Page 17 of Faking It with the Enforcer

“Oh, um. Not long. It’s very…recent.”

And the Oscar goes to…definitely not me.

As if she can sense my discomfort—and let’s be honest, I’m probably not hiding it well—Sadie veers the conversation away from Wolf for the time being.

“What do you do, Emily? Are you in school? How old are you?”

“Oh my gosh, Sadie,” says Lilah with a little laugh. “Let the girl breathe.”

I laugh, too. “It’s okay. I’m nineteen, and I’m not in school right now. I’m a ballet dancer. I’m from Winnipeg, but I’m here in Toronto for an internship at the National Ballet School.”

Lilah’s eyes go wide. “Like,theNational Ballet School?”

A surge of pride rushes through me. “Yeah.”

“That’s amazing! You must be, like,reallygood.”

I laugh and blush slightly. “I’m okay. Trying to get better. It’s my dream to dance for a living.”

Lilah and Sadie exchange a look, communicating wordlessly, but I can tell they like me, and it puts me at ease. They’re both sweet and friendly, if a little curious. Then again, I can’t really blame them for their curiosity. It probably feels like I appeared out of thin air.

We all help ourselves to something to eat and drink and then return our attention back to the ice, where lights are starting to flash and music is playing. The game hasn’t started yet, but it will soon.

I can’t wait to watch Wolf play. Just seeing him out there on the ice warming up was hot. What will it be like watching him take a real shot or deliver an actual hit? My stomach dips and swirls in anticipation, and I once again find myself wishing I’d thought to get a Hartley jersey before the game.

“You know, most hockey players are a little superstitious,” says Lilah, sitting back in her seat and munching on some popcorn. “But from what I’ve heard, I think Wolf takes the cake.”

“Oh really?” I ask, my eyebrows inching up my forehead. “What do you mean?”

“According to Kincaid, Wolf eats an orange before every game because he ate an orange before he scored his first professional goal, so he thinks it’s good luck. He puts all of his equipment on in the same order, without fail. He listens to the same songs while doing his stretches.”

A smile tugs at my lips. It’s fascinating, trying to reconcile the massive, slightly gruff man I’m falling for with someone who indulges in silly superstitions. I want to know more. I want to know everything. I want to know precisely in what order he puts his equipment on. I want to know what songs he listens to and why.

Oh, crap. I’m falling for Wolf, aren’t I? At least, I think I am. Not that I have any experience with this kind of thing, but…oh, crap. This isn’t just a crush anymore. Somewhere along the way, it morphed into something more.

My stomach drops down to the floor, like I’m on some kind of roller coaster.

“I wonder if he’ll punch anyone tonight,” Sadie says idly. “Shane—the coach—says Wolf’s been all worked up the past couple of days. Maybe he needs to let off some steam.”

There must be something very wrong with me, because the idea of Wolf fighting has my blood heating and a tingle starting between my thighs.

Lilah grins. “It’s true. It’s been a while since he got into a real fight. I think the last time was when that jerk from the other team high sticked Kincaid and Wolf just laid him out.”

“No one messes with him,” agrees Sadie. “He’s a great guy to have on your side. As I’m sure you know.”

My mind jumps back to the way Wolf scared off James like it was nothing. The way he’d tucked me against him, making me feel safe and sheltered.

I want more of that, too.

The lights go dim and the players skate out onto the ice to blaring rock music, the fans in the arena exploding with excitement. For several moments, we don’t talk, just soaking up the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere. My gaze lands on Wolf the second he steps on the ice, and it stays there. I watch as he skates around to warm up. I watch as he stands for the national anthem. I watch as he takes his spot on the blue line to start the game.

It’s truly a feat of athleticism that someone his size can move as quickly and fluidly as he does. It’s astonishing. I can’t get enough of watching him.

There’s a lull in the game, and I turn back to Lilah and Sadie, who seem to be enjoying the game as much as I am. “So, how did you two end up with…” I trail off, not sure how to phrase my question. “It’s just that you’re both young and Kincaid and Shane are…” I trail off again, my cheeks going hot.

Lilah laughs easily. “Older?”

I nod, my face heating even more.

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