Page 60 of Riding Pine
“Seems that way.”
I try to focus on the autographs and photos as I make my way towards the rink. I don’t travel with my car keys. Instead, I leave them in my stall and come in to get them when we return. One of the odd things I do, but whatever. Some players wear the same socks, and I leave my keys in my stall.
The boys disperse, fanning out to vehicles with their families, and most of the fans clutch a new autographed piece that makes this time out of their day worth it. Thankfully, my irrational anger at not getting a welcome-home kiss has dissipated, and I breeze into the quiet locker room.
After stuffing my keys in my pocket, I turn to leave as the door opens and Slappy slides in.
“You’re surprisingly fast. I thought I’d lose you.” Ben whips off his head and tosses it aside before rushing at me. “Fuck, I hated not being able to kiss you right away.”
His arms go around my neck, and our lips come together. Desperate yet tender in a lover’s reunion I’ve been dreaming of. As it always is with Ben, the flames soar hot and we’re tugging at each other’s clothes.
“Me too, baby. I wanted to show you off.”
Ben’s mouth is on my neck, my collarbone, and back to my lips. “You’re illegally hot in a suit, by the way.” He tugs at my tie. “You have millions of these in your closet. Ever use them for other things?”
His lips are back on mine before I can answer, and I’m backing him into the wall. “No, Ben, I haven’t. But I bet you’d like them on you, wouldn’t you?”
“Maybe.”
Jesus. This man. We’re making out and rutting against each other while he’s still in his mascot suit, and it should creep me out. It really should, but I just want Ben.
“Oh my god! I didn’t know anyone was here. Oh my god!”
We both jump apart to find Landon, mouth agape as he tries to look anywhere but at us.
“Landon. Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone else came in here after road trips.”
He holds up his medical bag. “I like to restock right away so it’s ready for the next time, and I don’t forget.” His arms drop to his side. “You must be Ben.”
Ben nods and waves. “Yep. Hi.”
“You two know each other?” I ask as I look between them.
Landon shakes his head. “No, but if he were injured as Slappy, I know who he is. This is our first meeting.”
“Umm…could you…uh, keep it to yourself? There’s some ambiguity around…well, this whole thing and —”
Landon holds up his hand to cut me off. “I didn’t see a thing, and don’t worry. I don’t know if there’s a no-dating-teammates policy or not, but I’d not be the one snitching on you.”
Voices sound outside, and Ben’s eyes widen. “Shit. Where’s my head?” He whispers, and Landon quickly scoops it off the floor and drags Ben away by the arm.
“Come with me.”
They disappear through the door into the medical room just as the door opens and Evans walks in.
“How come you’re not home yet?” he says as he walks to his stall.
“I left my keys here.” I dangle them before shoving them back in my pocket and hope he doesn’t notice the tie askew, and that Ben didn’t leave any marks anywhere. “How come you’re here?”
Evans rummages through his things and pulls out a bottle of body wash. “I ran out on the road and want to keep the streak alive. You know…player superstitions and all that.”
His gaze drops to my throat before returning to mine. His icy stare sets my heart racing with panic, but I simply nod before turning to leave.
“Right. I’ll be going. See you Monday.”
I exit the locker room, heart nearly beating out of my body at what just happened. What if Evans had walked in first and seenus? Maybe Landon is right, and I should look into the team dating thing before this blows up.
After picking up my suitcase from the stand near the parking area, I wave at a few guys still lingering and slip into my car. My phone pings with a text from Landon.
