Page 1 of Anti Player

PROLOGUE

Kaleb

I pop a bite-size cake into my mouth and groan. This sweets table is out of this world. The team has the day off today for Connor and Ellie’s wedding. Tomorrow is the big game. The final of the season. It’s crunch time, yet I am allowing myself this guilty pleasure since my good friend just got hitched.

Damn, that’s good. I lick my fingers when I hear a giggle come from behind me.

I turn to see a woman wearing a white button-down dress shirt and black pants, her hand covers her mouth.

“You’re really enjoying those mini cheesecakes,” she cackles, removing her hand. She’s beautiful with long brown hair and warm chocolate brown eyes. Her smile is sincere, and her red lips are sexy as hell.

“I’ve never tasted anything so good in my life. That base is to die for. What is it? Some sort of graham cookie crumble?”

“Are you a baker?” she asks.

I laugh. “No, I just know a good dessert when I taste one.”

“My boss owns the catering company who catered this event. She is quite the baker. Those are her mini mango cheesecakes. Have you tried the dulce de leche ones? They’re my favorite.”

“There’s dulce de leche?” I ask, unable to contain my excitement. I’m like a kid who has their hand in the candy jar with no repercussions.

The woman points to another table. “Right here.”

My eyes widen and my mouth waters. I pop the bite-size morsel in my mouth and the flavor bursts on my tongue. “Oh, that is good,” I groan. These cheesecakes are freaking orgasmic.

“You really like your desserts,” the woman laughs.

“I’m a professional athlete. I eat clean most of the season. We’re in the finals now and my good buddy just got married. This is me celebrating,” I explain. I better slow down on these mini cakes. As good as they are, they are so sweet, and I am starting to feel nauseous.

“What sport do you play?” the woman asks.

“Hockey,” I say dryly, as if it’s no big deal.

“Are you guys famous or something? I’ve never seen so many guys above six feet with your build in the same room at the same time before,” she giggles.

“I mean, I don’t know if we’re famous.” I scratch my jaw. I’ve never liked the attention of being a professional athlete, so it’s nice she doesn’t know anything about hockey.

Brett walks over. He’s my best friend, even though he’s five years older than me. We grew up next door to each other. I was friends with his younger brother, Henry. When I drafted to the Rangers, it was Brett who showed me around. I even lived with him for the first year, until I figured everything out about living on my own since I drafted right out of high school.

“Hey, bro,” Brett says, interrupting.

I nod at my friend, who can also be a pain in my ass.

“What’s your name?” he asks the woman I’m talking to. I didn’t even get her name and he just swoops in and bam.

“Taylor,” she replies with a warm smile.

“Nice to meet you, Taylor. I’m Brett. I see you’ve already met Kaleb,” Brett says, being a pushy jerk.

“We were talking but I didn’t get his name. Nice to meet you, Kaleb,” she says batting her lashes. She’s pretty and sweet.

“Nice to meet you too, Taylor. Ignore my pushy friend.” I laugh.

Taylor laughs too.

“I’m not pushy,” Brett argues.

“Yes, you are,” I counter, which is the wrong thing to do with Brett.

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