Page 32 of Huge Pucking Play

"We should..." I start.

"Yeah," Cyn agrees, reluctantly lifting herself off me.

We clean up quickly trying not to laugh out loud at the absurdity of the situation. We have gone from being “friends” to fucking with the whole team twenty feet away.

"You go first," I whisper, kissing her once more.

She slips out the door, trying desperately to look nonchalant. I count to sixty, my heart still racing. When I finally emerge, I scan the aisle nervously. No one looks up. No raised eyebrows. No knowing smirks.

I exhale slowly, relief washing over me. We actually pulled it off.

As I make my way back to my seat, I catch Cyn's eye. She winks, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. Oh my God, this woman.

I settle into my chair, feeling pretty damn pleased with myself. Assistant coach joins the mile-high club at thirty-eight. Not bad, Hughes. Not bad at all.

The rest of the flight passes in a haze. I pretend to watch the in-flight movie, but my mind keeps drifting back to Cyn. The way she looked when she came undone…I can’t get it out of my mind.

When we land, I hang back, letting the team file off ahead of me. As Cyn passes, she brushes her hand against mine. A jolt of electricity shoots through me at the brief contact.

"Enjoy the flight, Coach?" she asks, just loud enough for me to hear.

I smirk, watching her saunter down the aisle. Her hips sway enticingly, and I have to force myself to look away before anyone notices me staring.

The following weekend I find myself at Evan's bachelor party, surrounded by nearly the entire roster of Blades players. The atmosphere buzzes with camaraderie and anticipation, the air alive with laughter and the clinking of bottles.

The bachelor party is in full swing. Evan's laughter booms across the bar as I approach, two beers in hand.

"Having fun, Ice Man?" I ask, handing him a bottle.

"Best night ever," Evan grins, clinking his beer against mine. "Thanks for coming, Coach."

I settle beside him, curiosity gnawing at me. "So, you and Sophie...how'd that start?"

Evan's eyebrows shoot up. "She was a Blades intern. Caught my eye the first day I saw her, but she was so young. Off limits, you know?"

I shrug, aiming for casual. "Sure, I get it. But you decided to go for it anyway, huh?"

"Eventually," Evan nods, his expression softening. "Apparently she had a crush on me. But, I was…well I’m sure you’ve heard."

"Mr. Grumpy Goalie," I chuckle.

"Exactly. But Sophie...she saw through that. Made me laugh. It wasn't easy at first, though."

I lean in. "No? How so?"

"Age difference, for one. I'm ten years older. I worried about what people would think."

My heart skips. Ten years feels like nothing. I’m thirteen years older than Cyn.

"How'd you get past it?" I ask, perhaps too eagerly.

Evan eyes me curiously. "Realized it didn't matter. Sophie's mature, knows what she wants. Why are you so interested, Coach? "

I cough, nearly choking on my beer. "No reason really. Just taking an interest in my players."

Before Evan can press further, Barnesy stumbles over, clearly drunk. He slaps my back, nearly knocking the wind out of me.

"Hey, Coach! You see Cyn Lockhart at work today?" Barnesy slurs, his eyes glazed.

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