Page 1 of Puck So Good
one
Blair
“Damn, you look hot!”my older sister Ollie says as I walk into her bedroom. The floor-length golden ballgown with a slit up one side, which I’m wearing, shows off one of my legs as I walk. I hope it’s enough to grab the attention of the hockey commissioner, Brant Manning.
I’ve had a crush on him since he was announced as commissioner a few months ago. I guess you would call it more of a fantasy than a crush, since I never thought I'd meet him in person, with him living in Canada and me here in Iowa as the social media manager for the Iowa Poseidon pro hockey team.
The odds seem to be in my favor when the Iowa Poseidon was chosen to host this year's NHL draft in three months. Now, Mr. Manning has been to our arena at least twice a month for the last three months. Unfortunately, our paths have crossed only twice, and both times I squeaked out my answers, sounding more like Minnie Mouse than a professional addressing her superior.
At thirty-five years old, Brant Manning is the youngest pro hockey commissioner ever. The fact that he’s twelve years older than I am doesn’t faze me in the least. I’m tired of dating boys—I want a real man who knows how to treat a woman.
“I think I’m a little underdressed.” Ollie glances down at the skinny jeans, sandals, and off-the-shoulder flower print top that she is wearing. “Where exactly are we headed on this double date?” Ollie says, pulling me out of my thoughts of Mr. Manning.
“It’s not exactly a traditional double date.” I can’t hide the evil smile that crosses my face.
My sister moved in with me six months ago after ending her relationship with two hockey players. If I weren’t so madly in love with Brant, I might consider hooking up with two or three guys at the same time. It seems to be the norm with the Iowa Poseidon—even the owners share the same woman, who just happens to be the team's goalie.
Ollie is the first female referee in the NHL. She’s just as passionate about hockey off the ice as she is on it. Becoming a hockey referee was always her dream. Having two men who loved her was the cherry on top—until they ended the relationship, leaving her bent but not broken. But I have a plan to help heal her heart.
“Blair, you have five seconds to explain yourself.”
“I know you really liked dating Kai and Hudson at the same time. Well, Felix and Ryker are both really into you. They’ve been hounding me at work to set them up with you.”
“I told you I only agreed to this double date to help you out, and now you’re not even going on it.”
“Don’t be mad, Ollie. I’m tired of seeing you so sad all the time. And since the last blind date I tried to set you up on was a total disaster with only one guy, I thought maybe dating two guys might be better.”
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m finished with that part of my life.” I can see the apprehension in her eyes as she tries to convince me she doesn’t want to date two guys at the same time again.
Ryker and Felix are two of the hottest pro hockey players on the Iowa Poseidon team. Too bad I like older guys; otherwise, I might be tempted to date them myself. I was at a game recently where a couple of the opposing team's players were getting under Ollie’s skin as she worked the game. I couldn’t tell what was being said, but the next thing I knew, Felix and Ryker werein a boxing match with the other two guys, ending them all in the penalty box.
“Come on, Ollie. Do this for me," I say, giving her my best puppy dog eyes, trying to persuade her to go on at least one date with Felix and Ryker. “I’ve been invited to the Commissioner’s Ball. You know how long I’ve been dying to go to the Commissioner’s Ball."
“Fine, I’ll go out with Felix and Ryker, but at least do me a favor and say more than two words to Mr. Manning. Maybe have a wardrobe malfunction and let him see some boob action.”
“That’s not a bad idea.” I need some way to gain his attention that doesn’t require me to talk to him.
“Blair, I was only kidding. Don’t risk getting yourself fired over some random cock.”
“He’s not just some random guy, Ollie. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Tonight's the night I make my move. If he turns me down, maybe I’ll go out with Felix and Ryker and see what it’s like to have sex with two guys at the same time. Besides, it’s a masked ball, so if I totally embarrass myself, he’ll never know it was me.”
“Over my dead body.” Ollie slaps her hand over her mouth.
“Oh, I see how it is. You act like you're not interested, but the truth is you want them to rock your world.”
“Rock my world? Who talks like that?”
I laugh, feeling lighter than I have since I came up with this plan to infiltrate the Commissioner’s Ball. “Come on, the guys will be here any minute.” I loop my arm through hers and guide her to the living room just as the doorbell rings. “Perfect timing.” I unlatch my arm from hers, giving her a little shove toward the door. “Go on. Have some fun tonight.”
With a scowl, Ollie stomps toward the front door and jerks it open with Felix and Ryker standing on the other side, each holding a bouquet, their eyes never leaving hers. I try not to stare, but I’ve never seen that look in a guy’s eyes before—a look of lust and longing. My one and only boyfriend never looked at me like that before. That should have been my first warning that we weren’t meant for each other. But he was my high school boyfriend—I didn’t know any better until we went off to different colleges and he cheated on me. I ended our relationship that day and never looked back. Never wanted another relationship until I met Mr. Manning.
“Hi. These are for you.” Felix says as he and Ryker each hand Ollie a bouquet.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful.” Ollie accepts the flowers before handing them over to me to place in vases. It’s the least I can do since I blindsided her with this date.
“Hey, Blair,” Ryker says as they both nod at me with zero interest in their eyes. For my sister, that makes me happy, but as a woman who spent hours on her hair and makeup, I’m a little insulted that there wasn’t even the smallest amount of interest lurking in their eyes. No, these two only have eyes for my sister.
I give them a nod as I walk into the kitchen to grab a couple of vases for the flowers. Just because a man has never given me flowers before doesn’t mean I haven’t bought myself some. I put the bouquets on the kitchen table as I look through the cabinet for my two favorite vases.
