Page 86 of Captain's Claim

"So what's your excuse for looking like you just won the lottery?"

His grin widens, eyes twinkling with something that sets off warning bells. "Let's just say... someone made me a favor I couldn't refuse."

Before I can dig deeper, ready to ask him if he's the reason Sophia's been acting all… suspicious… a beer appears in front of my face.

"Captain, you're buying next round. That last goal was filthy." Connor clinks his bottle against mine, dark eyes dancing with amusement. "Man, if I knew a hot marketing exec was the secret to your level of play, I would've been slipping my number to the PR team years ago."

Logan smirks. "Yeah, man. Sophia's running circles around you, Maddox. Face it - she's already got you whipped."

"I’m not whipped," I deadpan, glaring at the assholes.

Ryder coughs. "Lipstick mark."

Connor nods and laughs so hard he spills some of his beer. "It's still there!"

I grab my towel and chuck it at his head. "Shut the fuck up."

Not that I'd admit it to these pricks, but tonightdidfeel different - sharper, more focused. Every pass connected, every shot found its mark.

And having Sophia watching from the box... it did something to me. Made me want to show off a little.

Not that I'd admit that to the boys in the locker room.

"I'm just doing my damn job," I shrug.

"Hey, whatever works, Captain. Keep it up and we might actually have a shot at the cup this year."

For once, I let myself enjoy the moment.

All of it. The win. The team. The banter.

And best of all,Sophia.

***

I push open the hotel room door, still riding high from our win against Chicago. I'm a few beers deep, and my muscles ache in that satisfying way that only comes after dominating on the ice.

All I've been able to think about, though, is getting my hands on Sophia again.

The door swings wide and I freeze.

Balloons. Hundreds of them. Gray and green streamers draped across the ceiling from one end to the fucking other.

And there, on the marble table in the center of the room, sits a small chocolate cake with a single candle, unlit.

My eyes catch on a handwritten card propped against what looks like a bottle of top-shelf whiskey. The kind Eli keeps behind the bar for special occasions.

And there in the middle of it all stands Sophia, wearing this sexy silky gown and a soft smile I've never seen before. It does something to my heart, makes it tight in a way that has never happened to me before.

"Happy birthday, Captain."

I blink hard, trying to process what I'm seeing. How did she...?

"You didn't think I'd let this go unnoticed, did you?" She takes a step closer, that smile turning playful at the edges.

I exhale slowly, shaking my head. "B-But… How… Nobody knows my real birthday."

"I don't think you keep your secrets hidden well enough, mister." Her sparkly hazel eyes dance with mischief.

---