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A Perfect Distraction(35)



“Did you try apologizing?”

Jake shot him a frustrated look. “I called her several times today, but she didn’t call me back. She responded to emails about my move, but nothing else.”

“So go and see her.” Tru reached round him to get another stick.

“She probably wouldn’t open the door. She thinks I’m worse than whale crap.”

“She thinks you’re hot. I saw her checking you out.”

His groin tightened at the memory. “Until I screwed it up.”

“So, unscrew it.” Ike made it sound easy. “You know the drill—flowers, chocolates, grovel, a fancy dinner. If that doesn’t work, forget about her.” He pushed down his mask. “I’ll set up the net so you bozos can work on your shots.” He skated to one end of the ice and dragged the practice net into place, then roughed up the crease.

Jake and Tru joined Ike. “I hear the newest Ice Cat, JB Larocque, has a bullet of a shot.”

“They’re already calling him the next Great One.” Tru rolled his eyes. “The kid’s stats are amazing. But he’s unpredictable—brilliant one game, a liability the next. His off-ice reputation rivals yours, Jake.”

“I don’t care if the kid’s reputation outstrips mine—I sure as hell won’t be competing with him for headlines.” Jake tipped pucks out of a bucket. “It had better not affect his play. For us to get the Cup, Larocque will need to bring his best game from day one.”

“No pressure on the kid, then.” Tru grinned. “Better make sure us old guys can keep up.”

They began their regular shooting drills. Jake deliberately pushed the intensity and pace to test his healed right arm and reconstructed right leg. His muscles burned, but it was a healthy ache.

A couple of hours later, he was ready to drop. Dripping with sweat, the three of them headed to the locker room to shower and change.

Once they’d cleaned up, Ike pulled a letter out of his bag. “What do you think of the latest missive from management on their new drug-testing policy?”

Jake shrugged as he combed his wet hair. “It was inevitable after all the allegations about those baseball stars. Doesn’t bother me—I’ve got nothing to hide.”

Tru nodded, tying up his Nikes. “If it proves the league is clean, I’m okay with it. I know a couple of guys tested positive in recent years, but no player I know would be crazy enough to pump that stuff into their bodies.”

“Some guys want an easy route in everything.” Ike pulled on a clean team T-shirt. “For them, the promise of an extra edge is hard to resist.”

“For sure, but I can’t think of anyone dumb enough or desperate enough to take the risk.” Jake zipped up his bag. “Not when we’ve worked so hard to get to the show.”

“Me, neither. But I wouldn’t be shocked if someone tested positive.”

“Let them test away. We’re clean and that’s all that matters.” Tru hefted his bag over his shoulder. “Same time tomorrow?”

They chorused their agreement, then walked out of the rink to the parking lot. Ike got in his Discovery, waved then drove off. Jake tossed his gear in the back of Tru’s SUV.

They were pulling onto I-95 when Tru spoke, blindsiding Jake again. “Could Adam have been juicing?”

“No way.” Jake leaped to his friend’s defense. “He went to church every Sunday, spent his spare time doing charity work and helping disadvantaged kids learn to skate. Even when he partied, he never drank anything stronger than a beer. He wouldn’t take drugs.”

“That’s different to taking steroids, bro. Think about it. Adam was worried about his performance. His play was wildly inconsistent and he was under huge pressure. It might explain why his behavior was yo-yoing all over the place, too.”

Jake considered what his friend was saying. Tru’s argument made sense, but he couldn’t imagine the guy he knew cheating like that.

He shook his head. “Whatever demons Adam was fighting, I can’t see him taking such a dumb risk. Then again, I was such a great friend, how would I know?”

Before the night of the crash, he’d avoided Adam for weeks. Jake had only accepted the ride to the party because he hadn’t wanted to drink and drive. He’d thought it would be okay. Adam had been in a good mood; he’d been excited about being propositioned by the twin puck bunnies.

Unfortunately, the good mood hadn’t lasted more than a couple of miles. Jake had finally lost patience with Adam’s behavior and had planned to tackle his friend about what the hell his problem was at the party.