AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Rookies asked dumb shit questions. Did they think the owner’s fiancée was tying up all their dicks with bows to present to a group of her friends on purpose? And keeping her hubby to-be away from the season’s kickoff Puck Bunny party? Shit yeah, she knew. And whatever guy had spilled that party date deserved to get his ass kicked. Likely Dodo. Couldn’t kick the ass of the man who John Hancock’ed his checks. Well, could if he wanted to be cut, traded, or fined. Mikah weighed the consequences.
Kiernan headed to his corner spot. “Who’s the girl you had your hands all over, Czerski?”
Mikah ignored him. He should declare dibs on Piper, he’d seen her first. A lot of her. But giving away his hand gave them power over him, not happening. And purity pledge? What the hockey hell was that about?
Liam stripped off his jersey. “Nice legs.”
“Tell that to your girlfriend.”
Captain Ronan slammed his locker door. As captain, he handled team problems; he’d take care of this. “Can’t shut down the owner. On the other hand, got to live. Handful of guys will have to attend their charity. Take one for the team.” Captain made his fist over his palm. “We’re going to rock, paper, scissors this.”
Fuck.
“Rock, paper, scissors.” Captain’s big-ass hands thunked against each other.
All the players knew Mikah would throw down rock. That awareness crept up his spine and through his shoulders. They knew he knew they knew, so they probably thought he’d change his selection this season. He’d outsmart them. He swung his fist outward. Rock.
Captain’s flat hand swiped the air.
Fucking paper.
In the end, four of them would be dancing at next week’s purity party: Liam, Kiernan, Rookie, and Mikah. Mikah strode toward the showers. How could twenty guys go for paper? Wasn’t probable. “Not cool, bros.”
“Dude, you shove out rock every time.” Captain’s voice held little pity.
Rock was the best: fast, smooth, and formed a fist. If Roshambo devolved to a fight, he’d be ready to throw a punch.
“It’s one night,” Rookie said.
Liam correctly looked at him like he didn’t know shit. “Puck Bunny night is the best night.”
They showered and dressed. As they headed to the exit, the losers continued to whine.
Rookie shrugged. “Worst case we’ll be a little late to the bunny party.”
Rookie wasn’t getting how much the owner’s fiancée’s interference overstepped. Mikah set him straight. “This is only the beginning. Next, she’ll be asking us to take a purity pledge.” They turned left toward the parking lot. Every step took them farther from the cool ice. If even one of the guys suggested they turn for another round at the rink, he’d go with them, winners put in the time.
Kiernan nodded. “The organizers will ask you to keep pure until the ceremony for sure. Like in a solidarity move.”
Rookie rattled his keys and gave a cocky shrug. “I could go without until next Wednesday.”
Kiernan said nothing, but he scrunched his face and frowned, giving Rookie a you’re crazy bro expression.
Liam pinched the bridge of his nose. “Go without? Sex, sure, but give up the old five-on-one?” He shook his head. “No way, you succeed with that, and I’ll take the purity pledge myself.”
“Pure of body means full on abstaining.” Kiernan sounded righteous and experienced with the topic. Not likely. “No yanking until next Wednesday? Impossible. I’ll take that bet Rookie.”
Rookie opened and closed his mouth not knowing how to backpedal off the ice. “Fine, but when I win, I get first dibs at the Puck Bunny party. No shoving me off with the other first-seasoners by bragging about your boat or beamer or whatever.”
A week and a half without? Rookie should know better than to throw out brags in the locker room. Liam and Kiernan weren’t playing. They’d hold him to his word.
They reached the double doors that led outside, and Mikah threw his sunglasses on. Austin autumns were warmer than his hometown summers. Mikah chirped open the door lock on his truck. “Thanks for taking one for the team, Rookie.” He heaped on a dose of pity alongside his fake sympathy. All rookies were dumb shits. Saxon was proving that rule true. He deserved a week without. If he held out, all that stored up T would fuel his first game. He’d thank them later.
* * *
Mikah got back to his penthouse and hit the couch. He texted Piper, “RSVP for Mikah, Liam, Saxon, and Kiernan.” Was she going to complain about how few names he’d sent? He wasn’t taking that.
Piper responded with a heart emoji. “Wear your uniforms so you look official.”
