It was nice.

But a bit painful.

He would make a great dad one day.

“So where is our Markus?”

With horror in her eyes, Mekena shushed her quickly, smacking her in the process. “Libby!”

Still laughing because, obviously, they were in high school, Libby looked out onto the ice. “Oh, I see him.”

“Shut up.”

“Wow, he is sexy.”

“Please Lord, shut up.”

“Damn, he’s got one hell of an ass. Bounce a quarter off that sucker.”

“Oh Lord, please take me now.”

“Damn, have you seen those eyes? I really could use some caramel right now.”

“I hate you.”

“Aw, the kids love him. That’s his godbaby, right? Dawson?”

“Libby, please be quiet. People can hear you.”

“Maybe I should go introduce myself. Do you think it would ruin the party if I kicked him in the balls?”

“I swear on everything holy—”

“He doesn’t look like a douche, though. I kind of feel bad for saying that.”

“Libby, shut up!”

She hadn’t meant to yell it, but when she looked up, everyone was staring over at her like she was crazy, while Libby just laughed.

“Jeez, Kennie, you’re so mean,” Libby teased as she got up and headed onto the ice, skating with ease. Thankfully, nowhere near Markus. Mekena wasn’t sure if her crazy aunt would actually try to take out Markus, so she’d need to keep her eyes on her. But that was hard when Markus was there. He skated effortlessly, owning the ice as he spun with Dawson in his arms. It was so adorable.

Damn it.

Rolling her eyes, she leaned back against the bench as she held her phone back up, hoping everyone would think she was just working and not avoiding the ice like the plague. She figured if she stayed over where she was, undetected, she could avoid getting out on the ice and making a fool of herself. She knew Avery was busy and Lucy and Benji were being gushed over, so she should be good.

That was her plan, at least.

She was knee-deep in an intense game of Candy Crush when she heard Markus’s voice. Her heart stopped, her stomach clenched, and when she looked up, he was standing only feet away with Shea Adler.

And really, it was unfair for two men to be so gorgeous.

“Yeah, for sure, I’ll take any advice.”

Shea nodded, tucking his hands into his pockets. “Cool. Listen, you’re great, everyone is happy with your performance. I know this, I’m sleeping with the boss,” he joked, and Markus laughed. “But when I was watching this morning, I noticed something. So I went back to your footage from Bellevue and then in the AHL, and again, I saw it. You’re not playing unless you have the puck.”

She watched as Markus nodded, but his face clearly showed he had no clue what Shea was speaking about. “I don’t understand.”

“Okay, say you pass it off. Instead of rushing with it, watching your forwards and your defensemen, you stand there, waiting for the play to come to you. I see it in your eyes, you’re getting ready for the next play, which is fine. But while you do that, you gotta be playing, moving, always moving, ready for anything. That’s why they always have the jump on you—because you’re just standing there. You’re doing better, but I think that’s a lot about Sinclair. He plays in his sleep, but I wanted to throw that at you, see if it helps a bit.”

Clearing his throat, Markus nodded once more as Elli Adler skated over. “I get what you’re saying. I hadn’t realized I just stand there.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s your downfall. But he did better this morning, didn’t he?” she asked, and Shea nodded.

“Yeah, because Sinclair was hollering at him. I’m surprised the guy has a voice left,” Shea laughed, and they both laughed along.

Mekena hadn’t realized Markus was struggling so much, and that bothered her. He was usually so good at everything he did, especially hockey. He had that in his back pocket. That was his jam.

Biting his lip, Markus looked over to Elli and smiled. “I really appreciate you both. Giving me this chance, talking to me about what I can do to be better.”

“Of course. You’re family, Markus,” Elli gushed, cupping his face, and he grinned over at her. She had the reputation of loving her players like her kids, and that was why they always played so damn well for her. Seeing her with them, Mekena saw it was true.

“And we want you to succeed. You could be a great asset to this team,” Shea added, and Markus looked a bit uncertain. It bothered Mekena that he hadn’t gone straight in. Yeah, he had his flaws, but he was a damn good player. Smart. She had been convinced he would step on to a team with a great contract. But he hadn’t, and she wasn’t sure what had happened. It was odd to her; it was also odd to see him so unsure of himself. He was always so confident in his play, in himself. And within seconds, she found herself worrying about him.

Fuck. Don’t do that!

Rolling her eyes at her stupidity, she made herself look at her phone. That was until Elli Alder said, “You’re Mekena Preston, right? The photographer?”

Mekena looked up at that just as Markus spoke up. “Yeah, best there is.”

Then he skated off. Like he had said nothing. He didn’t even look back to her. Swallowing hard, she looked up at Elli and smiled. “I am.”

“I have heard such amazing things about you,” she gushed, leaning on the boards, her green eyes piercing into Mekena’s soul.

Tucking her phone in her lap, she smiled. “Oh! Good!”

Elli smiled. “So, two things,” she said, all full of life. It was kind of a whirlwind between her grin and her country accent, and Mekena found herself a little dizzy. “I wanted to have a meeting with you.”

“A meeting?”

“Yes, whenever is good for you,” she added, standing up. “Soon, I hope. Before the season is in full swing. I’m looking for a full-time photographer, and my regular girl is having a baby. Usually, I’d hire out, but your name keeps being brought up. And I figured I’d offer it to someone young because my uncle took a chance on me so long ago.”

Mekena could only blink. Was this really happening? Wait, did she want this? She didn’t even think, though, she just spoke. “Wow. Okay. Yes, the sooner, the better.”