“I’d like to offer you a permanent job as part of our staff.”

The bastard.

He’d been playing me.

The stubborn bitch in me wanted to tell him hell no, but that particular bitch wasn’t in charge at the moment. “I’d be honored to be part of the Sockeyes equipment staff.”

“It’s settled then. Personnel will discuss salary, benefits, all that with you. Any questions?”

“No, none.”

“I’m sorry I have to cut this short. I’m late for another meeting.” He stood and so did I. We shook hands. “Thank you.”

“Thank you for making this decision an easy one. I wanted to tell you earlier, but there was a holdup while personnel dealt with the suspensions and new players joining the team.”

I smiled, not wanting to gush, as Roy wouldn’t appreciate gushing. He wasn’t a man who talked much, one of his strengths, if you asked me. I had no patience for people who jabbered uselessly just to hear themselves talk.

I soared out of his office on wings of hope. I couldn’t wait to tell Axel my good news. That I thought of Axel before anyone else was somewhat surprising and one more sign of how important he’d become recently in my life.

The guys were still in a team meeting, so I loitered in the hallway, tidying up equipment, making myself useful as a new full-time member of the staff. The meeting room door opened, and the team flowed out. They were in better moods than they’d been in last night, even as I saw the hints of sadness in most of them.

This was the last time many of them would be together as a team. Some were heading out of town immediately, others lived in Seattle full-time, and a few were going on vacation. And of all those guys, it was anybody’s guess who’d be on the team next season.

Many of them acknowledged me as I surreptitiously watched for Axel. I fist-bumped, shook hands, even accepted hugs from them, beaming as each walked by.

“Will we see you next year?” Ice asked me.

“Yes, yes, you will.” I didn’t bother to contain my giddiness, and a slow smile spread across Ice’s face.

“Good deal.” He winked at me and moved on down the hall, stopping to talk with several veterans standing together.

“You’re in a good mood,” Jock said as he walked up to me.

“I got the job,” I blurted out, and before either of us really thought about it, we were hugging each other. When Jock gently pushed us apart and gazed down at me, I swore there were a few unshed tears in his eyes.

“You have no idea how happy I am and the kids will be to know you’re going to be around.”

“You have no idea either.”

“Dinner tonight?” When I hesitated, he added, “You can bring Axel.”

“We’ll be there.”

Jock grinned at me and joined Ice and the other veterans at the end of the hall.