“I think we have all the pieces.” Max was the scouting agent and is now the assistant to the GM, Matthew. My eyes go to Viktor, the newest player to be acquired and while in rehab, no less. I don’t know his story, and I also will not ask him for his story. If he wants to tell me, he will. If not, then so be it.

“I agree,” Evan, our captain, says. He’s been our captain for the past two seasons, signing the day Matthew and Max retired. It was Matthew’s first big deal. He’s the best that there is, so it was no surprise that Matthew made him an offer when his contract was up with Dallas. It also helped that his sister was dating him. “Our defense is good, but it has to be better.” He looks at the coaching staff, and they nod their heads at him. “We also need to be on the puck more and work on the turnovers in the neutral zone.” He taps the table with his finger. “We need to work on keeping the pucks for this guy.” He motions with his head.

“I need backup,” I finally say, and all eyes turn to me. “Not going to lie, the last year was tough with no backup goalie you trust. I get it, the kid was young, but you need to know once you get between those pipes, you leave everything at the door.” I take another drink. The kid we had last year played with his heart on his sleeve. If he came in and had a fight with his girlfriend, we knew he wouldn’t play worth a shit. It sucked because I also needed a break once in a while. “A second goalie I can count on in case anything happens.”

“I agree,” Matthew says, and Max nods.

Coach Scott now speaks up. “That is why you aren’t playing preseason games.” I look at him, raising my eyebrows. “I mean, maybe a home game so the fans can get a taste, but other than that, I want to test what we have, and we need you on the sidelines to help.” I just nod at him. The rest of the meeting is more of the same, and it’s over by ten thirty. I get up and nod at everyone, walking out and taking my phone out of my pocket. She hasn’t called, but I’m not surprised. She’s going to make me work for it. My whole bed still smells like her, haunting me almost.

I pull out my contacts and start making a plan. The phone rings twice, and then he picks up. “Mr. Dimitris.” His smooth voice comes out. “What can I help you with on this beautiful day?”

“Fredrick,” I say his name. “I was wondering if it would be possible to rent out the aquarium for the night?”

“What time were you thinking?” he asks.