Page 34 of A Little Puck Luck

“Damn, you actually know how to say his first name?” Spencer sounded shocked.

Rental was a bit of a nasty slang term for a player who only came to the team at the trade deadline for the remainder of the year. There was no expectation to keep the player since they would likely cost too much with the salary cap. And Friedman made it sound like a rental deal.

Normally, I didn’t care about the rental rumors, but getting a captain could be a major coup for us. He was an older guy, but most nights, you wouldn’t realize he was about thirty-four years old. It would be awesome if we could sign the Wild captain for more long-term.

Carter quipped, “Well, I think that’s how you say it, but I didn’t exactly look up the pronunciation guide for it. It’s either that or Ian, but I was pretty sure they said it was Owen the last time I watched one of his games. But he’s a damn good player, and I’ll take him as a rental any day.”

I held my arm up and said, “You and me both.”

Besides, if Friedman was correct, it wouldn’t be a terrible deal. A couple of draft picks and a generally unpleasant hockey player who played for our AHL team in Abbotsford.

“Yeah, and we basically get to keep the whole crew.”

Spencer looked at me with an intense stare. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. Talk is the first and second-round pick in the draft, along with Sterling Watterson.”

Spencer Suzuki chuckled. “Oh, that asshole who became even more unpleasant at the end of camp. I still wished he was on the opposite team at that last scrimmage so I could have taken his knee cap out.”

Knees were still one of our most vulnerable joints. To take out a knee could lead to injury so easily, and it could be the path to something career-ending.

Not that I could blame Jetski for that sentiment. I wanted to elbow Sterling after his chirps went too far. I had never met someone so unpleasant to play with. Granted, I had my misgivings with the two Spencers when I first got to the Legacy since both of them were assholes to my guys’ girls in the previous times we played them, but both of them were actually good guys who helped with my move big time.

“That’s cold. Remind me never to piss you off,” I said with a chuckle.

Then I got up and left the locker room. I needed to call Minerva’s to make my reservation, and it was time for me to pick up my woman.

I wanted to pick up some chocolate for Annie, too, but I didn’t have time. Instead, I just focused on the date coming up.

Chapter 26

Annette

Iplayedwithmyhair, trying to get my blonde curls to lay just right. I wanted to look good for Terry since this was our first date as adults.

All of a sudden, I heard heavy steps coming down the hall. I turned my head and hit my ear with the curling iron. “Oh fuck.”

I put down the curling iron and looked to see how bad of a burn it was.

Terry appeared at the open door and kissed my ear.

Fuck, everything about him was delectable at the moment. His hair was pulled back in a way that showed off his jawline and his scruff. And his shirt highlighted both his stomach muscles and his arm muscles. The only thing I couldn’t see was if his jeans were hugging his ass.

Concern was etched across his face as he hugged the door. “You okay? I heard you swearing.”

My first instinct was always to minimize, especially when it was so minor. After having so much bruising and swelling even up until a couple of weeks ago, it was nice to feel pretty again.

“It’s fine. I just burned myself.”

Despite it being something minimal, he came in and scooped me against his chest.

It was like being at home again. Strong, sturdy, and caring. He whispered, “Well, I think you look fabulous. Ready to go?”

“Yeah.”

Yet, for a guy who was asking if I was ready to go, he made no effort to move. There was no way I was strong enough to break out of his grip, not that it was anything more than a loose hug.

Once we got to the restaurant, Terry pulled out my chair so I could sit down.

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