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“I don’t like that smile.” Zachary folded his arms, still blocking the door. “What are you planning?”
“Me?” I thumbed my chest. “Not a damned thing.” I pushed his shoulder. “Move.”
“Not until you agree that you’ll leave Lucy alone.” Bro was adamant.
I respected the hell out of Zachary and Lennox, but they got on my fucking nerves when they went all high and mighty with their holier-than-thou routine. Like they didn’t need to get laid. Hell, maybe they didn’t. I’d never asked and despite the occasional raunchy locker room talk, these two were hella quiet about their sexual exploits.
I narrowed my eyes at Zachary and matched his crossed-armed stance. “I’ll stay away from her if you will.”
He rocked back on his heels, his eyes narrowing to slits. “I agreed to help her. I’m allowed to get close to her.”
“Ah, ah.” I wagged my finger back and forth under his nose, loving how he snarled. It was so easy to get under his skin. I loved the big asshole like a brother, which made this so much fun. “You’re only allowed to be close to her? What does bussing kids back and forth from the rink have to do with spending time with Lucy? You expect her to ride the bus with you?”
“No.” He spat out the word, but I saw a flash of something in his eyes. Something that looked an awful lot like hope. “I’m not risking my career for anything.”
No. He wouldn’t. Neither would I, but I kept needling him. “That’s not the way it looked to me when you two walked up earlier. Looked pretty cozy to me. Wouldn’t you say, Lennox?” I looked at Lennox over my shoulder.
He eyed the two of us with a shrewd glare. “You’re both hopeless.”
“You want in too?” I puffed up my chest and pretended to consider. “We could make a bet.”
“No.” They both jerked like I’d shot them. Lennox stood, his body moving with a feline grace that made him our most dangerous asset on the ice. “Lucy is not a bet. She’s not abargaining chip. She’s not a conquest. Got it?” He punctuated the last two words with pokes to my chest with his index finger.
“Chill, bro.” I rubbed the spot where he’d gouged me. “I was kidding. You both act like I’m a real dick.”
Lennox arched an eyebrow. “Watch yourself.”
Geez. I shook my head and shouldered past Zachary. “I’d never treat a woman like that.” I meant every word. I loved women. They were amazing, wonderful creatures who made life worth living. I’d never stoop low enough to hurt a woman. I’d succeeded in ticking off my teammates, which was the goal all along.
They’d sit in the locker room and stew, wondering what to do with me, while I checked to see if Lucy had left her office yet.
A bloom of heat tightened in my chest and spread outward. I really, really liked this girl. Which made no sense considering my lifestyle. She’d challenged me and I had a hard time letting that go. I wanted to see what she’d do if I pushed a little harder. This rush of sudden, genuine feelings startled me. I couldn’t remember a time—ever—where I’d felt like this about a woman.
My steps sounded hollow in the empty hallway, but I’d hear if anyone came up behind me thanks to the acoustics. I rounded the corner and spotted Lucy’s office, and my heart skipped a fucking beat. What the hell was this? I didn’t do infatuation.
Lucy stepped out of her office and picked up a box. I rushed forward, about to call out and ask if she needed help, when her dad came around the other corner and took the box from her. She grinned up at him and the sight wrenched deep. She had a beautiful smile. Her laughter bounced down the hall, the sound making my own lips curl into a grin. She had a great laugh too. According to Zachary, she was advocating for women’s rights in sports. I admired her spirit, especially on this particularly sticky subject. I had a sister who’d been ridiculed for wanting to play professional hockey. She’d eventually given up, even though shewas better than me on the ice. Women deserved to do whatever the hell they wanted. Zachary had beat me to the punch when he offered to help her with her cause. That didn’t mean I couldn’t offer my support too.
Lucy bent to pick up another box and then disappeared into her office. I should have crawled out of the shadows and offered to help, but the sight of her dad behind her gave me pause. I didn’t think I could hide my feelings well enough to fool him. While I’d managed with Lennox and Zachary, Coach was a different story. I couldn’t deflect with him by using punchy jokes and sexual humor. Especially not with Lucy standing right there. I didn’t want her to see me asthatguy.
I had it bad. All I’d thought about all day was how I’d get close to her again. These feelings were not going away on their own. I’d have to follow them all the way through to see where they led.
How could I do that with her dad and my teammates watching my every move?
6
LUCY
Cold wrapped around me before I even settled on the bench beside Dad. I tugged my hoodie tighter over my stomach and shoved my hands deep into the kangaroo pocket. Dad’s team skated out onto the ice and cheers nearly popped my eardrums. I grinned up at Dad, who spared me a quick smile before he turned his focus to the team.
Zachary, Lennox, and Justin skated around the perimeter, along with three other guys whose names I couldn’t remember. Why did those three stand out to me?
Sitting there alongside my father and the other players with nothing between me and the rink, I had an unobstructed view of the entire rink. Players crowded into the benches around me as the refs skated out and started the game.
Lennox fought for the puck, smacking it with his stick and sending it skipping toward Justin. Grunts mingled with cheers as a rush of bodies collided. Hockey was not a gentle sport, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love every brutal minute. Sure, there was something hedonistic about bloody noses and cheering every time a fight broke out, but it sure was a rush. The raw masculinity did something to me. And yes, I wanted womento be allowed to play. Because they deserved to have a chance if that’s what they wanted.
But I still loved the sight of twelve men on the ice battling it out for supremacy. I’d be willing to throw down on the ice, but not professionally. I enjoyed playing for fun. Watching, on the other hand, was all about winning.
Lennox caught an elbow to the chin and careened back, his arms flailing. Justin swooped over and shoved the guy back until Lennox gained his balance. He shouted something at the offending player, who responded with a shrug while skating backward.
