Page 65 of Pucks and Coffee

Coach takes her hand with ease and even smiles at my wife. I didn’t think he smiled at all, but Eliza did lay it on thick. “Call me Riggs, and it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Katz. His game has amplified since marrying you.”

“Oh, so we’re both blowing smoke up each other’s asses?” I tease, and my wife smacks me hard in the chest.

“Excuse you. I meant what I said.”

Coach holds up his hands at her pointed look. “Aye, same. I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about. Want me to make him do laps tomorrow?”

She side-eyes me, and I can’t help but laugh. “Yes.”

“Aye, it’s done.”

“Damn, that’s rude,” I call out, but everyone just laughs at my dismay.

Coach leans in. “Why are you over here? Shouldn’t you be mingling with everyone?”

I shrug. “I just got here and came to fetch my wife, but her sister is a distraction.”

Elliot shrugs. “It’s true.”

“Oh aye, I know all about the distraction of Ms. Elliot McDavid.”

Damn, even my coach knew her name was McDavid? I’m an idiot. With a goofy grin, Elliot asks, “What’s that mean?”

“Let’s just say I may have walked into a certain broom closet that I thought held a broom, but?—”

Elliot throws up her hands, and her face is beet red. “Whoa, okay. Yes, I’m a distraction, and oh, I think someone is calling my name. Have a good night.”

With that, Elliot hightails it away. Beside me, my wife is giggling. “That’s fine. I know where you live and your phone number,” she calls after her sister.

Elliot doesn’t acknowledge her sister, and I chuckle as my wife asks, “Who was she in the broom closet with?”

Coach laughs. “I have not a clue what you’re talking about.” I laugh at that, but then Coach motions to where my teammates are all gathering around the buffet, the dance floor, game tables, and the bar. I don’t want to do any of that; I just want to hold my wife. “Go on. Go mingle.”

He walks away then, and my wife threads her fingers with mine. “Ready?”

I sigh. “Not really.”

She squeezes my hand. “What’s wrong?”

“I’d rather just stand here with you.” Her eyes search mine. Damn it, she’s pretty. I reach out with my other hand, cupping her face. “You’re so stunning, Eliza.”

Her eyes widen only a fraction as her lips curve. “I was thinking the same thing about you,” she says with a wink. “Which is why I want to show you off. So, what if we do a round, talk if someone wants to talk to us, and then leave?”

I frown at that. “You’re too pretty to just take home.”

Her eyes dance with mine. “But I can get naked at home, and I think you like me that way a lot more.”

Jesus Christ, I can’t with her. My whole body burns as I reach for her hand. “You are right. Okay, let’s go.”

I pull her along as her laughter runs down my spine, and I ignore the fact that trying for her is as easy as scoring.

CHAPTER 34

Eliza

I hate that Coleson doesn’t want to be here.

He should be excited to hang out with his teammates, to celebrate the start of the season for a team that could bring home a Cup for our town, but he’s not. His shoulders are back and taut, his jaw so tight that I can see the muscles working along his neck. His eyes move around the building, almost like he’s making sure no one will attack us. The furrow between his brows ruins his beautiful face and makes him look as if he’d rather take a puck up the ass than be here.

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