Page 9 of The Sweetest Risk

“That is not my middle name,” I interject.

Bradley ignores me. “...has turned into a romantic and wants to actually pursue a woman?”

“So what if I do, man? I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Maybe I want what you and Jen have. Have you ever thought of that?” I still avoid looking at him. I am scared that he will see right through me and read my mind: the only person I’ve ever thought of being with long-term shares the same last name as him.

“Wow. I didn’t realize that’s what you wanted. I hope that you find her soon, because let me tell you, finding your person is the best fucking feeling in the world.”

“What are we talking about?” Oakley, our main goalie, chimes in. He still has all of his gear on and his head looks too small for his body.

“Nothing,” I say almost too quickly. My voice cracks in the process.

“Why did your voice go up like two octaves?” Oakley sits down next to me and pats my back.

“Because we are talking about finding Lawson his person.” Bradley volunteers the information without hesitation. Goddamn him.

“I’d really not like to involve the entire locker room in this conversation.”

“Is Tristan Peter Lawson having issues with women?!”

“Oh my God, that is not my middle name. I hate you Bradley for even starting that fucking rumor. My middle name is John, okay? Can we just clear that up right here and now?” Bradley gives me a shit-eating grin as he continues to take off his equipment. I continue, “And no, I am not having issues with women.”

“He’s having issues finding therightwoman. Plus he hasn’t gotten laid in a while,” Bradley adds nonchalantly, as if we are in a support group or something.

I press my hands to my face and raise my voice. “Dude, will you shut up?”

“I’m just trying to help.”

“How? By telling everyone my business? And business that is not even true, I might add.”

“So, you are sleeping with random women and you don’t want to find love?” Bradley looks me dead in the eye and bats his eyelashes innocently.

He’s lucky that I love him like a brother, because if it was anyone else infiltrating themselves in my business, this would be a very different story. I pop up from the bench. “I am ending this conversation. I am going to take a shower.” I stride toward the showers. I need to get away from the guys before I punch a hole in the damn wall.

After I wash up and put on clean clothes, Hastings approaches me. Great.

“So, Bradley’s sister. What’s her name again?”

“Brooke. Why?” I glance around for Bradley, hoping he’ll come over and kick Hastings’ ass for asking about his little sister.

“Well, I was thinking. I bet I could break that little rule of hers. The one where she doesn’t date hockey players.”

I snort. “I’d like to see you try, Hastings. I’ve known Brooke for a long time and that’s a hard and fast rule that she never breaks.” I grab my hat from the hook on my locker and put it on. “Trust me.” There is a heavy weight in my stomach, and I don’t know if it’s because of Dean’s interest or because I hate the fact that she has that rule. Either way it shouldn’t matter. She’s not my sister. But if it was one of my sisters, I would do everything in my power to keep them away from a guy like Hastings.

“Do you want to make this a friendly bet? Maybe you can get something out of it, Lawson,” Hastings says with a devious smile. I don’t like where this is going.

I tie my shoes. “What the hell are you talking about, man?”

Dean says smugly, “If I get Brooke to be my girlfriend by the end of the season, you have to step aside for the captain’s spot and endorse me. Captain’s spots are decided mainly by the team, right?”

It is obvious that he knows nothing about me or Brooke. “Right.” I say cautiously. Why does he even want to pursue Brooke? “But why even bring Brooke into this? You know that Beckett will kick the shit out of you for even thinking about dating his little sister, right?”

“I am not afraid of Beckett. I get punched out on the ice all the time.”Yeah, because you’re a dirty player and a prick of a human. “And as for Brooke, because I love a challenge and I know that I will get her to date me. Plus, she’s hot and I always get what I want.” He pauses and I can feel him staring at me. “And something tells me that you care about her more than you let on, given how much you are fuming right now.”

He’s getting under my skin and I am fucking over it. I scoff as I stand up and throw my duffle bag strap over my shoulder. “You are that confident you can get a girl that has no interest in you and never will. Did you not hear me? She will never break that rule.” BecauseIam confident in that fact and because I also want to see how badly Brooke is going to turn this asshole down, I say, “All right, Hastings, you have a deal. If you can get Brooke to date you by the end of the regular season, I will endorse you for captain. I’m a man of my word. But, if you fail, then you will step out of the running completely, even as an option for an alternate, and you will endorse me.”

“Deal.” We don’t even shake hands. We just stare each other down like we’re in one of those old Western films, ready to draw our pistols and duel at any moment. Ever since Hastings joined the Storm, we’ve always had a contentious relationship. We are both good at our respective positions and we know it.

Someone clears their throat behind me. “Um, is everything okay, or do I need to step in as a lineman right now and break up whatever the hell is going on between you two?” Bradley’s voice startles me, probably because I already feel guilty that Brooke is in the middle of this war.

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