Page 12 of Fate on the Ice

So, that is what I do.

Coach Burns’ good mood ended immediately after we won the Cup. He’s back to his normal self. Tough as goddamn nails, giving us the workout and ass reaming of our lives—every fucking day. It feels good to be back. I don’t think I’m someone who needs breaks. Ever. Work me out every damn day.

We moan and groan our way into the locker room. Everyone is beat up from the gym and then practice. It’s perfect. After lessons, there is no way I won’t be able to sleep tonight.

In fact, I’ll be surprised if I even make it to my bed before my eyes start to close. I’m exhausted.

“Heard someone moved into Lorelai’s room and that she’s hot,” Reid calls out as I walk out of the showers and toward my locker.

I think about telling him to mind his own fucking business but decide against it. I also think about telling him that he’s got his own woman. He doesn’t need to be poking his nose around this one, but again, I decide against it. I’m sure one of the guys said something to him, and he’s asking out of curiosity.

“Don’t know much about her except her name. Grace.”

He chuckles. “I didn’t even know Lorelai’s name when I asked her to that diner the night I met her. You’re already one step ahead of me.”

“Who says I want her?” I ask.

Reid whistles, then shakes his head. “Aside from the fact that Forrest already told me?” he asks. I fucking knew it. “It’s written all over your face. I can tell. You look exactly like me and Thomas when we started falling for our women.”

Waving him off, I finish getting dressed and grab my stuff. “Right,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I haven’t fallen for shit. I barely know her name.”

“You’re gonna fall hard, Otto,” Reid calls out.

I ignore him, knowing he’s probably right. Leaving the practice arena, I head toward my car. Instead of driving to the rink where I teach lessons, I decide to take a cruise past the salon.

I know exactly where the girls’ shop is located. Hell, we helped them set up all their equipment a few months back. My gaze scans the front window, and I see her immediately. Her blonde hair stands out in the window as she sweeps the floors. Or maybe it’s her ass. I’m not sure.

Parking across the street, I watch her for a moment. I feel like a stalker, but I want to figure out why I’m so drawn to her.

I’ve never been drawn to anyone like this before.

I’ve had girlfriends, and although hockey has always taken center stage, I have dated. But no girl I’ve ever gone out with has made me feel the way Grace does. Even in the few moments I’ve been around her.

I want to find out more.

I want to taste her.

I want to see her smile.

I simply want her.

Chapter

Six

GRACE

My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it. I know exactly who is calling me. He’s been calling me for days, and I’ve been ignoring him for days. I’ll continue to ignore him, too. Because screw him completely and totally.

Moving around the salon, I try to keep busy, try to keep my hands moving so that I don’t reach for my phone. Even though I know who it is, even though I don’t want to talk to him, my initial reaction is to answer it anyway.

“You’re buzzing,” June calls out.

She’s doing a foil highlight on a customer. I’m surprised she can hear the vibrations in my apron pocket. “I know,” I murmur as I sweep around her.

June pauses, turning her head to look over to me, and then arches a brow. I don’t know her very well. I don’t know any of the girls well, but June lives with one of the players, Thomas. So, I haven’t spent much time with her at all, just what I’ve spent with her here.

Sinking my teeth into the skin on the inside of my cheek, I bite down to keep myself from talking about my caller, about my past, about college. Because once I start, I won’t be able to stop, and I don’t want any of them to know just how stupid I am.

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