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“I really think I should go. Thank you, though.”
Chapter 9—Alex
Practice today is going exceptionally well. There’s a palpable sense of focus and determination among the guys on the ice. Every pass, every shot, and every drill is executed with precision and speed. It’s the kind of practice that reminds me why I fell in love with this sport in the first place. I’m soaring higher than an eagle as we play; it’s so much fun.
The sound of skates cutting through the ice, sticks connecting with pucks, and the occasional shout from Coach fills the air—happy shouts actually, which makes a nice change. If Coach is pleased with us, then weknowwe’re on the right path. I can feel the sweat trickling down my back beneath the layers of gear, but it’s a sensation I relish. It’s a reminder that I’m where I belong, doing what I love.
We’re working on our power plays, and the chemistry on the ice is undeniable. My linemates and I are in sync, moving the puck with a seamless rhythm. I catch a pass from Benjamin, and without hesitation, I fire a shot toward the net. The puck finds its mark, and the satisfying ping of it hitting the back of the goal echoes through the arena.
I’m playing well, and everything that I’m doing isfire, which is pretty incredible since my mind is all over the place. I cannotstop thinking about Riley, however hard I try. Shit, the night we spent together the other day was something else. I never usually end up all hung up like this, but I am. I can’t get her pretty smile—or her gorgeous body—off my mind. I can’t stop thinking about her beautiful face as she succumbed to pleasure with me.
That was a vulnerable moment, and it pleased me to share it with her. It allowed me to really see her and to understand her a little more as well. The only problem is that I’m starting to feel a little bit obsessed with her, like she’s my brand-new addiction. I can’t get enough.
“You good?” Benjamin asks as he pats me on the shoulder. Right at the moment, the horn blasts out, letting us know that it’s break time. “You look distracted. I mean, you’re playing well and everything, obviously, but I can see something’s going on.”
I’m surprised he spotted that since I’m kicking ass during practice. “Oh yeah?”
“You’ve been distracted ever sincethatnight. You know, the one where you abandoned us.”
I toss my head back and laugh. “Yeah, maybe. I’m surprised you noticed I’d gone, though.”
“I was having a conversation with you, and I turned around, and you were no longer there.” Hmm, I don’t know if he’s remembering that exactly right. “I assumed that you picked up a woman to spend the night with.”
“Well, that’s kinda what happened.” Benjamin stares at me expectantly, but I don’t know if I should spill the beans. I mean, it wasn’t just anyone I took home, was it? “Come on, you don’t need all the details, do you, Benjamin?”
He follows me over to the sidelines, refusing to let this go. “Hell yeah! You’re so secretive with everyone else but not with me. I want to know who you ended up with!”
I roll my eyes, deciding to just cave. I mean, I kinda want to talk to someone about this anyway, to get an outsider’s perspective, and who better than Benjamin?
“I actually bumped into the woman who’s been interviewing me…”
Benjamin’s eyebrows jump up. “Are you serious? Oh my God. Well… that’s one way to ensure you get a good story written about you.”
He chuckles, and I join in a little, but he has me on edge now. That isn’t what people are going to think, is it? I hope that’s not what Riley’s thinking. She did run out pretty quickly. It seemed like things had gotten a little awkward before she got in the Uber, but I just put that down to the shock of everything. Neither of us expected that to happen. But now I’m worried that she might be freaking out.
“Is she cute?” Benjamin continues, not sensing my inner turmoilat all. “Do you have a picture of her? I want to know who’s turned your head. I’ve never known anyone turn your head before, so this is interesting. I want to see her!”
“Nah, of course I don’t have a picture, you weirdo,” I tease. “But she is gorgeous. Obviously, it can’t be anything serious…”
“Why not?” he asks with a one-shouldered shrug. “You always say that but why the hell not? Why do you always shoot things down before anything can happen?”
“Well, with Riley, we have to work together. That’s why.” Isn’t that obvious? I mean, just because we had a night of fun doesn’t change anything. I still have to do this goddamn nightmare of an interview with her, whether I want to or not.
“Again, I ask you why. What does that matter?”
Okay, so maybe it isn’t obvious. I don’t think Benjamin is getting it at all. “Because it’s complicated. Working together makes things very tricky. Having to talk about myself to thepress is hard enough, you know that. I don’t want to make it worse.”
“Youare making it complicated,” Benjamin shoots back. “It sounds to me like you are the only one who’s making it difficult. There’s no reason for you to hold off any longer. And if youareworried that work will get in the way, then just pull your head out of your ass and get the interview over and done with. The quicker you get that done, the sooner you can see if there’s something actually there with this woman. It seems silly to use that as an excuse when you could get the interview done and move on.”
“Hmm, maybe…”
“There’s no ‘maybe’ about it. It’s definitely. It might be time to put yourself first for once. Everyone else has a life outside of the game. You’re pretty much the only one who doesn’t.”
I part my lips, about to argue this, but nothing comes out. I don’t have any argument for that because he hit the nail on the head there. I don’t think about me, ever. I don’t worry about what chemistry might turn into because I am too focused on hockey, but now…
Well, maybe now things can be different. Maybe Riley can be the one to make things better.
“Just think about it, Alex.” He pats me on the shoulder. “Think about yourself for once.”
