“Not all of us live in the spotlight, though,” I argue, which is an admittedly stupid thing to do.

Rook shrugs. “She just got out of a long-term relationship. It wasn’t an easy breakup, and she’s not ready to get into another one.”

“Okay, well, I guess no introductions for you, then.” Violet points at Kingston. “Which is too bad, because she’s stunning and good with kids, from what Lainey tells me. And you look like the kind of guy who probably wants to have at least a dozen children.”

“I have a girlfriend, and she’s not ready for kids yet.” Kingston runs a hand over his chest and looks down at his outfit. “But twelve would be a lot.”

“Sure would, but making them is fun.” Violet grabs the milk from the fridge. “Is two percent okay?”

“Yes, ma’am . . . I mean Mrs. Waters.”

“Please, call me Violet.” She pours him a pint glass of milk and slides it across the counter.

Alex comes up behind his wife and kisses her on the cheek. “Kingston, Winslow, glad you could make it. It’s good to see you on your feet! Injury’s healing great, I hear.”

That must mean he’s spoken to my therapist after today’s session.

“That’s ’cause he’s pulling double PT.” Rook takes a hefty sip of his beer.

“Double PT? With the team therapist?” Alex’s brows pull down. “He didn’t mention that.”

Shit. Well, now I know exactly what Stevie told him last night.

“With my sister,” Rook says flatly.

“I thought she was working at the college clinic. Did she change her mind and decide she wanted you to put in the recommendation? I would’ve put in a word if I’d known.”

“She’s still working with the college clinic.” He tips his chin in my direction. “Bishop here thought he would take it upon himself to coerce her into helping him out so he could get back on the ice sooner.”

“She offered. There wasn’t any coercion, ’cause you know she thinks for herself.”

Alex looks between us and claps Rook on the shoulder. “Why don’t the three of us take this conversation to my office?”

Rook rounds the counter without another word, and I follow him and Alex out of the kitchen and down the hall. The high pitch of children’s voices comes from somewhere close by. We pass an actual movie-theater-style room, complete with rows of seats that look way more comfortable than any theater I’ve ever been to. A Disney movie is playing, and kids are jumping from seat to seat, not paying attention to what’s on the screen.

Alex’s office is actually more like a library with a desk. There’s a couch and club chairs. Pillows, blankets, a table lamp, and a stack of books take up one end of the couch. Based on the covers, I’m assuming they’re Violet’s books.

Alex motions for us to take a seat. “Scotch?”

“Please.” Rook downs the rest of his beer in one gulp.

I hold up my mostly full bottle. “I’m good with this, thanks.”

He turns his back and pours expensive scotch into lowball glasses. He passes one to Rook and one to me, even though I declined. I’m not going to say no twice, so I take it.

Alex settles into the chair across from us and sips his scotch pensively. Then he stares at us for what seems like forever until he finally speaks. “Violet’s brother was on my team when she and I started dating.”

“I’m not dating Stevie. She’s helping me with PT.” I keep saying this, and no one is listening. Would I like her to help me with other things? Like some relief for the perpetual hard-on I’m always fighting off when I’m with her? Of course. She’s hot and I’m full of testosterone. But at this point what I’m saying is true.

“How often is she helping you?”

“Every day. Except yesterday and tonight.” I shoot a look at Rook, because it’s his fault last night didn’t happen.

Alex taps the arm of his chair while staring at me. He’s usually a friendly guy, so it’s kind of unnerving. “As I was saying, when Violet and I started dating, her brother, Miller, was on my team. We didn’t exactly get along. And then when he started dating my sister . . . well, that didn’t help things.”

“Is this supposed to be a pep talk?” I sip the scotch. I don’t like the way it tastes, but if I’m going to get a full story about my coach’s dating history with his now wife, I might need to up my alcohol consumption.

Rook crosses his arms over his chest. “No, he’s making a point. He ended up marrying Butterson’s sister, and Butterson married his sister. What Alex doesn’t understand is that this isn’t the same, since you’re using Stevie to get back at me.”

“Using her to get back at you for what?”

“Because I’m team captain and you’re not.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. I’m not using Stevie!” I snap. “This isn’t about you getting team captain. Am I pissed about that? Sure, but you would be, too, if I was the one who got captain and you didn’t. She offered to help me. I didn’t ask. She wanted an opportunity to rehab an NHL player without having to go through you. And honestly? I get why, and so should you. But that’s all she’s doing. Besides, it’s not like I can make a move on her.” I motion to my junk. “I can’t fuck my own hand let alone another person right now.”

Alex coughs and sips his drink. “He has a point, Rookie.”

“Why keep it a damn secret if there’s nothing else going on?”

I cock a brow. “I can’t speak for Stevie, but it’s not like you and I have heart-to-hearts on the regular.”

Alex interrupts. “Here’s what I think. The team physician had a look at your scans, and he and the team physiotherapist have cleared you for light workouts.”

“Seriously?”

Alex nods, smiling slightly. “He says you’re a good week ahead of what they expected. Looks like the double PT is working, even though you should’ve run it by me and the team therapists first.”

“So I might be back on the ice in the next few weeks?” This is really good news. The kind I want to share with Stevie. Except I’m not sure she’s talking to me.

“It’s a possibility.” He spins his scotch glass on the arm of his chair. “Since you’ve been cleared for light workouts, Rook is going to handle those with you.”

And there goes my awesome mood.

“Whoa, what? I thought I was training with Bishop when he’s back on the ice.” Rook sounds about as happy as I feel over this new development.

Alex motions between the two of us. “Obviously there’s some hostility between you, and the only way to resolve that is for you two to work together.”

“But—”

He cuts Rook off. “There are no buts. Bishop is working with Stevie, and that’s not going to change because I’m authorizing it to continue.”

“What the hell, Alex?”

Alex arches a brow. “Obviously whatever she’s doing is working. And correct me if I’m wrong, but if Stevie wants to work with him, that’s her call, not yours.” He shifts his attention back to me. “And apparently you’ll listen to Stevie, so from here on out I want to see written treatment plans. You can email them to me and cc the team therapist so he can give feedback and adjust accordingly.”