Page 165 of Of Pucking Course

Sam slinks his arm around my waist. He rolls his eyes and smiles.

“That guy will fuck anything that moves,” Blomdahl says to Sam and me.

“I mean, he’s the hot new rookie on a Stanley Cup-winning team. And he’s single. It makes sense why women are constantly all over him,” I say.

Ever since the Bashers won the Stanley Cup this past spring, the team has been more popular than ever. The players have been offered bonuses on their contracts. A few of them got extensions too. On top of that, half the team signed a bunch of endorsement deals.

Local fans have been showing their love for the guys almost every time they’re in public. Fans ask for their autographs and selfies. The single guys on theteam, like Camden, are especially loving the attention from female fans.

“You need to think with your dick less, Connors,” Theo says to Camden. “It’s gonna get you in trouble one of these days.”

Camden just laughs and shakes his head. “Fine by me.”

Xander pats Theo on the shoulder. “Listen to this guy. He would know. He got kicked off the team a few years ago for thinking with his dick at the wrong time.”

Theo rolls his eyes. Maya laughs at him, then slinks her arm around his waist. He gazes adoringly at his wife.

I notice Abby blushing as she observes the conversation.

“Sorry about these guys,” Sam says to her.

She chuckles and waves a hand. “Oh, it’s okay.”

Sam waves at someone in the crowd. “Hey, Coach.”

Coach Porter walks over and greets everyone. He leans down and hugs Sophie.

“I’m so glad you were able to make it,” she says.

He smiles at his daughter, then looks at me. “Well done, Dakota. Running a half-marathon is quite an accomplishment.”

“Thanks. Though I think the training you put these guys through is a little harder.”

Coach Porter looks like he’s about to say something, but then he notices Abby.

His whole face lights up, and he cracks a smile. “Abby. Hi.”

She waves at him, then walks over closer to him. “Hey. It’s good to see you again.”

“Likewise. I like your shirt.”

She glances down at it and chuckles. “Thanks. Gotta love bright pink sequins, right?”

Coach Porter chuckles. Everyone looks at him.

“Coach’s crush on Abby is so obvious,” Sam says to me.

I bite back a smile and sip more of my drink. “It’s so cute.”

Our big group stands around for a while, visiting and watching the rest of the runners cross the finish line.

“So, how do you feel like celebrating your first half-marathon, beautiful?” Sam asks. “Should we go somewhere for brunch? Or drinks?”

I shake my head and tug at the hem of his shirt. I make sure my voice is low and soft when I speak to him, so only he can hear me. “I want to go home. I want you to make me one of your famous breakfast sandwiches. And then I want you to help me get cleaned up in the shower.”

Heat flashes in those gorgeous gemstone eyes. “Only if we can get a little dirty first.”

“Absolutely,” I rasp.

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