Page 81 of Tempting

Kenzie

Hey. I left with Gracie and Everly. Gracie wasn’t feeling good.

That was a great game, Nix. You were so fucking hot.

If a hat trick is when you score three times, what do they call it when you score four times? Because you’re absolutely scoring tonight.

Come over when you get home. I’ll leave the door unlocked for you.

And don’t yell at me. I’ll grab Gordie from your place. He can be my guard dog.

Maybe he could snore the would-be intruder to death.

When you said nothing but your jersey? Did you mean no panties?

I fucking love this girl.

Irush through showering and the post-game interviews as much as I can.

It’s easy to ignore the ribbing from the guys in the locker room. Easton keeps his distance, but he’s going to have to get the hell over whatever his problem is with Mac and me. I’ll talk to him about it tomorrow.

The questions from reporters and paparazzi didn’t catch me completely off guard. Apparently, we’re high-profile. They all seem to be running with the whole team captain’s little sister line, based on what they were asking.

I really don’t care what they say. I just want to get home to Mac.

When Coach pulls me into his office as I’m walking out, I’m a little surprised. “Everything okay, Coach?”

“That’s what I wanted to ask you, Nix.” He sits down behind his desk, and I start to sweat what he might be talking about.

“Not sure what you’re talking about. I’m good. That was a hell of a game,” I assure him, wondering if he got word of the trade talk.

“It was. Nice hat trick. Listen, I know we have a relationship outside this office, but when we’re inside this building, I’m your coach. And as your coach, I’ve got to say this. Keep your personal shit out of this locker room and off my ice. Got it?”

Oh. That.

“Got it,” I snap, irritated at the idea that Easton’s gonna be so pissed that Coach feels the need to preemptively address it.

“Listen, I’m not trying to be a dick, I just don’t want your personal life to affect our season,” he explains, and now I get pissed. What the fuck?

“Coach, are you telling me not to see Mackenzie Hayes?” I ask, really hoping I’m reading this whole fucking thing wrong.

“And if I was, would you stop?” Coach volleys back at me.

“Fuck no,” I tell him without hesitation. “Not a chance.”

“Good answer, Nix. Kenzie deserves that. That’s what I think as your friend and hers. As your coach, I’m warning you, do not let this shit go sideways with my goddamn goalie. Got it?” He stands and waits for me to do the same.

“Yeah, Coach. I got it.” I rise from the chair and shake his hand, knowing Easton’s going to give me shit.

Guess I’m going to have to meet him before practice tomorrow to get this out of the way somewhere other than the locker room.

“Good. Now get the fuck out of here before my wife calls me and asks me how you guys looked together. Do you have any clue how much the girls talk? It’s crazy. They’re like a hive mind. If one of them knows something, they all do. How the hell did you manage to keep this thing under wraps for so long?”

I shrug. “You’ve gotta ask Mac. It’s what she wanted, so it’s what I did.”

Coach shakes his head. “Get out of here before the paparazzi storm the gates, trying to get another picture. You know the one of the two of you before the game has already gone viral. Bryn sent me a TikTok of those romance book girls already using it in a video. It’s gotten a million views since pregame.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

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