Page 13 of Falling for the Pucking Bad Boy

I lift my shoulders because I’m not doing a good job here. “It was nothing, Coach. We had a moment, I fucked around—”

“You’re always fucking around, Wells,” he clips out. “But this time, you’ve gone too far. I don’t need any more attention on us regarding the Blizzard. We already got enough with the conspiracy on Cyrus’s broken leg.”

My brows knit. “It’s not a conspiracy. They broke his fuckin’ leg.”

“And that’s something we’ll deal with. On the ice. Not off it. We've got a good thing going, and I won't let you mess it up with your mind games."

I wouldn’t say I like it, but I accept his words for what they are.

“Fine, Coach. I’ll lay off.”

“All the way,” he grounds out. “Back off before things escalate. We've got a doubleheader coming up, and I won't allow any unnecessary drama to affect our performance."

“Understood.”

“Good.” He stares at me for a second longer before giving me a light slap on the shoulder. “Good game tonight. Bring that along with you tomorrow, and then on to Cali. We’re going to need it.”

“Yes, sir.”

I get it. I do. The rivalry between our teams is fierce, and the last thing we need is personal drama clouding the ice. But damn it, Rory isn't just some distraction. She’s… feeling like an addiction.

I want more.

I couldn't shake off the memories of last night if I tried. She’s perfection in every sense of the word.

And I’m not one to follow the rules.

I break them.

But Coach's warning hangs over me like a storm cloud. Pursuing anything with Rory would be a scandal waiting to happen, a distraction that could cost us more than just a game.

Reluctantly, I accept the reality of the situation. I can't risk jeopardizing the team's chances- not for a fleeting fuck.

So, I swallow my frustration and bury how I feel about it, knowing that duty to the team comes first.

But deep down, a part of me yearns for the freedom to explore what could have been with Rory. I long for a world where rivalry and expectations didn't dictate our every move, where we could be two people drawn to each other without the weight of our teams on our shoulders. Who was I fucking kidding…this was hockey and real life, not some fucking fairytale.

Instead, it will be one of those what-if scenarios.

I do what I want when I want.

Consequences be damned and all that.

And this one is going to suck.

I hope she comes to the game tomorrow night.

5

CHAPTER FIVE

RORY

Istroll into the office the next morning with my coffee, ready to tackle the day. The familiar buzz of activity greets me as I settle into my desk, flipping open my laptop and checking my messages on social and emails.

As a social media influencer and blogger for an online company, I write about budgets and self-care and help personalize people's schedules to fit everything into their daily lives. It's my passion to help busy women take care of themselves amidst chores, work, and children. I’m also bringing on new ideas to ensure my girls are financially and mentally stable.

“Hey girl,” my work bestie greets me as I get to my desk. “What did you bring me?”

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