Page 90 of Breaking the Pucking Rules (LA Vipers #1)

Parker

New Years Eve

“ Y ou owe me,” I slur, throwing my arms around my best friend.

I’ve barely had a chance to speak to her tonight; if she hasn’t been attached to Kodie’s hip then she’s been chasing around after Sutton.

I love seeing my girl so happy. It lights me up inside, seeing her smiling like she does now. But it also showcases just how fucking lonely I am.

“Why do I owe you?” Casey asks.

“We made a bet, remember.”

Her brows pinch.

“Uh…did we?”

“Yep. At the beginning of the season, I said something like, I bet that by the end of the season, you’d have fucked Kodie again. Well, Missy. It’s New Year’s, the season is far from over and you have just moved in with him. A la…you owe me.”

Casey’s quirks a brow, her smile growing as she thinks about her man .

Ugh, there’s that happiness again.

It’s a good thing I love her so much.

“That doesn’t constitute as a bet, and it certainly doesn’t mean I owe you anything.”

I narrow my eyes at her.

“Why aren’t you as drunk as me? If you were, you’d agree.”

She shakes her head. “What is it you want for winning?”

I blow out a long breath through my nose as I think.

“I don’t know.”

“Okay, so the point of bringing it up was…”

“Proving a point that I was right, I guess.”

“Well, congratulations, Miss Donnelly. You were right. Now, have you figured out who you’re going to be kissing in…” Casey checks the time. “Six minutes.”

I groan.

“This room is full of hockey players.”

“So? It’s New Years. It’s all about new starts remember.”

Excitement stirs in my stomach as I think about what the New Year holds for me already.

Casey wasn’t the only one to have her dream come true this year.

By some miracle, I’ve managed to achieve mine too.

In three days, I am officially starting my new position as the LA Vipers’ newest—and obviously hottest—athletic trainer.

“My new job is even more reason why I shouldn’t be kissing any of these guys,” I point out.

Drunk or not, I will not be forgetting the promise I made to myself all those years ago.

No hockey players. Not again.

Ever.

“Baby, it’s almost time,” Kodie says, stepping up behind my best friend so he can steal her away for their midnight kiss.

“Please, Parker,” Casey begs, her eyes all soft and pathetic. “Next year is your year, I can feel it. Please don’t start it alone.”

“Go, just go,” I say, waving them off before turning to the bar and gesturing to one of the servers for a new drink.

My spine stiffens as someone steps up beside me.

I don’t need to turn around to know the looming presence belongs to a hockey player; I can tell by the expensive scent of their cologne.

My only question is…which one.

“Thank you,” I say as my double Jack and Coke is placed in front of me.

“Something wrong with all the champagne that’s being passed around?”

Closing my eyes, I silently will the man next to me away.

But I already know I’m not that lucky.

Lifting my drink to my lips, I swallow a gulp, hoping it’ll help me deal with the man beside me.

My skin heats under his attention, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of knowing he affects me in any way other than annoying me.

“I guess this is the problem with parties the team owner throws, he doesn’t invite bunnies,” I taunt, finally twisting around to look at the player who dared to come over and ruin the last few minutes of this year.

The smirk that pulls at Lincoln Storm’s lips makes my teeth grind.

He thinks he so special. So hot and…okay, fine. He is hot. But the fact he knows it counteracts the whole situation. That along with a whole list of other things.

“It’s not really an issue when you’re in the room, sweetheart.”

“If you think that kind of line is going to get you anywhere with me then you really need to think again.”

“It’s almost midnight, Donnelly.”

“And that means what, exactly? You going to turn back into a pumpkin?”

One side of his mouth kicks up in amusement.

“I didn’t have you down as a fairytale fan.”

I sneer at him.

“You’re even hotter when you’re drunk.”

“I’m done here,” I say, lifting my glass from the bar and walking away .

I make it four steps before everyone around me begins counting down.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

I look around the room, finding couples and groups of friends excited to welcome in a new year.

I understand why the Vipers are happy. They’re having their best season in years. There is a very good chance that the year we’re about to go into is going to be the first in almost a decade that they make it to the playoffs.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Fletcher has his arms around Reese’s waist. Kodie is gazing into Casey’s eyes.

The other couples on the team are ready.

Four.

Three.

Two.

And I’m standing here with only my drink to celebrate with.

Fuck. I hope Casey is right. I hope next year is my year.

One.

Cheers erupt as kids pull party poppers shooting confetti everywhere. I’m about to lift my drink to my lips in a private celebration with myself when a hand wraps around the back of my neck.

Before I know what’s happening, a warm pair of lips press against mine.

It takes me a second for my brain to catch up, and the second it does, I raise my glass higher and dump the contents all over Lincoln Storm’s head.

“The fuck, Donnelly?” he barks as my Jack and Coke soaks his hair and runs down the sides of his face.

“Happy New Year, Storm. Let’s start as we mean to go on, yeah? ”

What will happen next for Linc and Parker? You can find out in their story, Playing the Game.