Page 25 of Reputation
“Here we go…” murmured Mandy as the three stood to watch the players enter at the announcer’s introduction.
The fans cheered for each player as they entered the ice, but the loudest chorus came when Jax’s name was announced.This was his second year as captain, and he always received a boisterous welcome from the crowds.
Looking around the arena, she noticed several young women glancing at the jumbo screen in the center, then giggling to their friends.
Internally, she shook her head at the effect he had on women.Jax Morghan was a known ladies’ man.She had seen photos of him with different women, and he never stayed with any of them for too long.He was a man who enjoyed the chase, but once he caught a woman, he was no longer interested.Eavie would bet money Molly could tell her some excellent stories about media clean-ups she had done regarding the women who came and went from Jax’s life.
That thought served as a bucket of ice water over the heat that rushed through her when his name had been called and reminded her why she would not, could not, get involved with him.Evenifher job and career were not an issue, she was not the type for a brief affair.If his history told her anything, she knew that would be all he could offer her.
Disappointment and a little sadness stung her throat, but she firmly pushed the bitterness away, refusing to acknowledge it.
The game started shortly after, and the trio sat together, watching intently.It was a nail-biter from the start, but the Royals kept the Volts at bay.Despite the close score throughout most of the game, they held on to win 3-1.
Following the final buzzer, there was always media coverage and press conferences, where some select players and the coaches would answer post-game questions.
Molly went directly to the media room, where clusters of reporters would begin gathering as Mandy and Eavie made their way to intercept Sam and Jason before following them downstairs.
When they arrived on the concourse level, the noise traveling down the hallway from the locker room vibrated between the walls.Music with a heavy base blasted from the room, the pulse vibrating through the stone walls and floor into her chest.Over the noise, shouts and chants flooded toward them.
Rightfully, the players were pumped with the opening win, celebrating the positive start to the season.Jason and Sam continued into the locker room while Mandy and Eavie waited in the hallway, neither feeling the need to enter the hot, smelly space despite the appeal of fit, half-naked hockey players.
Be professional, Eavie reminded herself as the images intruded on her thoughts.It must have been longer than she’d realized since she’d had any action if an imaginary shirtless image got her going.She should really take care of that at some point.
“Is it always like this after a game?”Eavie asked, trying to distract her lonely libido.
Mandy shook her head.“The players are normally excited after a win, but this is a whole other level.”
“Do they go out after?”
“Sometimes, depending on the schedule.The next game is a few days away, and it’s at home, so they’ll probably go to Orbit.It’s the bar across the street.You should see the lineup of people wanting to get in.Everyone wants to party with the city’s pro players.”She rolled her eyes.
At that moment, a handful of players dressed in t-shirts and shorts emerged from the locker room.Despite their changes in clothes and baseball hats on their heads, they were still sweaty from the game.Coach followed the players, heading down the hall to the press room.
Some players who weren’t selected for media duty spilled out into the hallway, many still shirtless, bringing Eavie’s hormonal brain to life.They were allveryfit and not shy about showing it off.
She passed a knowing look to Mandy, who smiled and winked.Neither of them felt particularly uncomfortable with half-naked athletes walking around.They were both thoroughly enjoying the view.
Just then, Jax emerged from the locker room, joking with Savard.He, too, was shirtless, trying to cool off from the game he’d just played.Eavie’s mouth watered at the sight.My god, he was…a statue brought to life.There was no other way to describe it.He looked like he had been carved from stone.A light sheen of sweat coated his chest and abs, which glistened and rippled under the bright pot lights.The lines of his body shifted as he walked, causing her eyes to track each small movement of flesh and muscle.The all-too-brief contact they’d shared at the bar did not do him justice.
His chest was broad and thick, with muscle flowing into defined biceps that pushed against his skin without him flexing.The smattering of dark hair across his pecs trailed down onto his chiseled abs.From the quick pass of her eyes, she could see eight muscles ripple like a ladder down into a tight V that rudely disappeared into the waistband of his shorts, sitting teasingly low on his hips.With his dark, sweat-tousled hair and sharp jaw, he looked like every dark desire come to life.
She swallowed, attempting to control her suddenly salivating mouth.At the sight of his beautiful form, Eavie’s blood began to pump like lava through her body, and she was momentarily worried drool might fall from her mouth.Snapping her eyes back up from their obvious perusal, her gaze magnetized with his.Seeing her, he turned immediately and headed straight for her.
“Hey, Cinderella,” he said, flashing his devastating smile as he stopped in front of them.Shifting his gaze to Mandy, he added, “Hey, Mandy.Always a pleasure to see you after a game.”
“Jax,” Mandy said, returning his smile.“Great game tonight.”
“Not bad for the first of the season.Lots of work to do, but it feels good to start with a win,” he answered.
Eavie watched them as they chatted, curious about how comfortable Mandy seemed and how casual Jax acted.His smile was warm and open.There was no sign of the smirk or devilish glint in his eye that always reflected on his face when he spoke with her.
He finally turned his sharp eyes back to Eavie.As he did, his smile transformed into one that was knowing and…smug.
Why did he act differently around her?Had he acted the same with Mandy at first, too?Or were they always just friendly?Again, it gave her pause—something about these two versions of him not fitting together.
“Will I see you both tonight at Orbit?”he asked, staring directly into her eyes.
He stood close enough to make her body sing for him.Every fiber of her being wanted to take that last step in and press herself against him, but she kept her feet firmly rooted in place.
