AllFreeNovel
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It’s at a local ski resort that doesn’t count toward the season, but the teams wear the original hockey sweaters and we play at an outdoor rink. It’s a nostalgia thing.
“I’ll talk to Ward about us,” I add, “but I don’t think it’ll be an issue.” Pippa and Streicher dated last year when Pippa was working for the team.
“Thanks.” She plays with the ends of her hair, twiddling them between her fingers. “I’ll go to the game on Friday. Connor’s playing, right?”
I nod, and I can see the cogs turning in her head.
“I’ll sit with Pippa, and we’ll go out with the team after. I’m sure he’ll be there. That’s when we can—” Our eyes meet, and she seems to lose her train of thought. “Everyone will see us together.”
“And you’ll wear my jersey.” Pride weaves through me at the image.
“Um. No.” She makes a face. “I don’t wear guys’ jerseys.”
She wore McKinnon’s jersey, but I don’t bring that up. “If you want to get to McKinnon, you need to be all in. You’ll wear it.”
She holds my gaze for a long moment before I get a tiny nod. “And I want to tell Pippa the plan. She won’t believe it otherwise.”
“You don’t think I can be convincing?” I think about how her waist felt under my hand, how fucking incredible her hair smelled. “We should probably talk about boundaries, in case I go too far. Agree on a safe word and all that.”
Determination and fury flash in her pretty eyes. “I really want to fuck with him.” A beat. “You can’t go too far.”
JesusChrist, Hartley’s hot when she’s pissed off. I’m half-hard. My eyes drop to her mouth. “No safe word. Got it.”
“Miller.”
“What?” I’m still staring at her mouth.
“This is fake.”
“I know.”
“Don’t get feelings.”
“I won’t.” I wonder if she’d let me kiss her in front of McKinnon.
She dips her head to catch my gaze. “You need to agree to that without staring at my mouth and drooling.”
A laugh slips out of me, and I wink at her. “I wasn’t drooling.”
She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling. She clears her throat. “Seriously. Don’t get feelings, because I won’t.”
Dangerous. This is so fucking dangerous, playing this game with her. She’s going to get to know me and run screaming in the other direction. That’s the way it works with guys like my dad and me.
Still, I’m sticking my hand out to shake hers, pulse whooshing in my ears.
“It’s just for show.” I love how her eyes flare with something interesting as I step into her space. “You don’t need to tell me twice.”
My hand envelops hers, and my focus narrows to where we touch. Her hand is delicate and soft, fitting right into mine. She’s so pretty and mean and perfect, and this is going to fucking ruin me.
“Oh, Hartley.” I just give her my signature cocky smile. “This is going to be so, so fun.”
CHAPTER6
HAZEL
Pippa’salready in her seat when I arrive before the game on Friday night. The arena is filled with excited fans, a sea of gray and blue Storm jerseys, and rock music plays, pumping everyone up. My body’s brimming with energy as I make my way to our seats behind the net, holding a pretzel in one hand and a beer in the other.
“Hi.” I drop into my seat. “Sorry that took so long. The line at concessions was ridiculous.”
