Page 73 of Puck Right Off

“I know. I’m going to quit, okay? I promise.” Standing on my tiptoes, I give him a kiss.

“Good.” He squeezes my ass before turning back to the laundry, grabbing another shirt.

I shake my head as I watch him, a grin on my face. Reaching into the clothes basket, I’m astonished when I pull out a pair of small, navy reindeer socks. Turning to him, I hold them up, my brows raised.

Tristan blushes, a wry smile on his face as he scratches the back of his neck. “Those were my sister’s lucky socks. We always got each other a silly gift for Christmas, and that was my gift two years ago. She wore those socks at every competition, calling them her lucky socks.” He swallows hard, his eyes misty. “When I returned to the ice for the first time after my hiatus, I tucked those socks inside my pads for good luck.”

I clutch the socks to my chest. “Oh my God. That’s so sweet.”

“They’re my lucky socks now. I was so nervous when I played my first game, but I was on fire that night. We slaughtered the other team. Now, I keep them on me every game I play.” He shrugs his shoulders. “What can I say? Hockey players are superstitious.”

A broad smile spreads across my face. “I tuck my Strawberry Shortcake doll in my backpack whenever I have a test in a class or any other time I need some luck.”

Tristan’s smile matches mine as he pulls me into his arms. “You’re my lucky charm now.” He nuzzles my neck, making me giggle. “Will you do me a favor?”

“Of course.”

He chuckles, pulling back with sparkling eyes. “Wear those socks and my jersey to my game next weekend.”

“I’d be honored.”

CHAPTER 45

Tristan

“That was a helluva practice.” Alex strips off his gloves and helmet as we exit the ice.

Sweat rolls down my body as I gratefully suck in a breath after removing my gloves and helmet. “You’re not kidding. Coach Jensen and the new assistant coach, Riley Nelson, kicked our asses.”

As we fall in step with one another, heading to the locker room, Alex nudges me. “What do you think of Coach Nelson?”

I shrug. “Since it’s his first practice with us, it’s hard to say. But he seemed decent when Coach introduced him. I like the things he said. And while he’s tough, he seems fair.” I smirk. “He earned bonus points when Josh showed up and melted down about his suspension from the team and Nelson said, ‘So you’re the rich, entitled druggie? Your behavior doesn’t help your case much. Now get the hell outta the arena.’ Then he followed him out to make sure he left.”

“Damn, I missed it. I was too busy yelling at Bryce and Landin. Those two assholes are really getting on my nerves. I’m about ready to move out.”

I raise my brows, studying him. “This isn’t because of Jordyn wearing his jersey, is it?”

“Nah, but that didn’t help. He’s lazy and doesn’t wanna do anything but play video games and drink in his downtime. That’s why he’s been sent for tutoring. He hasn’t done a fucking thing in his classes from all I’ve seen. He blew off his classes yesterday. Wait til Jensen finds out.”

“Fuck. He’ll get benched as soon as Coach finds out. And if his GPA drops, he’ll be off the team.” I run a hand through my sweaty hair, my muscles tense from the stress of the shit going on with the team.

“Yeah, but we have some decent underclassmen who haven’t gotten much game time. It may not be a big deal, especially if they play like they’ve been practicing.”

“True. Maybe Coach will put Jasper Ryan in Josh’s place. That guy has talent and he’s a helluva lot better at playing left defenseman than Josh.”

Alex raises his brows, a smirk on his lips. “Poor Jasper. That’s not exactly a compliment since Josh has been distracted and playing so shitty lately.”

I chuckle, punching his arm. “You know what I mean, jackass. Jasper has talent. He’s hungry and focused.” Frowning, I open my locker. “I overheard Coach chewing out Jasper for his grades in his Sociology class.”

Alex shrugs. “Ask voyeur who can tutor him.” A shit-eating grin is on his face. “Maybe he’ll get a hot tutor. Then he can fuck a puck bunny and have the tutor?—”

“Don’t finish that sentence.” Laughing, I pull off my jersey, throwing it at his head. “Fucking asshole. And why the hell are you always naked?”

He howls with laughter, grabs my jersey, and rubs it over his dick and balls. “Just giving you and the rest of the guys a show. Everyone in here knows I have the biggest balls since I’mthe goalie. Now that they’ve seen my dick, they know I have a huge?—”

“Stop.” I’m laughing so hard I can’t get dressed. “I don’t know why I’m friends with you.”

Alex tosses my jersey, which he just rubbed over his junk, at my face. I hurriedly catch it, trying to scowl but failing miserably. “Because you’re a lucky mofo. Everyone dreams of having a best friend like me.” He starts gyrating his hips.

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