Page 90 of Defensive Zone

“So slick,” Crow said.

“Don’t you have someone to go hit on?” Max asked his linemate. The man was a notorious flirt. Though that could be said about a bunch of the guys prior to them settling down. Hockey players were young with money to burn; it added to the player lifestyle, both on and off the ice. He’d been that way, too, until this season. And that was because he was getting older, not just because of Gabi.

He bit back a snort.

“Ooh, low blows. Did we hit a nerve?” Nessie asked.

“I have to say I’m enjoying his squirming way too much,” Harty said. “What’s going on between you two? The teasing is still there, but now there’s more tension and ease. Fuck. Does that even make sense?”

“Nope,” Sully said.

“Makes sense to me. There’s tons of sexual tension, but she is more playful with him than before. It’s not the same kind of teasing,” Cheesy said from the other side of Harty.

The guys looked at their captain with interest.

“You’ve been studying this, Cheesy? Nothing better to do?” Max asked.

“Ouch, testier than before,” Cheesy said.

“Maybe she’s not interested in him and she really does see him as an annoying older brother,” Nessie said.

“You guys are annoying as fuck,” Max muttered. “She’s here to help my sister out. You know, my sister, who’s going through a lot right now. What kind of person would I be if I kept trying to get in her best friend’s pants?”

“Valid, but it’s not like Gabi is some nanny you hired and didn’t know for most of your life. You’re all friends. It’s not the same,” Cheesy said.

“What are we gossiping about?” Finn asked, slinging an arm over Max’s shoulders. “The ladies were curious.”

“What?” Max barked out. “What did they say? Shit. Or hear?”

“Oh man, that’s priceless,” Finn said. “Sophia made a beeline for them and I spotted you idiots with your heads together like a bunch of teenage girls.”

Max playfully punched his friend. “You’re a dick.”

The rest of the guys laughed.

“Perfection, Finn,” Sully said.

“Bunch of assholes, all of you,” Max said.

“So, are you going to fill us in on what’s going on with you and Gabi?” Nessie asked.

“Nothing’s going on,” he said. He wasn’t sure what was happening between them, so for now, he was going to keep it close to the vest.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Penny asked as they looked over at where their significant others were huddled next to the bar.

Not that Max was her significant other, of course.

Hell, she wasn’t sure what they were. Some random kisses and one mind-blowing night of sex had her all confused. This week hadn’t been easy to talk to him because his parents were staying in the room between hers and Max’s, and maybe she’d been purposely avoiding having any sort of conversation with him because she still wasn’t sure how she felt. But his parents were leaving in a few days and she was ready to combust.

“Who knows? I swear they gossip worse than us,” Amanda said with a chuckle. “Cheese never gives me the dirt. It’s beyond annoying.”

“Did you expect him to? He’s not a big talker,” Penny said.

“I know. We’re still working on that,” Amanda said.

“Maybe it’s about the expansion draft with Houston. I know Desmond is concerned.” Riley sighed. “I would hate for him to be traded. It took me so long to reconnect with my dad, but I’d follow Des to Houston in a heartbeat if he asked.

“I know trades happen all the time, but I’m not looking forward to seeing who they take,” Penny said.

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