Pucking Strong: An MM Workplace Hockey Romance (Jacksonville Rays Book 4)

“Morbror!”

I turn to see Teddy and Karolina standing at the end of the rink up against the glass. She’s wearing a Karlsson jersey so large, it falls past her knees. There are sparkly ribbons in her hair.

Smiling, I leave my teammates and skate up to them. “Hej, mitt lilla lamm.” Glancing at Teddy, I offer him a smile too. “Hej, Teddy.”

“Hi,” he says on a breath. He’s not wearing his WAG jacket tonight. He’s in a black T-shirt, ripped jeans, and my leather jacket. His locs are pulled up in a bun, held in place with a teal Rays bandana. I had hoped to see him yesterday when I got home, but he volunteered to help at some rehabilitation hospital event the Rays were sponsoring. He didn’t get back until after I was asleep. And I was out the door early this morning.

Karro presses both hands to the glass and says in English, “Teddy got me cotton candy!”

His smile falls slightly. “I will not be letting her eat it all.”

I pull my glove off, press my hand to the glass over Karro’s, and say in Swedish, “Did you have a good time while I was gone? Were you good for Hanna and Mr. Torres?”

She pouts. “He makes me do math.”

I give her a solemn nod. “Math can be hard. But we want to be bright like Mamma, ja?”

Lindberg skates up on my left, popping his mouth guard free to smile at Karro and say in Swedish, “Hej, hej. Look at you growing so big and strong.”

Her eyes go wide as she notices his missing front teeth. She’s only ever seen him with his flipper. Laughing, I sling an arm around his shoulders. “See? This is why you practice your math. Otherwise, you have to become a hockey player, like Morbror and Mr. Lindberg, and then you’ll lose all your teeth.”

Leaning into the bit, Lindberg lowers his face to the glass, flashing his gummy smile. “Give us some cotton candy, little girl. We can’t chew without our teeth!”

“No!” She covers her mouth with both hands, nearly toppling off the ledge.

“Wow,” says Teddy in English, keeping her upright. “Great uncle-ing there, Morbror. Lindy, put your guard back in before you’re eating steak through a straw.”

With a chuckle, Lindberg pops his guard in and skates off, patting my shoulder as he goes.

A whistle blows, and I know I’m out of time. “I have to go,” I say in English.

“We’re gonna watch you play,” says Karro in Swedish.

I switch back too. “I’m so happy you’re both here, mitt lilla lamm.”

“Hey, Ted!”

Teddy glances over his shoulder.

A handsome Black man in a Jags NFL jersey waits by the stairs, holding a beer. “I’m gonna head up to the seats,” he calls with a wave.noveldrama

“K.” Teddy waves back at him. “We’ll be right there!”

I watch as the man scales the steps, disappearing into the stands. “Who was that?”

“What?” Teddy glances over his shoulder. “Oh, that was Colin. I thought you met Colin before.”

My shoulders tense as my smile falls. “No.”

He gives me a puzzled look. “I was sure you had. I think he came to a beach thing once or twice during my intern year.”

“Why is he here?” I say, trying to keep my tone light. I must be failing, judging by Teddy’s expression.

He arches a confused brow. “To watch the game. I invited him. Wait, is that a problem?”

“Of course not.” What else am I supposed to say?

“I mean, the WAGs gave us more tickets than I could ever use,” he goes on. “And Colin was finally free tonight. Besides, I wanted backup in case this one became a sugar-crazed terror,” he adds, kissing Karro’s glittery cheek.

She smiles. “Can I have my cotton candy now?”

“Not until we get to the seats. Ask again, and I’m gonna give your cotton candy to Pelly the Pelican.”

“No,” she whines.

Another whistle blows, and I push back from the glass. “I have to go.”

“Skate well,” Teddy calls with a wave. “Say bye to Morbror, honey bunny.”

“Bye, Morbror!”

“Kick Dallas’s ass!” he adds.

I skate backwards, leaving Karro and Teddy at the glass.

This doesn’t make any sense. I thought Teddy and I were making progress. I told him what I wanted before I left for Columbus. I couldn’t have been clearer. I told him I was ready to try. He agreed to let me.

So why did my husband bring a date to my game?