AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When I feel Nate’s shadow tower over me, I crane my neck back to look at his grandiose form, my heart rattling in its cage at the sight.
Wow.
He sure made an effort tonight.
Wearing a button-up shirt with a classic black print and pants, accompanied by a blue suede dinner jacket, Nate really put some thought into his appearance for tonight’s date. He even cut his hair a little shorter and trimmed his beard. He looks so sophisticated and handsome that it’s hard to reconcile the fact that this is the same man who earns his living by running after a puck. It’s probably the reason why Sheila stayed as long as she did. I doubt there would be many women who would have the fortitude or will to turn their back on such a man.
“Mind if I join you? My date suddenly bailed on me,” Nate asks sheepishly.
I slide over to the edge, giving him room to sit beside me, and then chastise myself for not letting him sit next to Piper instead.
Not only is it a tight fit and I’m practically glued to his side, but even Nate’s scent is intoxicating. His decadent cologne envelops our side of the booth, leaving a trail of masculine allure in its wake. Its woodsy and sharp-spiced notes dance together perfectly, creating a captivating aroma that will surely linger with me long after we’ve parted ways.
Stop thinking about how the man smells, Lottie.
Not only is he your client, but you have a boyfriend.
Remember that.
“Let me guess? You two being here isn’t a coincidence, is it? Were you keeping tabs on me or something?” he asks, his intense glower fixed on me instead of his sports agent. “Is that why you got me reservations at this restaurant?”
A lump form in my throat at the look of betrayal in his eyes. On instinct, my body shifts uncomfortably in my seat, only to rub up against him, like a purring cat would its owner, leaving me even more embarrassed by my conduct when his hard gaze starts to smolder.
His eyes are not smoldering, Lottie.
Stop seeing things that aren’t there.
“Ah, don’t get your panties in a twist, Wilder. Lottie just thought that if we stalked you a little tonight, we could figure out why your dates have been so bad,” Piper starts to explain, not one bit bothered by being caught in the act. “And guess what? After five minutes of listening in on that dumpster fire of a date, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what the problem is. Sorry to tell you this, buddy, but you suck at dating. Have you never been out with a woman before? Geez. I was close to hiding under the table from second-hand embarrassment. It was that cringe.”
When Nate lets out a groan and leans back in his seat, the boulder on my chest lifts, finally allowing me to breathe now that I’m no longer the sole focus of all his attention.
“Yeah. You don’t need to remind me. I was there. I know,” he grumbles.
“She was even a kindergarten teacher. I mean, how could you fuck that up? Those women usually have the patience of a saint,” Piper piles on, disappointed.
“Again, I know, Lee. Stop busting my balls, will ya?” he grunts, looking so forlorn that my heart actually bleeds for him.
“That’s enough, Piper. Nate gets it.”
“Does he?” Piper arches her brow accusingly before locking her gaze on the man beside me. “Listen here, Wilder, and listen well. From what I saw last Saturday, you are this close to getting your ass delivered to you,” she says, pressing her index finger close to her thumb to drive her point home. “Not only are the fans foaming at the mouth to get rid of you, but Nichols looks like he’s at his wit’s end, too. Not to mention that whoever is going to buy the Boston Guardians had a front-row seat to the fans deeming you persona-non-grata. Those are three strikes against you, and right now, I’m not seeing you do anything to change their minds about you.”
“That’s not fair, Piper,” I come to Nate’s defense, not liking my best friend’s brand of tough love.
“It might not be fair, but that’s how this game is played,” Piper explains sternly. “Now I’m working like a mad woman trying to save your spot on the team behind the scenes. But that all goes to shit if you don’t pull your own weight.”
“Fuck. What more can I do, huh? I’m going to the shrink like I was ordered to, and I’m teaching hockey to the rugrats three times a week. I don’t even leave my house most of the time just to make sure I won’t get into any trouble. I’m trying, okay?I really am. Don’t I at least get credit for that?” he grumbles, sounding so lost that it’s hard to bear witness to.
Nate is a force of nature, and yet, my best friend has just cut him down to size with the threat of him losing his job.
That alone tells me that hockey is his life.
The reason he gets up in the morning.
If someone were to take that away from him, I shudder to think what would become of him.
“I’ll help Nate,” I interject, slicing through the tension in the booth.
“Babe, I love you, but I don’t think this matchmaking thing is working like I hoped it would,” Piper says, sounding just as defeated as Nate.
