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CHAPTER FOUR

Nick

The hot water pounds against my shoulders, washing away the ache from practice and the sweat clinging to my skin.

I lean forward, bracing my palms against the slick tiled wall of the shower, and let the warmth seep into my muscles.

There’s nothing quite like this after a tough practice.

Out on the ice, every movement feels sharp and raw, my body stretched to its limit. But here, under the cascade of water, it’s like all the tension melts away. My legs ache a little less, my shoulders loosen, and even the sting of a puck that grazed my arm earlier fades into a dull memory.

I tilt my head back, letting the water stream over my face. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, savoring the clean scent of the soap.

Eventually, I shut the water off and step out, grabbing a towel from the hook nearby.

The locker room is quieter now, the sound of running water from a few other showers the only indication that some of the guys are still finishing up.

I dry off quickly, the cold air biting at my damp skin, and start pulling on clean clothes. The soft fabric feels like heaven compared to the bulk and weight of my gear.

Just as I’m lacing up my sneakers, there’s a knock at the locker room door.

Before anyone can answer, the door swings open.

Dennis walks in, his usual no-nonsense expression stamped on his face. At first, I don’t think much of it. He’s probably here for another speech or announcement about practice schedules or team events.

But then I see her.

She steps into the room behind him, and for a second, I think I’ve been hit with a puck to the chest.

She’s stunning: honey blonde hair swept back into a mostly tidy bun, striking ocean blue eyes, and a face that could stop traffic.

Her posture is all business, confident, collected, but there’s something about the way she carries herself that’s magnetic.

My gaze lingers on her lips for a moment longer than I should, wondering what it would be like to kiss her.

I glance at Tyler, who’s sitting next to me on the bench.

His expression says it all.

He’s staring at her the same way I am, wide-eyed, intrigued, and probably already planning a dozen bad ideas.

My mind races ahead, unbidden, imagining what a night with her might be like.

I can picture her out of that professional getup, her hair down, her laugh filling the air. The thought sends a spark of heat through me, and I quickly push it aside.

Tyler catches my eye and smirks, the faintest lift of his brow confirming that he’s thinking the exact same thing.

Great. This is going to be interesting.

I lean closer to Tyler, keeping my voice low. “Our new doc is hot as hell.”

He doesn’t even look at me, just nods slowly, his eyes still locked on her. “No kidding,” he mutters under his breath, then sighs dramatically. “Bet she’s off-limits, though. Total buzzkill.”

“Yeah,” I agree, though it doesn’t stop my mind from wandering.

Tyler shrugs, leaning back against the wall like this is just another day for him. “Off-limits just makes it more of a challenge,” he says with a mischievous grin.

Before I can respond, Brooks, sitting a few feet away, turns toward us with a scowl. “Will you two idiots shut up and listen?” he hisses, keeping his voice low enough that it won’t draw Dennis’ attention.

Tyler rolls his eyes. “Relax, Grandpa. We’re paying attention.”

“No, you’re drooling,” Brooks snaps. “Both of you need to stop acting like hound dogs for five minutes. She’s a doctor, not another puck bunny.”

Tyler grins, unfazed. “You’re just jealous because you’ve forgotten how to have fun.”

Brooks’ dark glare deepens, and I chuckle under my breath, enjoying how easy it is to rile him up.

“Seriously, though,” Tyler says, nodding toward Ally, “if she’s off-limits, that’s a damn shame. But, hey, I like a good challenge.”

Brooks groans, pinching the bridge of his nose like he can’t believe he’s stuck with us. “Just don’t get yourselves benched over this,” he mutters. “Also, for the record, I was married. So don’t act like I don’t know what it’s like to chase after someone.”

Tyler and I exchange a surprised glance. Brooks hardly ever brings up his ex-wife. His ears are pink, and I can tell he’s uncomfortable, even if he’s trying to play it cool.

“Sorry, man,” I say quietly, feeling a little bad for ribbing him. Tyler mumbles a similar apology, his smirk dropping just slightly.

Brooks shrugs, his gaze flicking away, but the tension in his shoulders says enough.

It’s been years since his high school sweetheart-turned-wife cheated on him, but it’s clear the wound never fully healed.

Divorce isn’t the kind of thing you just shake off, especially not for someone like Brooks, who keeps his emotions so close to the chest.

We all know better than to push him about it.

I glance at Tyler, who gives me a subtle nod. Neither of us will press the issue. Brooks is more than our teammate, he’s like family.

The locker room goes quiet as Coach Walker enters. He’s a tall guy, broad-shouldered, with a face carved from years of frowning at recalcitrant players and a voice that carries authority without effort.

“All right, boys,” he says, clapping his hands once. “Listen up. Got someone new to introduce today.”

He steps aside, gesturing for Ally to come forward. She hesitates for a fraction of a second before stepping into the spotlight.

Even though she’s clearly trying to project confidence, I catch the way her hands clasp the strap of her bag just a little too tightly.

“This is Dr. Ally Perry,” Walker continues. “She’s your new team doctor. She’ll be taking over from Dr. Martins once her fellowship is finished. Treat her with the same respect you’d treat me or anyone else on this staff. Got it?”

A chorus of “Yes, Coach” fills the room, but I can already hear the whispers starting as soon as he finishes.

“Damn, she’s smoking,” someone mutters from the back of the room.

“Wonder if she’s single,” another voice chimes in, barely audible but loud enough to make me smirk.

I glance at Tyler, who raises an eyebrow and shakes his head slightly.

Ally starts making her way around the room with Coach Walker and Dennis leading the introductions.

She shakes hands with each of the players, pausing to exchange a few words with each person. I watch as she moves from one guy to the next.

My heart thuds in my chest as she gets closer.

It’s ridiculous, really.

She’s just the new doctor, and I’ve probably met a thousand people in my time here between fans and support staff.

But there’s something about her that’s throwing me off balance.

As she reaches the guy next to me, I glance at Tyler, who’s lounging against the bench like this is no big deal.

He raises an eyebrow at me, clearly amused.

I roll my eyes, trying to play it cool, but my hands feel clammy, and I hate it.

It’s strange, though, seeing a new face in this role. Dr. Martins has been the team doctor forever, grumpy and no-nonsense, but reliable.

Ally couldn’t be more different, and I can’t help but wonder how long it’ll be before she fully replaces him. It’s a big change, but it already feels like a positive one.

Then she’s in front of me, her hand outstretched. “Hi, I’m Dr. Perry,” she says, her voice steady but soft.

I reach out, and the moment our hands touch, it’s like a jolt of electricity shoots straight up my arm.

Her skin is warm, her grip firm, but there’s something else, something I can’t quite put my finger on. I feel my pulse spike, and for a split second, I forget what I’m supposed to say.

She looks flustered, too, her cheeks pinking slightly as our eyes meet. “And you are…?” she prompts, breaking the silence.

“Nick Porter,” I manage, my voice rougher than I intended.

I nod toward my twin, who’s already smirking like he’s won some kind of bet. “And this is Tyler…my twin.”

Tyler reaches out to shake her hand, his grin turning a little too charming. “It’s a pleasure, Dr. Perry,” he says, his tone playful. “Welcome to the team.”

She smiles politely, but I don’t miss the way her gaze flicks back to me before she quickly moves on.

Brooks is next, giving her a small nod and a firm handshake, his expression unreadable.

She hurries off to the next group, her shoulders a little stiffer than before.

I can tell she’s trying to keep her composure, but the way her hand lingered in mine makes me wonder if she felt it, too.

I watch her go, my eyes following the sway of her hips as she moves to the other side of the room.

She’s all business again, shaking hands and introducing herself like nothing happened. But I know what I felt.

Tyler nudges me with his elbow, his grin wide. “She’s something else, huh?”

I ignore him, my focus still locked on Ally.

I clench my jaw, willing myself to snap out of it.

But as she moves on, laughing lightly at something one of the other guys says, I know I’m in trouble.

My glance shifts to Tyler, who’s already moved on to joking with Brooks, and then I look back at Ally.

She’s making her way toward the exit now, her bag still slung over one shoulder.

I promise myself then and there that I’ll figure out a way to have her.

I don’t care what it takes.

I love a challenge.