponging off my sister. I also can’t keep doing nothing for much longer. I need a job, or I’m going to go stir crazy.”

“Yeah, I get that. I just don’t want you to settle.”

“Sometimes, that’s the only option. We can’t all walk straight into the NHL after college,” he teases.