Page 36 of Boarded Hearts

“Uh, yeah, it’s safe to say he’s clocked it,” I reply, chuckling and shaking my head. The way Jensen’s looking at her though, there’s a possessive darkness in his eyes. Even from halfway across the ice, it’s plain to see something is being shared between them, and I’m not entirely convinced it’s just playful innocence.

It’s three-two to the Scorpions deep in the final period.

The whole team has been playing incredibly, but Jon’s game has hit another level, and every time he gets the puck, there’s a hum of anticipation in the crowd, like he could do anything. And he could. He’s a magician on the ice, his brain a step ahead of all those around him.

“Your boyfriend is so freakin’ amazing,” Kate shouts.

“He’s fantastic, but he’s not my boyfriend,” I shout back, clapping at the latest move.

Kate scoffs. “Ugh yeah, he is.”

“Have you just forgotten the conversation we had a couple of weeks back? We can’t be any more than friends. We’re too different.” But at this point, even I’m struggling to buy my bullshit.

“Yeah, well I don’t think you need to worry about catching feelings anymore.”

I turn to look at her. “Why not?”

She exhales a laugh. “Because he’s definitely beaten you to it.”

I’m about to argue that she’s wrong, but the noise level in the rink rises higher, and I look back to see Jon going one-on-one with the Dallas keeper. He sells him the wrong way and sinks the puck in the top right-hand corner, making it four-two and a definite win for the Scorpions.

I lose it and throw my arms up against the plexiglass in celebration and the whole team is piled on top of Jon, clearly knowing how much that meant to him.

When he finally gets back to his feet, he makes a beeline in my direction, stopping dead in front of me, and sending up a spray of ice.Removing his mouth guard he shouts, “Angel!” and all heads turn my way as I feel my cheeks warm. “That was for you.”Jon smiles down at me through the glass then skates back to center ice, leaving the crowd reeling. It’s the most public display he’s shown to date, confirming all the recent rumors that the captain of the Scorpions has eyes for a fan.

“Like I was saying,” Kate sings at me when I retake my seat. “He beat you to it.”

JON

Life has never been so good.

Sure, it’s not perfect, but it’s damn close. I’ve just played the best game since I can remember, acknowledged by a clap on the back and a knowing smile from Coach Burrows. I know my position as captain and starting center is still far from secure, but tonight was a start. Dallas is top of the league, and tonight was always going to be a hard-fought battle, especially since we desperately needed the W before we hit the road for a two-week away series.

“The fuck was that pass, Jon!” Jessie fist-bumps me as we head toward the showers.

I haven’t pulled off a pass like that in years, even surprising myself.“Moment of inspiration, I guess,” I shout over to him and turn on the faucet, the steaming water hitting my body and easing my aching muscles. I’m going to be sore in the morning, since I pushed myself to the limits tonight.

“Screw the pass! I want to know what the hell’s going on with you and that hot-as-fuck brunette we saw all that time ago in the cocktail bar. You’ve been eye-fucking each other for weeks, and don’t think we didn’t notice you skating over to her and declaring your love at the final buzzer,” Kyle Johnson shouts from across the locker room.

Jesus, for a rookie he really does have some balls, much of it misplaced when he’s addressing me as his captain and even more so when referring to Felicity as hot-as-fuck. My spine steels at the thought of another man’s appreciative eyes on her.“Shut the fuck up and wipe down my pads, will ya? They smell particularly bad after my performance tonight.” The rest of the guys laugh.

Thoughts of that moment I shared with Felicity at the end of the game replay in my mind. I’ve never seen her so animated, and the way she cheered me on, it was like she was there to support me as my girl, like she was totally invested in me and my game. My chest fills with warmth, and I realize I need to see her again tonight. I want to capitalize on what we shared over breakfast, the kiss by the waterfront, and the easy conversation.

Grabbing my towel, I throw it around my waist and head for the locker. I pull out my phone, hoping she and Kate haven’t left the stadium yet. The game finished at least twenty minutes ago, and I was going to head to the baths and gym for a light cool down given the state of my body. But something tells me being in my girl’s presence will do more to soothe me than any cool down ever could.

Me

You still at the rink, Angel?

It feels like we’re hovering in this space between friends, who kiss, and something more, but today she let me in slightly, and I have to keep trying. With Zach’s advice forever on replay, it feels like it’s now or never.

I throw on a pair of black pants and a button-down white dress shirt—rolling the sleeves to my elbows because I’m still overheating—and slip on some back dress shoes. My hair’s still wet, so I grab a clean black Scorpions cap and throw it on.

“In a hurry?” Zach sidles up to me. He’s already dressed and ready to leave.

“Yeah, hoping to catch Felicity before she heads out.”

A smile tugs at his lips.

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