Page 36 of Puck Shy

I also want to punish Stevie for even agreeing to wear his number. She understands how things are with that sort of thing, and even if we don’t have a relationship beyond friends and employee/employer, I’d think she would understand what it means to wear another man’s jersey. Especially when she’s part of the team. And to a certain extent, I think she knows how I still feel about her, even if I try not to show it out of respect for our arrangement. Especially after what I heard in her bathroom earlier.

I attempt to push out those thoughts and focus on the game as the ref skates to us. Despite what’s going on around me, I’m determined to win. To show myself it doesn’t matter what jersey Stevie is wearing or if she’s even at the game. I’m a good player, and I can win this game. I also need to play nice with Johnny to make it happen.

I get down in position and exhale, placing my stick on the ice. I wait for the drop, zoning my focus in on the ice and Bryce’s stick. We have ten seconds. Ten seconds to win or at least go into overtime. As soon as the puck lands, nothing else matters. Just my drive to win this game and then have a talk with Johnny. Preferably with my fist. Maybe I’ll make Stevie watch.

My eyes stay locked on the puck as I start to maneuver. I win the draw easily, capturing the puck and shooting it back to Johnny. Despite how annoying this kid is, he has one of the most powerful slap shots I’ve ever seen. Once he has control of the puck, time seems to slow as he winds up and unleashes the puck toward the net.

Vancouver defense moves to block, and just as I think we’re shit out of luck, Jason appears near the crease, changing the direction of the puck with the tip of his stick, sailing it right past the goalie’s outstretched glove and into the net.

The horn blares as the clock runs out, red lights flashing as the arena goes wild, the cheers of our fans attempting to drown out the outrage of the Vancouver fans. I pump my fist in the air and skate my way to Jason with the rest of the team. We pile on top of him, and for a few moments, I’m able to forget about Stevie and that fucking jersey. But it all comes rushing back when I see Johnny skate toward Stevie. He tosses her the game-winning puck over the glass, and I see red.

I watch as she blushes and bangs on the boards for him then blows him a kiss. My anger comes back in full force, and I think I growl. That’s our fucking thing. In a flash, everything I’ve been bottling up for the last two months mixed with the adrenaline of the game breaks free, and I’m done being good. I know there’s something between us. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let another man take her from me while I watch.

She must feel my heated gaze because her eyes lock on mine. Then I blow her a kiss. Her smile fades, and confusion colors her features at my action. My lips upturn into a crooked smile, and then I’m skating off the ice toward the locker room. I need to shower and take a few deep breaths. Then I hope my Cherry is ready for me.

Chapter seventeen

Stevie

Evan, the Stormbreakers’ equipment manager, came and got me before the stands had even started to empty. I’d still been sitting in my seat, dumbfounded that Lucas blew me a kiss after months of nothing. Not even a wink. It gave me hope that maybe I was right, that he does still have interest. Especially after that intense game he played. But it also made this situation between us feel confusing again.

And now I’m even more confused because Evan didn’t tell me why he brought me here, only that someone from the marketing team wanted to meet me, and this was the easiest place. But there’s got to be an office somewhere. Or even the hotel bar. But the equipment room?

I pull out my phone and look at the time. It’s after nine pm, and I’m exhausted. Last night, I ended up editing videos and engaging with fans on social media most of the night. Lucas had texted and said the announcement for his new movie next year was unexpectedly going live, so I had a lot of promoting to do.

His career really is blowing up. If he wanted to retire from hockey soon, I think he could. I know he doesn’t say anything to the team, but I see how stiff his body is the day after a game. And I’ve seen the amount of bodywork sessions on that man’s calendar. It’s a lot.

A text comes across the screen, and I smile at my sister’s name. With the press having calmed down over their throuple announcement, they decided to take a trip. She’s in Hawaii with Jace and Leo. It also happens to be Jace’s first trip home in years. I know it was big for him since he doesn’t speak to most of his family after coming out as bisexual after college, so they all wanted to go to support him.

She’s been sending me tons of pictures, and I’m jealous of her. I could use a little fun in the sun and some color on my skin. I’ve gotten pasty since I started working for Lucas. Ice isn’t good for a tan.

RILEY: Tell Lucas congrats on the game. He looked like a bulldozer out there.

STEVIE: They won, so that’s all that matters.

RILEY: Any news on the Lucas/Stevie front?

I try not to roll my eyes as I think of a response.

STEVIE: Nothing is happening. I told you. Platonic friends. I know the man’s shitting schedule at this point. No sex is being had.

RILEY: Poop ?? Well, I think you should change that. I think he’s still interested. Leo and Jace think he is.

I sigh. Riley and her men are pains in my side sometimes. They’re trying to play matchmaker like they have the last two months. It can be annoying, but it’s also kind of amusing. I thought the three of them would be annoyed that Lucas and I screwed, but they’re all for it. A bunch of odd ducks, they are. But I love it because I’m weird, too. Or at least I used to be.

Which reminds me: I need to get laid. Though Lucas’s reaction after the game didn’t exactly answer my question about if he still has any desire to be with me. I guess the only way I’ll really know how he feels is if we talk. And I’m not sure I want to open that can of worms.

Ugh! Why is this so hard? I groan and tap out a response to Riley.

STEVIE: That’s nice.

RILEY: That’s all you have to say? “That’s nice”?

I want to smack my head against a wall.

STEVIE: Go enjoy your guys. Love you, Ri.

Done with that conversation for now, I put my phone on silent and pocket it. I glance around the room as I wait for whomever from the marketing team is coming to meet me. Again, I can’t help but wonder why the hell they picked the equipment room.

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