EliseI’m used to the constant feeling of needing to throw up while watching a hockey game. That’s nothing new. My brother, the team’s star goalie, has always been calm under the pressure, but I joke with him that’s only because I’m nervous enough for the both of us. Still, I wouldn’t miss this game for all the money in the world—queasy stomach
aside.
My chest tightens as I lean forward in my third row seat, watching the action on the ice unfold. The guys have only been playing for a couple of minutes now, and as nice as it is watching Owen play, my eyes are on someone else tonight.
Justin Brady. Number thirty-six. And my own
personal walking, and skating, fantasy come to life. God, he’s perfection.
He and I both had a busy week, and haven’t spent any time alone together since I snuck out of his apartment in the middle of the night after the banquet, but that doesn’t mean he’s been far from my thoughts. I’ve been able to think of little else. We’ve also texted every night. And the last few nights, our texting has been kicking up a notch, turning naughty and sexy.
Our nightly messages are something I now look forward to. He’s funny. And sweet. But of course, I’m still on guard. I know with certainty that I can’t fall for him. This is just for fun. As long as I re- member that, I’ll be fine.
Watching him skate and move almost defies logic. He’s so quick and agile, but so aggressive at the same time. It’s kind of a turn on if I’m being honest. His broad shoulders twist as he angles his body away from the opposing player charging at him, managing to stay upright in the process.
“You want anything?” Becca asks from beside me. “I’m going to get some food from the conces- sions. I’m starving.”
I shake my head, eyes still out on the action.
“I’ll wait until intermission.” There’s no way I want to miss a single moment of this game.
She chuckles at me as she rises to her feet. “I’ll bring you back a pretzel.”
Eyes still on the ice, I grin. She knows me well. “Perfect.” The number of times I’ve eaten a soft pretzel for dinner is insurmountable. It’s a carb bomb, but whatever, it’s freaking delicious and a girl’s gotta eat.
There’s a lull in the action and the sound of up- beat music blasts through the arena. I realize the song is Macklemore’s “Can’t Hold Us” and I start nodding my head along to the rhythm. Justin looks up at that exact moment and meets my eyes, grin- ning at me.
I chuckle and shake my head.
What? I mouth to him. It’s a great song.
He no longer has a black eye and he looks so damn good on the ice. His discipline over the off- season has paid off tremendously. The dude is in perfect shape. He simply grins at me once more before skating away to rejoin the pack of players.
Play resumes on the ice as Becca slides back into the seat beside me. I accept the warm pretzel
and the stack of napkins she hands me. But then Justin takes a shot and scores, and I’m on my feet, cheering loudly. By the time I remember to take a bite of the pretzel in my hand, it’s gone cold.
The guys win the game two to one, and after, Becca and I wait for them to shower and change before we all head out to the nearby bar. Their sea- son is off to an amazing start, and even Becca is in a great mood.
“One drink,” I hear her saying beside me as I watch for them.
“That’s fine with me.”
Owen emerges first. His hair is damp from the shower, and he’s dressed in a charcoal gray suit with a black shirt beneath. A huge grin is painted across his features and his blue-gray eyes sparkle with happiness.
Justin is right behind him and the second his gaze meets mine, I fill with nerves. Dear God. This hulking six-foot two of a man who’s so bulky and muscled is headed straight toward me. He thrusts a hand through his freshly styled hair and I have to force my eyes away. The perfectly tailored suit he’s wearing leaves very little to the imagination, as his powerful thighs carry him toward me, my eyes are
drawn briefly to the bulge behind his zipper that hints at an exquisite package. I can barely stop my mouth from watering. My gaze wanders up and I note the way his white button down is open at the collar and the way the navy jacket really brings out his eyes. He looks so hot, but humping him in front of my brother is not an option I can entertain.
When they get closer, Owen lifts Becca into his arms, spinning them both around. She giggles and slaps his shoulder. “Put me down, you big idiot.”
He smirks. “We’re on fire. Did you see that save I had in the third?”
She nods, and pats his head, looking at Owen warmly. “You did good.”
My brother chuckles, watching her with a soft expression.
Becca and I have been friends for four years, and she and Owen have grown close during that time too. It’s been pretty much inevitable since we all spend so much time together.
“Nice goal,” I say to Justin as we stroll side by side toward the back exit of the arena.
“Thank you,” he says casually, lips twitching with a smile.
We pass by a group of female fans who are not at all dressed for the chilly temperatures inside the rink, and I grin as they shoot Becca and me dirty looks. Yes, we’re the ones leaving with the guys but we’re the furthest thing from puck bunnies you could ever get. Neither of us has ever dated a hockey player. And we probably never will. Becca, because she works here and doesn’t want to com- plicate her work and personal life, and me because of my brother’s role on the team.
Once at the bar, we find an empty table and place our order with the server. The guys are al- ways starving after a game and so they order food along with our drinks. Soon Becca and Owen are enthralled in a story about the game, and I listen on while trying not to be distracted by how handsome Justin looks sitting there nursing his beer.
“I’m happy you broke up with Andy,” Owen says out of the blue.
“Thanks?” I say. I don’t bother pointing out that Andy was the one who broke up with me.
“Yeah, I just think you should stay single. You’re young.” Owen takes another sip of his beer.
“I could not agree more.” Becca nods. Her aversion to relationships is well-known.
Justin stays quiet, and I’m not sure what to think.
“I’m not looking for anything serious, but I wouldn’t mind a fling,” I say, looking directly at Justin. He doesn’t react in any way, and a weird tingling in my stomach makes me feel a little uneasy.