Page 97 of Heartbreak Hockey

I’m about to grab a condom—force of habit—but remember we don’t use those anymore. I’m quick to slide into him and claim him hard. He’s my boyfriend now after all. I own this ass. I’m gonna make sure he knows it every day he’s with me.

After, we’re catching our breath and I’m thanking the hockey Gods that there’s no practice or game tomorrow, but we do need to be on a plane to Edmonton in the evening.

“So, you’ve really never had a boyfriend before?”

“No. You’re the first.” I push the hair off his face and lean over to kiss his forehead. He’s the little spoon tonight, his hulky body curled up in front of me.

“Ever come close?”

“No.”

“Wow, you must really like me.”

“For some reason. It’s annoying.”

He laughs. “I get it. Liking people is fun and it sucks at the same time.”

I nod into his neck. Even with him here beside me, this is terrifying. “Meyers have terrible track records,” I blurt out.

He spins around. His brow’s pinched. “Your mom leaving was fucking awful—she’s the one who missed out there—and I dunno what’s going on with your dad, but your brother and your sister have great relationships by the sounds of it. Why can’t you have one too?”

I tense. Logically, I know that. “This is me fucking trying, okay?”

“Well, that’s not a lot of pressure or anything.”

“No pressure. We’re not putting any pressure on this. I’m still not convinced you’re not a flight risk.”

“I’m not. I told Rhett to shove it tonight. I mean, I said it a little nicer than that, but I made it clear that we’re not getting together at the end of the season. It suuuuuuuucked, but honestly? All I feel is relief.”

My stomach clenches. That should be good news, but it’s got the potential to kick up a hornet’s nest. I knew that getting into this though. I’m not worried for myself even though I’d be the target. I’ve dealt with many Rhett’s in my day.

But a storm’s coming and on such shaky ground, can we survive it? I hold him tighter. I’ll hold him as long as I get to. That’s all anyone ever has.

“C’mon now, he would have dressed you in some kind of designer something. You’re missing out.”

“Har, har. I live in sweats and jeans—much to Dad’s dismay—and if I ever get married it’ll be hard to get me in a suit. It’s bad enough we have to wear them for hockey. Still doesn’t make any fucking sense,” he mutters.

“Somehow you walking down an aisle with your ball cap on in your team jersey is the only thing I can picture.” I put my lips to his ear. “But you look like fucking sex in your suit.”

“You just want to tear it off me,” he says.

“You cocky little shit.” I can’t deny it though. The thought alone inspires me to suck on his neck. My cock hardens again. This man is going to be the death of my dick. “I need you again.”

We’re still facing each other. He smiles. “Me too. Don’t be gentle. I wanna feel you tomorrow, Merc.”

* * *

February

It’s been a month of fucking bliss. What’s not to love? There’s the best sex of my life intermingled with hockey. Things have shored up at home. It seems that after an adjustment period, they’re just fine without me. I’m left missing them like crazy, but they’re happy and healthy.

Speaking of hockey, I’m at the top of my coaching game. As Eddie predicted, we’ve been noticed and I’m getting the credit for that. I’ve coached us into a cup run, or well, that’s the prediction. We’re the top team in the league, but we’ve got to keep our noses to the grind. Boston isn’t far behind us.

Just had to be Boston too. Lord help me if we have to finish against them. It’ll be just my luck that we have to suffer for the full seven games too.

I blow my whistle to let them know they’re finished. They dropped to their padded knees on the ice half-dead. I’ve been pushing them at practice, but they’re willing. Collectively, we grow ever hungrier for that cup.

“Soooo, what are you doing for Jack for Valentine’s Day?” my sister—Bea—asks. I’m on the phone with her, hands-free, running through my condo, and attempting to clean it up. It’s become a sex den. Jack and I have fucked on every surface of this place only stopping for food. If he had the parts, Jack would be pregnant by now.