Thankfully, her man is the first to exit the lockerroom, and when he swings around the corner, they’re gone just as quickly with a mere wave in our direction.
Emma’s boyfriend is next. He chats for a couple of seconds, gives her a kiss on the lips, and then takes her down the hallway by her fingertips as she tries to finish her conversation with Shay. She’s walking backward, nearly tripping over her feet as he guides her out.
“We’ll be here a while,” Penny says with a long sigh. “Unfortunately, our men like to stay late and braid each other’s hair.”
“What hair?” I scoff. “Carter’s basically bald.”
Shay barks a laugh. “Bald and buzzed are twoverydifferent things, honey.”
“To answer your question,” Penny continues, crossing her arms in front of her. “Their ass hair, if I were to guess.”
I bite back a smile. “Right.”
“Hey, ladies.”
The voice breaks up our conversation. I glance down the hall to where a handsome, olive-skinned man with a mane of curly, dark hair walks toward us. In his gray, patterned suit, he lifts his hand. For a moment, his eyes are glued to Shay, but then he seems to register my presence and his brow furrows.
It’s only for a second, but I clock it. I’m fresh meat. I don’t belong here.
“Hi, babe.” Shay goes on her tiptoes to kiss who I can only assume is Oscar. “This is Arden. Forker’s girlfriend.”
Oscar’s head snaps in my direction so forcefully, I swear I hear his neck actually crack. “I’m sorry, hiswhat?”
“I believe she introduced you to my girlfriend. Lucky you.”
Oscar’s head whirls again, this time back the way he came. Two more hockey players join us in the hallway. One, in particular, catches my eye. He’s wearing a baby blue suit that wouldlook ridiculous on anyone else. His gaze slides from Oscar to me.
“Alright, just lift your leg and piss on her, why don’t you?” Declan grumbles.
He shoots me a sympathetic look as he passes, scooping up his girlfriend in his arms. His hands slide under that bomber jacket, pressing kisses all over her face as she winces and attempts to push him away with the littlest effort in the world.
Oscar is still staring at Carter in shock. He blinks a bit, his brow furrowing, and looks back at me. I feel like he’s waiting for me to vanish into a mist. Like I’m a mirage.
Shay smacks him gently in the chest.
“Hi, Red.” Carter dips his chin, but those eyes promise trouble.
“Girlfriend?” Oscar whispers to Shay.
To sell the bit and help him out, I reach up to snake my arms around Carter’s neck. This part of our game is easy. He’s very nice on the eyes. Nice on the mouth, too. I’d cut out my tongue before admitting that aloud to him, but it’s true.
One big, strong hand slides to my lower back. This is a dire moment, unfortunately. We’ve got to do it.
“Hi, boyfriend,” I say quietly, pecking his mouth.
“Boyfriend?” Oscar whispers. “What the shit-tits is going on?”
I ignore him. I pull back to look at Carter instead.
“Icebox?” he asks, eyes dipping down to my mouth.
It’s technically his day.
I glance over my shoulder, keeping my arms around his neck. I pull myself closer, and am rewarded with that big hand sweeping up my spine.
“Penny?”
Penny is smiling this highly amused, megawatt smile. Her eyes flicker to Declan. “What do you say,boyfriend?”
