Page 73 of Breaking the Pucking Rules (LA Vipers #1)

CASEY

T hey win.

No. They don’t just win. They fucking dominate.

They’re two goals up before the end of the first period, and I’m pretty sure a couple members of the other team spend more time in the box than they do on the ice.

As the game goes on, the hits get more and more brutal. So do the injuries.

Our guys took it like the champs they are. Only Linc ended up being coaxed into a fight. Not surprising, really. It isn’t a Vipers game if Linc doesn’t punch at least one person.

The whole time, Sutton stands beside me, shouting and screaming, cheering her dad and his team on as if the day before hadn’t happened.

Kodie was reluctant to let her come, preferring she stay at home in the quiet, resting.

But she wasn’t having any of it, and in the end, he had to concede.

Despite the brutality of the match, I’m glad he let her.

It’s safe to say that the arena is her happy place.

I’m pretty sure the smile on her face hasn’t slipped since the moment she walked toward me, as if us sitting together now is just how it’s going to be.

I can’t lie. The thought of spending the rest of the season celebrating wins and commiserating losses with this little pocket rocket makes it even more exciting.

It’s late by the time the game ends, and despite Sutton’s argument, Kathleen stands her ground and takes her home. Sutton wants to see her dad. I get it. Hell, I remember it well. But she should have been in bed long ago.

“Wait,” Sutton cries when they’re a few steps away from where Parker and I are still watching as the guys lap up the attention.

Her little feet pound down the row before she crashes into me and throws her arms around my waist.

“Night night, Coach C,” she says.

Reaching out, I smooth my hand over soft hair.

“Night night, number fifty-five.”

She beams up at me as warmth fills my chest.

“See you at practice,” she cries after she releases me and rushes back to her gran. Kathleen gives me a little wave, a soft smile playing on her lips.

“Well, would you look at that,” Parker muses from my side.

“What?”

“You’re stealing all the Rivers’ hearts.” I can’t help but laugh. “Come on, I want a drink with my bestie before she leaves me for a man.”

“I’d never leave you for just any man,” I tease.

She shakes her head. “No, a hockey god,” she muses.

“Still think you’re jealous,” I tease. “You could have one of your own if you wanted, you know.”

“Not interested.”

“Monroe could be fun. He’s got the same amount of energy as a Labrador puppy.”

“Ew, no, thank you. If I’m hooking up with anyone, they at least have to have enough experience to get me off twice at a minimum before they blow.”

“What’s to say he can’t have experience and energy?”

“Is he even old enough to graduate from college?” she deadpans.

“Just about.” Monroe has the pretty boy next door look, but he is older—and who knows, maybe more experienced—than he looks.

“Yeah, thanks but no thanks.”

“Handsy, then? Killer? Oh, you could be a bad, bad girl and take advantage of your brother’s best friend.”

“No, no, and hell no,” she practically shrieks. “Just because you’re happy bouncing on Rivers’ hockey stick, doesn’t mean that I have to follow suit. I’m more than happy with my current situation.”

“First, keep your voice down,” I hiss. We’re surrounded by people who could either tell Dad or, worse, the media. “Secondly, I call bullshit that you’re happy with your current situation with your vibrating boyfriend.”

Parker glares at me. “The fuck did you just say about keeping your voice down?”

I bark out a laugh as we get closer to the family suite.

“Does he offer to clean you up after and wash your hair in the shower?”

“You’re not funny,” she sulks before throwing the door open and marching toward the bar.

We chat and laugh with everyone while waiting for the players to finish.

The team might call themselves a family, but that can also be said for the people up here waiting for them.

I love being surrounded by my Vipers family.

I always have. Despite it just being me and Dad after Mom passed, I was never lonely.

Especially when I was here. The WAGs of Dad’s teammates always ensured that both of us were properly taken care of.

They’d deliver food on almost a daily basis, and whenever Dad was travelling, there was always someone I could turn to if I needed something.

They all rallied together, just like I’ve seen them do numerous times since, and ensured that our family is well looked after. It’s really quite something.

I guess it’s only right that a member of our hockey family has stolen my heart.

As the minutes tick by, my nerves begin to increase.

He’s going to message me when he’s done, and I’m going to slip away, hopefully unnoticed, to the parking garage where I can hop into his car and get our celebration started.

It’s risky, but he was adamant that he wasn’t leaving the arena without me. And who was I to argue?

Pulling my cell from my purse, I check it again.

“He’s not going to forget,” Parker teases.

“I know, I just…” I let out a sigh.

“I love this look on you.”

“What look?”

“The happy, sappy, in-love look. It suits you.”

My first instinct is to argue. But I quickly discover that I can’t force the words past my lips.

She’s right.

I am hopelessly and shamelessly in love with Kodie Rivers.

My cell finally buzzes, and I practically fall off my stool.

“Go, just go,” Parker encourages as I attempt to right myself.

“Oh, I am. Don’t worry.”

“Remember you have work tomorrow. Your legs need to work.”

I roll my eyes. “I’d say the same to you, but we both know your boyfriend will need recharging before that happens.”

“Harsh. I’ll have you know, he has a very good recovery time.”

I’m still chuckling as I walk out of the room and head in the direction of the parking garage.

I pass a couple of third and fourth line players. All of them say hello, but thankfully, no one stops me to talk. Well, not until Linc and Fletch waltz around the corner. Their deep laughter bounces off the green and white walls on either side of us, but it falters the second their eyes land on me.

“Lost, Watson?” Linc asks with a smirk.

“Nope. You seem to be, though. The bunnies are that way,” I say, pointing in the general direction of the arena exit where I’ve no doubt they’ll be lingering in the hope of snagging a player.

“Nah, it’s too soon. The rookies can have first pick. All the best ones are willing to wait until the real men appear.”

Fletch shakes his head, muttering, “I can’t believe I used to be like you.”

“Admit it—you miss it. ”

“I fucking well don’t. Reese is the only girl I need. Speaking of, I’m going to find her.”

“Good game tonight,” I say as he continues forward.

“Thanks, Casey,” he shoots back before disappearing down the hallway.

“So…” Linc starts with a knowing glint in his eye. “You’re sneaking around the arena minutes after a certain player has just walked out of the locker room. A certain player who’s suddenly stopped being a grumpy motherfucker…”

The strength it takes to keep the smile off my face as I stare deadpan into his eyes deserves a fucking medal.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Excuse me.”

I attempt to slip past him as if he isn’t a massive defenseman whose shoulders almost take up the entire hallway.

He chuckles before his fingers wrap around my upper arm, halting my escape.

“Linc,” I complain, attempting and failing to escape his grip.

“I’m so fucking glad you both sorted your shit out. Now, please, from one hockey addict to another, do not break his heart again. The team can’t take it.”

“Linc,” I repeat.

“I fucking mean it, Casey. I’ve never seen him happier than when he was with you, and I’ve never seen him more miserable when he was without you.

We stand a real chance this season, but we need him fully focused and determined.

That means you need to be in the stands as often as possible.

He plays even better when he knows you’re watching. ”

My cheeks heat as I wonder if it’s the promise of what comes after his win that really spurs him on.

“Be good to him, Casey. He’s a great guy who deserves all the love in the world.”

As I stare at Linc, a guy I’ve known almost all my life, I realize that I don’t really know him at all.

Is he…is he jealous?

Not because he wanted me, but of us. Of what we’ve found together.

I shake the thought away before it really lands, because it’s ridiculous. Linc is and always has been a player. He loves it and the attention that comes with it.

“I couldn’t agree more. Now, do you mind moving so I can get to him?”

“Fucking knew it,” he laughs, finally shifting.

“Have a good night,” I call.

“I’m sure it won’t be as enjoyable as yours.”

Spinning around, I smirk at him. “What? Haven’t you heard? You’re Lincoln Storm, a defenseman who loves nothing more than breaking hearts in every state. I’m sure you won’t have any issues securing a wild night.”

His face lights up at my words, but there’s still something I’m not used to lingering in his eyes.

But as I round the corner, I spot the elevator that’ll lead me to the garage, and I forget about anything but the man waiting for me.

The second the doors open at garage level, I’m slipping between them. My sneakers squeak on the concrete floor as my eyes scan the cars for his.

The rumble of an engine hits my ears, and the moment I spin around, I see him sitting behind the wheel of his car, moving toward me.

With my heart in my throat, I run toward him. No sooner has my ass hit the seat do I lean over the console, wrap my hand around the back of his neck, and slam my lips to his.

I kiss him right there and then in the middle of the arena parking garage where anyone could see us. And for the first time, I really don’t give a shit.

Screw the consequences. This right here is more important than anything else in the world right now.

He groans into my mouth, and it sends a fire racing toward my core.

“Need you,” he breathes.

“Then you’d better drive fast,” I say, forcing myself to sit back in my seat.

I look at him with my heart racing and my temperature soaring.

He’s fresh from the shower, his hair still damp, and he smells like sin.

“Kodie,” I whimper when all he does is stare back as if I’m not really sitting here.

“I’m sorry. I just…this is everything. I know it’s selfish, but I want you waiting for me after every home game. Maybe even a few on the road.”

“I’m there,” I agree.

“And no other name or number is ever going to be on your jersey again.”

“Well…we’ll have to see about that,” I tease.

“Casey,” he warns, his voice so deep its vibrations hit me straight between the legs.

“What? You love it when I’m a bad girl.”

“I love it more when I know you’re mine.”

My smile spreads so wide, it hurts my cheeks.

“Great game tonight, Rivers,” I praise as he finally hits the gas.

“I was playing for my girls.”