Page 27 of Netting the Goalie

Only a couple of guys from my team were still in the area, including the Russians.Actually, only Vladislav Marchenko was Russian.Jakub Mozik was Czech and got super pissed if you called him Russian.So, of course, they all did.

They held the first-line defensive positions and were pretty much inseparable.Had been since being drafted by the Redtails NHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Colonials, when they were eighteen and sent to the Colonials’ ECHL affiliate before being called up to the Redtails last season.

Those two would probably play video games all day, order in pizza and sleep off a couple bottles of vodka.They had the ability to drink men twice their age and size under the table.

Not exactly how I wanted to spend the day.

No, I wanted to spend the day with Bliss.

With a sigh, figured I could at least do something worthwhile.I hadn’t done wash for a couple weeks.Might as well get that out of the way.

So I was in the basement, where I got totally shitty reception, when my phone rang.

I didn’t recognize the number at first glance but then my brain kicked in and I started to grin.

“Hey, Bliss.I’m glad you called me back.”

“Hi, Sha…How are you do…I was hop...tonight.I know it’s…but—”

Shit.The reception down here sucked.I ran for the stairs.

I got to the first floor in time to hear her say, “Shane?Are you—”

“I’m here.”I had to take a quick breath because I’d taken the stairs two at a time.At least that’s what I told myself.“Sorry.Bad reception in the basement.”

She laughed and my cock jerked.

“Is that where you keep the bodies?”

“Only the ones I can’t fit in the walls.”

She paused and I wanted to smack my head.Jesus, could I be any more of an idiot—

Then she laughed even harder and…

Holy shit, she got my sarcastic sense of humor and didn’t think I was a serial killer.

Even more amazing?I didn’t feel like a complete ass.

“So,” she drew the word out for several seconds, making my heart beat faster in anticipation, “I was wondering what you’re doing tomorrow night?”

“Nothing at all.”Please, god, let that be what she wanted to hear.Or was that pitiful?Oh wait.It was Christmas Eve.I’d forgotten.

A light huff of laughter came through the line and I hoped like hell she wasn’t laughing at my pathetic lack of a life.

“Well, I actually do have something and…I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go with me?”

The question in her voice should’ve rung a warning bell but I knew I’d do anything she asked, just to spend time with her.Did that make me creepy or pathetic?Or both?

Then she continued.“I’ve got a wedding tomorrow night and I was wondering if you’d like to go with me?”

My brain short-circuited for a second.“Did you say wedding?”

Her laugh was softer and sweeter this time and made my muscles tighten.

“Yeah.I told you I work in a bridal salon, right?Well, one of my clients is getting married and she invited me to the wedding and I was wondering… Would you like to go with me?”

She wanted me to go with her to a wedding?Like as her date?

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