Page 15 of Off Season

But now I’m starting to regret my offer.

He sighs, his dark brows furrowing over the bridge of his nose. “He likes you. I can tell by the way he watches you and the way he lights up around you. He seems cautious about it, though, like maybe he doesn’t want to like you the way he does.”

Frowning, I turn my head to look at him again as traffic comes to a halt.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

He rolls his eyes. “Dude. People think that because I don’t say much, I don’t see shit, but I do. I seeeverything, and the way he looks at you?” He sighs. “He looks at you like you’ve hung the moon.”

“It’s probably some hero complex for helping him out.”

“Nah.” He shakes his head. “It’s more than that. I see the same look in Kendrick when he looks at Maria, or in Blaine when he looks at Alex. It’s like he’s…enchanted. All I’m saying is, if he says yes, just be careful with him, okay?”

I can’t deny I’m drawn to Jacob. Who wouldn’t be? His bright energy is magnetizing, and I’ve become addicted to the warmth that rushes through my body whenever he smiles at me.

It’s like he seesme. Not my career accolades, the name on my back, or my salary that’s plastered all over the internet. I don’t think he even cares about hockey. Despite us only knowing each other for a few months, I like that he isn’t afraid to call me out on my moods.He doesn’t take my shit, and Ireallylike that sassy personality burning inside him.

Blaine called me out the other day for being a regular at the bakery, and it’s not to fulfill some kind of sweet fix, unlike the guy sitting next to me. It’s all to do with Jacob.

He’s like sunshine personified, and I’m a lazy street cat seeking his warm rays.

But I can’t say I’ve witnessed the look in his eyes that Zach’s referring to. He’s always been kind and welcoming, but I’ve always put his behavior down to politeness, maybe even gratitude for helping him out in a time of desperate need.

Maybe the walls I’ve built around myself have become so high I can no longer see over them.

Like I’ve unconsciously placed an imaginary blindfold over my eyes because my heart can’t get hurt that way.

“Would you be open to that?” Carter asks, leaning forward from where he’s sitting in the back seat.

“Open to what?”

“Dating Jacob,” Carter clarifies. “He seemed nice enough the other day when I met him.”

“He is a good person. He’s very kind and caring; I think he would have a lot to offer someone in a relationship,” Zach adds.

“I’m not looking for a relationship right now. I’m married to hockey, and that’s the way it’s gotta be until the day comes.”

In the corner of my eye, I catch Zach rolling his eyes again. “Until the day comes, really? That’s a bullshit excuse, and you know it.”

I raise my brows at his annoyed tone but stay quiet.

“Kendrick and Maria work. Hell, look at Blaine and Alex. Never in a million years would I have put money on Blaine being the one to become a major simp, but he’s making it work, and guess what?” He leans across the center console, his long, dark hair falling around his face. There’s challenge in his eyes. “He still plays hockey. I think you’re just scared, and you’re using hockey as an excuse. You don’t need to wait until retirement to find your man. Don’t you think it would be better to celebrate your final season—whenever that may be—with someone you love supporting you through it?”

I swallow the lump forming in my throat. I’mreallyregretting driving Zach to the airport now.

“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say so many words at once,” I mutter under my breath.

Carter snorts behind me.

“We worry about you, man. Just think about it, yeah? You’re getting ol?—”

“If you finish that sentence, I’m gonna pull over and kick you out right here on the highway, and you can walk to the fucking airport,” I warn with a glare.

Zach snickers, and I can’t help huffing out a laugh.

I love the guy, I really do, but I hate that he’s right. Iamdeflecting. I’m fucking scared out of my mind that if I let someone in, especially while I’m still playing, something will go wrong.

Then my mind would be focused on that, and my last chance at winning the Cup again would be gone in a puff of smoke.

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