Page 33 of Mr. Charming

Decker puts his arm around my shoulder. “The weatherman said it was going to be freezing this week. I had to go to order a warmer jacket. I guess that’s why they call it the Windy City, huh?”

“Based on my experience, there’s always some truth in what gets reported.” I purposely lean in closer to Decker’s chest, and Tweetie glares at the movement.

He quickly turns his attention back to Decker, though. “Come to our home game next week, and afterward we can all go out.”

When I place my hand on Decker’s thigh, his leg flinches, then freezes. I give Tweetie a syrupy, sweet smile. “That sounds great. I’m sure you have some great club you can get us into. Those velvet ropes probably just open up when you arrive since you’re a regular and all.”

“Rowan, what is going on?” Kyleigh asks when he chokes again.

“Yeah, well, you know for yourself that I’m well versed in how to show people a good time.”

I sip my wine and try to school my features. “Can’t say that’s the rumor I’ve heard.”

Rowan chokes again, and now Kyleigh smacks him on the back.

“You’re really not supposed to do that,” Mila says from across the table.

She goes on to inform us that she was a lifeguard in high school and tells Kyleigh the best course of action if someone is choking. Tweetie’s gaze holds mine the entire time, challenging me, but I lean in closer to Decker, setting down my wine and putting my hand on his chest.

The problem comes when Decker acts like a fucking scarecrow and doesn’t reciprocate any of the affection I’m giving him. He’s going to need to sell this. It’s then I realize that I have to get Decker to agree to another performance after this week’s home game.

Seventeen

Tweetie

We’re in warm-ups before the game when Bodhi knocks on the glass, waving to us. Jade, Kyleigh, and Eloise are all standing by him, each in their man’s jersey. Even Bodhi has on a small version of his dad’s.

The entire team takes turns skating over and smacking his hand in a high-five against the glass. I head in that direction, smiling at the little man I consider myself an uncle to, until I spot Tedi walking down the staircase with Decker Davis right behind her.

She’s not wearing my jersey, of course she’s not, but for a moment, a memory flickers in my head of when she used to. Hell, she had my number all over her fucking body. A necklace, earrings, painted on her face. One time when I came home from an away game, she had my number painted between her breasts in chocolate and whipped cream. It got me going, and I always had better games when she was in attendance than when she wasn’t.

I give Bodhi a slap on the hand through the glass and skate away, ditching my stick and getting down on my knees. My buddies follow suit shortly after.

“You sure are stretching hard there,” Conor says next to me, going side to side in front of the goal.

“Trying to make someone jealous?” Rowan does his hip flexors next to me.

“She did always love my warm-ups.”

“Let’s remember who has the nickname Magic,” Rowan says.

Henry gets down with us. “I’m not sure you’re playing this whole thing the right way.”

Fucking Daddy and all his sage advice. I don’t want his deep fucking thoughts today.

“I agree,” Rowan says. “You guys at dinner the other night.” He shakes his head.

“Magic almost didn’t live to see today.” Conor chuckles, getting on all fours with us.

“I was just pissed off,” I admit.

I’ve been beating myself up about all the shit I’ve been saying and doing, allowing my self-control to slip like that punk-ass kid I was in my teens. I worked so hard to put that asshole in the grave, and now because she has a boyfriend, that version of me is being resurrected. I have no idea what the fuck to do.

“We know,” Henry says.

“And now you want us all to go to this club,” Rowan groans.

“Sorry to interrupt your Monopoly game with Kyleigh. Please tell me she at least has to take off a piece of clothing every time she ends up in jail?”

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