Page 11

Chapter 11

MICAH

T ally took the seat next to me and slapped my shoulder once we were back in the locker room after warm-ups. “You’re fired up tonight.”

“Don’t want a fucking repeat of the other night.” I gulped some of my sports drink and checked the tape on my socks.

“No shit. Got your nap in and all your pregame shit?” he asked.

“What? Why? Yep. Why?” I tried not to sound startled. Did I have something on my forehead that said I’d spent naptime fucking Josie?

He quirked a brow at me.

Fucking hell.

“You okay, man? How’s it going with Josie?” Tally and I hadn’t talked much about my new roommate.

And I definitely wasn’t ready to tell my captain how I’d spent my afternoon. Not that I’d been able to stop thinking about her and how she’d drifted off to sleep in my arms, all curled into me, her perfect ass snug against my dick when I’d woken up to my alarm. My second alarm since I’d hit snooze at first, not ready to get out of bed.

My routine was fucked, and I couldn’t care less.

Then I’d spotted her in the stands during warm-ups, looking fucking adorable in her jersey and toque, with that purple hair over her shoulders that only hours before I’d had wrapped around my hand as she’d sucked my dick.

Fuck me.

“Uh, Micah, you wanna tell me something?”

I shook my head. “What? No.”

“You sure? I mean, I like her. She’s fun. But you aren’t used to someone in your space all the time,” he said.

I shrugged. “It’s an adjustment, but I’ve known her forever. I guess it would be like any sibling crashing at your place.”

Lies. Lies. Lies.

Definitely not a sibling.

Why was he looking strangely at me? It’s not like he knew what I was thinking. I liked to think I had a decent poker face.

“You sure you’re okay?”

Or not.

I grabbed my water bottle and took a gulp before responding. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just want to get my head centered so we don’t have another shitty game tonight.”

And so I could get back to my condo and fuck Josie again before we left on our road trip tomorrow morning. I tried to ignore the heat coiling through my body. I was just warm because all my gear was on.

I snorted.

Fucking idiot.

“Well, if you’re sure you’re good,” Tally drew out.

“Yup. Never better.”

“Okay, good.” But he still had a look in his eyes that made me wonder if he saw right through me. I’d been friends with Tally for years, but I didn’t want to tell him how much I lusted after Josie. Tally was so all in with Cora, though, that he’d probably tell me to go for it with Josie. And not just encourage me to have sex with her, which I’d obviously already done. Right now, I couldn’t think about more.

“Don’t make me yell at you tonight. Score some goals, stay out of the box, and don’t get sloppy,” Millsy barked. I shoved aside thoughts of Josie to put my focus where it should be.

On my game. On my job.

“Great pep talk, Millsy,” Sin called out.

Millsy pointed at him. “Score some goals, and I’ll give you a nicer one.”

“Ouch. Shots fired,” Sin replied.

“How about you fire some of them on net tonight, okay?”

“Burn,” Tucks said as the rest of us chuckled.

Millsy wasn’t wrong. We’d been so off the other night it hadn’t been fucking funny at all.

“Now get your asses up and on the ice. You know your lines already.” Then Millsy stepped to the side so we could all walk toward the tunnel and hit the ice.

***

“Ignore Razey. He’s just trying to goad you,” Tally said halfway through the second period as we caught our breath on the bench after our last shift.

“Yeah, he wants a fight, but I’m not dropping gloves just to get into a pissing contest with him.” I shot the enforcer in question a glare when he skated by our bench to get to his.

“Got something to say?” he called out.

I rolled my eyes. I wasn’t taking the bait. I fought to help my teammates and to show my support. Not because some pissant wanted to send me to the penalty box—or even worse, get me ejected from the game.

Plus, we were on fire tonight. Four to one with half the game left. Yeah, it could change at any point, and there was no way we had it automatically in the bag, but it was going a fucking lot better than the other night against Calgary, and Dallas was a decent team.

A decent team that was currently racing up the ice toward our goalie, with Lamb and Batesy tracking their moves in front of Tucks. One of their forwards skated around Lamb, but he got right back into position and poked out his stick to knock the puck loose, with Dom close by also trying to nudge it away. The Dallas player kept control and passed the puck to his linemate, who pulled back to take his shot. It deflected off Batesy’s skate, and Dallas grabbed it back. They took a second shot, and Tucks slid to the right, dropping down and covering the puck to end the play.

“That’s fucking right,” Sin yelled from the other side of Tally.

A few minutes later, Timmy and I hopped onto the ice for our shift. Our first forward line—made up of Tally, Santa, and Sin—had taken to the ice only seconds before in a seamless line change that had to have made Millsy proud. He wasn’t grumbling as much since we’d actually showed up to play tonight.

Timmy moved back toward the blue line on our side while I stayed close to center ice. Tally had the puck on his stick and passed it to Santa as we all moved up the ice toward Dallas’s net. Santa took his shot, and it rang off the goalposts, but he grabbed the rebound, sending the puck over to Tally, who sent it to Sin. Two of Dallas’s forwards crowded Sin into the boards in the corner, and Tally and I moved in to help as one of the forwards shoved his shoulder into Sin’s biceps.

Sin managed to keep the puck on his stick and send it to Tally, who took a hit into the boards from one of Dallas’s defensemen. We all moved along the edge of the boards, and I caught Tally shifting slightly toward me right before he sent the puck my way. I got a decent amount of goals, but I wasn’t a high-scoring defenseman like some of the other guys in the league. But as Dallas’s defensemen turned their attention to me, I took in everything around me and found an opening, then sent the puck over the goalie’s shoulder before he could even lift his blocker high enough to stop it.

The goal horn blared, and the crowd jumped to their feet, cheering. And then, my four other teammates on the ice crashed into me, and I was pushed back into the boards as they surrounded me.

“Fucking beauty.” Tally hugged me as tightly as our gear would allow.

“Sweet, man. Razey looks pissed.” Timmy’s grin split his face.

“Fuck yeah. No chance of stopping that.” Sin slapped his gloved hand on my shoulder and tapped my helmet.

I glanced up at the jumbotron to watch my goal on replay. And then I looked to my left, and there she was, on her feet and screaming, that Stampede toque looking perfect over her purple wavy hair as she jumped up and down with the biggest smile on her face.

Damn. She was so fucking beautiful. I couldn’t wait to get a victory kiss from her tonight, but before I could focus on that image anymore, I was skating back with my teammates and tapping my glove with the rest of the guys on the bench. Even Sunny, one of our assistant coaches, was grinning, and he was the sternest of our coaching staff.

“Nice goal,” Millsy said when I finally slid back onto the bench after my shift. “Razey’s a dick. Don’t stoop to his level unless you have to.”

“Not planning on it.”

“Five to one, boys. Let’s hold strong,” Tally called down the bench before flashing me a grin. “Josie wasn’t at the last game, was she?”

“Uh, no. Why?”

“Ever think she’s your good luck charm?”

I scoffed. “I’ve played a lot of games without her in the arena.”

“Just saying, I think we’ve won the home games that she’s been at.”

“She’s only been around for two weeks.”

“Maybe she’s exactly what you’ve needed for multiple reasons.”

I would not read into his words. “Knock it off with that shit.”

He shrugged. “Just saying.”

I turned my attention back to the ice. Yeah, so maybe we had won every home game she’d been around for. But was two weeks really long enough to call someone a good luck charm?

Of course not.

Did I want her to come to all my home games?

Abso-fucking-lutely.

Dammit.

JOSIE

“Your boy got a sweet goal tonight,” Harper said as we walked into Tipsy Steer later that night.

“He’s not my boy, but that goal was awesome. The entire game was,” I said, weaving through the crowd to the bar.

I mean, was he? I’d tried to play it cool during the game and not think about what I’d spent the afternoon doing with Micah in between brief naps. I was so freaking glad that he’d played well tonight—he’d played better than ever with that goal, and freaking hell, it’d been so hot watching him score. I would have refused to let his stupid superstitious ass up and lie and claim that he’d screwed up his game by screwing me during nap time anyway, but it was nice to have the win to back me up.

I bit back my smirk. After tonight’s performance, I was definitely going to play up the fact that having sex before the game might be his good luck charm. I would sacrifice myself for the good of the game.

If he wanted that, of course.

No. I shoved my doubts away. We hadn’t really discussed anything, but based on the fact that Micah is a terrible actor, I knew it’d been enjoyable for both of us. A little snort slipped out. Enjoyable was putting it mildly.

“What’s up with you tonight? You’ve been twitchy,” Harper said as she followed behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder. “Nothing. Just excited from that awesome game. They did so well tonight.” I wasn’t ready to tell Harper about this afternoon. I barely knew her, and I didn’t know where Micah and I stood anyway. Ugh, I hated feeling unsure about him.

She quirked a brow at me. “Sure, sure.”

Seriously, Micah had been amazing tonight, even beyond that goal. Every time they focused on his gorgeously sweaty face on the jumbotron or when he’d end up in front of me on the ice, I couldn’t look away. Dammit.

Yeah, I’d had a few orgasms courtesy of that man before the game, but I was all keyed up again. It was going to suck when he left tomorrow for the Stampede’s three-game road trip.

“Hey, Simone, how’s it going?” I asked when we stepped up to the bar, thankful for a way to get out of my head.

“It’s about to get even better after that game. Shit, that was some expert hockey. Way better than that Calgary game the other night.”

“Yeah, the boys should be in a great mood after tonight’s game,” Harper said. “Maybe we should’ve gone down to greet them instead of coming here right away.”

“You can make out with your boyfriend when he gets here,” I teased. I couldn’t wait to make out with Micah, but we’d have to wait until we got home. The smart thing to do was keep what happened during naptime quiet.

“Damn right, I will. Don’t be jealous,” she fired back, and I swatted her arm. She’d continued to not so subtly encourage me to go for Micah during the game. If she only knew.

“I’m not,” I muttered, and she eyed me. I grabbed the beer Simone had put in front of me and turned my attention to my new boss. “Let me know if you need help tonight.”

“I think we’re good. And you just enjoy your free night so you can come in tomorrow and work your ass off.”

“Deal,” I said, lifting my glass in salute. I’d only worked three shifts, but Simone was a fun boss, and I loved the other coworkers I’d met. I’d forgotten how much fun working in a bar could be—aside from the random douchebags that came in, but there hadn’t been too many so far.

Harper leaned against the bar next to me. “So, how is everything going? The roomie situation? All the different jobs?”

“All good. Variety is the spice of life, at least on the job front. Micah’s gotten extra twitchy.” That was all I was giving her.

Harper grinned. “And that makes you gleefully happy, doesn’t it? Making Micah twitch?”

I lifted a shoulder and tried not to grin. “Maybe.”

“You are so good for that man. I swear, he’s playing even better since you showed up.”

Especially tonight. A little flutter spiraled through my body. He better be up for a victory kiss and then some.

“I don’t know about that, but I get such a perverse pleasure out of teasing him. I know I should rein it in.” I paused, remembering the other day in the kitchen and how he couldn’t get away from me fast enough when Ray had texted.

Annoying cockblocking brother. But none of that had happened today, thankfully.

“What are you thinking about?” Harper asked. “You’re looking devious.”

“Nothing, and I am not.” I sighed. “I feel so scattered around him. We have a weird history, and I know I shouldn’t want him, but seriously, have you seen him?” I felt slightly guilty for playing it this way, but I needed someone to talk to, and Harper seemed cool.

She laughed. “Oh, I get it. Connor and I go way back, and even thinking about him that way made me nervous as hell, but I’m glad he made a move. I couldn’t be fucking happier if I tried.”

“Am I crazy to want that?” It was a true question and one I’d been asking myself for a while and never been able to answer.

“Not at all.”

“Hey, Josie, Harper,” Cora’s voice called out. I glanced up to see her and Anna walking toward us with their friend Joy, whom I’d met a few times. She was hilarious and an ER doctor, which was one job I couldn’t imagine having. So much pressure, that had to be draining. Not to mention endless years of medical school. No thank you.

“The guys should be trickling in soon,” Anna said, sliding onto one of the barstools. “That game was amazing. Nick was on fire, and I still can’t believe the goal Micah got. He doesn’t do that a lot.”

“Micah’s goal was sweet. Whatever you’re doing, keep it up,” Cora said, shooting me a wink from where she stood next to Anna.

I choked on my beer and started coughing.

“Um, Josie? You okay?” Cora asked, concerned.

“I knew it. Something totally happened with you two,” Harper all but shouted from her barstool next to mine.

“Shush, you,” I hissed when I finally stopped coughing.

“Fess up right the fuck now.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

“Ooh, yes. What’s going on with you two? Quick! Before the guys get here,” Cora said.

I sighed but couldn’t hide my giddiness.

Please do not let this bite me in the ass.

“I probably shouldn’t say anything,” I started.

“We’ll keep your confidence, I promise,” Anna said, moving in closer.

“Micah kissed me today.” Among other things.

“’Bout damn time. I hope it was epic,” Harper said, grinning like a loon.

“It was.” My tone was wistful.

“He played amazing tonight, so you should definitely keep kissing him,” Cora decided.

“Definitely. And how much kissing? Maybe more than kissing? Deets now, please,” Harper goaded.

Before I could say anything else, a roar went through the crowd as a bunch of the players walked in the front door.

“Oh, look, they’re here,” I said, tipping my glass toward the group of suited hockey players. Part of me was a little sad that they were here already because it felt good to talk to some women friends about my situation.

“We’re not done here, but I want to go kiss my boyfriend right now. Mmm, those suits,” Harper said, fanning her face.

I started to chuckle softly, but it froze in my throat when I locked eyes with Micah. Dammit, he was so freaking hot. His dark blond hair was slicked back from his shower, and my fingers itched to run through it and mess it up.

He approached, and I didn’t miss the heat in his gaze. He’d always been intense, but this was next level, and I was definitely here for it. My body shuddered when I caught his small smirk.

Gah. Gorgeous, delicious man.

“There’s one of our awesome goal scorers,” Harper called out. “Great game, Micah. You were on fire. You switch up your game day routine and try something new?”

It took everything in me not to gape at her. I reached down to pinch her, but she shifted away like she had some sixth sense or something.

Freaking shit stirrer. Although I would’ve done the same thing to her, so I guessed it was fair.

“Uh, nothing. Stuck to the routine,” Micah said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked between me and Harper. I gave him a sheepish shrug.

Yeah. He stuck to something .

I coughed out a laugh, and they all turned to look at me.

“Sorry, wrong pipe.” I took another sip of my beer and tried to keep it together as Micah’s eyebrow raised, and Harper gave me a huge smirk.

Wrong pipe! Seriously?

“It’s fine. I’m good,” I said. “And that was a great game, Micahtron. Way to get a goal tonight.” I plastered a smile on my face and hoped I didn’t look deranged.

“And all the rest of you, too,” I continued. “Tally, Santa, Dom. Great goals.”

Cora, Anna, and Joy were now looking at me with little smiles, and I really needed to shut up.

“Yes, yes. You guys were great tonight. Totally on fire. Amazing.” Cora stretched up and planted a kiss on Tally.

At least she had my back.

“So, I take it they know about our nap,” Micah said as soon as he was pressed up next to me. “Sorry, bar’s crowded.” His voice rumbled over my skin, and thank goodness I hadn’t taken another sip of my beer because I probably would’ve choked for real.

I turned to face him. He was practically on top of me. Our lips were so close that I could have just lifted up on my toes, and his mouth would have been on mine. I wanted that so much my entire body ached.

“I just told them we kissed,” I whispered.

“Ray texted me after the game,” he murmured at the same time.

I felt bad that I still hadn’t told Ray that I was staying with Micah, but it’d honestly slipped my mind up until this point. And now it just felt weird to bring it up.

“Shit. What did he say?”

The glint in his eyes made me wary.

“Wanted to know what I ate before the game because I was on fire tonight. Should I have told him you?”

Holy freaking hell. This man was going to kill me.