Page 2 of Rules We Break

“List four players on your team.”

“Davis, King, Leduc, Thompson.” I rattle them off and do my best not to roll my eyes.

I must do a shit job of it because he lifts a pale brow in disappointment. “Alright, I think you’re good. Do me a favor and don’t hit it again for a few games.”

“Sure thing coach.” I mean I always try not to hit my head. It’s not like it’s intentional.

He makes an unimpressed sound and checks out my shoulder. “You’ll be bruised, but nothing’s broken.”

“Already knew that.” I wasn’t kidding when I told River I’ve had worse. An injury like this is standard enough that, after the initial shock wore off, I knew I’d be fine.

The doc stands, packs up his stuff, then leaves me alone in the locker room. The walls are covered by green painted lockers, and polished wood benches. All things considered, it’s one of the better changing rooms I’ve been in. There’s a large screen on the far wall, playing the game. I watch as Lucas passes the puck from the D-zone up to where River’s waiting for it right before the blue line. Detroit didn’t stand a chance, and they’re stuck trying to catch up as River tears down the rink heading to the undefended goalie.

I can practically see River’s smile from here as the puck slides between the goalie’s pads. His once scarce smiles have become his regular go to. I’m sure I can speak for Mia when I say he knows how to use them. He’s had us both tied up, literally and figuratively, begging for more with a simple hint of a grin. Not that I’m complaining.

The crowd’s silent as they shuffle out, but my guys are cheering as they make their way down the tunnel to the locker room. Lucas is first through the door, smiling wide. “Fuck yes, buddy!”

I nod at him. It was a solid assist, but I’m not inflating his ego anymore. Piper does that enough for the both of us.

“Move.” River’s low timber cuts through the room, and Lucas practically jumps out of the way. His normally smart-ass quips caught on his tongue.

River rips off his helmet and doesn’t stop until he’s directly in front of me. “You clear?”

“Yeah, all good.”

“Good.” He leans down and crashes his lips to mine. The room goes blank as I open for him, the soft edge of his tongue rolling over mine. I moan, lifting forward to take more of the kiss, searching for everything he can give me, not giving a single shit who sees.

“Get a fucking room.” Someone yells from the lockers across the room. Unsurprisingly, the guys took the news that we're dating well, but that doesn’t stop them from giving us shit whenever they can.

River breaks the kiss, and nips my bottom lip before pulling away. “I plan on it.”

Coach claps, drawing our attention. “Alright, alright. Settle down. You all played an excellent game tonight. As you know, we’ve spent entirely too long without a captain and tonight I think he proved himself.”

My stomach clenches and my gut twists. I’d wanted the captaincy since college, but back then it went to Lucas instead. I kept my shit together then, but I’m so close now. I can’t help but glance over at River. He’s already smiling at me, and it’s not until Lucas shakes my shoulder that I register the guys cheering.

“Congrats, Cap. You’re going to do great.”

If it wouldn’t kill him, I swear coach would be rolling his eyes right now. I never once said I didn’t get distracted.

“Speech!” The guys start yelling, and I stand.

“Okay, okay, settle down. You’ve all played well this year, but I’m going to expect the best from each of you. Now, suck it up for next practice.” I give them a playful smile. “Hell, we all know I was destined for this.”

My words are met with jeering and followed by more congratulations. We spend an extra twenty minutes longer than usual before we get into the showers.

I tip my head back letting the warm spray wash over my hair, and cascade over my sore shoulder. The showers here are pretty standard. White tiled walls separating each stall, bench for my stuff, and a floor length curtain blocking off the entry. Prior to joining the NHL I thought everything would be top of the line luxury. Turns out I was one hundred percent wrong on that.

Eyes closed, I rotate my arm, and do my best to ignore the tightness as I loosen the joint. I push through the pain, knowing the worst thing I can do now is let it stiffen.

I barely register the sound of someone behind me before fingers close around my mouth. “Quiet.”

I jerk only to be pulled against a very solid, very naked chest. I shudder as River murmurs into my ear. “Let me see.”

I check the curtain quickly, but it’s drawn closed. He’s quiet for such a big bastard. River runs his free hand over my shoulder, grazing the sensitive skin until my skin pebbles under his touch. His other hand stays planted firmly over my mouth, catching every sound I make. A shudder runs down my spine, starting where his lips graze my neck and his teeth clamp around the soft lobe of my ear. “Don’t do that again.”

He and I both know it’s a part of the game, but my laugh is cut off by the tender press of his lips against the sorest area of my shoulder. He slowly caresses every single inch of my rapidly bruising skin, careful not to press too hard. I lean my weight against him and drop my head to the side to give him better access. He eagerly licks a path along the skin, swiping up the pooling water in the hollow above my collar bone. He closes the remaining space between us and his cock presses against my ass. I clench my teeth, but nearly lose it when he slides his palm down my chest, along my abs, and grasps the base of my cock in his hard grip.

He doesn’t stroke me, instead he squeezes and lets go, pulsing until my eyes are rolling back and my hips are fighting against his grasp to force him to pump me like I need.

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