Page 74 of Unmasking Love
Ivanna cackles, "I do, but you marched right in here with a hickey on your chest so you were begging for it... which we know Johnny likes."
Oh. My. God.
I met these women *checks watch* like fifteen minutes ago.
Danielle leans over to whisper in my ear, "If we get too nosy just tell us, but there's nothing more fun than a budding hockey relationship."
"What did you ask her?" I ask and the wicked smile that spreads across Ivanna's face is downright spooky.
"I asked her if she had to two-hand his cock." she whispers the last word to make sure Tilly doesn’t hear.
I look over to Caroline who just smiles fondly at the memory. "I did, still do."
"Ohmygod!" I laugh.
"Listen, the boys spend a significant amount of time around each other every day either naked or partially dressed. Word gets out."
"Is there word out about Aiden?" I ask before I can stop myself.
"Mike says he keeps to himself," Danielle answers. "But he's starting to open up to the boys more."
"Vlad says he has a kick ass tattoo across his chest." Ivanna says with a sip of her drink.
"He does, it's a coat of arms." I share.
"That’s hot. Mike Bradford isn't a tattoo man but tell that to my FYP! Somehow I started following this German handball player and he's got the most incredible physique."
"Somehow," Ivanna repeats with mirth.
"Listen, if there are random women on the internet following these guys hoping for shirtless posts then I can watch a random man in Europe workout." Danielle says.
"True," Caroline says. "When we got engaged I started getting follow requests from strangers. Like thousands of them. It was weird."
"The entire world has a voyeurism kink." Ivanna says philosophically.
"Anyway, so you and Aiden are a new item." Danielle says as Tilly wiggles off her lap to get closer to the windows overlooking the rink. "Have you dated a goalie before?"
"I've never dated any athlete before." I admit and the girls give me an approving smile.
"Well, I've never dated a goalie either, but I've seen a lot of them on the teams Mike has led. They're intense. Focused. But that could be a very good thing for you." Danielle winks and I think I know what she means.
***
When the scrimmage is over I give Danielle, Ivanna, and Caroline hugs. Over the two hours we spent together chatting I built a connection to them. I fist bump with Tilly who is snuggled in on Danielle's shoulder and fighting sleep. I’m worried about how fast these friendships came about. But I’m also riding the high of belonging.
A few other women showed up during practice and everyone was warm and welcoming and I think I made actual friends.
Danielle said she'd get me a pass for the family suite at the games so I could sit there if I wanted to. We exchanged numbers and she told me to call or text anytime. Aiden is going to have me sit behind him on Sunday but Iremind myself to text her before a game to figure out the apparel vibe of the family suite.
I wait with them outside the locker room and hear the boys laughing with each other. Aiden is the third or fourth guy out and the smile he greets me with warms my soul.
"Hey Harp," he says warmly as he leans in and gives me a kiss. "You ready to go home?"
"Yeah," I tell him as he loops his arm over my shoulder. He smells freshly showered but with a sting of sweat. He played well and I learned a few things from Danielle about his position while we watched.
"So you like to stay high in your crease huh?" I ask and Aiden stumbles a bit as he looks down at me.
"Have you been reading up on goalie shit Harper?"
