Page 20 of Getting Lucky Number Seven

And then, right as I was drifting off to sleep, she’d leaned over the bed, only her outline visible in the dark.Tell me the truth. Are you secretly a superhero? Because you’re muscly and Mister All American Guy, but then sometimes you get real quiet, and I get the feeling you’ve got a whole secret life no one knows about.

Without the superhero part, she was more right than she knew. Instead of worrying she’d read me too well, though, I took it for what it was. She was wasted.

“Bring it in,” Coach yelled, and when I got to the bench, I spotted Lyla in the crowd.

She grinned and waved. Her fiery red hair hung in loose waves around her shoulders, her makeup was much simpler than it’d been last night, and she had on jeans and her coat. My heart still beat quicker than it should, and a hint of the desire I’d experienced last night rose to the surface, growing stronger the longer I looked at her. The thought of Jeff dating her made jealousy gnaw at my insides, but I couldn’t even think about taking her out myself. No one could be a bigger ass than me when it came to dating.

It reminded me of all the reasons I needed to keep myself in check, regardless of revealing tops, hip bumping, and sexy legs.

I shouldn’t even be thinking about anything but the game right now. I definitely shouldn’t be trying to see which shirt Lyla’s wearing under her jacket, or wondering how to find a good excuse to wrap my arms around her again.

In fact, the more I thought about the dangerous line I was walking, the more I thought that maybe I should call up one of my regular hookups and get some space from Lyla.

…

My teammates barreled into me, slapping my back and whooping and hollering. With that last score, we’d won the game.

In moments like this, I knew I didn’t want to major in business and go on to run D&T. I wanted to play hockey forever. But I also knew that wasn’t in my future, and thinking about it would only mess with my head. I had the right here and now, and that was why I intended to soak it in and enjoy it while I could.

I hated that thoughts like that always took the edge off the buzz of winning.

Excitement and the sense of accomplishment that came along with a victory hung thick in the air of the locker room. I planned on distancing myself from Lyla a bit, but she’d come to the game, so I couldn’t not go say hi. I was trying to keep the friendship, not piss her off or hurt her feelings.

When I made my way over to where I’d seen her sitting, Jeff was already talking to her.Wow. He certainly didn’t waste any time.

She smiled at whatever he said, I heard her say something about being “super drunk,” and then she put her hand on his arm and leaned in, biting her lip the way she’d done with me—er, practiced on me.

Using the moves I’d taught her. On Jeff. I ground my teeth.Lucky prick.

“No, you were cute,” Jeff said.

I set my hockey stick down harder than necessary to break up the love-fest, and Lyla turned, flashing me a dimpled smile.

“Hey, Mister Hotshot Scorer Guy! That was awesome. If I knew that’s what your hockey games were like, I would’ve come to every one of them.”

Her enthusiasm soothed my irritation and made happiness rise up to take its place. The on-the-fly nickname only strengthened it. Nothing was normal with Lyla—she practically spoke her own language. I thought of her there in the stands, cheering for me every game, greeting me like this each time, and a pang of longing went through me. Too bad I was acting like a chick, getting all needy and attached.

“Thanks, Ly.”Time to cut the first string.“By the way, I meant to tell you earlier, but I’m going to have to cancel movie night tomorrow. With all of your stuff this week, I got behind on everything else.”

God, the way her face dropped killed me. I could’ve just said I’d gotten behind. Why’d I have to add in the jab about her stuff?I’m a dick.

Further proof that this was the right move, though.

She fiddled with the zipper of her coat, her eyes carefully avoiding me now. “Of course. Sorry, I’ve totally been monopolizing your time. I’m sure your string of women are ready to come after me with pitchforks.”

The words “It’s not like that” were on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them back, the taste bitter in my throat. At least she knew better than to think of me as a relationship option—that’d be my saving grace with her.

“You know, I’m free for a movie tomorrow night,” Jeff said. “If you’re interested.”

Lyla glanced at him, then me, as if she were waiting for me to say whether or not she should go.

Hell no! Movie nights are our thing!“You two have fun. Just be warned, Jeff, she’ll force you to watch movies about sparkly vampires if you’re not careful.”

“I’ve got sisters, so I’m unfazeable that way.” Jeff nudged her with his elbow.

The smile I had to pull out of my ass probably looked as fake as it felt. “Well, I’ve got one, and I was still unprepared.”

Lyla’s head whipped toward me. “You have a sister?”

---