Page 34 of Fall Wherever They May

I need to talk to Luke about our interview this afternoon. But what I need more than that is to get the fuck out of this weight room before I lose any more brain cells. I turn to leave.

“Hold up.” Cal releases the bar, and his feet—clad in white shoes—bounce on the ground once before he stalks over to me. “What are you and Tucker doing for lunch today?”

I can’t even make eye contact with Cal at this point. “I have to stick around here, but I am having pizza delivered if you two want to join us in the conference room.”

“What time?” Cal asks, his chest right in my face.

I avert my eyes. “Noon,” I say, and walk out the door. I’ve had enough embarrassment for one day. The last thing I need to do is stand there and gawk at him any longer.

A few hours later, River and I sit in the conference room with several pizza boxes between us when Hannah breezes in. “Hey boss, the stylist picked out your wardrobe for tonight’s interview with T.T.S.N. was and it’s hanging in your office. Also, don’t forget you have a three o’clock interview for the GM position. I peeked at your calendar, and you have . . .” I hold up my hand to silence her.

“Hannah, I’m at lunch right now, and that’s exactly where you should be. Now, come sit, eat pizza with us, and let’s talk aboutanythingexcept work.” I pause, thinking about how my words just came out as a direct order. “That is, if you would liketo, we would love for you to join us, but I don’t want you to feel obligated,” I amend.

“Girl. Me? Turn down free pizza? Hell no.” She laughs.

I push the box over towards her as she sits down beside me. Teagan strolls in. “Miss Taylor?”

I wave my hand in for her to sit. “Please eat with us if you’re hungry; we have plenty as long as you eat before the boys arrive, but we have a new rule: Lunch time is our time to regroup for the rest of the day, so no talk of work. Everything can wait until we’re done with our timeout.”

“Timeout?” Hannah questions.

“Yeah. It’s a mom thing, I guess. Any time she needs a break, she puts herself in timeout.” River laughs, grabbing another slice of pizza and stuffing a bite into her mouth. She shoves the box towards Teagan as she chews. Grabbing a slice, Teagan makes her way around the table and sits down next to River, but not before grabbing a water out of the mini fridge.

“What?” I laugh and shrug my shoulders. Pointing between the three of them, I add, “Wait until y’all have kids; then you will understand the importance of putting yourself in timeout.”

Teagan wipes her mouth. “Your kid is adorable. He seems to really love Cal.”

River covers her mouth and swallows. “Yeah, those boys seem to be inseparable. I don’t know who is going to be more distraught when school starts, Cal or Tucker.”

“My bet is on Cal. I’ve never seen him as happy as he is when he’s on the ice or in the game room with that kid,” Hannah pipes in just as Cal, Carter, and Tucker waltz through the door.

“Did I hear my name? Are you talking about me?” Cal winks and takes a seat next to me. I feel like a fucking teenage girl right now. I’ve never had this reaction to anyone before.

Carter pulls out the chair next to River and sits down. She ignores him. “Yep. We’re talking mad shit about you,” she says to Cal before directing her attention to Tucker. “Put it on my tab, Sport.”

“Your tab is probably at a hundred thousand dollars by now.” Tucker rolls his eyes and grabs a slice of pizza, plopping down next to Cal.

“We were just talking about who is going to suffer more when Tucker goes to school,” I inform him.

“Oh, me. Definitely me.” Cal ruffles Tucker’s head.

Before Tucker stuffs a bite into his mouth, he leans on the table with his forearms, peering around Cal to get my attention. “Mom, I need hockey gear. Can you take me?”

I don’t even know what he would possibly need. I glance at Cal nervously. “Umm, is that something you can help me with?”

Cal nods, “Sure thing.” Then he grabs a slice of pizza and directs his attention to Tucker, “I got you, my dude.”

Carter lifts his cap, runs a hand through his sandy blonde hair, then puts his cap back on backwards. He lays his arm over the back of River’s chair and lifts his chin. Her spine goes rigid as he says, “So, what are you doing here?”

River’s face flushes. “I, umm . . .” She clears her throat. “I work here now.” She says, a little caught off guard. “What are you doing here? Training doesn’t start until next week.”

He waves her off. “Eh, I thought I would spend some ice time with Cal beforehand. I haven’t been as dedicated as he has, but don’t tell the boss.” He winks at me.Charming.

Carter’s dimples pop, and his blue eyes sparkle in mischief as he turns his attention back to River. A small bump sits at the bridge of his nose where it’s been broken, but it’s not terribly noticeable. He’s hot, but he doesn’t make my heart race; he’s exactly River’s type, though. Standing at over six-foot-three,the man towers over River, who is only five-foot-two. And his muscled . . . good lord. Her ex has about the same build, but the comparison ends there.

I’m more of a tall, dark, and handsome type of girl. Now, I find myself envisioning a sweaty, shirtless Cal—ripped, lean muscles, his sexy ass tattoo that snakes up his arm, around his bulging bicep, and travels all the way up his shoulder and over his pecs. I can still imagine the smirk resting on his kissable lips. Oh God, not to mention his tight, muscled ass that looks so fucking perfect and round, I can’t help but wonder how those glutes would flex when he’s thrusting his . . .

“What position?” Carter asks. I nearly choke. I sputter and cough. Cal pats my back to try and help, but the effort is futile. I take a drink of my water to help clear my airways.

---