Page 18 of Dirty Groom (Slayers Hockey 7)

For now.

The flutter in my belly says,but still.

Another point and a win later, and Misty’s pulling me down through the curved concrete corridor, the passes hanging around our necks getting us waved through checkpoints until we’re waiting with a crowd outside the locker room.

“Noel asked me to meet him here before we go home.” Misty’s practically vibrating she’s so wound up.

For me, it’s not quite the same. Sure, I’d like to see Liam. Tell him I thought he was amazing out there. But I don’t want him to think I’m not sticking to our agreement or that I’m trying to find a way to worm my way into his life.

But I am curious about Noel.

Yes, he seems like a nice guy. He stayed Christmas day to meet our parents, whom he had the good sense not to tell he was already in love with Misty. They adored him. And when he left that night, Misty dragged me into her old bedroom and, falling back across the floral bedspread, told me he was the one.

Like, for real. She’d fallen in love with this stranger in a single day.

And when I opened my mouth to issue all the warnings only someone who’d been burned and betrayed the way I had could— things like she should be careful. Like it was too soon. Like Liam told me Noel is a flirt, that he’s not the serious type. Like maybe she should take it slow —she pressed her fingers to my mouth and shook her head.

“Let me have this.”

All I could do was nod.

I’ll let her have it. For as long as it lasts, I’ll be by her side. And if this impulsive, over-the-top guy turns out to be not as steadfast as she thinks and their insta-love burns out as fast as it began… I’ll be there then too.

A short time later, Noel emerges from the locker room, and, yeah, that smile breaking across his face when he sees Misty is pretty compelling. Like maybe he even believes everything he’s saying. For now.

“There she is,” he booms, cutting through the crowd in shorts, sandals, and the shirt he wore under his pads. He’s dripping sweat, his smile wide.

Misty’s not even trying to play it cool, but then neither is he. And I have to admit, they’re kind of cute. After congratulating him on the game, I take a couple steps back to give them a minute.

There are a handful of players talking to reporters. Liam’s not one of them, but when I peek through the open locker-room door, I catch a glimpse of his retreating back.

He’s not coming out. Not that I was hoping he would. I wasn’t wondering what he’d look like up close with all his pads and gear on. If he’d have a smile for me. I wasn’t. Nope.

My sister dating his teammate doesn’t mean we’re suddenly going to be hanging out.

We won’t.

It’s better that way.

That’s what I tell myself even as that inexplicable hollow yawns open in the pit of my stomach.

After a parting that looks like it’s going to kill her, Misty bounces over to me and loops her arm through mine. “Ready?”

“What’s the plan? Are we heading home, or do you want me to wait until he’s ready and you’ll go home with him?”

“Neither.” She grins, batting her eyes at me the way she does when shereallywants something. “We’re going to the Five Hole for drinks.”

* * *

Liam

She’s here.

The one place I was positive I’d never actually see her.

It took everything I had to keep my head in the game and not on the woman in seats that weren’t mine. But now? I just caught sight of her through the doorway to the main corridor and nearly tripped over O’Brien when I realized that’s not my fucking number on her jersey.

Fortunately, the press doesn’t give a shit about me— not personable enough, according to my agent, who’s constantly trying to change that —and I’m able to cut through the crowd and get back to the showers without getting caught.

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