Page 16 of What if I Told You

“Hands down.”

“So, tell me about the guys on the team. What are they like? Will I like them?” I lean back against the couch from my place on the floor, twisting my mouth. “Will they like me?”

He scoffs lightly. “Of course they’ll like you. What kind of question is that?”

“A sincere one.” I shrug. “I just want to know what they’re like. I mean, I don’t want to interfere with your day-to-day life but if I get this job, I’ll obviously be around a lot. I wouldn’t want your friends to think I’m some sort of flake or something.”

“Trust me. They won’t think that. They’re not like that.”

I curl my hand in thatcomegesture. “Okay…I’m listening. Tell me more.”

August takes another bite of his slice before he speaks again. “Oliver Magallan is a great guy. He’s the team captain and he’s the only one of us who has a girlfriend. Well, fiancée actually. He’s got a solid head on his shoulders and pretty much always does the right thing. He’s like the Captain America of the Anaheim Stars. Fun fact: his sister is married to one of the players on the Red Tails so we’ve struck up a nice relationship slash rivalry with their team. They’re good guys.”

“Okay. Oliver’s a ten but he’s married. Got it. Next?”

August’s brow rises as he watches me warily. Why I’m all of a sudden getting a chilled look from him, I have no idea.

“What? Did I say something wrong?”

He shakes his head and then clears his throat. “No. Uh, then there’s Griffin. He’s my best friend.”

“What?” I rear back, a little hurt. “I thought I was your best friend?”

“You are babe.” He smiles, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “Okay think of Griffin more like my brother. My very humorous, sometimes crass, and inappropriate but would kill anyone for hurting you kind of brother.”

I incline my head and smile. “Sounds like the perfect kind of guy. Teddy bear with a sense of humor but cross him and pay the price?”

“Yep. Exactly like that.”

“Swoooon,” I breathe, leaning my head back on the couch.

August laughs. “I wouldn’t go that far. Also, he has this fascination with pajama pants. I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned it before.”

I cock my head. “Pajama pants? How so?”

“He collects them. He’s always wearing a different pair anywhere and everywhere. He’s got them in all colors and with all sorts of random designs.Scooby Doopants,Transformers pants,Batmanpants,Star Warspants, ones with cats, ones with sloths, ones with eggs and toast. Seriously, you name it, he’s probably got them.”

“That sounds like fun! At least he sounds like a guy who appreciates his comfort.”

“I keep telling him one day he’s going to find a girl just like him and it’s going to be hilarious.”

“Okay, who’s next?”

“Harrison,” he says with a nod. “Really great guy. Hard worker. Loves kids. He helps coach the youth league whenever he can and helps run a few hockey camps over the summer during the off-season. He’s one of those guys who will literally give you the shirt off his back if you ask for it. Or he’ll rip it from you on the ice.”

I giggle. “Really? A shirt ripper, eh?”

“These guys are all beasts on the ice. I’m telling you. They all have great personalities off the ice, but when we’re on the ice and it’s game time, we leave it all out there. Nothing gets through us when we’re really playing well.”

I purse my lips, making a mental note of all August is telling me. “Got it.”

“Ledger is like another big brother. A little goofy. He has an enthusiastic sense of humor, but he’s got a huge crush on one of the girls who works in the front office. He’s been too scared to ask her out so sometimes he denies he has a crush at all, but we know. We see the way he is with her. It’s cute. One of these days he’ll come around.”

I gasp, sitting up a little more interested. “Oh my gosh that sounds like cute juicy gossip! Who is she?”

“Can’t tell you.” August laughs. “At least not until after you get the job.”

“Aww man! Why not? What if I don’t get the job?”

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