Page 31

“No,” I snap, closing my eyes and going back to the breathing exercises I always do before a game.

“A little birdy told me there’s a certain woman in the girlfriends and wives section tonight with your name and number on her back, and you two are officially a couple now.” This comes from Elias.

“And?” I open my eyes, shooting them what I hope is a good shut the fuck up expression.

“I, for one, am happy for you.” Hunter leans forward so he can see me around the other guys.

“Thanks, Cap.” I wink at him.

“Took you two long enough,” Wes mutters, shaking his head.

“We’re happy for you is all,” Elias says, clapping me on the back before walking back to his own stall.

The others nod and disperse to get ready for the game.

“Pretty sure she’s your one,” Wes says, taking a seat next to me.

I shake my head. “How do you know this?”

He leans away from me, giving me a once-over, before saying softly, “Because in all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you this happy.” He points at my face. “ Bitch face certainly didn’t make you smile like that.”

I consider his words. He has a point. I can’t remember the last time I felt this way. Maybe the day I was drafted or the day I played my first NHL game. But never because of a woman.

“We’ll see.”

He doesn’t say anything, simply pulling out a fresh roll of stick tape from his stall and grabbing one of his sticks.

“Good game.”

“Good game.”

“Fuck yeah.”

The guys make their way over, one by one, to fist bump and tap helmets with me after we trounced the Ravens four to zero.

My first shutout of the season. I turn my attention from my teammates to the stands where Becca sits holding my daughter.

Hadley is next to her, deep in conversation with Aubrey.

Becca notices me staring and waves. I lift my stick in response.

“You got it bad,” Wes whispers as he makes his way to me.

“Shut it,” I mutter.

He claps me on the back.

Eventually, we make our way off the ice, and after they announce the three stars of the game—I’m one of them—we head back to the locker room.

The press gods must be on my side tonight because I don’t have to do an interview, so I take the quickest shower I’ve ever taken in my life, and get dressed as fast as humanly possible.

We didn’t make plans to meet up after the game, but I’m crossing my fingers Becca’s out there waiting for me.

“Night,” I call out to everyone who’s still getting dressed.

I pull the door open and practically sprint down the hallway.

My grin grows when I turn the corner and spot Becca waiting with Madison and my sister. What has my heart skipping a beat is seeing her with Hazel snuggled against her chest .

“Hey, you,” Becca greets me as I pull them both into my arms, tucking them against my chest.

Where they belong.

I suck in a breath at the thought.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

I give her a quick kiss. I wish it could be more, but we’re in public.

Even if it is just my teammates’ girlfriends and wives.

Shifting, I kiss Hazel on the top of her head, and she peers up at me, cooing before grabbing a piece of Becca’s hair that’s fallen out of her ponytail.

Becca laughs softly, prying her hair out of Hazel’s grip.

Madison’s eyes dart between the three of us before she tips her chin at me. “Hey, Holt.”

“Hi, Mads. How are you?”

“Can’t complain, since the morning sickness went away.” She rubs her belly.

“Good game, big brother,” Hadley tells me.

“Thanks.”

“Hey, Hadley Jane,” Wes says, joining our group and slinging his arm around Hadley. “Hi, Madison. Becca.”

“Weston,” Hadley grumbles, pushing his arm off her.

Hunter and Elias join us a few minutes later, and we spend a little while chatting before everyone goes their separate ways.

“I’ll walk you to your car, sweetheart.” I lean down to whisper in her ear.

“Okay,” Becca says.

“Let me take Hazel,” Hadley says, reaching for my daughter.

“I’ll walk you too, Hads.”

“I’m a big girl. We’ll be fine.”

I growl. “Hadley. It’s dark. You’ve got my daughter. . .”

“There’s plenty of light, plus there’s security guards all over the place.” She tips her chin, daring me to argue with her. Before I can say anything, she turns and walks away.

“I’ve got them,” Wes says, patting me on the arm. “Go walk your girl to her car.” He winks at me and takes off after my sister, who is already halfway down the hall .

I sigh and turn back to Becca.

“Where’d you park?” I take her hand and entwine our fingers together.

“In the employee lot. I didn’t leave after work today.”

We head toward the parking lot, and she points to where her car is. When we reach it, I wrap her in my arms again and pull her close.

“Thanks for wearing my jersey,” I mumble against her hair.

She giggles. “Of course. Thank you for getting it for me.”

“We’re leaving late tomorrow afternoon for a road trip.” She knows this, so I’m not sure why I’m telling her. I frown. I wish I didn’t have to leave her. “I’m going to miss you.”

She smiles up at me. “I’m going to miss you, too.”

I lean down and kiss her. She moans and I take the opportunity to dip my tongue into her mouth. I get lost in the taste of her, in the little moans she’s making, in the feel of her hands digging into my biceps. She rubs against me, and my cock hardens. I groan, pulling away from her.

“Let me know when you get home.” I kiss her forehead. “Or better yet, wait here, I’ll drive around, and you can follow me.”

“You don’t have to. I’ll be fine. I’ll text you,” she says, her lips swollen and red from my kisses, her hair coming out of her ponytail courtesy of my fingers.

I smirk. I love that she lets me muss her up. I’m sure I’m as disheveled as she is, though.

“Night, Holt.” She stands on her tiptoes and gives me one more quick kiss before climbing into her car.

I watch as she backs out of the parking spot and drives away. Shoving my hands in my pockets, I turn and head around to the side of the building where the players’ lot is.

For the first time in my life, I wish I didn’t have to leave for a road trip.

That I wasn’t a professional hockey player.

Because all I want to do is spend time with her.