Page 64 of Behind the Net

You can talk to me about that stuff anytime,I tell her, like I’m her fucking boyfriend or something. My chest clenches at that thought.

An ugly image wanders into my head. I picture Pippa and me sitting on the couch in the apartment, her talking about her sex problems with a guy she’s seeing. Rage whips through me. I fuckinghatethat image.

I’m going to go to sleep now,she texts.Good night, Jamie.

Good night, Pippa.

Long after her last message, I stare at my phone, scrolling through our conversation.

Zach couldn’t make her come, and I want to so badly. Not just because of my competitive nature, but because Pippa’s lovely, and she deserves everything good. I could see the anguish all over her face when she told me about it. It upsets her.

I need to fix this for her. I need to take care of her.

I bury my head in my hands. There are a million good reasons to forget she ever told me those things. She works for me, and I trust her in my home, with my dog, and with my mom. I like her, and I don’t want to screw things up for her the way I did with Erin. And I know from last year, my mom needs me to keep an eye on her, even if she isn’t ready to admit it.

“Streicher, when I said you should spend more time with the team,” Ward says with a crooked smile, gesturing to me on my phone, “this isn’t what I had in mind.”

I glance around the table. Everyone is in conversation, talking and drinking and laughing, but my head is back in Vancouver with the woman I’m supposed to keep my distance from.

I slip my phone back into my pocket, and Owens orders me another beer.

* * *

It’s late when I get back to my room. I’m clumsy, fumbling with my key to open the door. After I put my phone away, Owens had us all laughing at stories from his summer trip to Europe. He reminds me of how Miller used to be before he turned into a jackass. Ward even told us a bit about his pre-injury days when he played for Toronto.

The entire time, though, my mind lingered on Pippa’s problem.

I yank my shirt and pants off and flop down onto my bed, pulling out my phone and skimming through my conversation with Pippa again.

It’s only a matter of time before she admits it to another guy and he wants to help her out, too.

My head falls back onto the pillow and I let out a low groan. The thought of sharing her makes my jaw clench. I like Pippa, and not just because I want to fuck her. I like talking to her, I like hanging out with her, and I like living with her. She makes those cupcakes for me. She’s funny, sweet, and beautiful.

We’re friends, I think. I don’t want her to bake cupcakes for another guy, or sing in the shower while he listens outside the door.

My head spins, and I realize I’m drunk. I haven’t been drunk in years.

I let my mind wander back to Pippa, and an idea trickles through my sluggish thoughts. On my phone, I search for a sex toy I’ve heard about. My pulse beats in my ears and I’m rock hard as I put the toy in my cart, address it to Pippa at the apartment, and pay for it.

CHAPTER31

JAMIE

Three days later,I’m sitting on the private plane with the rest of the team, waiting for take-off, when I send Pippa a note that I’m on my way.

Daisy’s looking forward to it!she responds, and I smile at my phone. We’ve been texting during my entire trip, sending each other photos throughout our days. I catch myself studying her photos, memorizing them, and looking forward to the next one.

An email notification pops up on my screen.Shipment out for delivery.

My eyes narrow, because I don’t remember ordering something to the apartment. Pippa usually handles that stuff on the credit card I gave her.

Good news! Your purchase is out for delivery and should arrive later today.

(1) Satisfyer - personal toy with clitoral suction for her toe-curling pleasure!

My heart stops.

I fucking forgot.

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