Page 20 of In the Defensive Zone with My Enemy

Wade elbows me in the ribs. “Earth to Luke.”

I snap my head around to face him. “What?”

He gives me a subtle frown. “I asked if everything’s okay.”

“Why?”

He leans in so only I can hear him. “Because you looked pissed as hell.”

“I’m good.” I take a quick sip of the beer I didn’t even notice was sitting in front of me. Until I get some food in my stomach, I’ll pace myself. Luckily, the server just placed a large basket of hush puppies in the center of the table.

I nab one and pop the whole thing in my mouth. “Just hungry, bro. No worries.”

Wade grins at me. “He’s just hangry.”

The entire group laughs at his joke. Heat rides up the back of my neck in a blaze that sets my nerves on edge. And when I skim my gaze to Sophie, our eyes lock for a moment. Her cheeks match her lips now. I didn’t notice that before, so I’m guessing she’s blushing.

But why?

Then, the pieces click. Wade said I looked pissed, and I was staring at Sophie when he nudged me. She must think I’m mad at her or something.

Or something…

For some reason, this stirs a deep need to know what she’s thinking about me. And that worries me more than anything.

CHAPTER 7

SOPHIE

Iwas ready to crawl under the table until Wade got Luke’s attention. If he stared at me like that any longer, I’d have two holes drilled through me, thanks to that penetrating gaze of his. And that smirk on his face…I can’t figure out how he winds up looking sexy even when he’s frowning. Even when I’m not looking, I feel his eyes on me.

But I can’t tell if he’s disgusted with my profession or if there’s something more going on behind that guarded facade. Either way, I’m steering clear. He’s like a volcano simmering on the verge of eruption. And I witnessed his confrontation today during practice.

Granted, Jayce deserved it. He was acting like a hotshot out for his own glory. And there’s a reason they call hockey a violent sport. The guys regularly rough each other up. It’s an expected part of the game. I’ve witnessed enough to understand that aspect. But somehow, seeing Luke take matters into his own hands stirred something in me I’d rather not talk about. Or even consider.

He was just doing what a team captain needed to do. And he used the language of the game. I get that. But just when Ididn’t think the man couldn’t look more devastating, he goes and gets all machismo on the ice.

The effort to keep my focus on my drink is almost too much. I want to look up and see if Luke’s staring at me again. I wish I knew what was going on under that mop of dark, wavy hair. I’m like a newbie on skates when he stares at me like that. Unsteady and fumbling.

Afraid to fall…

Is that what this is? Me falling for a hockey player? Oh, please, tell me I’m not turning into a puck bunny. I saw enough of those in college, and despite being in the trenches—aka, locker rooms—with the players on occasion, I prided myself on NOT being drawn to them. The smell alone was enough to nip that in the bud. Killed it, more likely.

Although, I’m not drawn to any of the other guys on this team either…just Luke.

And I’m not entirely sure why. I’ve felt physical attraction before, but this is different and on a much deeper level, which is terrifying, considering the man doesn’t seem to want anything to do with me.

I take another sip of my drink, daring a glance up as I do, and nearly choke, not because of the alcohol but because Luke isstaringat me again. He darts his eyes away, but not before recognition rides his gaze. He knows I saw him watching me.

What a funny game this is. Me studying him. Him watching me on the sly. Almost like dance partners trying to figure out each other’s moves. But I’m certain there’s something more there. I feel it in my heart.

Maybe knowing and understanding the trauma of losing a parent connects us on some deeper, unspoken level. I mean, how could it not? Part of me wants to comfort him since he’s obviously still struggling. I know what that feels like. My dad was like my best friend. His death would have destroyed me if not for Marty.

A nudge on my arm alerts me that Payton’s need for the ‘loo,’ as he calls it, has everyone on our side of the booth sliding out. Before I can sit down again, another group of guys from the team heads in our direction.

Jayce is one of them. I bounce my gaze to Luke to see if he’s noticed yet, but he’s chatting with Wade and has his back to us.

I’m starting to put faces with their names without the help of their numbers, so I recognize Elias first. He’s on the shorter side compared to the rest of the guys.

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