Page 107 of Going All In

“Um. Yes, it is.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Penny asked, sitting down on the couch next to Ally and grabbing a chip. She held it in the air. “Loving the theme, Amanda.”

“Anything for my Cheese,” Amanda said, and they laughed.

“So. What’s going on?” Penny asked.

“Nothing. Just can’t wait for the game to start. I hope they sweep,” Darcy rushed out, ignoring Penny’s quirked brow.

Blissfully, the game started shortly after that and they focused on the TV. The first two games in the series had been relatively easy, but tonight, it was tight. Tighter than anyone wanted, and they were tied up in the middle of the third.

But Jake had stayed out of the penalty box. Even when that asshole forward had elbowed Jake and was clearly trying to get Jake to engage. They’d even gone after Ethan—which had Penny screaming at the refs to get their shit together—but Jake had focused on playing his game, notching one of the three goals.

She was proud of him. A few months ago, he would’ve spent half of the game in the penalty box.

When Ethan scored a goal with a minute left and Vancouver couldn’t match it, they were all on their feet when the final buzzer sounded.

“Take that, you horrible assholes,” Penny shouted as they all hugged each other, like their guys on the ice.

She was going to miss this camaraderie if things ended with Jake.

“Hey, Pookie, wegrabbing dinner?” Harty asked. They were showered and dressed, media done, and he was starving. They’d beaten Vancouver four to three and tomorrow was game four. If they swept, they’d get a nice break while the other teams finished out their round one series.

“Wait. What?” Jake asked.

“Pookie. It’s cute. Didn’t know you had it in you, man.”

“I’m lost. We coming up with new nicknames?” he asked.

“Penny sent this to me,” Harty said, holding up his phone.

Amanda, Penny, and Darcy were showing their personalized jerseys. Heat bloomed in his chest. She claimed she’d never wear that one in public, but here she was, wearing it with the other WAGs.

“So, Pookie, really?” Harty asked.

“What are we looking at?” Baz said, butting his big head in between them—like always.

“Aw, how cute is that. Hey, Cheese, get over here,” Baz yelled.

“Only Amanda gets to call me Cheese,” Cheesy grumbled as he walked toward them.

“Looks like we finally have a new nickname for Jakey here, or should I say Pookie? It’s cute, man,” Baz said, thumping Jake soundly on his back. The man almost knocked Jake off his feet since he wasn’t prepared.

“It was a joke, guys. No need to call me that. It’s just for Darcy,” Jake said nonchalantly.

“Nope. You’re Pookie now,” Baz said. Then the beast announced it to the rest of the team. Which was met with jokes and taunts.

He might detest the nickname, but surprisingly, it made him feel more like part of the team.

That was insane. A stupid nickname shouldn’t do that.

“All right, assholes, the next one who says it is buying me dinner,” he barked out, trying to curb the onslaught.

A bunch of the guys called out my pookie.

“Brought this on yourself, man. Or should I say, Pookie?” Harty said.

“I’m getting the biggest, most expensive steak and lobster on the menu. Hell, maybe some caviar and a bottle of one-hundred-year-old scotch to go with it,” Jake muttered.

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