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“Uh…I agreed to pick you up,” I point out as the giant black furball obediently climbs into the back of my car.

“Ah, shit,” he hisses. “Did I forget to mention Mabes? Whoops.”

“Mabes?”

I don’t get a response; he’s too busy shutting the door, enclosing me with his beast of a dog.

Heavy panting fills the car, and the next thing I know, a giant—and I mean fucking massive—head pokes between the driver and passenger seat.

I stare at it, and it stares right back. Its huge, dark eyes take me in, and I can’t help but feel like it’s judging me.

As Rovvy opens the passenger door, the dog leans closer, and the next thing I know, a huge, wet tongue is sliding up the side of my face.

“Aw, she likes you,” Rovvy says with a wide smile. “I explained that you’re a moody fucker, but underneath all your armor, you’re a softie.’

“W-what?” I blurt as I attempt to wipe the slobber from my face.

“Mabes is a fantastic judge of character. I knew she’d see the real you.”

“The what?”

I’m too fucking stunned by all of this to really get a grasp on what he’s saying.

“We see you, Nash. You’re not nearly as miserable as you make out you are.”

I shake my head as I look between them.

“So, this is Mabel. She’s my girl.”

My mouth opens and closes, but no words make their way out.

“You like dogs, right?”

“It’s a bit fucking late if I don’t, don’t you think?” I complain as I put the car into drive, ready to make the short journey toward the arena.

This afternoon is one of the Vipers’ friends-and-family events.

It’s a day I hate. We used to do them in Vancouver as well. I’d get to spend the afternoon watching everyone else having fun with the important people in their lives outside of our teammates. I never had anyone. But worse than that, I’m always achingly aware of how much my brothers would love something like this. Maybe one day I’ll be able to get them over to the West Coast so they can join in.

“I guess so.”

“And why exactly is Mable coming with us?” I ask, although I can guess.

“It’s friends-and-family day. That includes all the important people in our lives.”

“Key word being people there, Rov.”

He gasps and quickly reaches out to cover Mabel’s ears. “Don’t listen to him, Mabes.”

“So dogs on the ice is a thing in LA, huh?”

“Absolutely. Wasn’t it in Vancouver?”

“No.”

“Well, you were missing out on even more than I thought up there in Canada. Down here, we know how to do these days properly. There’s nothing like shooting pucks with your doggo.”

“I’ll take your word for that.”