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“There are some other things we need to discuss before you make your final decision.”

Hodge felt a tremor of nervousness run through her, but did her best to look unfazed. “Is there something wrong?”

“No. At least, not in the traditional sense.” Letting out a breath, Dylan tried to compose her thoughts. “What have you heard about the Badgers’ owner,

Horace Johnson?”

“Well, I know that he owns Johnson’s Electronics, a nationwide chain of electronics superstores. I know that he’s active in supporting the Republican

party, that he’s married and has one son and a daughter, and that he’s known to be a bit…conservative in his political leanings.”

“Mm,” Dylan replied. “Conservative would be one way of putting it, yes.”

“Let me guess. He has an issue with the fact that I’m gay.” Hodge didn’t need verbal confirmation. The look in Dylan’s eyes told her everything she

needed to know. “Well, we might have a problem then, because it’s not something I can switch on and off.”

“I know.”

“So…where does that leave us?”

“That depends,” Dylan replied. “Though it’s something I’m not fond of, all the contracts in the league have a morality clause. Same one for everybody,

players and coaches.”

“Not the owners, huh?”

Dylan smiled. “No, not the owners. It’s pretty standard. Don’t break the law, don’t get caught sleeping around, don’t party all night long and then lead the

police on a chase through the city. Basically, don’t do anything that’s going to embarrass the league or its image.”

“Don’t be gay?”

“Be discreet.”

“Closeted, you mean.”

“Discreet,” Dylan answered.

“I don’t mean to sound argumentative, but I’m not sure I understand the difference.”

Sighing, Dylan nodded. She hated herself for even having to bring this up. Damn Johnson and his bigotry. “There are several gay players in the league.

Their right to privacy prevents me from giving you their names. Except for one.”

Reaching into her pocket, Dylan pulled out a business card and slid it across the table. Hodge looked down at the name, then back up at Dylan. “Shauna

Keeps. She used to play with you on the Lightening.”

“Yes. She got traded last year to the Shot and is living here in Boston with her partner and their daughter. She can answer your questions. She’s expecting

your call.”

Hodge almost—almost—broke down and asked the question that sat between them, like a white elephant. Instead, she nodded and slipped the card into

her own pocket. “Thank you. I’ll call her this afternoon.”

“Talk to her. Then think about everything. When you’ve made your decision, let me know.”

“I’ll do that.”

When the check was presented, Dylan waved Hodge off. “This one’s on me.”

Hodge smiled. “Thank you.”

Dylan permitted herself for just a moment to feel the energy between them. Then she closed it off, and stood.

Hodge stood with her, and the two shook hands. “I’ll call you,” Hodge promised.

“I’ll be waiting.”

Then Dylan was gone, leaving behind a radiant vigor that echoed her passing.

“Wow,” Hodge said softly, shaking her head. “Just…wow.”

Much like the woman herself, Shauna Keeps’ home was large, open and airy. Situated on a high bluff well outside of the city proper, it had a commanding

view of the countryside as seen through a multitude of large, floor-to-ceiling windows.

Shauna opened the door a moment after Hodge knocked and, with a big grin, escorted the smaller woman into her home. A smidge over six feet tall, she

was long, lean and incredibly attractive. Her skin was the color of melted dark chocolate and her eyes were several shades lighter, giving her face an

exotic intensity that Hodge found extremely compelling.

A wide, warm, and white smile greeted her. “Cat Hodges, right?”

Hodge couldn’t help but return the grin. “Yes, that’s right. And you’re Keepaway.”

Keeps laughed. “Right on. C’mon in.”

Hodge followed her host inside, and stopped, entranced as she entered the huge living area. Everything— walls, floor, ceiling, furniture, electronic

equipment, everything— was a brilliant, almost blinding white. Except for the warmth of the air, she might have entered some well-appointed igloo on the

arctic tundra.

A door to the left of the living room opened, admitting a petite, stunning woman carrying a sleepy toddler on one hip. Shauna’s smile grew. “Cat, I’d like

to introduce you to my partner, Verdelle, and our daughter, LaShonda. Dell, this is Cat Hodges.”

Hodge grasped Verdelle’s hand warmly and smiled at the toddler, who smiled shyly back and burrowed her face into her mother’s neck. “Very pleased to

meet you, Ma’am.”

Dell laughed. “I can’t be more than three years older than you, girl. Dell is just fine.”

Hodge grinned. “Dell, then.”

“Good to meet you, too. D’s pretty high on you.”

Gathering that “D” was Dylan, Hodge nodded, barely managing to keep a blush from coloring her cheeks.

Dell looked over to her partner. “I’m gonna take the baby up for a nap. You guys want anything before I go up?”

“No thank you,” Hodge replied.

“We’ll be fine, baby,” Shauna answered, kissing her partner and daughter. “Be up in a bit.”