Page 4 of What If I Knew You

Unknown

If I had made alfredo, wouldn’t I have told my Dad there was alfredo in the fridge?

Me

Touché. I’m sorry I’m kind of busy tonight or I’d definitely be interested. I love Italian food. Perhaps some other time.

Unknown

Perhaps…

Staring at the reply, I can’t help but smile and shake my head. After a rough practice it’s nice to be reminded there’s life outside of hockey.

“What are you grinning about over there?” August asks. He’s seated next to Ella Blackstone, his wife and mascot for our team.

“Oh, nothin’ important. Just a random text.”

Ella’s brows wag. “From a giiiirl?”

“Nah.” I shake my head and then shrug. “Well, maybe. Whoever it was they were texting the wrong number. Called me Dad and told me there was spaghetti in the fridge.”

“Hey, you got a girl to call you daddy.” Griffin winks. “Isn’t that one of those kinky things you kids are into these days?”

“Kids?” I scoff, amused. “You know I’m not that much younger than you right?”

Griffin waves off my comment. “Semantics.”

“So, is there someone special in your life, Bodhi?” Ella asks curiously as she takes a bite of her chicken. “A girlfriend? A wife?”

August’s eyes grow mischievous. “A secret lover?”

Ella elbows him in his side. “Give him a break. Not everything about Bodhi has to be scandalous, you know. He’s a perfectly normal guy.”

If she only knew.

When it comes to relationships I’m probably the most scandalous one here, but I don’t mean scandalous in an I’m-fucking-a-forbidden-woman kind of way. Just the opposite really.

I’m not fucking at all.

In fact, I’ve never fucked anyone in my life.

I’m a twenty-four-year-old professional hockey player.

And I’m a virgin.

CHAPTER TWO

CORRIGAN

“Can you tell me your name, Sweetheart?” I ask, doing a quick assessment for any external injuries that need my attention other than the laceration above her right eye.

Her little voice responds to me. “My name is Mandy.”

“Hi Mandy.” I smile at her reassuringly. “My name is Corrigan but everyone calls me Corri because it’s easier to remember.” I lift her left arm remembering that her mom said she thinks she may have injured her right one. “Does this arm feel okay?”

She nods with glassy eyes. “Yeah, but my other arm hurts.”

“I know, Sweetheart. We’re going to take good care of you, okay?”

---