Page 15 of Shift Change

Willa looked like he’d slapped her. Braelynn’s jaw practically came unhinged, and she shot Willa a harried look before turning back to me. “We could… are yousureyou wouldn’t like some company?”

I hesitated, mostly for effect. Holky was watching me, and this time, his message was loud and clear:Say yes, and I will end you.

“Chuck?” Braelynn purred, her voice sticky-sweet. “I promise we’ll have fun.”

I gave her a sheepish smile and did my best to sound reluctant. “It’s tempting, but you know we’d be up all night.”

“Would that be so bad?”

“Like I said, I’m tempted, but I’m the new guy, so I need to make a good impression.” I tacked on a regretful shrug for good measure, then glanced back at Holky, who looked proud.

Giving it one last shot, Willa traced her fingers over Holky’s chest. “There’s a big bathroom here with lots of stalls.”

He caught her hand and gently removed it. “That would be fantastic, but maybe another time.”

Braelynn, ever the optimist, tried yet again. “We’ll give you our numbers, then.”

Holky shook his head. “I’m here all the time, and now Chuck will be with me. We’ll hit you up the next time we see you.”

“That’s right,” I said. “Simpler that way.”

Silence stretched, awkward and heavy, before Willa stood. “Fine. See you.”

She spun on her heels and walked away. Braelynn scrambled to catch up, throwing one last hopeful glance over her shoulder before she disappeared into the crowd.

Holky stood. “Let’s get the hell out of here before they come back.”

I waited until we were in his car to ask, “What happened in there? I thought you were into her.”

“Another time, maybe, but I told you I’ve been having a rough patch.”

“Yeah, but you could have broken your dry spell tonight.”

“No shit.” He tossed me a look before backing out of the parking space. “There’s more to it than a dry spell. I’ll tell you about it, but can it wait until tomorrow?”

“Sure, but it looked like you were all over her.”

“First rule of hanging out with women in professional hockey: if you’re not feeling it, put on a show. They won’t badmouth you because they’ll still have a story to tell. ‘He really wanted it, but I told him to go home and rest up for the game.’”

I snorted. “Sounds like a solid strategy.”

“Look, I’m sorry I was a cockblock. I didn’t know if you were into Braelynn or not, so I should’ve kept my mouth shut. Hell, I could’ve gotten my rocks off and let you enjoy your first night in Buffalo.”

If we were going to be buddies, I had to be honest. “I wasn’t into her. I’ve got some shit to sort out too, so let’s have a heart-to-heart and trade sob stories. Full emotional nudity with a box of tissues at the ready.”

“Fuck the tissues, but you’ve got a deal.” He glanced over. “So, you’re not pissed at me for locking your dick in your pants?”

“Not at all. I was ready to take one for the team if you wanted to fuck Willa, but I’d have felt shitty afterward. Like I used Braelynn for something I didn’t even want.”

“Same. If you’d suggested taking them home, I would’ve gone along.”

I snorted. “You’re a real buddy, Holky. Willing to bang a gorgeous woman just so I could get laid.”

“We understand each other, then.” He shot me a lazy grin. “I like you, Dog.”

“Good to hear, because I think we survived our first battle together.”

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