AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What’s really going on, Coach? Because I don’t think you give two shits about my love life.”
“God, no. If it doesn’t affect your skills on the ice, I couldn’t give two shits.” He drops his voice. “But the administration does.”
“Say what, now?”
“Look, we have a big donor. And we don’t need another incident like what happened last month.”
I am never living down Tarantula Girl.
“And with this new gossip column the newspaper insists on putting out, the last thing I need is for you to land on it.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“That donor is a big fish. Says he’ll write a check with enough zeros to make even your old man blink. But he’s clear about one thing.” His gaze locks onto mine, serious as a ref before a penalty shot. “Clean image, Blake. No scandals, no headlines. He’s a family-oriented, religious man. Very strict but very wealthy. He’s a well-known doctor and researcher who doesn’t want to be associated with anything that could harm his image. It’s simple, no debauchery.”
“Great,” I exhale, the word frosty as it leaves my lips. “Just what I need, another pair of eyes on me.”
“Exactly. Keep it clean, Captain.” He grabs a pen off his desk. I’m sure it’s a ploy to act like he’s busy or maybe a dismissal. “Finding a nice girl to take to the charity Gala wouldn’t hurt. That’s when he’s supposed to announce the donation.”
“Got it, Coach.” My voice is steel, my resolve hardening. Inside, a storm brews; the team, my father’s legacy, now this. Can’t let them see the cracks, though. Not now.
“See that you do.” He squints, studying me like I’m some complex play he can’t quite figure out. “Remember, Wildcats bleed for the team.”
“Wouldn’t dream of bleeding for anyone else,” I manage a smirk, hoping it doesn’t look as strained as it feels.
He grunts and starts writing on a loose paper piled on a stack. Yeah, definitely a ploy for dismissal.
I turn on my heel and get the hell out of there before he puts more pressure on me. My life is resorted to a goddamn rehearsal. For the ice. For life. For the charade of perfection, I need to maintain.
If it’s a show they want, then I’ll give them one. And the first act? Enlisting Amanda. She’s sharp and grounded, precisely who came to mind when he said to bring a nice girl. But would she do it? Girls lined up in the past to go, not that I ever took anyone, so why wouldn’t she say yes? I’ll have to compensate her for any time off from work. I don’t have a problem doing that. It keeps expectations in check.
On both our ends.
Seeing her in that tight dress Saturday night did something to me. I’ve never looked at Amanda in that way. Always thought of her as Ryan’s studious, plain-looking friend.
But when she walked out of that bedroom, those thick legs I never noticed before caught me off guard. My gaze snagged on the hem of her black dress that fell mid-thigh, revealing lots of exposed flesh—flesh I couldn’t stop picturing wrapped around me. Then, my eyes traced along her rounded hips leading to a sunken waist and up to her generous breast the dip in her neckline revealed. She sported the perfect hourglass-shaped figure that gave Jessica Rabbit a run for her money. How had I not noticed her before? I had to fight off adjusting my pants practically the entire night. She is every bit as hot as any girl on campus. I can’t believe I’ve overlooked my little bookworm.
Then talking to her came so easily. I didn’t have to put on a show. Not that I’m some mysterious guy with deep-seated secrets. I’m not. I’m the most laid-back guy around. But as easygoing as I am, there’s still a part I keep reserved. No one knows my hidden fate, and I welcomed Amanda with open arms.
Christ.
It’s best to keep our arrangement strictly business. That way, I keep my hands to myself, and she won’t grow attached. We both win. I’ll have a nice date, and she’ll have money for whatever she needs. She’ll keep the bunnies off my back while she … hmm, I guess the only benefit for her is monetization.
Maybe I should seek a long-term plan. Have something more permanent.
“What’d Coach want?” Ryan’s question pulls me back to Earth. Good thing because I didn’t like the direction my thoughts were heading.Long term? Am I insane?
“There’s a big donor who happens to be a hockey fan.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t be too excited. It comes with restrictions.”
“Doesn’t it always?” Ryan mutters.
I let out a humorless laugh. He has no idea how true his words hit. “Yeah, well, we have to remain scandal-free.”
He smirks. “No drama, huh?”
