Page 71 of Second-Rate Superstar

Squeezing my eyes shut, more tears leaked out, but I shook my head. “No. It was everything and more.”

I felt his forehead touch mine. “I’m never letting you go. Never.”

A watery laugh flew past my lips, my voice thick as I whispered, “I’ll hold you to that.”

Rustling from the backseat broke our trance as a tired voice whined, “I’m sleepy, Uncle Basston.”

I could hear the smile in his voice before my eyes opened. “Sorry, Charlie girl. Just wanted to say goodnight to Dakota before I took you home. We’ll go now.”

“Night, Da-pota,” she said groggily. “Now, we go home.”

She was seriously the cutest thing, and I tried to muffle my laughter as I peeked back to find her eyes had drooped closed again, whispering, “Night, Charlie.”

Braxton brushed a soft kiss on my lips. “It was a very good night. Thanks for letting her tag along.”

“Anytime.”

His amber eyes darkened, and he shook his head. “No, next time, I want you all to myself.”

It was dark inside the car, but when his eyes roved my face, I knew he could see me blushing at what “being alone” would entail.

Clutching blindly for the door handle, I finally managed to pull it and swung the door open. Stepping out on unsteady legs, I poked my head back inside the car. “Goodnight, Braxton.”

“Night, Firefly.”

Chapter 17

Dakota

Biting my lip, Ityped out a text, knowing the response it would elicit.

Wait. So, they can remove a goal from the scoreboard if someone was offside a full minute before they scored? How is that fair? The ref didn’t catch it and let them continue playing. They only looked to see if they missed that call after they scored. And then they put the time back on the clock!

Smirking, I watched the three dots appear on my screen, indicating that Braxton was gearing up to reply.

Braxton:Are you watching hockey without me?

Does that sound like something I would do? My boyfriend has made it very clear that I should wait until he’s with me to watch live-speed action on the ice. And I’m nothing if not a good girl. *Bites lower lip*

I was egging him on, and he knew it too.

Braxton:Usually, I’d be inclined to believe my very well-behaved girlfriend, but it just so happens that a situation sounding very much like the one you described happened no less than five minutes ago in the Indy Speed game versus the Las Vegas Luck. Now, I’ll ask again. Have you been naughty watching hockey without me?

After the weeks he’d spent teasing me, turnabout was fair play.

And what about penalties? Why doesn’t it go to four-on-four when both teams incur a penalty at the same time? That makes the most sense, but for some reason, they stay at five-on-five.

Braxton:Dakota . . .

And then there’s the five-on-three. What happens if the team with three guys gets another penalty? Does it go to five-on-two? Is there ever a point where one team can’t have any skaters on the ice, and five guys just shoot on the goalie?

Braxton:Firefly, you’re playing a very dangerous game.

I would have to agree. Hockey does appear to be extremely dangerous. Why would anyone want to play such a violent sport?

Giggling, I could picture Braxton at home, watching the game, getting riled up as I made it clear that Iwaswatching hockey and doing everything in my power to avoidanswering his question directly.

Braxton:I’m going to give you to the count of three to come clean.

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