Page 52 of The Wingman

“Girls talk, bro.”

We slap our sticks on the ice and fight for the puck. “Yeah, so I went to her place. What’s the big deal?”

“Nothing. Glad to see you getting out.” He steals the puck and shoots it. It pings off the net and I go after it, but Kane is faster, getting to it first. “You two getting serious?”

“No,” I say quickly.

“Good, because Alek,” he says, nodding to the net, “saw us out at karaoke. He was wondering who she was.”

Anger bubbles up inside of me. But Kane is watching me closely, so I tamp it down. “Oh yeah. She’s not his normal type.” I laugh, but it’s edgy. “He’s called the Puck Charmer for a reason, and it’s not because he stops all the biscuits from going in the net.” Alek might be the biggest player on the team, but I like him, I really do, but goddammit, now I want to wrap my hands around his neck and squeeze.

“Yeah, he likes the bunnies, but—”

“But nothing. I’m not letting a guy like that around Jules.”

“So you like her then?”

Fuck.

“Of course I like her. We’re friends, and I’m not about to let her get mixed up with a guy who only wants her for sex.”

“Um, how is that any different than the relationship you have with her?”

“We’re friends, Kane. I just said that. Do I need to talk slower, use smaller words?” I shoot back, ribbons of anger wrapping around my chest and suffocating me.

Kane throws his hands up, and skates back a few inches. “Whoa, bro. Just a question.”

“I’m sorry,” I say. Shit, why am I acting like a possessive prick? This is my bro, and doesn’t deserve shit from me. “I think maybe I didn’t get enough sleep last night.”

“It’s okay. Come on. Let’s go practice.”

I follow him to center ice, my thoughts racing. Honestly, if Jules wants to go out with Alek, who am I to stop her? I can’t give her more, not that she’s asking, and while Alek might be a player, lots of guys on the team were before they met the right woman. Jules is definitely the kind of nice girl any guy would change for. Who knows, maybe the two will find true love. I mean, I want that for her. I wouldn’t want to come between her and happiness. If that means standing back while she dates Alek, well then…

Fuck me.

We spend the next couple hours doing drills, and I’m not sure why, or maybe I am, but every chance I get to shoot the puck at Alek—harder than necessary in a practice—I take it. Soon enough he’s looking at me like he can’t understand what the fuck is wrong with me.

Once practice is over, we make our way to the locker room and Coach follows us in. He’s casting me curious glances, but I avoid him. I change, and head out before he can call me on my shit. We have a game in three days and I need to get my shit together.

As I drive home, my cell rings and I hate how much I hope it’s Jules. I check the phone, and it’s Jaclyn, asking if I can stop over and watch the kids for an hour while she goes to yoga. Since Caleb isn’t home yet, and Lord knows the woman can use a break, I turn my vehicle around. Odd though, she usually calls Kane first. Then again, maybe he’s hooking up with Lindsay this afternoon. Which reminds me, I need to call her and give her directions to my place so she can bring Kane there Saturday night for his surprise party.

Shit, earlier Kane said the two women talk, hell they’re best friends, so they likely share everything, which means Jules would know about the surprise party. I should invite her because we’re friends, but what would the guys think? I never take a woman to any of the parties or events. I actually usually pick them up there if I’m looking for a hook-up. Would Jules want an invitation, or not? I mean, she doesn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea any more than I do. She straight up told me that.

I drive along Jaclyn’s street slowly. Numerous kids are running around like they’re hyped up on energy drinks. Mothers chase their kids as fathers kick back in their lawn chairs and tend to the ones running through the sprinklers on this unusually hot spring day.

I creep down the road and pull into Jaclyn’s driveway. She’s already at the door waiting for me, and gives me a grateful hug when I enter.

“Thank you,” she says. “The kids are all lotioned and they’re excited to go to the park.”

“Go,” I say and give her a nudge.

“Are you sure you’re okay taking care of them alone?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I think.”

“I would have called Mom and Dad, but Kane…”

She lets her voice fall off.

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