Page 9 of Pucking the Team

But as I rinse off, my thoughts are interrupted by a familiar voice. “Slade, you in here?”

I tense, recognizing the deep timbre of Ryan Thompson, Slade’s childhood best friend and my longtime rival. Inconveniently, Ryan fucking Thompson is also our new star defenseman.

Ryan strolls into the showers like he owns the place already, his broad shoulders nearly filling the doorway.

“Ryan, hey,” Slade greets him, his face lighting up. “I didn’t know you were coming by today.”

Ryan shrugs, his eyes flicking to me with barely concealed disdain. “Meeting up with the strength trainers. Heard we got a new addition to the staff.”

My hackles rise at the mention of Emma, my jaw clenching at his interest. Ryan and I have a history, one that’s left a bitter taste in both our mouths.

“Yeah, Emma,” Slade confirms, ignoring the glares between Ryan and me. “She seems great.”

Ryan nods, his expression unreadable. “I’m sure she does. I look forward to working with her.”

I bite back a scoff, knowing that Ryan’s interest in Emma will be purely professional. He’s always been the consummate gentleman, the golden boy who would never dream of mixing business with pleasure.

Not like me.

As we towel off and head to our lockers, I can feel Ryan’s glare boring into my back. I know he still resents me for what I did, but it was almost ten fucking years ago at this point. The guy needs to get over himself.

As we get dressed, Ryan leans against his locker, his arms crossed over his broad chest. “So, Lukas, are you going to behave yourself around this new employee, or do I need to keep an eye on you?”

I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head as I pull on my shirt. “Jesus, Ryan, you really haven’t changed, have you? Always so quick to assume the worst of me.”

Ryan’s eyes narrow, his jaw clenching. “Can you blame me?”

I hold up my hands in a mocking gesture of surrender. “Emma’s a big girl. She can handle herself.”

Ryan scoffs, his dark eyes flashing with annoyance. “Right, because you’re so concerned with what she can handle.”

I step closer to him, my blood starting to boil. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I think you know exactly what it means,” Ryan retorts, not backing down. “You’ve always been a selfish prick, Lukas. Only out for yourself and your next conquest.”

“Fuck you, Thompson,” I spit out, my hands curling into fists at my sides. “You don’t know shit about me.”

Slade steps between us again, placing a hand on each of our chests. “Enough! Both of you. We’re teammates now, so you better start acting like it.”

“Whatever you say, Captain.” I pull on the rest of my street clothes, but my blood is still boiling. “Do you need a ride?” Slade and I share a loft with our buddy Alex, who’s also the skills captain here.

He shakes his head. “Ryan and I are grabbing a bite, I’ll see you at home later.”

Without a backward glance at either of them, I throw up a peace sign and stalk out of the locker room.

My mind is already racing with ways to get under Emma’s skin. I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge, and I sure as hell am not going to start now.

In the parking lot, I catch a glimpse of Emma getting into her car. She looks up, her eyes meeting mine across the asphalt. There’s a heat there, a recognition of the attraction simmering between us.

I shoot her my most devastating grin, the one that’s dropped panties from coast to coast.

She flushes, ducking her head and hurrying into her car. But I can see the smile playing at the corners of her mouth, and I know I’ve got her hooked.

I pull into the underground garage of our West Loop loft, trying to shake the image of Emma from my mind. The way her eyes sparkled with mischief, the curve of her lips as she tried to hide her smile. I want to see that look again.

I take the elevator up to the penthouse, the anticipation building in my gut. I love this place—the exposed brick walls, the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a stunning view of the city skyline, the sleek modern furniture that I picked out myself.

It’s my sanctuary, the one place where I can truly be myself.

---