Page 15 of What If I Knew You

“Same, bro.” August and Oliver bump fists.

“You mean you aren’t bothered by having sex with the same person every day for the rest of your life?” I tease, but both guys shake their heads with a scowl.

“Not at all bothered,” Oliver says. “In fact, I find it relieving. I’ve got the girl now. I don’t need to work at figuring out what some other woman wants or doesn’t want. What she likes or doesn’t like. I know how to pleasure my woman and I can rock her world any time she needs it, wants it, hints at it, you name it. I have zero interest in ever being with someone different ever again. One and done, man. One. And. Done.”

Harrison steps toward me and claps my shoulder. “I think what they’re saying, Pickle Pants, is that if you want what they got, you have to be even better than you are. You have to be able to afford the time and effort it takes to build a relationship with someone. The moment your game suffers, your relationship will suffer too because you’ll resent her for taking you away from hockey—your career. All the things you’ve worked for.”

“Bingo,” Oliver says with the point of a finger.

“Is that what happened to you?” I ask Harrison innocently.

He bobs his head. “I was with someone years ago. At the beginning of my career. But she broke it off. She didn’t want to be the reason I didn’t try to get where I am today. She knew I had my heart set on professional hockey. She knew it was within reach for me, but her job wasn’t one that she could randomly pick up and move away, you know?”

“Did you love her?” August asks.

“Of course I did. At the time, I would’ve done anything for her. And I still think about her every once in a while.”

“Where is she now?”

He shrugs. “No clue. I have no doubt she’s married with kids and living a fantastic life. And good for her. She deserves that happiness just like anyone else does.”

“You know what, Pickle Pants?” Griffin snaps his towel to my ass. “We just happen to know someone who enjoys playing the match-making game. I’m sure she’d be happy to help you find the woman of your dreams.” Griffin glances at August who throws his head back in laughter.

“Oh fuck! Trust me dude.” August stands to move to the battle ropes. “You do not want to get her started.”

“Who?”

“Ella.” He rolls his eyes, still chuckling. “She’ll never leave you alone about it, I swear to God. Do yourself a favor and just go get laid a few times. Maybe one of those partners will stick.”

Go get laid a few times.

Yeah.

Okay.

If only it was that easy.

CHAPTER FOUR

CORRIGAN

“Which one are you getting today?” Dad asks as we peruse the menu.

“I think I’m going for the Big Papa.” I point to the item described as a hotdog topped with two slices of bacon, jalapeno scallion cream cheese, a shredded cheese blend, fresh jalapenos, and finished with a dusting of crushed potato chips.

He nods. “Impressive.”

I smile and ask which one he’s choosing.

“I’ve got to go for my favorite.”

“Ah. The mac and cheese dog?”

“Mhmm.” He pats his stomach. “It’s the mixture of the mac and cheese, bacon, and fried onions for me. I think it’s becoming my regular.”

“Alright, I’ll let it pass this one time,” I say, pointing to him. “But next time you have to choose something new. That’s the whole point.”

Before I moved to London for a couple years to study and experience life as a nurse across the pond, Dad and I would meet for lunch once a week at Harold’s Hotdog Diner. The retro décor gives off a fun and nostalgic vibe and the food is fantastic.There is no other place I’ve ever known to have as many different hotdog topping combinations as Harold’s. When we would come here before, the rule was we could never order the same hotdog twice so that we could experience as many combinations as possible.

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