Page 15 of Snap Shot

My tent flaps twitch. Easy, girl.

Wade smirks in the periphery, his toned thighs looking like they could crush a watermelon. He bites his lip while giving me a once-over, still holding on to his third leg like it's the last breath of air on Earth. It might as well be.

What is air, even? What is breathing?

Landon cups his groin with both hands, eyes widening, studying me. “You.”

I can't tell if it's a question or a pointed accusation. His chest heaves, shifting the damp brown hairs hanging across his forehead. Those big, blue eyes narrow.

“It's you.”

Chapter 5: Not Now, He-Man

Landon

Mom:Good luck tonight!

Dad:Sorry to miss it, bud.

Me:No worries, guys.

Delaney:Here's hoping you don't trip and fall into any more vaginas on camera.

Me:Fuck off

Dad:Too far, Lane. Too far.

Delaney:Fine. Have a good game.

Me:Eat a dick, Delaney.

Delaney:Don't mind if I do.

My older sister's not half as hilarious as she thinks.I toss the phone into my bag and slide on my helmet and gloves, giving Wade a mindless, pre-game chest bump before we head out of the lockers and to the rink.

Top Beer Cheese gives us a hell of a laugh. It's much needed. The whole team's been on edge since the Fire won the Cup everyone predicted would be ours.

Jaeger and I got Simon, the new publicity guy that replaced Annalise, hooked up with our contact at the Food Bank. We volunteer at their soup kitchen one or two holidays a year, schedule permitting. It’s his project, if I’m honest. Jaeg grew up poor in a tiny Nova Scotia town and the man's made good for himself.

Skylar jogs towards Jaeger in the hallway after the game ends, brimming with warm smiles sunshine. “Babyyyyyy!”

His face lights up from its usual scowl. Jaeg tips his helmet back and spits out his guard, letting her jump into his open embrace, stick crossing her back while her limbs twine around the bulk of his pads.

“Hi, my sweetheart.” It's an audible but low murmur. My guy is so far gone.

They peck a few times as he moves further down the hall, carrying her to the changing room. I turn and keep ahead to give them some privacy, but Skylar's muted giggles can only mean they're about to stick their tongues down each other's throats.

I’m envious. Dating and one-night stands are out.

Summer training is your woman now. Gonna tear that shit up.

Cooke catches me as I'm getting rid of my skates. “Landy!”

I groan and sigh while cracking my toes against the floor.

“Nice work out there!” He shoots me a cheesy salesman smile. “Hit the showers soon, hey? You've got a guest.”

“A guest?”

---