Page 11 of Puck Me Home Tonight

"Do you think it's a good idea to start her tonight? She's only gotten two practices in with the team." Daylen takes the seat on the other side of me, a deep scowl lining his face.

"She'll be fine. She's a professional." I remind them.

We sit in silence watching her protect the net shot after shot. It's insane how good she is. Raiden's right, we can't take this away from her. She'll come to us when she's ready—I try to convince myself, but our woman is a superstar, and she deserves her time in the spotlight even if it's without us by her side.

The coach blows her whistle, signaling the end of practice. All the players skate off the ice except for Lenni. She takes off her helmet and glances toward the family skybox like she's searching for someone until her eyes meet ours and she gives us a quick smile before skating off the ice.

Damn, it's going to be harder than I thought keeping my hands off her.

eleven

Lenni

"Thanksformeetingwithme today, Teagan," I say, shaking her hand before gesturing for her to sit in one of the chairs in the private room assigned to us at the arena to discuss the matter before the game.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I meet with the second female hockey player in the Pro League?" Her genuinely friendly tone gives me the confidence to continue.

"I wasn't sure if you'd be able to make it on game day today, but I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me."

"So, what do you want to discuss? Being a female in a male-dominated sport, or something else?"

"Actually, I'd like to talk about both." I hesitate momentarily, knowing discussing my complicated work-life balance with anyone other than Briella will be tough.

"That sounds interesting. But why don't we start with your pro career first? If you prove yourself while playing in a male-dominated field, there's nothing they can say about your skills on the ice. Your personal life, however, is fair game."

"I was afraid you were going to say that." I take a seat in the chair across from her. "I don't have a problem proving myself on the ice with my skills, but I'm worried my personal life might interfere. How do you balance everything?"

"Well, for starters, I’m dating three of my teammates. As far as I know, you’re not dating any of your teammates, are you?"

I try to respond, but the words get stuck in my throat.

"You are dating your teammates!" she exclaims. "We're more alike than I thought."

"Shh. Not so loud." I place a hand on her shoulder. "I'm not dating my teammates." I pause, taking a deep breath. "I slept with the three team owners, and they want a relationship with me, but I'm afraid people will think I slept my way to becoming the starting goalie on a pro team."

"Times have changed. No one will think that of you. And even if they do, they're not worth your worry." She shrugs her shoulders. "Besides, life is too short to be miserable."

It can't really be that simple, can it?

"But don't you worry about all the negative comments from the online trolls?" I chew on my lower lip, "I mean dating three guys at the same time isn't normal, especially when they're brothers."

Teagan surprises me by bursting out in laughter. "If that's your biggest worry, you should be talking to my best friend, Britt. She's dating my triplet brothers. And none of them seem to mind what anyone else thinks. Hell, everyone on the Norse team is in a shared relationship. Aren't there even a few shared relationships on your team?"

She's right. In the short time I've been with the team I've seen a few groups of guys surrounding one woman.

"If the rumors are true, even your coach as a harem of her own." Teagan winks and I almost choke my own tongue. "That's what I thought." She laughs. "Don't worry about what some lonely pathetic trolls think and end up missing out on the best thing that could ever happen to you."

A knock on the door puts a quick end to our conversation, "That must be my men. They get a little nervous when I'm away from them too long." She smiles, patting my hand before standing. "I like you, but you do know I'm not going to take it easy on you tonight."

I smile and nod as she steps to the door, opening it to three very attractive worried looking guys. "There you are." One scolds her causing Teagan to look over her shoulder and roll her eyes at me. "They might be a pain in my ass most days, but I wouldn't settle for anything less and neither should you." She steps out of the room leaving me to my thoughts.

Rushing out of the room, I jog down the corridor to my separate locker room the Norse were kind enough to let me use and play back my conversation with Teagan.

Changing into my pads and uniform I make myself a vow—I'll play the best game of my life tonight and if fate guides me in the right direction, I'll grab for it and not let it slip away.

twelve

Daylen

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