Page 23 of Breaking the Ice (Denver Stampede #6)

DANI

“ H ey, so glad you could join us,” Josie said when I entered the family suite just before the second period started.

“Figured now was a good time since Gabe’s at the other end of the ice for the next twenty.” Even though Josie was in on the ruse, I figured that explanation fed well into our fake dating.

“You love watching him play, don’t you? He’s pretty great in net.

And now that I know the Malcolm Albans is your father, even if we don’t like him for whatever reasons you’re not ready to share yet, can I at least tease you about having a goalie type?

” I didn’t love the reminder about the similarities with Gabe and my father, but I appreciated Josie fully supporting our ruse.

“Wow, going right for it. Can I at least get a drink first?” I said with a chuckle.

Josie looked slightly chagrined.

“Sorry. I can’t resist,” she said.

“And I didn’t even know he was a goalie when I asked him to kiss me,” I pointed out.

Josie snickered. “That makes it even better. Like you knew he was your type subconsciously.”

I didn’t even want to try and unpack that, but at least she wasn’t prying for more information about my father, and I kind of loved that she was clearly ready to hate him on my word.

“Stop stirring up shit, Josie. Can we not annoy her from the start? We need to build up to that,” Harper said with a grin. “Great to see you, Dani. Come in and enjoy the feast and conversation while we lust over our men on the ice.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. She wasn’t wrong.

I’d spent way too much time during warm-ups and the first period practically salivating over Gabe.

To be fair, he knew exactly what he was doing with those pre-game stretches.

Fucking hell, he was so bendy. And as soon as he hit the ice for the start of the game, I was in trouble.

I couldn’t stop watching him. Every time he tapped his goal posts or whispered something to them, I smiled.

And the moments he turned to flirt with me or give me a goofy smirk during the TV timeouts should not have been as endearing as they were.

He was cheesy as hell, which would normally turn me right off, but it was different with him.

And as silly as he could be, the man was beautiful to watch in in the crease.

He’d stopped every shot on goal, leaving Montreal off the scoreboard for the first twenty.

The Stampede had one goal, so it wasn’t like they were blowing Montreal away, but hopefully they’d pull out the win tonight.

I wanted that for Gabe, and for my father.

I knew he was in the building. He’d texted me again today to ask about meeting for an early dinner or drinks after, but I’d ignored the first two texts and then told him I was too busy after his third one. And I still hadn’t told Mal that our father had reached out to me. What was the point?

Fuck, I hated him, but I refused to let his presence sour tonight.

“I’m all for lusting. Have you seen Micah?” Josie said, grabbing my attention.

Yes, I would not let my father ruin my night.

“He’s alright,” Harper said. “Con is way cuter. Dani gets it, right? The nice, sweet-looking boys are better.” Then she winked at me.

I smiled. “I guess.”

“So, how is all of that going?” Josie asked. “Falling in love with our Tucks yet?”

“What?” I squeaked out. “Umm, no.” I glanced around the room to see if anyone else was paying attention to us and spotted Cora in one corner.

When she looked up and waved, I happily returned it, hoping she would come rescue me from these two.

I knew they meant well, and teasing was clearly very on brand for them, but I didn’t want to think about what the hell I was feeling for Gabe.

We were two weeks in and it already was messy.

This was supposed to be easy and simple, but I wanted that man more than I should have. Maybe he’d be up for just some no-strings fun.

That would probably just be another disaster but try explaining that to my body.

“Fine, fine. But when you do realize how awesome you two would really be together, you better tell me I was right,” Josie boasted.

“Yeah, I’ll get right on that,” I replied.

“I still can’t believe that the guy you randomly asked to kiss you was another goalie. What are the freaking odds?” Harper said, laughing. At least she’d kept her voice low. I really didn’t want anyone else to find out the truth.

“No kidding. My therapist had a field day with that already.”

“Oh man, I can only imagine. And speaking of goalies, your man is looking on fire tonight. That save at the end of the first was fucking sweet,” Harper said.

“Right. And don’t tell Micahtron that I said this, but Tucks was totally the reason Montreal didn’t score on their power play off Fishy’s stupid penalty. Tucks stood on his head for those two minutes,” Josie said.

I was grateful how quickly they moved along, especially Harper since she was clearly a huge fan of my father.

“He did look pretty impressive out there,” I said.

Harper quirked a brow. “And the way he can’t stop looking over at you and flirting with you is pretty cute, too.”

“No, really. He’s just helping me out.”

“Even from here, we can see that he looks pretty smitten.”

“It’s just an act.”

“Oh, hey, Dani. Glad you could make it up here,” Ally interrupted, an adorable baby in her arms. The kid was decked out in Stampede gear and matching headphones and staring at me with wide eyes.

“Ally, hi. Oh, she’s adorable.” I was grateful for the distraction. I didn’t need to share my true feelings—or inkling of feelings—with Harper and Josie. They’d take them and run with it, and I was not prepared to expose the mess in my brain.

Ally beamed. “We like to think so. But right now she’s refusing to go to sleep because Daddy’s on the ice, so we’re going through a bit of a sleep regression.”

“I’ve heard those can be brutal.”

“The worst. She’s almost eleven months, so shouldn’t the nine-month regression be done by now?” Ally bemoaned.

“But she’s such a cute little nonsleeper,” Cora said, stepping up next to Ally. “Want me to take her?”

“Yes, please.” Ally handed off the little girl.

“You snuggle right up with Auntie Cora, and I’ll tell you all about the book I’m writing while Mom gets a drink.”

“Wait, which book?” Ally asked, quirking her brow.

Cora chuckled. “Not one that Josie would draw pictures for. Come on, you guys.”

Ally smirked. “As long as it’s a bunny book and not one where they bang like bunnies. You know, it’s very fitting that those are your two options, Cora.”

“What?” I asked.

“Cora writes kid’s books, but she just published her first spicy historical this summer, and it is not for innocent ears,” Harper said, a twinkle in her eyes. “It’s very good.”

“Yeah, we read it for our book club a few months ago,” Ally added.

“And I think I’m still traumatized.” Cora shook her head. “It’s weird when your friends read spicy books that you’ve written.”

I chuckled. “I can’t even imagine. So, are you still writing both types?”

She shrugged. “For now. I’m not ready to stop writing books for kids, but it’s fun writing romance.”

Harper nudged my shoulder. “She just likes making Tally be her research partner.”

Cora grinned. “That’s a definite perk.”

“I hear that. Micah is an excellent research partner when I’m sketching,” Josie chimed in.

I wasn’t a big romance reader, but doing research with a hot boyfriend was probably fun. I could imagine Gabe helping me out if I was in that situation. The man was very helpful.

Shit. My cheeks were warming. These women would know exactly what I was thinking about and tease me endlessly if they caught me blushing.

“Con enjoyed it, too,” Harper said.

Cora wrinkled her nose. “Don’t tell me that.”

Josie burst out laughing. “You know the boys read it, right?”

“I know. It’s just weird to actually think about.”

“So you aren’t imagining that the boys are getting tips about how to please us from your books?” How Harper managed to look devious and innocent at the same time was a feat.

“Oh my god, please stop,” Cora gasped. She turned her face into Livi’s. “Why must they torment me so? It’s not very nice.”

Livi stared back with her wide, beautiful eyes, her little lips in a smile. She really was adorable.

“Did your brother read it?” Josie asked.

Cora’s mouth dropped open while the others laughed around her. “Okay, we are not friends anymore.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. I already knew I’d miss these women when Gabe and I were done with our ruse. And I hated that I was sad at the thought.

“Oh look, the next period is starting,” I said as the lights dimmed. “Anyone need a drink?”

Cora moved in close to me and shot the other women a mock glare. “Dani’s the nicest. I’m so glad Tucks found such an amazing partner.”

The other three just chuckled, and Josie sent me a wink. I kind of felt bad that Cora didn’t know the truth, but the more people we told, the faster our scheme would fall apart.

TUCKS

I skated from one side to the other in my crease while everyone was at the other end of the ice.

We had three minutes left in the third period, and the game had been tight since the middle of the second when Montreal had tied it up.

We were still at one a piece, but I wanted this game over in regulation.

I tapped my stick against each post, my gaze traveling across the ice, then to the Jumbotron to get a better view of the action.

Tally and Santa had both taken shots on Montreal’s net, but they’d been blocked.

Their goalie was a brick wall, but so was I, and tonight I’d had an extra incentive, knowing that Dani was watching.

If we pulled out a win, maybe I could convince her that she was a good luck charm. I quickly twisted my body and spotted her behind my net. She’d disappeared during the second period when I’d been on the opposite side of the ice, and I told myself it was because I wasn’t in front of her.

Which was ridiculous, but it was what I was going with.