Meet Me in the Penalty Box (Orchid City, #1)

by Cali Melle

“You wanted me to erase the memories of your ex,”

“Let me replace every bad fucking memory of him. I’m not going to be your rebound, but more like your stepping stone to getting back into the game.” “Did you not hear a single word I said about the policy against fraternizing?”

“If we get caught doing anything together, I would most likely lose my job.” Nico stared at me. “So, we don’t get caught.” “I’m n...

“It’s not sleeping around if you’re sleeping with ...

My mind couldn’t even fully process what just happened, but there was one thing I knew for sure. I was officially fucked by Nico Cirone and he hadn’t even fully touched me yet.

Either way—she left me without an answer and I had no intention of accepting that. She had just become my new obsession.

“Trust me, I already have a plan, because I need her.” “Damn, dude, you plan on wifing her up this quickly too?”

“It’s not completely like that. Just hear me out… I need her around to play like I did the other night.”

plan on keeping things between us quiet but have no intention of you being quiet.

Are you always so sure of yourself? A smile pulled on my lips and I stared down at my phone as the pilot drove the jet onto the runway.

How else do you think I stay on top?

You’re a top all right…

Damn. She made my dick hard with one sentence.

You want to play, love? I can show you how good it feels to win.

“I stalked your social media. They’d be stupid not to send you.” Nico whipped his head to look at him. “You did what?” “Wait, you did?” I asked at the same time.

“I mean, I was curious. You take really good pictures. Just try a little harder to get my better side when you see me on the ice.”

“I figured it would be better to talk about it in person.” Nico lifted an eyebrow. “Color me curious. Go ahead, love. Don’t be shy.”

“I think we need to just let all of this go.” Nico stared at me, but he remained silent.

“We had our moment that one night and I think it’s best if ...

that. That time has passed and you know, given our circumstances, things are ...

“I see.” “I know what you said about being a good luck charm and you know, I’m still here, so there’s always that.”

“What were you expecting? Me to beg you to reconsider? Believe it or not, love, I’m a rather agreeable person.” “I thought you get what you want.”

chest. “Oh, I do. Just because I’m agreeing with you doesn’t mean I won’t get what I want in the end.”

“I play the long game, love. I might move quickly on the ice, but I treat...

“So, you’re verbally agreeing with me, but in your mind, you ...

“Better get back to work, Harper. Don’t want you breaking any rules and missing out on any shots.”

He wasn’t going to make this easy at all. And I wasn’t sure just how long I would be able to keep resisting him.

“You look just as pretty as you always have.” I side-eyed him. “Fuck off, Stone.”

“You’ve always been known for being the pretty boy who stays wheelin’ chicks. Speaking of—you think you can hook me up with one while I’m in town? My dick could use a good sucking, unless you’d rather wrap those pretty lips around it instead.” This was Alexander Stone.

“What the fuck was that?” “Just seeing if you’re still a fragile little bitch,” he laughed out loud, winking before he started to skate away. “You took that hit pretty well.”

“Not so pretty anymore, Cirone,”

“Good fight, Nico. I see you learned how to throw a harder punch.”

“You an enforcer now?” Weston challenged me with his voice low. “What happened out there?” I shrugged with a look of indifference as I attempted to brush it off. “You know Stone. He’s just a fucking asshole.” “Don’t give him a reaction. You know that’s all he’s looking for.” “Yeah, I know,”

“I don’t know what came over me. Usually the shit he says just rolls off but for some reason he really got under my skin.”

“I saw your good luck charm was here tonight,” Wes said, breaking through my thoughts with his quiet voice. “You’re grinding hard tonight and I think your theory might be pretty solid. You have the evidence to back it up.” “She doesn’t want anything to do with me, man.” Wes raised an eyebrow. “Did she tell you that?”

“She thinks the moment between us has passed. It’s too risky, so she says, for us to even see each other.”

“That explains the fight. You’re trying to work out the shit in your head.”

“Are you a player on the team or our shrink? Stop overanalyzing me, Cole.” “Can I give you a piece of advice?” “No.”

“Well, you’re getting it anyways. Don’t give up on her yet. Maybe try to do something normal like take her out to dinner or some shit. Be her friend, get to know her.” “I ne...

don’t want to push her away. I’m trying to ...

“Well, either you push her away or toward you. Where you stand right now, I don’t thi...

“Nico,” she said softly, yet her expression was filled with a look of questioning and hesitation. “What are you doing out here?”

was waiting for you.” Harper stared at me for a moment as she wrapped her arms around herself to block out the cool evening breeze. “Why?”

“I don’t know. I just felt like I needed to after I saw you earlier.”

get that. I’m not a stranger to watching the fights. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

didn’t know you cared.” “I never said I cared,”

“That doesn’t mean that I want to see something bad happen to you.”

“I don’t know, Harper. That kind of sounds like you might care.” I lifted my hand up, holding my thumb and forefinger apart half an...

“You can tell yourself whatever you need to if it will help you sleep better at night.” You would help me sleep better at night. “I don’t know about sleep, but it might help me play better.”

“You’re something else, I’ll give you that.” She smiled back at me as her laughter dissipated. I couldn’t take my eyes off her and I couldn’t stop the words as they rolled off my tongue. “Go to dinner with me.” Harper’s eyes widened. “What?” Fuck.