Page 363 of Breaking the Pucking Rules

“Like a lovesick fool,” Parker laughs.

“I really hope not. Just think, if we can find you a man then we can have matching grins.”

“Not happening,” she sings as the sound of blades on the floor hits my ears.

I twist around, watching as the Vipers emerge from their dressing room to come and warm up.

Fletch is first, followed by Linc, and Kodie.

His face is stoic, focused, until his eyes land on mine. Everything about him lights up in that moment, and I swear, it almost makes my heart explode in my chest.

I push to my feet, needing to be closer to him.

“Casey,” Fletch says with a respectful nod as he passes me. Linc, on the other hand, he decides to play up to the cameras that are no doubt pointed in our direction. Opening his arms, he pulls me in for a hug.

“Donnelly,” he grunts over my shoulder when he spots my best friend probably glaring at him in distaste.

One second Linc is there, and the next he’s not—he’s being dragged away by a very sexy, very pissed-off Kodie.

“Get your motherfucking hands off my girl, Storm.”

“Oh shush,” Linc teases. “It’s not my fault I have more to offer. Someone needs to make sure Casey is aware that she’s settled with second best.”

“Fucking asshole,” Kodie grunts, shoving his teammate toward the ice and stepping closer.

The entire arena and all the noise surrounding us fades to nothing as he steps into me. His scent floods my nose, and heat floods between my legs.

“Nice jersey,” he rasps, his eyes holding mine captive.

“Thanks,” I say, biting down on my bottom lip coyly. “It’s my boyfriend’s.”

Desire darkens his eyes as he wraps a hand around the back of my neck, pulling me in for a kiss.

He’s usually well over a foot taller than me, but with his skates on too, I practically need a ladder.

“Get a move on, Rivers,” a familiar voice bellows from the tunnel.

“Gotta go, baby. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Go beat Nash’s ass.”

“I don’t need telling twice,” he says, continuing toward the gate.

The rest of the team must have slipped past while he’d stolen my attention, because they’re all out on the ice already, leaving only the coaching and medical staff to follow.

“Are you distracting my players?” Dad asks, coming to stop in front of me.

“As if I would,” I tease, batting my lashes innocently.

“If we lose tonight, I’m placing the blame solely on Hailee for thinking that putting you in his eyeline was a good idea.”

“Nah, if we lose tonight, it’s because your team isn’t up to it, old man,” I say, patronizingly tapping his chest.

“Watch it. I can still trade his ass.”

I smile up at my dad, not believing a word of his threats. I might have been nervous—okay, terrified—about his reaction to Kodie and me dating, but he’s proven to me in just a few days that he’s more than happy with welcoming Kodie into our lives in more ways than just being a part of his team.

“Then you’d definitely lose,” I point out.