The hand on my shoulder was the only thing that stopped me from lunging at Devon. “He’s not worth it, Cap,” Rickles said. “You’re being a misogynistic ass, Devon.”
“I’m just calling it like I see it. Leo used to be the biggest player of us all, and now he’s sinking his dick in the reporter. She must have something the rest of us would enjoy.”
Rickles’s hand tightened and I clenched my fists around the strap of my duffel. “I hope you end up in jail with Harley, you fucking shitbag.”
I shook off Rickles and went straight to the library, a place where I knew I wouldn’t have to risk seeing Devon when I was still pissed off and ready to hit something. The guys on the team had deduced that Harley had drugged Sophia and that she and I were hooking up, but as of now, that was the extent of what they knew. If Devon kept running his mouth, he was only going to hurt himself. I tried to let that prospect calm me as I pulled open a nutrition textbook.
We lost our gameagainst Harvard that weekend and Sophia spent the entire walk back to my dorm complaining about how our defense had played and how unjust one of the penalties called against me was. Her loyalty to the team and me was just another thing about her that turned me on now and sent my heart racing with huge emotions.
“Dare I say, you sound like you like hockey, Hawaii?” I teased as I opened the door to my suite.
“I have come to appreciate certain aspects of the sport,” she said delicately, stepping in and dropping her bag in her usual spot near the door.
“Oh, like what?” I kicked off my shoes and raised my eyebrows at her.
She moved her eyes over the length of my body. “I fully appreciate what a lifetime of conditioning for the sport does to the male body.”
I laughed. “Oh, I know you like that part.”
She smiled and stepped closer as I dropped my bag.
“I’m also impressed with the amount of hard work and dedication it takes. Your teamwork mentality. People write off athletes as dumb and lazy but watching you all, it’s obvious that’s not true. And the game is kind of exhilarating to watch.”
“Careful.” I wrapped my arms around her waist. “You might be a puck bunny before you’re done with this assignment.”
She scoffed. “Doubtful. I’m not having sex with you because you’re a hockey star.” She lifted on to her toes and whispered in my ear. “I’m having sex with you because you’re astallion.”
I laughed and lifted her up, pressing my erection into her core as she wrapped her legs around me. “Well, this stallion is hungry, so lie down and let me have a snack, Hawaii.”
She giggled as I walked into the bedroom and tossed her on my bed, her cheeks flushed with desire, and I drank in this image of her. I’d need it to get through the winter break without her.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Sophia
“I’ll still make ithome in time for dinner,” I said to my mom on a video chat. I’d just changed my flight home from today to tomorrow morning, Christmas Eve. I was going to be cutting it close for Dave’s annual holiday dinner and our Christmas Eve traditions, but I would make it. I could sleep on the plane to make sure I stayed awake all night once I got there. It’d be tight, but this was worth it.
“I thought you didn’t have to cover games during the holiday break?” she said, frowning as she flitted around the kitchen making coffee.
“I don’t, but if Leo scores a goal in this game, he becomes the top scorer for the university—ever. That’s huge,” I said, a rush of excitement for him flooding my body.
Mom stopped and stared at the screen, scrutinizing me. “Are you staying to write an article about this historic event or because you want to be there with him when it happens?”
“Mom,” I sighed. “I really like him, okay?”
“Is the feeling mutual?” she asked.
“I think so.” My cheeks flushed. “We’re kind of friends with benefits, but I really think there’s more between us than that.”
“Something serious?”
“Serious enough. I mean, he was drafted by the Bruins four years ago and I’m coming home at the end of the year so I’m not sure how serious we can really be, but…”
My mom gave me a sad smile. “Trust me, Soph. Even if it doesn’t last forever, you should never stop yourself from falling in love.”
“Really? I’m pretty sure it’s going to hurt like hell in May.”
“Or not,” she said with a shrug. “You never know where something will go if you’re not even willing to try.”
