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To all the girlies in their hockey romance era.
Instead of continuing this any further, I end it by walking inside my apartment. And I may or may not let the door slam behind me on purpose.
I let out a loud groan. Readers are in their hockey romance era right now and I can’t for the life of me figure out why. Sports are so boring. Men put these athletes up on a pedestal. Society pays them as if they’ve found the cure for cancer. And for what? Because they’re athletic? Who cares if Michael Jordan can slam dunk a field goal or whatever it is he does?
Candy chirps and gives me what I interpret as a discerning look. “Don’t judge me, girl. You murdered your own brother. I don’t want to hear it.”
An hour later, I still haven’t typed more than ten words, which I end up deleting because they’re the worst ten words in the history of words.
Neighbor Man stalks over to Sheldon and shoves his chest, sending him stumbling backward. “Keep your hands off of her.”
“It’s Neighbor Man,” I whisper. “Open the door,” Aarya whispers back. “He probably wants to talk about the article.” “Why are you whispering too?” “I don’t know.”
“Have you seen the news at all today?” “I know. It’s terrible what happened to that little boy in Newark. I don’t know how those parents are going to live with themselves after that. Hopefully they stop smoking.” The both of them blink at me like I’m an alien speaking Korean. “Oh, you mean the article where the whole world thinks we’re dating? Yeah, I saw that one.” Celeste barks out a laugh and Trenton pinches the bridge of his nose.
“You ready for this, Neighbor Man?” “Are you going to keep calling me that?” “I’ll call you whatever I want. You’re my boyfriend now, shnookums.”
“Watch your mouth.” “Ow. How can you still hit as hard as you did when I was a kid?” “Obviously I’m not hitting you hard enough if you’re still using words like that.”
To Cassidy though, I’m simply Neighbor Man who slams his door too hard and makes fun of her singing. When was the last time I was me, without hockey? Maybe with her, I can be.
“If you want me to be flirty, then bring wine. If you want me to take off my top and dance on the table, then bring tequila. And if you want me to be happy, then bring mint chocolate chip ice cream—the green kind with big chocolate chunks in it.”
He clears his throat and my eyes snap up to his. “Sorry. I’m a whore for nice arms.” He tilts his head. “You’re a what…for what?” “You know, arm porn.” I reach out and squeeze his bicep. “You have really nice arms.”
“How did they end?” “Usually with my parents getting hit by a bus or tossed off a cliff.”
“You know how to have fun, don’t you?” He smirks. “Yes, smartass.”
“Puck bunnies will eat that shit up.” “Puck bunnies?” “Every sport has them. Jersey chasers, buckle bunnies, cleat chasers. They’re like groupies who just want to say they fucked a professional athlete.”
“Leave it to the romance author to turn my stretches into a sexual thing.” I scoff, feigning offense. “Are you calling me a pervert?” “If the shoe fits.”
Nana scoffs. “No, he most certainly did not. Trenton, you better behave yourself. My Birdie is a sweet girl.” I arch a brow. “Your Birdie? But I’m your grandson.” “And my grandson is going to be kind to my friend.”
Leave it to her to put a positive spin on her asshole parents.
“You have me, regardless of the contract. If you need something, don’t hesitate to ask. You understand?”
Jesus Christ. This woman is every one of my fantasies come to life.
“What if it can’t fly, like a penguin or a chicken?” “Penguins don’t count. But I don’t fuck with chickens.” She shakes her head. “You’re so peculiar.”
I do know what she means. She’s trying, and it’s adorable.
I lean in and cut her off with a kiss.
“I didn’t kiss you for them.” “Then why did you?” “Because I couldn’t wait one more second to find out what you taste like.”
Me: I’m looking forward to watching you hump the ice again. Neighbor Man: Pervert. Me: You like it. Neighbor Man: I do.
Cassidy Quinn has become my new addiction.
“You are perfect, Cassidy Quinn.”
But tonight isn’t about me. It’s about giving this woman everything she wants.
“You’re a very sexy woman, Cassidy Quinn. Brains and beauty.”
“You were worried about me, baby?” “Of course I was worried.”
I could get used to this. I like the way this feels. The way he feels—here, holding me. The flowers, the notes, the kissing, the sex...I like it all too much.
“Hey, Warden. What are you reading over there?” I glance two rows ahead of me. “My girl’s book.”
Cassidy: Oooo yes. The quiet broody ones are always hot. Me: You sure you don’t want me to set him up with you? Cassidy: Do you think he’d be into me? Me: Watch it, Quinn.
“I’ll give you anything you want, Cassidy. You’re mine, and I’m going to make you feel so good.”
“You’re not here for post-orgasm snuggles.” “I’ll make it up to you tomorrow, beautiful.” Tomorrow can’t come fast enough.
I lift her in my arms, cradling her as I carry her over to the couch. “I’m so sorry, my sweet girl.”
I’ll do anything to keep Cassidy safe and happy.
“I’m here because...because I want to see you. Because I need to be near you. Because I missed you while I was gone, and all I could think about when I wasn’t playing hockey was you.”
“You’re more than just sex, Cassidy Quinn. You’re the total package, remember?”
“I’ve got you. You’re good. Now, eyes on me.” Cassidy’s eyes flick to mine. “There she is.”
“Is it me, or are you making this really sexual?” “You’re a horn dog, so everything sounds sexual to you.”
Why am I imagining Cassidy having my child?
She sighs against my mouth. “Okay. But if you snore, I’m punching you in the throat.” “So violent.” “You like it.” “I do.”
“That boy is smitten.” “He’s not smitten. He’s horny.” “Right. Keep telling yourself that.”
I know I shouldn’t trust anything that’s said in the middle of lust-filled sex, but my stupid hopeful heart latches onto his words.
I’m in love with her. I don’t know when it started, or how it happened, but I’ve been falling for a while now. Last night only solidified it.
“Fuck the videos, Cass. Just fuck me.”
“You’re perfection, Cassidy Quinn.”
I know exactly what she wants, and my heart soars. “You want me to make love to you, baby?” She nods, her eyes bouncing between mine. “Is that okay?” My chest aches, and the words almost slip from my mouth. I love you. Be with me. I want to be yours. Instead, I dip down and capture her lips. “I would love nothing more.”
