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He reaches up and strokes his jaw as his gaze bounces between the two of us. “I’ve got about a dozen applications I was going to sort through, but I’ll give you the job since my boy here is willing to vouch for you. It’ll save me the hassle of setting up interviews. Half the time, these people can’t be bothered to show up for that.” He shakes his head and mutters under his breath, “Kids these days. It’s like they think they’re doing you a big favor by waltzing through the door two minutes before the start of their shift.”
I’m barely aware of the mini tirade Sully has launched into. My attention is locked on Fallyn and the emotion that flickers across her features. It’s obvious that she doesn’t want to accept the offer of employment if I’m the reason behind it. But she needs the money and doesn’t want to turn it down. Air gets wedged in my lungs as I wait for her decision. This just feels like another way to tie her to me. Even if it’s tissue paper thin. I don’t give a rat’s ass at this point.
I’m a desperate man.
When Sully raises his brows, waiting for an answer, I clear my throat. “So, what’s it going to be?”
Her gaze cuts to mine as she smashes her lips together before her attention returns to the owner of the bar. Only then does her expression soften.
Marginally.
“I’ll take it. Thank you. I really appreciate you giving me this chance, and I promise—I won’t be late. Ever.”
“Good. I guess there’s only one thing left to say—welcome to the Slap Shotz family!” With a grin, he jerks his thumb over his shoulder. “Give me a sec and I’ll grab a couple of T-shirts. It’s the unofficial uniform around here.” He cocks his head and takes her in. “You look like a medium.”
She nods. “Yup.”
“I’ll be right back. Or BRB, as the kids like to say.” And then he’s gone, ambling across the bar and disappearing into the backroom.
We’re alone except for the dude engrossed in the hockey game.
She side eyes me before grumbling, “I didn’t need your help getting this job.”
I shrug and try to keep it casual, even though everything inside me is screaming to swallow up the distance between us and take her into my arms. “Never said you did. I just wanted to make sure you had the best shot at getting it.”
Instead of thanking me, which was a stretch to begin with, she gives me a full-on glare. Our gazes stay locked in silent combat as Sully returns with three black and orange shirts.
He holds one up and glances at her. “That looks like it should fit just fine. If it doesn’t, just bring ’em back, and we’ll find something else. As soon as I get you on the schedule, I’ll give you a call. Most shifts will start at seven o’clock until close.”
“That works for me.”
When he smiles again, the fine lines bracketing his eyes and mouth deepen. As long as I’ve known the man, Sully has always been easygoing. He used to play hockey for Western back in the day. A decade later, he opened Slap Shotz and dedicated it to all things Western Wildcats hockey. It’s nice to hang out at a place that has so much love for the team.
Fallyn stalks past me without so much as a second look.
I glance at Sully. If he thinks her behavior is odd, he doesn’t mention it. “Thanks. Really appreciate it.”
He claps me on the shoulder. “It wasn’t a problem. We’re family around here. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. Right?”
I jerk my head into a nod as his words seep into my heart and warm it.
Ever since I was recruited freshman year of high school by our old head coach, that’s exactly the way this team has felt—like family. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for any of these guys. Over the years, they’ve become more like brothers. When we’re on the ice, we work together, fighting for one common goal.
I glance at Fallyn as she shoves through the back door.
And yet, no matter how close we are, none of them will ever replace Miles.
Or his sister.
Chapter 11
Fallyn
I slip into the apartment and huff out a relieved breath that I’m home. Spending time alone with Wolf makes me twitchy. It doesn’t matter if I now despise him. All those old feelings lying dormant for years have been roused and are now attempting to fight their way to the surface. It takes every ounce of strength to shove them back down and pretend they don’t exist.
Never existed.
It's the dinging of an incoming message that knocks me from the whirl of my chaotic thoughts as I fish my phone from my pocket. My heart skips a beat when Chloe’s name pops up on the screen.
