Page 5 of Goal Line Love

“Peanuts.” I sip my wine and instantly change the topic back onto him. “What do you do in your off time?”

“Oh, I see, evasive, changing the subject. Okay… I spend time at a children’s hospital. My sister just got over childhood cancer. My dad remarried a few years ago. His wife was twenty-four at the time and they had my little sister, who is five now. She’s a spitfire and the biggest lovebug.”

When Harrison talks about his sister, he gushes and lights up and it’s beautiful to see. I’ve never seen him so animated before. In everything I’ve seen on him, he’s normally closed off about who he is. In fact, his interviews are only the required minimum. He doesn’t do anything more.

“Why are you telling me all this? You’re normally so closed off?”

Harrison leans forward and rests his arms on the table. “I like you, Bergan. I trust you.”

Wrong words, buddy. I sit back as a massive red flag waves around. I shake my head. I’ve heard that line so many times that it’s brought the opposite effect out of me.

“Sorry, but I can’t trust you.”

I get up and grab some cash from my purse and put it on the table. “I told you this was only professional. Bye, Harrison.” I turn and leave without looking back.

5

BERGAN

The Frostwolves practice is intense as I sit high up in the stands, watching them go through drills and then a practice game. They’re intense against each other as well as against their opponents. Harrison especially, he doesn’t take it easy on anybody. It’s a sight to behold.

I sigh. I have enough information to write up something good, but I want more. At least, I think I do. Maybe I need to know more.

Since we had drinks and wings, a couple nights ago, I’ve had dreams about Harrison and all the wicked things he could do to me, and I had to go and buy new batteries this morning because I used up all the juice of my nightstand B.O.B.

B.O.B.’s good, but I don’t think comes close to Harrison with his big stick.

Harrison fiddles with his hockey stick on the ice and I can’t help but look at his hands. He’s definitely good with them. It only fuels the desire even more. It’s not a good thing at all. I need to stop my thoughts from going there, at least until I’m not constantly in his vicinity.

Pulling up my drenched, big girl panties, I walk down the stairs and meet Harrison at the edge as he skates over when he notices me coming down while the rest of the team heads to the locker room at the end of practice.

“I need a few more questions answered.”

“Sorry, I’m leaving town to see family up north.”

Frustrated, I sigh. “Can you give me just ten minutes, please?” I hate begging him because by the smirk on his face, I can see he gets off on it, but this is make or break time.

Harrison pauses and cocks his head as he watches me. His face is red from the workout and sweat pools down his face, but he’s still the hottest man I’ve ever laid eyes on.

“Nope. Come with me and you can have all the information you need.”

I drop my jaw and narrow my gaze. I don’t want to go with him to wherever, but there’s a key piece I’m missing for this story. Something I feel he’s hiding or not divulging, and I think I can get it out of him. I need to know. It’s been at the back of my mind since I left him at the restaurant.

Who really is Harrison Briggs and why am I so drawn to him?

“Fine.”

Harrison smiles. “Be back here packed in thirty minutes.”

I give him a double take. “Packed? Why would I need to pack?”

“We’re not coming back tonight.”

“Thirty minutes?” I cackle at the thought. “That amount of time is ridiculous. It normally takes me two days to pick out the right shoes!”

Harrison grins. “If you want the scoop— time’s starting now. 29:59, 29:58, times a tickin’, buttercup.”

I huff and actually stomp my foot. “What?! Oh, crap! You’re mean. I’ll… I’ll… I’ll be back! Do not leave without me!” I shout over my shoulder as I book it toward the exit.

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