Page 362 of Breaking the Pucking Rules

Kodie was grumpy as hell having others in his home. He reminded me so much of the man I used to admire from afar. Now, though, I know differently. He is so much more than the grump he portrays. I can’t deny that version of him is just as sexy as the others, though.

After they selected the perfect spot, they had us pose before we worked together to write up an approved CliffsNotes version of our relationship.

The internet was already buzzing with the news, but the moment Kodie posted our official announcement, things hit a whole new level.

I get it. If I were still just a Kodie Rivers’ fan and I was watching all of this unravel, I would be losing my mind. I’d alsobe incredibly jealous. Thankfully, though, and by some kind of freaking miracle, I wasn’t sitting at home reading the article. I was the woman in the photograph.

People scream and shout. I hear my name above it all. Demands for me to look their way. Questions about our relationship, about the season, and how Kodie was feeling before this game.

A wave of nerves rushes through me.

We’re playing Vancouver again tonight, which means Kodie and Nash are going to be facing off.

Their rivalry is no secret. Everyone who follows ice hockey knows that there is no love lost between the two of them.

I don’t know Nash. I’ve never met him. But something tells me he’s going to be gunning for Kodie tonight. Especially after all the press he’s got this week.

Up until this week, Kodie’s only weakness has been his daughter, and while hockey players can be brutal, generally they’re decent people and will leave young kids out of their chirping. A new girlfriend, though…I can only imagine the kinds of things Nash is going to say tonight to try to rile Kodie up.

My stomach knots, dread sitting heavy on my chest.

Kodie has been killing it this week. They’ve already secured one road win because of a hatty from him. He was on fire, and I was gutted that I was forced to watch it through a screen. There was one bonus, though—I had the best and most excitable buddy to watch it with. It was also my first night staying at Kodie’s without him. It was weird. Although, I can’t deny that it felt so good to crawl into our bed for our celebratory phone sex after he gave a press conference that was almost as hot to watch as his game. The second his raspy voice hit my ears, even through the screen, I was burning for him.

I don’t respond to any of the questions. Instead, I smile for a few photographs before Parker and I walk into the arena arm in arm.

“It’s like you’re a freaking celebrity,” Parker shrieks once we’re safely inside.

“I’m not, but I’m dating one,” I counter.

“I can’t believe it’s official. This is so exciting. Your first home game wearing a real Kodie Rivers jersey as his girl.”

My stomach flutters wildly.

For years, I’ve worn Kodie’s jerseys, but they’ve always been the ones from the team store. But not tonight.

Tonight, I am literally wearing one of Kodie’s jerseys.

It’s massive and completely swamps me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

He’s played in this jersey. He’s won in this jersey. And now, it’s mine.

I brush my fingers over the stitched number fifty-five on my front. It’s stupid, it’s only some fabric, but wearing this makes me feel so much closer to him.

“Are you ever going to stop smiling like that?” Parker teases as we make our way toward the rink.

I always have good seats thanks to Dad, but now I’m even more hooked up than I was before.

Tonight, we have front-row tickets.

Okay, so it has more to do with Hailee than it does Kodie. She wants to drive the fans wild with footage of us being cute, and that wasn’t going to happen if I was a few rows back.

Instead, I’m on the bench..

I’m going to be able to touch him when he walks past.

This time, it’s not only the butterflies in my stomach that are fluttering.

“Smiling like what?” I ask innocently.