The elevator doors slide open, and I dive inside. My head rams into the back of the cart so hard that I’m stunned and it takes me a full ten seconds to stand up and press a floor button. I definitely just gave myself a concussion. When I finally recover, I jam the lobby floor hard like I’m trying to launch this thing through to the basement. As the doors slide shut behind me, I swear I hear Seth yell out my name.
By the time I spill out onto the busy New York sidewalk street, the cool night air slaps me in the face, and the Halloween partying is still in full swing. Drunken partygoers, glitter and masks, cat ears and vampire fangs that make it easier for me to blend in with. I flag a cab and collapse into the backseat, my heart still hammering as I rattle off Alexa’s address. It’s not untilthe car pulls up in front of her apartment where I’m staying temporarily that I finally exhale.
Okay.
That happened.
I fucked a professional hockey player and someone I will probably be working with soon. At least… I think that’s what he was. I didn’t recognize him when the mask came off and he never brought up hockey once which feels strange.
I unlock the door, and before I can even shut it behind me, I hear a giggle coming from somewhere on the couch. Alexa pops up with a guy that I recognize from earlier tonight at the bar. I’m almost positive he was with Seth.
“Oh, hey, Brianna,” she says with a smirk. “Didn’t expect you home so soon.”
I force a smile, lift a hand in an awkward wave. “Yeah, well…timing.”
The guy she’s with shifts forward, raking shaggy, light brown hair from his face as he studies me. Then his brows shoot up.
“Hey, you’re the girl who went home with Seth tonight, right?”
“Uh…” I definitely blush because remember, total one-night-stand virgin who is a lover girl. “Maybe?”
Why does this feel like getting caught sneaking in after curfew? Which, by the way, never happened since I was a good little girl.
He holds up a hand. And for some reason, I high-five it. Because this is normal. And that’s what hockey bros do after banging random women. And apparently, now I’m a hockey bro and not the feminine goddess who frolics through forests and finds her prince charming that I thought I was.
“Good for you. And him,” he says, nodding like I just did a good deed. “He just got out of a really bad marriage and could use a random hook-up.”
My stomach drops.
Oh.
Oh…great.
I stare at him. “Please tell me he isn’t still married?” Because please, for the love of God, tell me I didn’t just fuck a married man wearing a Sloth mask.
“Nah,” he says easily. “Definitely not married. But it’s been rough for him. I bet whatever you gave him is exactly what he needed tonight.”
I blink. And… okay. That’s weirdly comforting. Because it was what I needed, too so maybe we mutually got something out of this unexpected night.
Alexa cuts in, stretching across the couch to grab my wrist. “Hey, Brianna, Penn was just telling me that you should investigate moving to Brookhaven if you’re serious about living outside of NYC during your internship with theMayhemand renting somewhere cheaper. It’s in Connecticut and you can get there easily by train in under two hours.”
My stomach clenches. I shoot her a look. One that I hope says,you better not have told him that I’m the team owner’s daughter and that’s why I don’t want to live anywhere in NYC.
She just grins, shaking her head subtly. Okay, she didn’t.That’s a relief.
Penn nods, completely oblivious to our wordless exchange. “Yeah, it’s nice. Small town, but not too small. Not a bad place if you’re looking for a change. I don’t live there but one of the guyson the team who retired lives there with his wife and baby. He likes it.”
“Yeah? Okay.” I smile, filing the city name away. “I’ll check it out. Thanks.” Then I head toward my room. “Good night, you two.”
“Night!” they call after me, dissolving into more giggles as I close the door behind me and collapse onto the bed.
Brookhaven, Connecticut, huh? It’s far enough away from my dad. But not too far to finish my studies and my internship in the city. I grew up in a small, mid-western town. I always imagined myself settling somewhere small. Maybe this is exactly what I need.
Chapter 4 – Seth
Ten Months Later… August
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