Page 10 of The Pucking Player

I flip him off, grinning despite myself. “Laugh all you want, but I’m in love.”

That gets him. His eyebrows shoot up, and his grin stretches wider. “From where I’m standing, it looks like Coach Novak is gonna use our team captain’s balls as hockey pucks.”

I bark out a laugh. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be just fine.”

Finally, we break free of the Manhattan gridlock and hit the Henry Hudson Parkway. The car picks up speed, and the conversation falls quiet for a moment.

But Nate isn’t done.

“You sure about this, Liam?” he asks, glancing at me. “I’m all for you getting some action, but this is Coach’sdaughter. You know what you’re walking into, right?”

I grip the wheel a little tighter, my mind flashing to Sophie’s face. The way her lips curved when she smiled. The way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. The way her breath hitched when I kissed her.

“I’m sure,” I say firmly. My voice doesn’t waver. “I’ll deal with Novak.”

Nate shakes his head, grinning. “You poor, whipped bastard. Alright, Captain, if you’re sure, I’ve got your back. Team O’Connor for the win.”

I grin, glancing over at him. “Damn right. I appreciate it.”

“So, did you seal the deal?”

I sigh, the memory of her refusal still stinging. “Nope. She wouldn’t give me her number.”

Nate’s jaw drops, and he clutches his chest like he’s been mortally wounded. “What? But you’re LiamfuckingO’Connor! Women throw their panties at you on the daily!”

I glare at him, but a chuckle escapes despite myself. “Not this one, apparently.”

Nate howls with laughter, slapping his knee. “The great Liam O’Connor, master of the pickup, struck out! I can’t believe it! This is historic.”

“Shut up, man,” I growl, but he’s on a roll.

“The mighty Liam, reduced to a bumbling mess by a pretty face!”

That’s it. I’ve had enough. I point to his phone on the dashboard. “Pick that up and call Jessica. Put her on speaker.”

Nate hesitates but dials anyway, his curiosity clearly piqued. After a few rings, Jessica answers.

“Nate? What’s up? We just left each other like five minutes ago.”

“Hey, Jess,” I cut in, trying to sound casual. “I need a favor. Can you give me Sophie’s number?”

The line goes silent for a beat, and then Jessica bursts into laughter. “Oh my God. Iknewit. Is that what you were trying to do when you disappeared with her?”

Nate joins in, laughing so hard, he’s practically wheezing.

“Come on, Jess,” I plead. “Help a guy out.”

Jessica’s tone turns teasing. “Wow, Liam. Begging for a girl’s number? This is a first. What happened? Losing your touch?”

“Can you hook me up or not?”

Jessica sighs. “Liam, I can’t just give out her number. If Sophie didn’t give it to you, that’s her decision.”

I groan, smacking the steering wheel. “Well, what do you think I was trying to do? Shewouldn’tgive it to me!”

There’s another pause, and then Jessica’s voice comesback, more serious. “If Sophie doesn’t want you to have her number, then that’s your answer, isn’t it?”

I grit my teeth, but then an idea hits me. “Okay, fair enough. Then tell me where she lives.”

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