Page 23 of Shiver
It’s not like I have any expectations. No ideas. We rarely talk hockey other than my career. I know he enjoys hockey since I’ve seen it on his television more than once when I’ve shown up early for studying.
Probably a beer, I tell myself. Or… more food. He knows I like to eat. That’s what it’ll be. Nothing to get worked up over. Nothing to have my fucking heart racing like I’m about to get laid for the first time, either.
Refusing to look at my phone, I strip off the sweat-soaked pads and then compression garments before grabbing a towel and heading for the shower. With my eyes closed, I mindlessly wash myself with my face turned up into the spray.
“Coming to dinner, Wolf?” Jipson asks.
I wipe my hands across my face and nod. “Yeah.”
“Really?”
There’s skepticism in his voice. I raise a brow over my shoulder. “Yes. Why?”
He shakes his head. “No reason.” I watch as he heads out of the showers, towel wrapped around his waist and long hair dripping around him.
Turning off the water, I grab my towel and follow him with a frown. He’s dressing, recounting moments of the game with Valenti and Johnson. He glances at me as I walk by. There’s nothing hostile or otherwise weird in his look. He’s not overly quick to look away, nor does it linger.
I turn my attention to drying off and dressing back in my game day suit. Whoever thought it was necessary for hockey players to come and go from the arena on game day in a suit clearly never played the game. The last thing we really want is to be stuffed back into tight clothing with very little give.
Haines is at my side as I stand, pocketing my phone with the still unanswered text from Rakesh. I spied a couple other notifications, too. One from Temca, which I ignored outright, and another from my mother. Also ignored. Hell, I ignore them all.
Actually, I read Rake’s. Many times. I just didn’t respond.
Haines is still talking hockey when we’re heading to the dorms. I drop my bag in my room, contemplating changing. Yep, I’m gonna do it. Don’t even care. I’m still hopping on one foot as I try to kick my pants free when Haines opens my door. He bursts out laughing.
“I think you’re in the wrong sport,” he says.
When they come loose, I chuck them at him. He snatches them in midair, turning his attention to my room and tossing them on my bed. He hovers near my door as I dig for some sweatpants.
“You okay?” I ask.
He nods, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Yep. Just hungry. And you’re being slow.”
“I have no desire to walk around in a suit any longer than I have to.” It doesn’t take me long to change. When I’m slipping into my sneakers, he finally looks at me. “I hear there was an agent here tonight.”
His grin is wide. “Yep.”
“Did you talk with him?”
Haines shakes his head. “I’m really hoping that Rigo Veyenna takes an interest in me.”
“Of Pride Sports?” I ask, cocking a brow. Because I’m looking at him, I don’t miss the way his skin flushes slightly.
“Yeah. He represents my favorite player and… uh, I don’t know. I just like the vibe of the company.” His voice is low. Though Caulder Haines isn’t an overly arrogant man, the wavering of confidence in his voice says he’s not saying something.
I grab my keys, wallet, and phone on my way towards him. “Cool. Who’s your favorite?”
“Elixen Kipler? He’s with the Storms right now, but I think there’s a rumor about a trade coming up. He’d be really great with a team that can get their shit together.”
He’s not wrong. San Jose needs a bit of help. Maybe a complete rehaul from the ground up.
“Yeah, I’ve seen him. He skates rings around his own team. He’s kind of got an attitude,” I say. “Always yelling at his teammates.”
“Can you blame him? They’reneverwhere they should or are supposed to be!”
I laugh and clap his back as we step out into the cool night.
“I’m surprised you know who he is.”
