Page 29 of Choosing Their Omega

“Another family?”

Cruz nods. “New players are sent to room with established players, older ones, usually ones who have families. It helps keep the new players from making bad decisions. You know how it is when you’re young. You want to party, you’re popular, and have more money than you ever dreamed of.” He shrugs. “It gets to people’s heads.”

“I can’t imagine, honestly. Especially since you’re all younger than I thought you were when I first saw you all on the ice. So if it was five years ago…”

“We were all young, yes.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility.”

Cruz comes over and stands next to me, leaning casually against the counter. His eyes are piercing and breathtaking. I can’t stop staring up into them. “It is. But that’s why you have your teammates.”

“And now you’re captain.”

“I am. It’s my job to take care of everyone. Guide them. A captain, a good one, isn’t only a captain on the ice or in the locker room. He’s a captain every other place too.” A small, proud smile slides across his face. “Especially this year. We have a real shot at the playoffs. And I’ll do whatever it takes, no matter what, to get us there.”

“So determined and competitive.”

Cruz gives me a grin like quicksilver. “Aren’t you?”

“Not as much as you guys. I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m not a professional hockey player.”

Cruz tips his head in acknowledgment. “I was already pretty competitive before that, though. Virtue of growing up with a lot of siblings.”

“Ah. I was an only child.” I don’t want to dwell on my own sad past, though. “Tell me about your siblings.”

“Oh god, are you sure you wanna hear about that? They’re hellions, all of ’em. Absolute terrors.”

“I’d love to, actually.”

“Well, there’s my sister…”

Cruz’s phone goes off and he pulls it out of his pocket, looking down.

“Teammate?”

He nods, pocketing his phone. “In some ways it never ends.”

“It really is a huge part of your life.”

“It is. I don’t know if… most people understand that. We breathe it, you know? Partially from the schedule and partially from that’s what it demands from us. That level of intensity.”

He sounds almost tentative. Like I might be one of those people who doesn’t understand.

“I find it admirable, how much you all care, and dedicate to your team,” I tell him honestly. “And you still find time for Ben and for each other. It’s wonderful.”

Cruz’s shoulders slump in relief, and an idea occurs to me.

“Hey, why don’t I bring Ben to one of your games? I know that it might be too much for him so feel free to say no, but…”

“That’s a great idea.” Cruz smiles. “We can get you rinkside seats to the game tonight.”

I grin back at him, excitement flooding me. I want to see the men play on the ice again. It was exhilarating to watch them the first time, and now that I know them, I think it’ll be even more fun.

“I’d love that.”

Cruz looks down at me, his eyes dark and intense. “Good. Maybe you can wear a jersey this time.”

“Wouldn’t that make me just another puck bunny?” I point out, teasing him.

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