Page 108 of Going All In

“Sure thing, Pookie,” his friend fired back, and Jake grinned. He’d have to come up with a way to get back at all of them.

But right now, all he wanted to do was talk to Darcy. As they headed out to the rented bus that would take them back to the hotel, Jake pulled out his phone.

Jake:Great picture.

Jake:The guys love the nickname. I’ll never live it down.

Darcy:Shit. I’m sorry about that. I asked Ally to grab my jersey to bring to Amanda’s because I was working late and that’s the one she brought. I could kill her.

Jake:Nah. It’s fine. The guys will call me Pookie until I retire, but I’ll get over it.

Darcy:Honestly, it’s your fault for giving me that jersey. I specifically said you weren’t a pookie, so this is on you.

Jake:Throwing that in my face again, are you? We’ve been together for a while now. What should my nickname be? Or you could just stick with Oh Jake. Yes Jake.

He followed it up with a winking emoji.

Darcy:Of course you went there. I was going to tell you how great you looked tonight during the game, but I changed my mind.

Jake:I miss you too.

“What are you grinning about over there, Pookie?” Harty asked.

“Oh, you know, just looking over some racy pics that Darcy sent me.”

“Not cool, man. Not cool,” Harty grumbled. “I find it hard to believe that Darcy would ever send racy pictures. And if she did, don’t share them with anyone. I think you’ve corrupted her.”

Jake laughed. “Don’t worry, Dad. She didn’t send me sexy pics. I mean, I’ve asked, but she shoots me down every time.”

“As she should,” Harty huffed.

“You know, you can lay off with the third degree, Harty,” Jake said, keeping his frustration from his tone. When the relationship was fake, and Harty could’ve found out, Jake understood his friend’s wariness. But now Jake was fully invested—even if he didn’t know where Darcy stood—and it grated, both how she felt and Harty’s reactions when Darcy came up.

Harty sighed. “I know. I didn’t like this in the beginning, but you both seem to fit. It’s weird, man. I never would’ve guessed she’d be the one for you. Not that she’s necessarily the one for you, but if you break her heart—”

“Yeah. I got it. And I told you I was afraid she’d break mine. Still am, to be honest.”

“You actually love her, don’t you?”

“Probably should tell her first, but yes. Who knew, right?” Jake said, nudging his friend to break free of the seriousness of his admission.

“Yeah, who the fuck knew,” Harty said. “I am happy for you, man. Falling in love is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“Okay, saps, are we done with this moment? I’m starving,” Baz butted in, draping his arms over their shoulders.

Jake shrugged him off. “Are you always listening?”

“Always,” Baz said with a glint in his eye.

“It’s fucking creepy, man,” Jake said.

“Just want to make sure all my teammates are happy and getting along,” Baz said, grinning at them. “Makes for better results on the ice, and that’s what we’re all here for, right? To win and have fucking fun while we’re doing it.”

Harty chuckled and shook his head. “Just give in to his insanity. It’s easier than fighting it, and sometimes he’s actually wise.”

Baz put his hand on his chest. “Aw, shucks. That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“Did I say sometimes? I meant rarely wise. Usually, it’s dumb luck,” Harty fired back.

---