Page 19 of Rock Pucking Bottom

I loved how much it turned him on and I wanted to say yes to his request. However we had a major sticking point. He needed to find a sponsor and really should find a new AA group.

"Consider it done for the mail and shopping. But we can’t do anything that seems like dating until you find a new sponsor. Hell, we shouldn’t even be attending the same group if we’re dating. If you take those steps, then we can talk about being something more."

He pulled me tighter into him and nearly squeezed the life out of me. His lips pressed to mine ever so briefly. He must have remembered that we were in a church meeting room, so he stopped the kiss as quickly as it started.

I shouldn’t have liked the kiss as much as I did. It was one of those kisses that held hope and wanton desire. I just hoped that he took my wishes seriously since if that first kiss was that good, I wanted more.

When we broke apart, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small painted key. The fact it was in Legacy colors let me know whose it was even though it didn't have a keychain or label. Not wanting to lose such a precious item, I stuck it into a credit card slot that was on the back of my cellphone.

As I tucked my phone back into my pocket, I said, "This means you need to focus on finding a real sponsor. I can't be coming to your house for a booty call and be your stand in sponsor. You need to find someone asap."

"Fine, fine."

But given his cavalier attitude, I doubted he would search for a sponsor any harder than he had been. He needed to take his recovery seriously. I just had to stand firm on this point.

Chapter 17

Eoghan

ThelockerroomblaredA-Okfrom the sound system. I could hear it from the tunnel with the headphones on so I could hear the post-game interview questions.

I swore I would never get used to such loud music, but it was a sign that they were all hyped by clinching a spot in the Stanley Cup final thanks to my goal.

I should be happier since I wanted the Cup, but I just sealed another two weeks of hockey in Vancouver. Despite drawing new ties to Vancouver thanks to Emmy, I still wanted to be with my pack back home.

Getting into the locker room, I didn't really engage with anyone and just stripped out of my sweaty stuff so I could douse myself in the shower and then the baths. I slipped in a pair of foam earplugs just to dampen the music so I wasn't cranky.

It was so much fun being a werewolf in the league full of non-werewolves.

I did my usual ten minutes in the ice bath and then about the same in the hot water before going back to the ice water.

I was a glutton for the ice bath, but it felt so good on my muscles. Besides, it numbed everything so well. I still enjoyed being numb. Ice baths were just a healthier option to feel that way. It wasn't a crutch like alcohol.

After the second ten minutes in the icy water, I stalked over to the showers.

I stayed under the shower for an unnecessary amount of time, but I wanted to give the guys a chance to celebrate without dealing with my mood. It wasn't until the music switched over to a random playlist that I hadn't heard before that I figured most of the guys were gone and it was something the equipment guys or janitors put on to do their work.

Nope.

Waiting for me was Scuba.

"Want to go to a zero proof bar tonight?"

I looked at him as I tried to process what he said to me. He couldn't have asked me to go out drinking. So I took out one of the foam earplugs and went, "What?"

He smiled and said, "A few of the guys want to go to the Merchant Store tonight to celebrate. Since it's zero-proof, how about joining us? You did win us a spot in the final."

It was nice of him to invite me out, but I really wasn't sure. Bars were supposed to be off limits but at the same time, if it was zero proof…

What was the harm? It wasn’t like I could get black out drunk if everything was zero proof.

But I wasn't sure if it was a good idea. I was on such a thin thread with the team as it was thanks to my drinking.

"Let me talk to Emmy about it, and I'll get back to you."

Scuba clapped my shoulder. "Okay. Let me know what you decide. I'll be in the family lounge since I'll have a kid dying to congratulate me. Hell, he would like to congratulate you, too."

God, wouldn't that be nice? Having family here at the game and someone to say you did good. I couldn't even get Emmy to come to a game yet.

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