Page 12 of Enemy Games

It didn’t matter, because he would know exactly who I was soon enough.

Chapter 4

Hunter

I never dated a player, but a few of the new girls were tempting me to change that.

“Don’t.” Benjamin smacked the back of my neck as he passed me.

“What?” I rubbed the spot.

“I know what you’re thinking and it has to stop. Now. Don’t go there.” He dropped into the chair next to mine and put our drinks on the table.

“Where?” I grabbed my coffee and lifted it to my mouth to blow on it.

“Anywhere near them.” His eyes darted to the other side of the cafe where a group of six players from the women’s team were sitting. We said hi when we walked in, but Benjamin immediately pulled me away instead of staying to chat.

“Why? It’s not against any rule.” I’d checked.

“Because it’s stupid. It’s just asking for drama. Treat them as you would any of the guys.”

I cringed. Yeah, no thanks.

“Exactly. They are an extension of our team, so keep that in mind any time your thoughts stray.”

“But they aren’t really on our team, and Coach hasn’t said we couldn't.”

He tilted his head up. “I’m your captain, and I’m telling you no.”

I ignored him. He was my best friend first, and I’d remind him of that if needed. He might even be right, but I didn’t appreciate being told who I could and couldn’t even look at.

Maybe it was because they were new, but they were all annoyingly beautiful. It wasn’t fair to force our teams together, then tell us not to want to get to know each other better. I was just fulfilling my responsibility as an alternate captain. Making sure they felt welcome.

Okay, that was a lie.

But I was curious. What would it be like to date a girl that actually understood my life? I wouldn’t have to try to explain why hockey would always be my priority. She would watch my games with real interest and know what was going on. I might even find someone that could keep up with me on and off the ice.

The more I considered it, the more I liked the potential.

Hooking up with basketball players, swimmers, and cheerleaders wasn’t the same. They understood my dedication to my sport but that was it. Finding a girl that loved hockey as much as me? Now that sounded like a dream.

“What’s wrong with him?” Reid asked Benjamin as he sat between us.

“He’s thinking of dating one of the players from the women’s team,” he replied.

“Oh no. Bad idea, man.” Reid shook his head, and Ethan finally joined us. “If anything went wrong, you would be the one that got blamed. Coach would definitely make you suffer as punishment.”

“For what?” Ethan asked, sipping his coffee.

“Dating one of the girls,” Reid answered.

“Yeah, hard pass on that.” He frowned.

“Good call, seeing as you’re practically married to Kennedy.” I grabbed my cup and returned my attention to across the room.

“Even if I was single, I wouldn’t go down that road. It’s way too complicated and risky,” he countered.

“Coming from the guy that got back together with his ex that hated him for three years?” Benjamin asked with a laugh.