Page 17 of What if I Told You

He looks at me dismissively. “One, you’ll get the job and two, if you don’t, I’ll absolutely tell you. I promise.”

“Then why can’t you just tell me now?”

“Bro code,” he says plainly.

“Ugh! So unfair!”

Ignoring my cries, he continues. “Listen the only one of us who seems to have a proverbial stick up his ass is Barrett. He’s our goalie and he’s a grump probably a solid eighty percent of the time. So, when you meet him, don’t be shocked if he comes across that way. It’s just his personality.”

My brows crease and I tilt my head. “Why do you think he’s grumpy a lot?”

“Beats me. He works harder than anyone of us and he’s fucking good at what he does. Best goalie in the league hands down though you’ll never hear him say it. But he’s also had a few knee issues lately. I know that bothers him more than he admits.”

“Married?”

He shakes his head and leans forward to grab another slice of pizza from the box. “Nope. Like I said, Oliver is the only one who is in a committed relationship though they’re not married yet. Honestly, I’m not sure Bear would ever get married. He doesn’t seem the type.”

I wag my brows. “So, a bunch of single hockey players, huh? Any of them good dating material?”

He nearly chokes on his bite at my question. “For you?”

“Yeah.”

“No. Absolutely not.”

I give my best friend a goofy smile. “What? Why not? You just said they were all single.”

“And they’re all sluts,” he explains. “I’m sure Griff has had more than one sexually transmitted disease. I love the guy but he’ll sleep with just about any pussy that walks by. Ledger has a tiny dick. Trust me, I’ve seen it. Plus, like I said, his interests lie elsewhere.”

“But—”

“Harrison is never around. He keeps a remarkably busy schedule so you’d hate that too and Barrett’s an asshole so…you know. I wouldn’t if I were you.”

“Uh huh. Okay. Well, speaking of dating…should we come up with some sort of…I don’t know, ground rules or something?”

“Ground rules? What do you mean?”

“Yeah ground rules. You know, like leave a sock on the door when you have a woman here.” I tap his hand with my own. “Cause as much as I love you, Auggie, I do not want to walk in on that! And I don’t really want to have to hear it either.” I twist my mouth. “Though I guess I could get a sound machine or something.”

“Ella.”

“What?” I look up from my pizza to find him staring me down.

“We don’t need ground rules.”

“Why not? What if?—”

“I don’t bring women here, Ella.”

I cock my head, studying him. “What, like ever?”

“Never.” He shakes his head slowly and I’m flabbergasted with his answer.

“You’re serious?”

“Very serious.”

I stare at him for a moment, taking in his rigid demeanor, and then I let out an uncomfortable laugh. “What the fuck, Aug? You live in this…” I flail my arms. “Palatial apartment in the swankiest of buildings. You literally have everything here you could ever want that would certainly make any woman happy and you’re telling me you’ve never invited a woman back to your place?”

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