Between a Jock and a Hard Place by Mona Ingram Read Free Book Online Page A

later.”
    She gave him a squeeze and looked into his eyes. They were still dull with residual pain, but she understood his need to get back to his own place.
    Over dinner the talk turned to hockey.
    “Did you watch the game last night?” her father asked.
    “No, Dad. I was busy.” Doing her nails and giving herself a facial, but she didn’t have to tell him that.
    “Too bad. The Canucks won the quarterfinals.” He looked at Cam. “But we knew they would.”
    “Yeah. Jack Logan scored the winning goal. It was a beautiful one-timer from the point.”
    Claire tried to look interested. “So what happens next?”
    “Well, they’ll get some extra time off and then they go on to the Western Conference Finals.”
    Cam laughed. “You don’t really care about this, do you?”
    She chose her words carefully. “I always enjoy watching you play, Cam. But I have to admit that the fighting and the bad checks, like what happened to you, turn me off.”
    “Hey.” Her father nudged her twin. “Tell Claire about that article in the paper.” He turned to his daughter. “It’s on the internet and everything.”
    Cam rolled his eyes then turned to his father. “It’s called a blog, Dad.”
    Don Collins laughed. “Whatever. Tell her, Cam.”
    “Someone blogged in that West End newspaper about my accident.”
    “Damn right. And someone else responded to it already.” He looked up as Claire’s mother cleared the dinner plates. “The newspaper editor said to watch for more columns.”
    “Did they use your name?” asked Claire.
    “No” he said with a frown, “but it was fairly clear they were talking about me.” He tilted his head. “Doesn’t that friend of yours work at the Phoenix ?”
    “Zoey? Yes, she’s Production Manager.”
    He nodded. “Clever of them to start blogging about hockey right in the playoff season.”
    “Zoey says they know their stuff.”
    “It’ll be interesting to see where it goes.” Their father pushed away from the table. “Going to help Mother load the dishwasher.”
    Cam and Claire knew not to get in between their parents when they loaded the dishwasher. They had been arguing about how to do it ever since they could remember; now it gave them a chance to talk.
    Cam spoke in a low voice. “I told them I’m going back to my place tomorrow. You would have thought I’d said I was going to the moon, the way they reacted.”
    “They care about you, Cam.” She laid a hand on his arm. “Although I know it must be stifling, staying here.”
    “No kidding. Listen, I told them that we’d already spoken and that you agreed to drive me to the hospital for my MRIs. The doctor doesn’t want me to drive for a while yet.”
    “Are you still getting dizzy spells?” This was worrying.
    “Yeah, but it will eventually go away. Last night watching the hockey game I was having a hard time keeping things in focus. I didn’t tell Dad, though.”
    “Of course I’ll take you for your MRIs. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go. I can do your shopping and stuff like that if you want me to.”
    “No, don’t worry about that. There’s a market a couple of blocks away and the exercise will do me good. It’s just the trip to the hospital I need help with ‘cause I shouldn’t be driving. I have an appointment on Tuesday morning.”
    “Come on, you two. Coffee and dessert in the living room.” Another tradition. Claire gave Cam’s arm a quick squeeze and got up.

Chapter Six
     
    It rained overnight, but the skies were blue on Monday and butterflies had taken up residence in Claire’s stomach. She couldn’t remember when she’d looked forward to a date this much...even though she didn’t know what to expect. She dressed simply, choosing tight fitting black slacks tucked into black knee-high boots. An emerald green turtle neck was topped with a supple leather jacket in a rich tan colour. Small gold earrings were her only jewellery and she pirouetted in front of the mirror, admiring the