Page 8 of Three Hockey Hotties

Then I have every intention of being here tomorrow as well.

“Which is why we’re giving her a tour right now,” Kane says firmly. “From the insider perspective. Really get the lay of the land.”

“Are you sure?” Abby says. “I have to come back to meet my team here tomorrow anyway…”

She watches me carefully. I do the same with her.

Kane is a people person but honestly, he doesn’t always read people accurately. He rushes in, always wants to fill the silence, and sometimes his big personality can roll right over quieter types.

But I’m the guy who hangs back and watches everyone else. I can usually sense how someone is really feeling.

Right now, if I thought Abby wanted to leave and Kane was just dragging her along by the force of his will, I’d intervene and walk her out to her car.

But I think she actually wants the tour. Maybe she even is curious about us, though she’s trying hard to be polite and make sure she doesn’t put us out in any way.

Which is ridiculous.

If I had any plans for tonight I’ve forgotten what the fuck they were because now they’re just her.

“Let’s do it,” I say. I gesture with my hand. “Right this way. Ladies first.”

My voice sounds gruffer than I intend it to, but Abby gives me a tentative smile and starts walking.

“First rule of hockey,” Kane says, as he falls in step behind Abby.

I walk next to him, transfixed by the swing of Abby’s hips. Her pants are loose and don’t show much of her curves, but it’s distracting nonetheless.

She glances at him, her brows raised in curiosity. “Yes?”

“You gotta score.”

Abby lets out a startled laugh.

I love the sound.

I hate that it was Kane who caused it.

I’ve never been jealous of my best friend before. It’s a feeling I don’t like. We’re going to need to hash this out.

“I know that at least!” Abby says. She chuckles and faces forward again. “Where are we going?”

“Just keep walking about twenty paces and then there are double doors on the left.”

It occurs to me Abby is incredibly trusting. It causes a surge of protectiveness to rise in me.

“I could really go for a cheeseburger later,” I tell Kane, my voice low.

It’s our code phrase. When there is a girl around that one of us is interested in we make it clear to the other by saying, “I could go for a cheeseburger.”

I think this is actually the first time I’ve ever used it. Kane and I don’t usually like the same women. He has eclectic taste—the common denominator usually being they are falling all over him.

Me?

I have a type. Not so much physically. But personality-wise.

Quiet. Likes to read. Loves dogs.

That’s my kind of girl.