Page 23 of One Pucking Destiny

One I hope resolves itself soon.

CHAPTER

NINE

BASH

Admittedly, the Texas bye week accommodations that Beckett and Elena secured are pretty badass. The massive property feels like our own little village. Beckett and Elena are treating this as their wedding reception, so they have invited the entire Crane Organization and their families. Normal bye weeks consist of the players, a few non-teammate friends, and a bunch of women. This place has a different feel, but I can’t say I hate it. Apparently, Elena’s late father left her a bunch of money, so she’s paying for everything for anyone who wants to attend. It’s pretty cool to see all the Crane office staff here with their families, too. Our organization is as great as it is because of everyone here. We all play our part.

This place has everything. The property has three mansions, one of which is occupied by the players and is more lively. One is reserved for families with children. And the third is secretly called the old people’s pad and is reserved for everyone’s parents. There are five pools, a golf course, a mini-golf course, a bumper car pad, a tennis and basketball court, and stables where we can ride horses. A huge kid’s play area by the house where the families are staying has every contraption a playground could have, including an area with inflatable bouncy houses.

In the middle of it all is a common area, a huge patio with seating, tables, a fireplace, and a bar. It’s covered by a roof held up by beams, leaving the place open to the outdoors. Next to the patio is the largest pool on the estate. During the day, we all go there to grill out, play cards, and be together.

We’ve been here for two days, and for the first time ever, I actually do feel relaxed on bye week. Beer in hand, I sport my bathing suit while lying in a lounge chair beside the pool.

“Yo, asshats.” Gunner Dreven, our giant goalie, stands at my feet.

“Come on, Beast. Now that’s just rude.” I wave my hand to the side, gesturing for him to move. “The name was uncalled for, and you’re blocking our sun.”

Jaden, Max, Eddy, and Sean grumble in agreement.At least I think they’re agreeing. They could still be in the hungover phase, where everything comes out as a groan.

Dreven continues, “Beckett sent me over to tell you that Elena’s daughter just arrived and to remind you all that she is strictly off-limits. As in there will be serious consequences if any of you so much as look in her direction. Are we clear?” Our grumpy goalie is intimidating on a good day. He’s downright terrifying when he wears a scowl like the one he has now.

“Don’t you think ignoring someone and refusing to talk to them is rude?” I quip. “I mean, if you want the girl to feel welcome, I think we should at least be allowed to talk to her.”

“You know what I mean. Nothing inappropriate,” he warns.

Jaden speaks up with a quirk of his brow and a smirk. “Define inappropriate.”

In one fell swoop, Dreven pulls the end of Jaden’s lounge chair and dumps him in the pool. “Any more stupid questions?” Dreven asks the rest of us. When we don’t answer, he walks away.

“Motherfucker,” Jaden grumbles, wiping the water from his face. He lifts the chair from the water. Eddy reaches over to help pull the chair out.

“It doesn’t seem fair to prohibit us from talking to her,” Max states. “I mean, she’s a grown-ass adult. Ifshe wants to hang out with one of us, she should be able to.”

“Plus, she’s a fucking goddess. How are we not supposed to look at her?” Sean questions.

“Seriously.” Jaden lifts himself out of the pool. “We have teammates, office staff, children, and old people here. This is not the making of a bye week. A hot girl finally arrives, and we’re just supposed to twiddle our thumbs? I get it. This is the new family-friendly version of the Crane Hockey team.” He sounds less than amused. “But throw us a bone.”

“She’s that hot?” I ask.

“You haven’t seen her?” Max questions while four sets of eyes turn my way.

I chuckle. “No. Where did you all see her?”

“She’s come by the arena to meet Elena before,” Sean says.

“Plus, that one night a couple of months ago when we picked Beckett up at his place. She was there,” Max adds.

“Where was I?” I ask.

Jaden speaks up. “I think you were visiting Hattie.” He swipes his hands over his hair and then down his body, discarding some of the water. “This bye week needs a little livening up. Who dares me to push the Beast in the pool?”

A round of laughter ensues.

“Absolutely no one.” Max grins. “Can you imagine? He’d kill you.”

“Eh, he’s all bark, no bite,” Jaden states, but even as the words come from his mouth, it’s clear he doesn’t believe them. He seems to reconsider. “Fine, but I’m taking his money tonight during poker.”

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