Page 186 of Finding the Forward: Part One
She leaned her head on Dean’s shoulder. I checked my phone, which buzzed with congratulatory texts.
“Here. You earned it.” AJ handed Verity her usual fruity little drink.
She took a sip. “Thanks, Cow Boy.”
AJ handed me a beer. Jonas brought a beer for Dean.
My phone buzzed with congratulatory texts. Lots of people came over to talk to us.
Chet
That stunt on the ice was uncalled for. Dump the girl before she fucking ruins your career.
“What’s wrong?” AJ demanded.
Dean and Verity had their heads together as they were chatting animatedly. Jonas was drinking a beer and talking to a bunch of defenders.
I showed AJ my phone. While Jonas would tell me to dump my agent, AJ might have actual advice. I wasn’t breaking up with her, but I didn’t know how to handle this.
“He’s delusional. Plenty of hockey players take off their jerseys mid-game and make their partners wear them,” AJ replied, putting me at ease as he rubbed his hand up and down my back. It was tied to that whole wanting your partner to wear your clothes instinct.
He took my phone and sent Chet a text.
Me
Not dumping the girl. How’s that pack contract going?
“That’s going to make him mad,” I frowned. Though, I’d wondered about the team contract. He didn’t like me bugging him for updates.
“You love her. Why is it even a question?” AJ asked as he returned my phone to me.
“It’s not. I just don’t like that he keeps asking me to.” I needed this pack contract, and I didn’t want Chet to be angry with me.
“He works foryou,” AJ reminded me. “Not hard enough, either, considering the pack contract isn’t negotiated yet. If he’s getting weird over shit like this, it might be time to fire him. Your ray of sunshine over there isn’t a scandal waiting to happen.”
“Dean,” Verity giggled as Dean tried to tie a cherry stem into a knot with his tongue.
No, she wasn’t. WhatwasChet’s problem?
“I’m going to use the restroom.” She got her crutch and made her way towards the back of the bar.
Still, I wasn’t sure I’d drop Chet mid-negotiation. Or even at all. But that text made me uncomfortable.
Dean went over to Jonas, putting his arm around him.
“You’re not jealous, are you? Of me giving her my jersey like that.” I took a long pull from my beer.
“Please never do that to me.” He gave a little shudder. AJ finished his drink then turned to me, his look pensive. “Is what happened back in the storeroom all right? When I came in, it was more to avoid Dean than to watch. Certainly, I didn’t expect her to offer like that.”
“It’s fine. She finds you attractive. I told her that no one in the pack had a problem with her being with anyone else in the pack–you included,” I admitted.
His brow furrowed. “She finds me attractive?”
“I mean, you are.” I reached behind him and squeezed his ass.
He frowned. “Huh.”
“What are you thinking about, Pepperjack?” I smoothed his furrowed brow with my fingers. “It doesn’t have to happen again. Or it can happen again. Whatever everyone wants.”
