Page 26 of For Pucking Real (The Seattle Vipers #4)
"Work faster," Coach says, his eyes narrowing.
"Masters’ sister is about to reveal a special clothing line for the team in a few months.
She doesn't need the bad press." He runs a hand over his face, looking suddenly exhausted.
"For the love of God, no more sharing earbuds unless one of you is literally dying.
Keep your heads down. And please don't have Ridley dropping gloves on my ice over his sister.
I've got enough problems with his penalty minutes as it is. "
We're dismissed with a wave and a groan. I can feel Devan's eyes on me as we step out into the corridor. The empty hallway echoes with our footsteps. My chest feels tight, like I can't quite get a full breath.
"Hey," he says softly once we're out of earshot, his hand brushing against my arm. "You okay?"
"Yeah," I lie, adjusting my bag strap to have something to do with my hands. "Just wasn't expecting the entire internet to have an opinion on who I share earbuds with. Or to have to explain ourselves to PR only days into whatever this is."
He chuckles, the sound warm despite the situation.
"Welcome to the Seattle Vipers, where our business is everyone's business.
Tor warned me about this when I first signed.
Said the team's like a reality show with sticks.
It wasn't until recently that we've all really been in the limelight, Tor and Alexis, Ridley and Brea, and you see what's happening with Derrick and Bast. We are all getting it from all sides. "
We stop by the side exit, the one that leads to the players' parking lot.
The security guard nods at us as we pass, pretending not to listen.
Devan glances around, checking that we're alone, then leans in and brushes a quick kiss against my jaw, warm and grounding.
His stubble scratches lightly against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.
"It's all going to be okay," he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. "I'm heading to check on Glitzy—that cat gets separation anxiety when I'm gone more than a few days. Then I'll come straight over. We'll figure this out."
I nod, trying to believe him. "I'll head home. See you soon."
Back at the house, I pace the hardwood floors like a caged animal, start my laundry from our road trip, and try to shake the feeling that every window has eyes on it.
I check the blinds twice, paranoid about telephoto lenses and nosy neighbors.
Being the new guy on a team is one thing, navigating the politics, finding your place in the locker room hierarchy.
Being the new guy in the middle of a scandal?
This is a whole different ballgame, with rules I never signed up to learn.
I've always kept my head down, too afraid to sneeze or step out of line for fear of being traded again.
Las Vegas was my third team in three years, and I'd promised myself Seattle would be different.
Now, what the hell am I doing? Getting involved with a teammate and his baby mama?
It's the kind of messy situation I've spent my career avoiding.
I don't even realize how much time has passed until I hear a car pull up next door, the familiar sound of Lia's vintage BMW engine cutting through my thoughts. My heart rate picks up immediately.
I open the door and jog down the stairs, crossing the lawn like my ass is on fire as she's unloading Chloe from the backseat.
The late afternoon sun catches in her dark hair, making the subtle red highlights glow.
She looks tired but calm, dressed down in black leggings and an oversized hoodie that might actually be Devan's.
She raises an eyebrow when she sees me approaching, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.
"I mean, the two of you are fighting on national television one minute.
Now you're trending on all the gossip sites for sharing earbuds and ‘intimate walks’," she says with a shake of her head, mimicking air quotes with one hand while balancing Chloe on her hip.
"I told Devan to fix it, and well, I guess he did.
Though I'm not sure this is what I meant. "
"Yeah," I mutter, rubbing the back of my neck with my hand, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "Coach pulled us in with PR right after we landed. The man is going to have a coronary if we bring any more drama to his door. I think he's one scandal away from retirement."
She hands Chloe over without hesitation, and my heart softens at the familiar weight in my arms. It still amazes me how quickly this little human has worked her way into my life, into my heart.
Chloe gurgles happily, her beautiful brown eyes, so like Devan's, looking up at me with excitement as she hits my cheek with her teething giraffe.
The slobbery toy leaves a wet spot, but I couldn't care less.
"How much of it is true?" Lia asks, her voice softer now, more genuine. Her eyes search mine, not judging, just curious.
"Some of it," I say, bouncing Chloe gently as she babbles. "We're figuring things out. Taking it slow. But yeah. . .we're on better terms now." The understatement of the century, considering where Devan's hands had been the night before our flight home.
She watches me for a beat, a knowing smirk on those kissable lips of hers. There's something in her eyes I can't quite read, not jealousy, not exactly, but something complex. "Good. That needed to happen. You two have been dancing around each other since you got here."
"I think so too," I reply, looking away, knowing my cheeks are flushed with the memory of Devan's body blanketing mine, his weight pressing me into the hotel mattress, his mouth hot against my neck. I clear my throat, suddenly very aware of the child in my arms.
Devan's car pulls up behind Lia's, the sleek black SUV coming to a stop with a soft crunch of gravel. He steps out, hoodie pulled low over his forehead like he's trying to avoid paparazzi, but his smile is soft and genuine when he spots us. The tension in his shoulders visibly melts away.
"There's my baby girl," he says, voice warm with affection as he holds his arms out for Chloe, completely ignoring the fact that we're standing in plain view of any nosy neighbors or potential photographers.
I transfer her to his arms and he begins to pepper her chubby cheeks with so many kisses that she's laughing hysterically, her little hands patting his face in delight.
The pure joy in her giggles is infectious.
Lia and I both watch the exchange with what I'm sure are identical expressions of fondness, and dare I say hearts in both our eyes.
How can you not love this man, especially when his daughter is looking at him like he's her entire world?
In moments like this, I forget all the complications, all the reasons this shouldn't work.
Lia nods toward her porch. "Looks like the gang's all here. Might as well come in for dinner. I made enough chicken stew earlier to feed the whole team anyway."
I smile and follow her up the walkway toward her house, Devan taking up the rear, Chloe snuggled to his chest as he murmurs sweet nonsense into her curls.
I glance over my shoulder and catch his eye, his smile is infectious, reaching all the way to those warm brown eyes, and I want to keep that smile right where it is.
Despite the gossip, despite the complications, despite the uncertain future, we are walking toward something that feels right.
Towards our future. Towards our forever.
However messy and unconventional it might be.