Wild About You (Wildcat Hockey, #2)

by Rebecca Jenshak

“Good. I think so. She wouldn’t let me go in with her this morning. Apparently, I’m embarrassing.”

“Tough situation, man.” Ash offers a sympathetic smile. “But first week at a new school has to be tough. Especially if it’s filled with a bunch of pretentious pimple-faced assholes.” My head snaps up. “You know Park Academy?” “No, but I overheard Everly saying that verbatim.”

“Not a lot. She mostly glared at me. I don’t think she remembers our time together quite as fondly as I do.”

“That he ran into you at his sister’s school. That you were the perfect girlfriend.” Scarlett’s smile softens. “And that you were the hottest woman alive,” Jade pipes in. Scarlett’s eyes widen. “Yes! He said that too.”

“You, Pipes. I want to tell you. You’re the only one I trust not to treat her differently. You never did me.”

With a sigh, I sit beside her. “Your brother is on my shit list.” “I’m supposed to tell you that he’ll meet you right after the game and he’s sorry, but it’s the only time he has until next week.”

“I stay by myself.” Then she quickly adds, “Tyler calls to check in like every two hours and he sends people to pop in and make sure I’m fine. It’s really obnoxious.”

“I was distracted by my rage,” I say as I tap out a response to Chris letting him know something came up.

Her dark blue eyes look almost black when she’s angry…and she’s angry.

“Threatening another student.” I wince. “She had an issue with a girl in her class. The girl was bullying Everly, and Ev told her she was going to cut off all her pretty hair with a knife.”

“Because I’ve missed you every day for four years and because now that I’ve seen you again, I can’t imagine another day going by where I can’t.”

“You’re right. She’s hot. Like way too hot for you.”

“She treats me like I’m five and she’s always hitting on Ty.”

Hold on to your panties, ladies.

“Okay. I’m off. I’ll see you in the morning.” I point to the couch where I sleep every night. “Don’t have sex on my bed.”

As I pull away from the apartment in a dress I can’t afford, driving a car that is only slightly more reliable than the ice cream machine at McDonald’s, and heading to a party in one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city, I think about how I got here. Not here here, but here—broke.

“When Uncle Tim talks about his hockey days it’s usually about certain games or achievements. I don’t think he ever mentioned raising teenage girls with his teammates.”

“Really? That’s awesome. I can’t wait to watch him play. He says he’s the best player on the team.”

“I don’t give a shit what you tell anyone, least of all that fuck face.” I’m still livid that he got her drunk.

“As long as I know where you’re going, you come back when you say you will, and you keep your phone on at all times, then yes. But if I find out he’s giving you alcohol again or driving you around after drinking, I’ll break his ankles.”

“Yeah. He came home for a few days over Christmas that year and his screen on his phone was this picture of you two kissing on the beach. I didn’t recognize you that first week of school, but now I can see it. He said you were the most amazing person he’d ever met.”

“I rode to the arena with Ash so you could have my car for whatever you need.” “My car works just fine.” “Your tires are basically bald.” When I don’t respond, he says, “I forgot how stubborn you are.”

“Why stay in a mansion with your hottie NHL ex-boyfriend when you can shack up with Chris and his family? Tell me, does his grandpa still wear those really short shorts that let his balls snake down the leg hole?”

“Nice job, Rookie.” Jack taps my helmet as I step off the ice. “Glad to see you’ve got your sparkle back.”

“Okay,” she says finally. She lifts an off-white sweater in one hand and a pair of black jeans with holes in the knees in the other. “I think I’d rather wear your white crop top sweater,” I say.

“I like Piper. She’s great. If I have to have a babysitter, then I’m glad it’s her. I see why you were so crazy in love with her. Plus, she’s really hot. Way too hot for you.”

River shows up as I get the movie ready. He and Everly take seats in the front row with a blanket. I grind my molars. I know the blanket trick. I used it myself many times to cop a feel without getting caught. I go to the thermostat and crank it to eighty-five. His balls will be so sweaty he won’t even think about letting her touch him.

“Give me this,” Piper whispers, taking the bowl back from me. “You look like you might chuck it at his head.” “I

don’t trust him.” “What’s he possibly going to do in here with you fifteen feet away and ready to pounce?” “If his brain is anything like mine was, the options are endless.”

“What are you guys doing here?” I ask. “Yelling at some teenagers,” Declan says quietly.

“Nope. No.” Tyler shakes his head and holds out a hand to keep Declan from charging forward. “We are just here for Everly. Do not talk to anyone. You promised.”

“I hate all of you,” Everly hisses. “Ignore them, Jacob.”

She has her earbuds in and refuses to look at him. Ash goes around to her door and lets himself in. “We’re all really sorry, Little Sharpie.” “Speak for yourself,” Jack says.

“All right, boys.” I step to my car. “Unless you want me to start pimping you out to the single moms staring out their windows, I’d suggest you scamper off now.”

Everly rolls her eyes. “I swear, it’s like I have a whole team of big brothers. I’m eighteen, not eight. Besides, this place is far less kid-friendly than where I’m going tonight.”

“I was actually thinking more along the lines of you burning the house down and needing me to drive the getaway car.”

Heather’s lips twist into a smile. “Well, that’s the last time I’m ever going to the restroom. What did he want?” “Piper,” Steve continues to answer for me. “That was a hell of a speech. I wish I’d written it down in case I ever screw things up and need to win you back.”

“You’re soaked.” Declan spits out his beer and starts coughing. “Not like that,” I mutter to him, then stare down at Piper’s wet dress. “Is it raining outside?”

“I was with my roommates. Heather, who happened to be in the restroom when you showed up, and her fiancé, Steve.” She smiles sheepishly. “He really loved your speech by the way. He asked if you’d write it down for him in case he ever screwed up with Heather.”

“When he’s around do you feel like your heart is going to bust out of your chest? Do you find yourself dreaming about him in the middle of the day? Do you see him in crowds of people and then they turn around and it isn’t really him at all but some guy that looks nothing like him, but like your brain is searching for him everywhere?”

reach out and stroke his hard jaw, admiring the light stubble that’s grown since this morning. “You’re kind of sexy all overprotective and worried.” He huffs a laugh. “So, all the damn time?” He was kidding, but he got it exactly right. “All the damn time.”

He steps to me and tips my face up with a hand at my chin. “I’ve waited a long time for this, another week or month won’t kill me. I’m a patient guy.” “That’s great for you, but what about me?” I whine. I feel like I might burst at the seams. The entire night his hands roamed over me and now I want more.

He groans and cuts me a look. “I am so glad you screwed things up with this one and had to convince her to live with us so you could win her back.”

“Four years of pent-up frustration gone,” I say. “I feel lighter or some shit. I don’t know.” “Wait a minute.” Mav continues to skate around as he talks. “Are you telling me that in the time you and Piper were apart you didn’t hook up with anyone else?” “No way,” Ash says, then looks at me. “You’re fucking with us, right?” I shake my head. “No. I’m serious.”

“How did this get turned on me?” Leo asks. “Maverick’s married. Ask him.”

“Just be in my bed. I don’t care if you’re awake or not.” He stops and looks up at the ceiling. “That sounded creepy. What I meant to say is that all I want is to fall asleep and wake up next to you.”

Everly looks between us with brows raised. “Gross, but good job, bro.” She lifts her backpack, slings it over one shoulder and then leaves us alone. “That’s one way to tell her,” I say.

She drapes her arms around my neck. “Oh, well, if Scarlett’s going to be there, then yes, I’m definitely in.”

“Baby, you look great. You’d look great in anything, but you shouldn’t need to color your shoes every morning.” “I do love a good art project.”

“Oh, trust me. Looking at you in those shoes is painful. My dick has been trying to wrestle through my pants all freaking night.”