Page 7

Chapter 7

MICAH

“ T here’s a very familiar purple head working the bar right now,” Dom said as we made our way through the crowd at Tipsy Steer.

Everyone was in a good mood because we’d pulled out a win tonight—by the skin of our teeth, but a win, regardless. Fuck, it’d been tense.

“Great game, Micah, Dom,” voices called out, but I could only focus on Dom’s words.

“What?”

“Your roommate is behind the bar right now.”

I scanned the long bar, and there she was, filling drinks from the taps and smiling at some guy in front of her. When the hell had she gotten this job?

“Oh, look, a new hot bartender to flirt with.” Sin looped his arm over my shoulder.

“Fuck off,” I muttered, dipping away from him.

“Did you know she was working here?” Dom asked.

“Nope. But she has a lot of random jobs I don’t know about.” Like drawing hot-as-fuck illustrations that should not get me as hard as they do. Dammit all to hell. I needed to stop thinking about that image. It’d been so vivid.

Fucking hell.

I sucked in a breath, shoved that drawing out of my damn brain, and focused on Josie in front of me.

“There you are,” she said, her smile beaming. “Want a drink? One extra hoppy IPA coming right up.”

Her laugh sparked every nerve ending in my body as I made a face at her.

“Kidding. Pale ale coming right up. What about the rest of you?”

Dom and Sin gave her their orders, as did a few of my other teammates who had trickled in after us.

“What are you doing back there?” I asked after everyone had their drinks.

“Oh my goodness. I was buried, and Josie said she had experience behind a bar. She’s a lifesaver,” Simone said, flashing me a smile when she crossed behind Josie after she’d filled drinks for other patrons.

“Figured I’m here enough since this is your official team hangout. Might as well help out when I can,” Josie said. “Don’t move.”

Then she was flitting down the bar to grab orders from other thirsty patrons.

“How am I supposed to get any more embarrassing stories out of her if she’s going to be busy slinging drinks?” Sin pretended to pout.

“There are no more stories to tell.” I took a sip of my beer.

“Please. I’m still waiting for a follow-up on Bessie,” he said.

I hid my smirk behind the lip of my glass. It amused me that she messed with Sin a bit on that.

“I’m back.” Josie’s words pulled my attention toward her. Her cheeks were flushed, most likely from running around because the bar was packed.

“You seriously just jumped behind the bar to help tonight? Without doing any official paperwork or getting hired?” Obviously, I already knew the answer.

“Oh, stop it. Of course I did. And it’s not like I’m not looking for additional jobs, so maybe this is just trial by fire, and she’ll hire me. Bartending can be fun, and you know I like talking to people. Plus, I can’t mooch off of you forever, Micahtron.”

I rolled my eyes at the nickname.

“And I like Denver, so I’m thinking of staying.”

“You’re not a mooch.”

She chuckled. “Um, I’m crashing on your couch and not paying you rent. That’s, like, the definition of a mooch.”

“On the couch? Don’t you have a second bedroom like the rest of us?” Sin asked.

I turned to him. “Don’t be so damn nosy.”

“Now I need to know what’s going on in that second bedroom,” he said, ignoring my glare.

I focused back on Josie, nervous about the smile on her lips. It’s not like I was embarrassed about my relaxation room; I just didn’t feel like hearing any shit from my teammates.

“Please tell me it’s like a sex room or something,” Sin continued.

Josie barked out a laugh. “It’s definitely not that, you dirty man.”

“You know it,” he said, and I could only imagine he was giving her some ridiculous and sleazy expression.

“It’s nothing like that. It just doesn’t have furniture in it, and it’s full of—” she started.

“Please say stuffed animals or something,” Sin interjected.

“You’re an idiot,” I muttered.

“I’m kidding. Micah loves reading, so it’s full of bookcases and stuff. Nothing scandalous,” she said, giving me a small smile.

“Boring. Anyway, if you’re tired of the couch, I have an actual bed in my second bedroom.”

I pushed my elbow into his chest. “Go away.”

“Just know it’s available,” he said, chuckling as he finally moved on.

“Ignore him. It’s really best to just ignore him,” I grumbled. “And you don’t have to get a job just to have another job.” Why did this irk me?

“I know I’m cramping your style, so bringing in some extra money is a good thing. Not that she’s definitely hiring me or anything.”

“I totally am,” Simone said, walking behind Josie. “If you want it, of course. We’ll talk after the insanity dies down. Great game, Micah.”

I nodded. “Thanks.”

“See? No big deal.”

“You aren’t a mooch, Josie. I like helping you out.”

She rolled her eyes. “Please. I’m totally wrecking your routines. I’ll be out of your hair in no time.”

“You don’t have to. Who’s going to cook for me if you go?”

“Don’t pout. I’m not going anywhere for a while. Now, I have to get back to work. Let me know if you need anything, and you played awesome tonight. It was a blast watching the game.”

Then, with a little wave, she moved back down the bar.

“You okay?” Dom asked, stepping in next to me as he took another sip of his beer.

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because you look like a sad puppy right now.” There was too much glee in his voice.

“Fuck off. I do not.”

“So, how’s the roommate situation really going?”

“It’s fine. And she’s actively looking for jobs, so she doesn’t have to stay with me forever.”

“And why do you sound upset about that?”

“Again, fuck off. I’m not sad at all,” I bit out, knowing I didn’t sound nonchalant in any way.

“Keep telling yourself that.” Dom put his empty bottle on the bar. “All right. I’m staying for one more and then heading home to my girls. They didn’t come tonight because Livi was fussy earlier, but Ally said Livi woke up in time for my goal in the second period and cheered me on. Like the cutest little attempt at hand-clapping. Ally sent me a video.”

“Dude, you’re so far gone,” I teased.

“And loving every second of it. Okay, definitely not the blowout that had me changing my game day suit today, but everything else is amazing.”

I scrunched my nose. “Things I don’t need to know about.”

“One day, it’ll happen to you.”

“Not any time soon, thank you very much.” I took another drink from my beer and glanced over at Josie again.

She was so damn beautiful. My gut tightened, as did other parts of my body below my belt. Did I want her to succeed in every job she took on and eventually move out of my place so I could get back to my regular routine? Maybe.

Maybe not.

No. That was an insane thought. I would not survive living with Josie long term. We were too different, and I wanted her too fucking much, and I knew I could never have her. That would be a recipe for disaster, no matter how many times I thought about kissing her again. Tasting her and doing so much more.

Fuck me.

“Did you see your girl back there?” Harper asked when Dom and I walked over to the other end of the bar.

“She’s awesome and so much fun,” Cora said, grinning at me as she leaned back in Tally’s arms. “What is that shot she made us? Purple Passion? Purple something. It’s like her hair.”

Harper laughed. “Purple Haze. We haven’t even been here that long. How many did you have?”

“Hush. They were tasty. I only had two. And it’s fine because my book is with my editor. I mean, the kid one, not the adult one, so I’m enjoying extra drinks and sleeping in tomorrow,” Cora said.

“Cheers to that.” Tally kissed her cheek. “No practice tomorrow and a night off. We are absolutely doing nothing all day.”

“I’m totally up for that.” She turned her face up to his. He leaned down and whispered something in her ear, and I almost felt like we should all turn away.

“Okay, great game tonight, and we’re going to get going. Cora’s tired,” Tally said.

Anna laughed. “Tired. Sure, sure.”

But Tally and Cora were saying their goodbyes as they headed out, not giving a shit if anyone teased them.

“And on that note, I’m heading home, too,” Dom said, following Tally and Cora out.

I glanced back at Josie, and she grinned at me.

An entire day in my condo with nowhere I had to be.

Fuck .

Hopefully, she had a lot of dogs to walk tomorrow.

JOSIE

“Uh, not to be annoying, but I seriously have to pee, Micahtron. You almost done?” I tapped on the bathroom door the following morning. The shower had turned off at least ten minutes ago. What the hell was he doing in there, anyway? “Are you pooping?”

“For fuck’s sake,” I heard him mutter before the door swung open, and he was standing in front of me with his bare chest on display. I held back an audible sigh and reached out, my fingers barely grazing his biceps before he jerked back.

“Jeez. You have muscles on top of muscles, Micahtron,” I teased, trying to sound blasé when I really wanted to trace every last line on his body.

With my tongue.

Shit, he was hot.

My gaze instinctually traveled down to see a towel wrapped around his trim hips, his powerful thighs stretching the terry cloth. He was a freaking feast for the eyes.

“Josie.” His growly voice sparked need throughout me, and I met his gaze. The look in his eyes made me shiver.

“Hmm?”

“Stop calling me that.” Then he stepped around me and walked into his bedroom, closing the door behind him, but not before I took my fill of that beautiful hockey butt. Too bad he hadn’t dropped the towel before the door shut.

I blew out a breath, attempting to calm my rattled brain, and did a little shimmy before remembering that I had to pee.

After I was done, I knocked on his door again.

“What?”

“Don’t sound so testy,” I taunted him through the door.

He pulled it open, unfortunately, dressed. “I’m not testy.”

“Oh-kay. Anyway, I’m making breakfast bowls with eggs, turkey sausage, and veggies. Want one? I even picked up that sourdough bread you love for toast.”

“Sure. I’ll make coffee.”

“Great. I’ll just change quick,” I said, walking into his bedroom. Since his guest room closet was full of puzzles and, I discovered after some snooping while he was away, a few Megatron action figures and a large cardboard cutout of Megatron tucked into the back—I wasn’t ready to reveal I’d found them yet—he’d let me put my clothes in his closet.

He grumbled something and walked out of the room. Why was he so grouchy today? I padded into his closet, ignoring the rumpled sheets on his bed. Had he been restless last night? I shook my head. Thinking about him in bed wasn’t going to get me anywhere.

Slipping into his closet, I tugged off my sleep cami and shorts and pulled on a pair of yoga shorts and a sports bra. I didn’t have any dogs to walk until later this afternoon, so I was going to try some yoga.

Piling my hair on top of my head into a messy bun, I walked down the hall and into the kitchen, where Micah stood, staring at the coffee machine.

“It’s not going to move faster with you glaring at it,” I said.

“I’m not glaring.”

“Damn. You’re super grouchy this morning. Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?” I asked, heading to the fridge.

“Sorry. I didn’t sleep great, I guess.” Then he paused, taking me in. “What are you wearing?”

I glanced down at my outfit and laughed. “Should be pretty obvious. You don’t mind if I use your yoga space, right? Thought I’d give it a try.”

Were his pupils expanding? I should not feel so gleeful at that. Just for the hell of it, I opened the fridge and bent over to grab some spinach and mushrooms from the veggie drawer, and I swore I heard his indrawn breath. I really shouldn’t have been fucking with him when he was so grumpy, but teasing him was just too much fun. And it was nice to know he wasn’t immune to me.

That wasn’t pathetic, was it?

“So, can I?” I asked, standing up and shutting the fridge with my hip.

“Uh, yeah. Uh, sure.”

I would not laugh right now.

He squeezed the back of his neck, stretching the thin white T-shirt he wore, the artwork on his arm flexing with each movement of his hand. At least he had the decency to put on a pair of black sweatpants instead of gray.

“Don’t you have dogs to walk today?” he asked.

“Can you grab the frying pan?” I asked at the same time.

He shuffled around me to open the higher cupboard and pull down the pan. His shirt lifted just enough to display a sliver of skin and that stupid hot-guy line on his hip. I swallowed hard. I was teasing him, but he was unconsciously doing the same to me. What would he do if I reached out and touched him?

“Here.” He set it down on the stove and shifted away from me. “So, no dogs today?”

“Only two later this afternoon. It’s crazy snowy out, and my other two clients are working from home this week, so they canceled.”

“That sucks.”

I shrugged. “It happens. Good thing Simone hired me for real last night so I can make some money.”

He sighed. “Josie, you don’t have to worry about that. I’m not trying to get rid of you or anything. You don’t have to get a job just to get a job. I mean, how’s it going with that other one? Uh, the drawings thing.”

I couldn’t help but grin as a faint pink tinged his cheeks. Freaking hell. His awkwardness was adorable.

“Actually, really well. Elaine loved the images, and my Etsy shop is doing great. Cora wants some drawings for her new book and pen name, too.”

“That’s amazing. So you don’t have to tend bar if you don’t want to,” he repeated.

“It’s not a big deal. And bartending is fun. I get to hang out, chat with people, and watch your games if I’m not actually at the arena.”

“If you’re sure it’s not just because you feel like a mooch.”

I put my hand on his arm, and he tensed under my touch for a brief moment. “Seriously. It’s fun for me. I haven’t done this work in a while, and you know I’m always up for a new adventure. Maybe Simone will let me come up with some new drink specials that are Stampede related. My spin on a Purple Haze was a big hit last night. Now, get out of my way so I can make breakfast. I’m starving, and I bet you are, too.”

I turned from him and kept my grin to myself after catching him visibly swallow at my last comment.

Today was going to be fun.

“Are you sure you don’t want to join me on the mat?” I asked later that morning. “You can show me your moves.”

He rolled his eyes at me. “I’m good, thanks. I only do yoga on game days.”

I chuckled. “I swear, you’re more superstitious than I realized.”

“Am not.”

“Are you pouting? Also, how can you listen to this thing and not have to immediately pee?” I asked, gesturing to the water fountain I’d turned on and then turned right back off.

“It’s relaxing. Are you just in here to ask a million questions or are you actually planning to do yoga? I mean, it’s supposed to be meditative and quiet. Two things I don’t associate with you.”

“Wow, Micahtron. Shots fired. Maybe you need some meditation yourself,” I taunted.

“Very funny,” he deadpanned.

“So, do you have a list of moves you do, or are you just winging it?” I asked, leaning over to stretch, my ass fully on display. I was taking this teasing up a notch, but I couldn’t resist, even if it got me all hot and bothered with no actual reward except his reactions.

“What? Uh, yeah. I have an app on my phone that I follow and a printed list of positions.” His voice had an edge to it that warmed me from the inside out.

I tilted my head as I stretched to the side to look at him. “Please tell me it’s laminated.”

I thought I heard him mutter, “Oh, fuck off,” and I quirked a brow at him.

“It’s in the drawer under the fountain,” he said.

I grinned and stood up, pulling the drawer open. “So nicely laminated.”

“I sweat. It makes sense to have it protected since I use it a lot.” He sounded petulant, and I couldn’t stop my laugh. “If you’re done teasing me?”

“Oh, Micahtron, that’s never happening. But I’ll let you get back to puzzling while I attempt to twist myself into a pretzel.” I scanned the list of poses and illustrations of how to complete them. “So thorough,” I murmured, and he grumbled under his breath.

Oh, yes, this was definitely going to be fun.