Page 9 of The Pucking Player

Our gazes are locked, and it feels as if he’s about to swallow me whole. Or maybe he’s just about to lean in for another kiss. My body yearns for it, even as my rational mind screams in protest.

But before he’s able to do it, my sister’s voice echoes down the hallway, shattering the moment.

“Sophie? Liam? Where are you?”

Her footsteps are growing louder. Seeing us pressed against the wall, she slows down, giving me time to snap out of whatever this is.

“Hey, guys, come on. We have a few more kids to visit,”she calls out, her voice bright and chipper as she steps into view.

My sister has known how I felt about Liam since those team barbecues when I’d try not to stare at him like a lovesick idiot while he horsed around with the other players. “Careful, Soph,” she’d tease me. “You’re gonna set the grass on fire with all that swooning.”

It’s the grin spreading over her face now that reminds me that she’s the one who knows me best. But she just turns around without further comment, waving at us to follow.

I breathe out. My sister always has my back. Jessica has always chosen her career over a relationship. She’s never let herself get swept away. The smart one, Mom always says proudly.

I face Liam defiantly. “You’re playing with fire, big guy. Save yourself the time and go knock on someone else’s door.”

He grins, his thumb stroking the skin of my cheek. “I’d rather we burn together, angel. Because there’s no chance in hell I’m letting you get away.”

4

HOW TO STALK YOUR COACH’S DAUGHTER (PROFESSIONALLY)

LIAM

As Nate and I walk toward the car, my thoughts are consumed by Sophie. Her taste is still on my tongue, the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips branded into my memory. I can’t get her out of my head. It’s like I’ve been hit with something addictive, and I already know one hit isn’t going to be enough.

I need my next fix.

We climb into the car, and I ease out of the parking spot, navigating the unholy mess of midtown traffic. As we crawl through the gridlock, my mind drifts back to her—her emerald eyes locking onto mine, the way her lips parted beneath mine, hesitant but oh so sweet.

I know she’s not going to call me. I need a new plan.

Lost in my thoughts, I almost don’t hear Nate.

“Hello? Anyone home?” he says, leaning over and tapping his knuckles against my forehead. His shit-eating grin tells me he’s enjoying the spectacle.

I swat his hand away, scowling. “Dude, what the hell? I’m driving.” I gesture at the jam-packed street ahead. “You think we’re even going to make it to practice at this rate?”

Truth is, we should’ve been heading back to Tarrytown hours ago. But after the hospital visit, I wasn’t ready to let Sophie out of my sight, so I insisted we grab lunch. I was determined to sit next to her, but the universe had other plans. I ended up between Nate and Jessica while Sophie sat tantalizingly out of reach.

The entire meal, I was useless. My fork may as well have been a prop for how much attention I was giving it. Instead, my eyes were glued to Sophie. Watching the way she laughed at her sister’s jokes, the sound ringing out like music. Noticing the delicate way she lifted her fork. My brain short-circuited every time my gaze lingered on her lips, remembering how soft they felt against mine.

Nate, ever the observant pain in my ass, caught on quickly. He spent most of lunch kicking me under the table, clearly trying to snap me out of it. By the time the check came, my shins felt like they’d gone through a full-contact practice.

Now I’m stuck in traffic, knowing full well we left the restaurant too late. And Nate isn’t about to let me off the hook.

“Yeah, we’ll make it,” he says, leaning back in his seat. Then he smirks. “But maybe you should focus a little less on Sophie Land and more on the road.”

I punch him in the arm, earning a snort of laughter.

“Hey, I’m just calling it like I see it, bro. You’ve got the hots for this girl, and you’ve got ‘em bad.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. He’s not wrong. I’ve got it bad.

“I don’t know what it is about her,” I mutter. “But I’ll find out.”

Nate groans, pretending to gag. “Dude, you sound like a Hallmark movie. A really bad one.”

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