Page 26 of Nash

God, the way she’d melted against my touch. The way she’d looked all splayed out on that bed while I dipped my head between her thighs. I couldn’t fucking wait to take that dive again, but we’d been ruthlessly busy with practices and games, and she’d been even busier with content creation for the team these past couple weeks.

Tonight, we were finally getting some time to spend together, and I couldn’t deny how excited I was. I’d planned this date three weeks ago.

And Ineverplanned dates. Usually because anyone I spent time with only wanted dinner or a tour of my bedroom. And I’d been fine with that because it was a mutual, stringless thing.

But now…

Now I didn’t know what to do about the way I was feeling.

“It’s…complicated,” I finally answer, not wanting to cheapen whatever is going on with Reese. “In the beginning, yes. Ithought this would be nothing but fun and beneficial for us both.”

“And isn’t it?” Pax asks. “You’re in the works with Liquid IV for a contract, right?”

“Yes,” I say, pride and gratitude flowing through me. Once the ink is signed on that deal, I’ll be able to wipe out more than a third of my father’s medical debt. One more deal like that and I can set them up to retire completely. “Just ironing out the details. My agent says I should be good to sign tomorrow.”

“Hell yeah!” Baylor says as he walks by, high fiving me before heading to his locker. “My agent has been getting calls too,” he says, inserting himself into the conversation like he’d been there the whole time. Had to love that about Baylor, who I’d been friends with as long as Pax, he never needed much invitation to be supportive. A team-player through and through.

“Nice,” I say, nodding at him. “I hope Elise locks some deals down for you.”

“Same,” he says, something serious flashing over his face for a few seconds. “Have fun tonight,” he says after gathering his gear before he heads out.

“That’s awesome, man,” Pax says to me, circling back to our convo before Baylor walked by. “Congrats.”

“Thanks,” I say as we grab our bags and head out the door. The chilly February air hits my skin the second we make it to the player’s lot. “More deals are coming,” I say. “Reese is doing her best to highlight and profile every Badger on the team. It’s only a matter of time.”

They both nod at me, and I’m happy to be saying that with confidence. Thanks to Reese—and one viral video we both helped create—the Bangor Badgers are in the limelight with tons of new followers who are completely new to hockey. Big industry execs have noticed and are doing what they do best—capitalizingoff of it. Which I’m all for because the more they want us, the more deals we all get.

“Have fun tonight,” Lawson says as he makes it to his car.

“I’m crashing,” Pax says. “After I devour a pizza.”

A pang of sympathy hits me in the chest, but I smile at him. “Wild night.”

“You know it,” Pax says, getting into his car while Lawson and I linger outside of ours.

“Poor guy,” Lawson says as he drives off.

“Yeah, but he’s a big boy,” I say. “If he wanted something different, he’d make it happen.”

“That’s true,” Lawson says, then stands up a little straighter as Clay walks by, heading to his car. “What are you doing for V-Day, Captain? One ortwolucky ladies joining you at your waterfront property?” he asks, and I cringe, shaking my head. Lawson loves to goad Clay even when our captain is the last person he should want to tease.

Clay looks at Lawson like he wants to punch him in the throat, then breathes through it. “I’m taking my niece to see Wicked at the Penobscot.”

“Awww,” Lawson says in a sing-song voice. “That’s adorable.”

“Fuck off, Wolfe,” Clay says, flipping Lawson off before getting into his car.

“I’m his favorite,” Lawson says, getting into his car. “Stay safe tonight.”

“Same to you,” I say before we go our separate ways.

CHAPTER 8

REESE

“What?”I say out loud even though I’m totally alone in my room, watching the live post-game interview on my phone as I get ready for the night.

Nash confirmed our date last night, and after tonight’s win, I’m riding a little high.

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