Page 23 of The Rebound Play

“Then you’ll still have mine, too.”

The fact he’s kept my number all these years makes my breath hitch in my throat. That’s got to mean something, doesn’t it?

I berate myself. I shouldn’t go hoping for anything with Dan, even if he’s being incredibly sweet and kind in offering to teach Benny.

“I’ll call you once you’ve had a chance to talk to your sister. Is tomorrow good?”

“Tomorrow. Sure.”

He holds my gaze for a beat longer than I expect, and my treacherous heart fills with hope, something it seems to want to do whenever he’s around.

So much for my avoidance tactic. It’s going to prove impossible to avoid Dan now.

CHAPTER 7

DAN

I tie up my skates, my wrist reminding me it’s still not right. I head out onto the ice, relishing the light wind in my hair as I glide around the rink. It’s not often I get to do this—and not at all lately, thanks to my injury. In fact, when I headed out onto the ice with Cooper and Scotty that day I saw Keira, it was the first time I’d skated since Coach informed me I was benched.

I’ve had a few physical therapy sessions with Jennifer, the team PT, since I’ve been back here, and she told me I’m definitely on the mend. She saw no harm in me giving Benny a few pointers on the ice. She’s even given me the green light to practice with the guys, just as long as I don’t do anything to hurt my wrist.

I’m taking it and skating with it. Pun intended.

Today is my first lesson with Benny, and I’m amped to see Keira again. I called her as I had promised, and she told me that her sister was fine with my teaching Benny, and that they could come for their first lesson today.

I was so happy—I punched the air and remained on a high for the rest of the day.

Usually when I’m out on the ice, an arena is full of my teammates. Big personalities and small, talking, skating, being told what to do by Coach. Not today. Practice was over hours ago, and the last of Ellie’s class have gone. It’s just me, my skates, and the ice, and as I move around the rink, stick in hand, I take a moment to enjoy it before seeing Keira again.

I could have kissed Ellie when she told me that Keira isn’t married, and Benny and Hannah are her sister’s kids. Of course I didn’t. There’s only one woman I want to kiss, and she’s the one who’s held my heart in her hands my entire adult life, only I’ve been too focused on my hockey career to admit it, even to myself.

Now that I’m sure she’s not married to another man, it’s not just the gliding across the smooth ice that has me feeling exhilarated. This could be it. This could be my chance with her. My chance to tell her how much she means to me, how I’ve never forgotten her. How I hope that somehow, if she’s willing, we could make this thing between us work once more.

My chests fills with warmth at the possibility.

Me and Kiki, together as one.

It seems so perfect, so possible. Sure, my career has always been super important to me, my driving force in life. But seeing Keira again has only served to remind me what I gave up all those years ago.

It was a mistake. A huge mistake. It’s one I regret making every day, especially since I’m confronted with her presence daily.

So, when I saw the opportunity to spend time with Keira by training Benny, I leapt at it. Part of me has always wanted to teach kids someday, to share my skills and passion for the game with the next generation. To inspire them. The fact that Benny also happens to be Keira’s nephew? Well, that just adds to the appeal, because let’s face it, when you messed up with the love of your life and you get a second chance, you grab it with both hands, and you do not let go.

This could be our rebound play, and I’m not going to let her slip through my fingers.

I need to make her mine again.

I pick up the pace on the ice, my legs finding their rhythm, propelling me faster. The wind whips past my face as I lean into each stride, my muscles working hard. The sensation of speed is intoxicating, a blend of control and wild freedom, and I can’t help but grin. I’ve had my first couple of practices with my team, which have gone as well as you could expect a bunch of guys from opposing teams thrown together could go; we’ve gotten the big media event done, showing the team off to the world; and now my time is finally my own. I’m free to pursue what—and who—I really want.

Keira.

Out of the corner of my eye, a couple of blurred figures captures my attention. I slow my pace, angling my feet to come to a stop beside them, ice shavings spraying.

She’s here.

“Hey, guys,” I say, my breath coming in short, heavy bursts.

Keira is standing at the side of the rink, holding Benny’s hand. Her nephew’s hand.