Page 97 of One More Secret

I’m having so much fun.

Troy high-fives his teammates, giving them each a goofy handshake I can’t describe let alone replicate.

The kids on his team say good-bye to a boy with ginger hair who has to leave because his family is going out of town.

Troy talks to the boy for a moment. It’s obvious the kids adore Troy, and he’s so great with them.

He tosses a grin my way, and the look he gives me almost heats me up. Not that I’m about to admit that to anyone.

Carrying the extra hockey stick, Troy walks over to the five of us on the sidewalk. “You’re up, Smithson.” He holds the stick out to me, a challenge in his eyes.

My stomach plummets to the road. “Me?” The word comes out on a squeak. “I don’t know anything about hockey.” Or any sports. As a kid, I was usually the last one in gym to be picked to play on a team.

“All you have to do is get the puck into the goal Lucas is guarding. Pass it to the kids on your team as much as possible. They’ll do the rest.” He flashes me those smoldering eyes that would get even a nun to do his bidding. Warmth flutters in my belly.

“But I won’t be very good. I don’t want to let the kids down.” I glance at said kids who are jumping around from side to side and watching our exchange.

“You won’t let them down. They’re here to play street hockey and have fun. They don’t care if they win or lose. They save that for the ice. When it counts.” He holds out the hockey stick to me again and gives me an extra dose of eye-smolder.

He really isn’t playing fair.

“What about Bailey?” As it is, she’s been eyeing the ball, wanting to chase after it.

“She can stay with Jasper and me.” Simone reaches for Bailey’s leash in my hand, maiming my lame excuse.

I let her have the leash and take the stick from Troy, my movement hesitant.It’s going to be fine. He’s competitive, but he won’t turn into an ogre if he doesn’t win.

Except, it’s not Troy’s team I’m playing on. I’m subbing on Kellan’s and Garrett’s team.

Kellan gives me a few pointers, and I attempt to absorb everything he tells me.

“I’ve never played hockey,” I warn him.

“That’s okay,” he says, not giving away what he’s thinking. The standard response I usually expect from him. “This isn’t the Stanley Cup playoffs. Have fun. That’s all that matters.”

We get into position, and the game begins. I don’t chase after the ball. I try to keep open so my teammates can pass to me.

Troy moves in front of me, blocking me from the ball.

My teammate knocks it my direction. Not the greatest idea. Troy’s arms are longer than mine, so I duck past him with the goal of intercepting the tennis ball.

His arm loops around my waist from behind, and he pulls me against him.

A surprised giggle jerks loose from me, and I try to squirm out of his grasp. I’m pretty sure that’s not allowed. I haven’t seen anyone else hug a player to keep them from getting the ball.

“Cheat!” Emily calls out, laughing. “Penalty on Troy for holding. You’re off to the sin bin.”

I have no idea what the sin bin is, but just the use of word sin is enough to jar another giggle from me.

Autumn sweeps in and steals the ball before either of us can get to it. She runs toward Garrett and scores once more. I cheer—because, damn, that shot was impressive.

Troy chuckles. “You do realize that she’s on my team, not yours?”

I flash him a grin over my shoulder. “I believe in cheering for all the kids, even if they’re on your team.”

An ache twinges in my chest. Does Amelia like sports? Her adoptive father wasn’t into team sports, but he does like keeping in shape from what I remember from the last time I saw him.

We continue playing hockey for a while longer. I don’t get any goals…not even close. Lucas doesn’t even have to make an attempt to stop the ball I send his way. It flies far left of the goal.

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