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“Hard to miss you, babe. You were the only one wearing an Elmwood jersey in the Heston student section. Ballsy move. Red looks great on you.” I swipe my tongue across my lower lip. “Bet you’d look even better in blue and green.”
This beautiful girl insults me and it turns me on.
“Your name is the only one I want on my lips tonight, baby. Tell it to me so I can whisper it against your skin between the hundreds of kisses I’m going to lay on every gorgeous inch of you.” She
Reagan won’t be home from her shift at the bar for another two hours.
Johnny wasn’t even playing after his accident benched him for the season.
I made it through the game I used to love without my anxiety winning. I even let Reagan and my brother talk me into going to the bar afterwards. I tend to avoid it on nights I know the hockey team takes over the place.
Ten months older, actually. Irish twins. Our family had a trip raising us, especially our grandfather. Ryan’s older, but I’ve always felt like I’m the more responsible sibling.
Mom used to say the Donnelly women are built solid with curvy hips and generous chests. My face tingles with warmth remembering the feel of every firm muscle of his body when he set me on my feet. He had the attitude down, too.
guy like him is bound to forget about me. Johnny did. Not a second wasted before I caught him with another girl—not like finding an unfamiliar pair of panties in his bed,
wanted to surprise my boyfriend before I toured his college. Instead, I got my heart broken and learned I should never trust hockey players.
Considering he was cheating on me, things were probably never serious for him. The few other guys I’ve dated either couldn’t handle my lack of availability, or fizzled out because I wouldn’t let my guard down for any true connection to develop.
I never told him why I ended things with his friend and teammate because something Johnny said when I told him we were done stuck with me. You think Ryan doesn’t know what’s up? Every player messes around.
Everyone at Merrywood Farms would love you. I’ll show them your picture when I go in for work this week.” I’ve always loved animals,
Her lips part in surprise now that I’ve earned her full attention. “Captain.” The lopsided curve of my mouth stretches into a grin. “I like it when you call me that.”
“I don’t need to resort to such underhanded tactics to get you to say yes to me, baby. Unless I can use these donuts to bargain with you to get you to wear a Heston jersey to our next home game this week.” She exhales, seeming more relaxed. “Not a chance. I won’t be there or at any other games. Friday was a one time thing.”
It’s opened to a text conversation with her brother. He rags on her for letting Easton fucking bag of dicks Blake carry her out of the bar. My brows shoot up and I laugh.
“Then again in March.” He chuckles, allowing me to go to the order counter first when it’s his turn. “Okay, so what I’m hearing is I owe you wings. It’s a date.”
“Crisis averted. It would be so awkward if my girl didn’t cheer for me when I get signed to my dream team.”
lift my brows and give an amused scoff. “Keep dreaming, hotshot. I’m not your girl.” “Yet.” He winks.
“I’m getting used to watching you walk away from me. It has its benefits, don’t get me wrong.” Easton scrapes his teeth over his lip as he checks me out. “But one of these days, you won’t walk away.” A laugh catches in my throat. “Bye, Easton.” “Bye, baby. Hate to see you leave—” He gives a low, rumbling hum when I turn around and start walking. “—love to watch you go.”
Tell me why my stomach dips like I’m excited to see him? Because I’m not. I can’t be.
truck. Be strong, girl. I know his type. He’s into me now because I’m not easy. I present a challenge to conquer. But as soon as I open up to let him in and he gets what he wants? Bam, he’s moving on and I’m left with a wounded heart and the unpleasant reminder that I shouldn’t fall for guys like him.
Here I am with a smoking hot girl in front of me, flirting with me all night, and I don’t care at all. I’m not interested in anything with her or anyone else when I can’t stop picturing captivating hazel eyes with flecks of green like the meadow behind the house
“Good for her,” I mutter. It’s been a long ass day, but seeing the black and white cat sitting at my window makes me smile. The stray climbs to the roof of the wraparound porch every night and waits for me.
“I think I’m in over my head.” All I get in response is a continuous purr while the cat leans into my palm for more petting. “There’s this girl. Maya. I think I really like her, which is new for me. It’s impossible for me to stop thinking about her.”
The players that seem like they have it all are the ones who put the work in, on the ice and off it to achieve their goals.
“We live life with good laughs, good books, and good shoes sharp enough to stomp anyone who tries to diminish our light.” I recite the mantra she’s been boosting both of us up with since we met. “That’s my girl. Let’s go have fun. We deserve it. You deserve it after working your ass off to get to this point.”
“It’s no secret by now I want to, baby.”
“As long as you quit trying to get me to another one of your hockey games.” He captures the finger I point at him. I pull, but he holds it, lips twitching. “How about I ask for your number instead?”
There’s no way Johnny would go through the effort to text me from a different number, let alone somehow have it already saved as a contact. He’s not bright enough for such a strategic play.
How the hell did he get his contact saved in my phone as Hat Trick King, though?
“Hana?” Elijah sputters. Her steps falter. “Eli. Hey. I’ve barely seen you around so far this semester.” “What are you doing here?” Elijah asks. “I work here.” He rubs at his forehead. “What are you doing in Heston Lake? I thought you were going to go to Stanford.”
“Dude. You know a hot yoga instructor? You’re holding out on us.” “She’s my sister’s best friend. We grew up together.” Elijah’s stare is caught on Hana as she puts her hair up. He gravitates toward her. “Okay, you can all take a mat. I’ll go over everything to expect,
guarded look, eyes glistening. They’re puffy and bloodshot, like she’s been crying for a while. My heart bolts into my throat. I want to make her feel better, willing to do anything to take whatever pain she’s carrying away.
“Yeah, because someone told me they like to walk around by themselves at night.” I step into her, taking her by the shoulders. “Do me a favor?” “Sure.” “No matter what time it is, tell me when you feel like going for a walk from now on. I’ll go with you so you never have to walk alone.”
“The night before a game? You need to be well rested to play.” I squeeze her shoulders. “I’m there, Maya. Anytime you need me,
“One way or another that jersey’s coming off, baby.”
don’t want to see you wear another guy’s stuff, Maya. Not even my teammates’ clothes. Come with me.”
I sit up once it registers what’s going on in the photo. He proposed. They snuck around during my freshman year.
And she’s wearing my Heston University shirt that I gave her to wear at the party beneath it.
“Nice shirt.” I waggle my brows. Her eyes widen and she pinches the sides of the jacket in an attempt to hide what’s underneath. “What—? No, this is—I didn’t know this made it into my bag.” “Yeah?”
“She deserves the world. Take her horseback riding, she’s always liked that. Loves animals. And so good with them, too. You remember when you would get dropped off to visit me, chicken? You’d take my hand and wanted to see all the livestock.” I
Losing him so suddenly, I learned how important it is to say goodbye since I never got the chance to say it to him. He was gone and I live with that. Every second counts.
know that truck all too well. I know who was in my apartment. Johnny. Some of the trepidation leaves me, replaced by the burn of anger. Sighing, I put down the microphone stand.
You know that Jeep Gladiator that almost ran you down? That was him.” “How do you know?” Easton braces his hands on the opposite side of the small island when he finds the apartment empty. I sigh.
Johnny Werner, my brother’s teammate.” His jaw clenches, a muscle twitching in his cheek. “Fucking Wiener? I knew I should’ve broken his other arm.” I blink. “What?”
“If you still want this in the morning, you’re mine. I don’t want to rush you. You’re not some dare to win, Maya. You’re the whole damn package for me.” The exhale I let out is shaky, but it helps clear my head. I nod, swallowing past the lump forming in my throat. “Okay.” His mouth quirks up at the corners. “Deal?” “Deal.”
Hat Trick King: Fine. But add a heart to my name. Maya: Why? You’re so cheesy. Hat Trick King: Because it’s all yours, baby. You’ve gotta keep it safe for me.
And she’s wearing nothing but my jersey. I repeat, holy shit.
“Baby, I don’t know how to be any clearer. Every second spent with you is my favorite. Stop trying to put yourself last when you’re number one for me.” It’s
