Page 5

CHAPTER 5

NASH

My quads are on fire as I push myself, soaring across the ice. We’re in the third period against the Anaheim Ducks, and the fuckers are ahead by one.

Wolfe has the puck and is zig-zagging his way in and out of defenders before he sends a pass to Pax.

I track the moves with a laser focus, everything quieting around me as adrenaline pumps through my veins. Pax shoots the puck to me because he’s too covered. The puck settles against my stick like a soft weight, and I don’t miss a beat as I fly toward the Ducks’ goal.

Two defenders come straight for me, and I fake like I’m going to take a shot but send the puck right back to Pax—a move we’ve practiced over a hundred times that I could do in my sleep.

Pax pulls his stick back and takes the shot?—

And the Ducks’ goalie turns into Mr. Fucking Fantastic, stretching to inhuman lengths to stop it.

“Shit!” I groan, the buzzer sounding as the period runs out of time.

We lost.

I skate over to Pax, who still stares at the goal like he can redo the shot. “It was a good shot, man,” I say, bumping his shoulder.

“I missed.”

“You didn’t miss,” I say. “He was really fucking quick. There’s a difference.”

Pax groans but we make our way off the ice, our team heading to the away-team’s locker room.

It’s fucking quiet in here, but it always is after a loss.

“Heavy,” Coach Hardin says after we’ve all taken a seat on a bench or a lean against the wall. He nods, his usual goofy smile just a little bit wilted. “I get the heavy after a loss, I really do.” He puts his hand over the center of his chest. “I feel it in here. But, you all played your asses off. Every play was executed to perfection.” He shrugs, letting his hand drop. “It’s hard to be mad with that kind of performance.”

He’s right. We played our asses off. The Ducks just got the better of us.

“We’ll meet them on the ice again,” he says. “And when we do, we’ll be the ones celebrating.”

There are a few collective nods and hell yeahs and then we break up to hit the showers.

I wash up quickly, heading back to the locker where I stowed my gear to get dressed.

“Where are you heading?” Pax asks as he gets dressed next to me. “Meeting up with Reese?”

I glance at him, noting the too-knowing look on his face. “Monroe told you.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he answers, refusing to look me in the eye.

I laugh, shaking my head as I zip up my gear bag. “Is anything sacred?” I joke.

“I can’t help what she tells me,” he says.

“Tells you what?” Lawson asks as he heads up to us, gear bag in tow. “What did I miss?”

Pax looks at me, eyebrows raised.

“Hey,” Lawson says looking between us. “Secrets don’t make good friends.”

I laugh again. “Jesus, you two.” I sigh. “Reese and I are in a…unique arrangement and Pax here was just letting me know that Monroe told him all about it.”

“A situationship?” Lawson asks.

I quickly shake my head. “No,” I answer. “More like a business arrangement.”

“Whoa, did she score you an endorsement deal? I’ve been asking her to call Nike for me, but she said that’s more of public relations job.”

“Not yet,” I say. “But that video she posted from New Year’s was too good of an opportunity to pass up. For me and the Badgers.” I shrug. “I offered to play a little role for the camera in order to keep the views coming.”

“He’s in a fake relationship,” Pax says, playfully clapping Lawson in the chest. “You know what that’s like.”

“Ahh,” Lawson says. “But mine and Blakely’s relationship wasn’t fake. I was always pursuing her. She knew it. She just tried to deny it.”

“I’m not pursuing, Reese,” I say. “I’m just trying to help her keep up the views.”

“But you’re pretending to be her boyfriend?” Pax asks.

“Yes,” I answer.

“And you’re not pursuing her?” Lawson asks. “Because a couple weeks ago at Clay’s house I swore I saw you two making out.”

I huff. “Creeper.”

“I’m not!” he fires back. “I can’t help that you two made a spectacle of yourselves. Not that I’m blaming you. I kiss Blakely any chance I can get, public or not.”

“What else do boyfriends do?” I ask. “And before either of you ask, she’s the one who said go for it. She’s in control, I’m just along for the ride.”

“That definitely sounds like nothing can go wrong,” Pax teases.

“Speaking of situationships, how are things with your BFF?”

His mouth drops open. “She’s just my friend.”

“Yeah,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“Yo, Stokehill,” Jake Coding, one of rookies, calls over to me. “Are you hitting up the bars tonight? Which one do you think will be the best for finding some Anaheim locals who love hockey players?”

I furrow my brow. Under normal circumstances, I would’ve already scoped out a general game plan for the night life after a game in any given town we’ve traveled to, but not tonight.

“Nah,” I say. “I’m staying in tonight.”

Jake looks at me like I’ve grown another head. To be fair, I usually go out, the rookies following me around like lost puppies in the hopes they’ll get lucky too.

“Really?” he asks.

“Really,” I say. “Have a good time though. Wear protection.”

“Yes, Dad ,” he says, dragging out the word and looking like he just got a lecture from his father before he heads out of the locker room.

“Where are you staying in?” Lawson asks.

“Reese said she’d be at Clay’s suite where some others are hanging out,” I say, picking up my bag and heading out of the locker room, the guys following me. “So that’s where I’ll be.”

“And she’s just a friend, huh?” Pax says with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“We haven’t officially called each other friends yet,” I say as we head out of the arena. “But we’re working up to it. You know she loves to fight me every other second.”

“Friends who make out,” Lawson says. “Definitely nothing wrong with that, right, Pax?”

“Guys,” he groans. “For the millionth time, I have never made out with Monroe. Not that I wouldn’t…ugh,” he says, shaking his head. “She’s my best friend. Like, I’ve-known-her-for-forever best friend. Even if I wanted to…there’s a whole lot of risk involved. I can’t lose her.”

The seriousness in his tone definitely kills the playful mood, but I give him an empathetic look. “We know,” I say. “We’re just fucking with you. And hey, if you ever do decide that the risk would be worth it, you know we’ll be here.”

“Thanks,” he says as we climb the team bus that will take us back to the hotel.

Clay splurged for a suite, like always, and opened his doors for anyone who wanted a chill, safe place to land for the night instead of flocking to the bars. For a grumpy asshole, he’s certainly generous.

I drop my bag off in the room I’m sharing with Lawson and then head up a few floors to Clay’s.

There are already at least twenty people here, mostly Badgers and their plus-ones for the night. It only takes me a quick scan to find Reese on the balcony with Blakely and Monroe, the trio of beautiful women laughing at something one of them said.

And fuck me, Reese’s smile is breathtaking. Like, literally, the breath in my lungs disappears for a few moments as I head toward her, unable to not walk that direction. She looks gorgeous in leggings and a Badger’s jersey—not mine, of course—but it’s her smile that has me practically salivating.

Okay, that could also be her banging body, because damn . Her slight curves are just too damn delicious. I want to palm her ass in my hands, want to sink my teeth into her inner thighs right before I sink my tongue into her pussy.

Whoa. That escalated quickly.

I do my best to ground myself before I head out onto the balcony, not wanting to be showing off a hard-on, but damn, she definitely gets me going.

“This a girls-only party or can I join?” I ask.

“You can always join,” Blakely says, grinning at me as I head over to Reese.

I slide an arm around her waist, leaning in to plant a kiss on her forehead like it’s the most natural thing in the world. There isn’t a camera rolling, which is probably why she’s looking at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I don’t care. I’ve always been someone to act on instinct and every instinct in my body is screaming to give her the attention she deserves.

“You played so well tonight,” Reese says, a slight flush on her cheeks from the greeting I gave her.

“Thanks,” I say, shrugging. “We all did. It was a hell of a fight.”

“You’ll get them next time,” Monroe says.

I nod. “Absolutely we will.”

“Oh there’s Pax,” she says, then nudges Blakely. “And Lawson. Let’s go see what they’re up to.”

They wink at Reese—not subtle at all—before leaving us alone on the balcony.

“What were you three laughing about before I came out here?”

Reese turns to lean against the balcony railing, the California air not brutal in January like it is in Maine. She smiles up at me, tilting her head. “Why?” she asks. “Afraid we were talking about you?”

I smirk down at her. “Never,” I say. “Though, with how much you’re probably thinking about me, I wouldn’t doubt it.”

She laughs out loud, the sound rippling along my bones in a delicious way. “Do you always think about yourself, or do you manage to think about other people sometimes?”

I shrug. “Depends on the day,” I say, shifting to lean against the railing next to her. The position gives me a good view of the party going on inside, and I spot Hadley, my little sister, hanging out with a big group that’s gathered in the living area. Lawson and Pax are among the crowd, along with Baylor, who is saying something to Hadley.

“Uh oh,” Reese says. “Are you about to shift into over-protective-big-brother mode?”

“No,” I say, drawing my attention back to her. “I’m not over-protective.”

“Says the brother who constantly worries about her.”

“Did Hadley tell you that?”

Reese shrugs. “She may have mentioned it.”

I rake my fingers through my hair. “She’s the only sibling I have,” I say. “Of course I’m going to worry about her.”

“I get that,” she says. “But I also know my sister can handle herself.”

“I’m not saying Hadley can’t,” I say. “I’m just still getting used to her being an adult. The fact that she wanted to travel with us this time is awesome, because she rarely gets a break from the double class schedule she has going.”

“She’ll graduate early, right?” Reese asks.

“This May,” I say. “And I’m so fucking proud of her. But it’s an adjustment. It went from me watching out for her daily to her taking care of herself. It’s weird.”

“What about your parents?”

Emotion clogs my throat. “Yeah, they’ve done amazing,” I say. “They sacrificed everything for me when we were kids so I could be on the ice as much as possible. I just feel bad, because Hadley didn’t get the same treatment. Not because they didn’t want to or they didn’t give her attention, but because my dad got cancer and it’s been an ongoing battle with his health that demanded most of my mother’s focus.”

“Oh, Nash,” she says, reaching over and putting her hand on my arm. “I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks,” I say. “We’ve managed to keep it mostly out of the limelight. We’re not hiding it, it’s just my family doesn’t want their private medical situation to be all over the news.”

“Totally understand that.”

“Anyway,” I continue. “With Mom’s focus understandably on Dad, I kind of took on that parental role for Hadley. She was sixteen, but it was still a crucial time in her life. And now…” I glance at where she’s still chatting with Baylor. “I couldn’t be more proud of her, but I’m still…adjusting.”

“Wow,” she says. “I never knew. I mean, she talks about how you’re the best brother on the planet, and how awesome your family is, but I didn’t realize that dynamic.”

I grin widely, and she shakes her head.

“Don’t tell her I told you she said that about you, she’d kill me,” she pleads.

“It’ll be our little secret,” I say.

“I’m so sorry about your dad though,” she continues. “I know that must be hard. Has treatment helped?”

I swallow hard. “Somewhat,” I say. “His spirits are high, which is a miracle considering how long he’s been in and out of treatment. He’s always been an optimistic guy. It’s the medical bills that keep getting out of hand. Neither of them has good insurance, and so it’s all out of pocket. I’ve helped with most of them, but after taxes, paying off their house…” I blow out a breath. “Let’s just say that if I get any endorsement deals it’ll be a blessing.”

Something clicks, and she nods. “That’s why you were so eager to keep the views up.” She doesn’t say it like an accusation, just a simple statement of fact.

“It can’t hurt,” I say.

She nods. “I’ll do whatever I can.”

“So, are you going to tell me now?” I ask, desperate to get out of the heavy.

“What?”

“What you three were laughing about.”

“Oh,” she laughs. “I already forgot you asked that.”

“But not what you were laughing at.”

A flush dusts her cheeks and she shakes her head. “I can’t,” she says.

“Oh, you so can,” I say, immediately intrigued. “What was it?”

“Nothing you want to hear about, I assure you.”

“You’re assuming things,” I say. “That’s not fair. How do you know I won’t be interested if you don’t tell me and let me decide for myself?”

She raises her brows, surprise flitting over her features. “Okay then,” she says. “You asked for it,” she murmurs under her breath. “We were discussing…certain nighttime activities and the topic came up of how many times any of us have… arrived on any given occasion.”

I stand up a little straighter. “I’m definitely interested.”

She shakes her head. “Not the part we were laughing at.”

“Oh, please continue.”

“Anyway, they were teasing me. And it was funny, so I laughed.”

“What were they teasing you about?”

Her blush deepens, and my heart kicks up a notch. Whatever she’s thinking about I desperately want to know.

“Um…” She laughs nervously. “They’ve both had times where they’ve had multiple arrivals in one night.”

“So,” I say, shrugging. “What were they teasing you about?”

Her gaze widens, and she looks toward the party like we might be overheard, but the glass doors are closed so there’s no way. Besides, no one is paying any attention to us.

“I haven’t,” she answers. “And they weren’t being mean about it. They were suggesting ways I could have multiple… arrivals in one night. With the right person, and they were getting ridiculously descriptive so we were all laughing?—”

“Hold on,” I say, blinking a few times like that might make me understand better.

“Whew!” A rookie comes out onto the balcony, cutting me off. “I needed the fresh air,” he continues. “And this view is awesome.”

“It is,” I say, then grab Reese’s hand and lead her through the party, finding one of the empty rooms in Clay’s suite. I shut the door behind us. “You’re saying you’ve never been with a partner that didn’t get you off at least twice before he took his turn?” I ask.

She clears her throat, shifting nervously on her feet. “No,” she says. “But it’s fine. I’ve had good sex. It’s not like they were bad?—”

“No,” I cut her off. “If you only get off once, it’s not as good as it could be.” I shake my head, my mind catching up with the rest of her statement. “And who were the girls suggesting help you with this problem?” Irrational jealousy crops up inside me that I can’t deny or explain. The idea of someone else’s hands on her body has my hackles rising when they have no right to. We’ve only kissed, and this relationship is fake for fuck’s sake.

“ You , of course,” she says with an incredulous look. “The popular, bad-boy expert in all things sex,” she laughs.

The breath punches from my lungs.

“Oh,” I say, relief and excitement barreling through me.

“Which I reminded them would be breaking ground rules,” she continues. “Not to mention that you have no interest in me like that whatsoever?—”

“You’re assuming again,” I cut her off, stepping closer to her. “I told you in the beginning, there’s a fine line between hate and passion, and after getting to know you better these last few weeks, I know you don’t hate me. There’s still a whole lot here you can’t deny.” I motion between the two of us.

Her lips open and shut a few times. “Okay,” she says. “Maybe I’ll admit there’s chemistry here. But you’re Nash Stokehill,” she continues. “Infamous bachelor. I can’t compete with everyone vying for your attention.”

“As of a few weeks ago, I’m your boyfriend,” I say. “No one else has my attention.”

“It’s really fine,” she says. “So, my sex life has been a little blah. It’s all good. I can do it better myself.”

“Fuck, I’d love to see that.” I cock a brow at her. “But I’m telling you, I can do it better.”

“Yeah right,” she laughs.

“I can.”

She looks me up and down, a sense of challenge churning in her eyes. She turns around and locks the door. “Prove it.”

“What?” I ask, blood racing hot through my veins.

“Prove it,” she says again.

“You seriously want me to?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“There are no cameras in here, Reese.”

“Do you need them?”

“Not at all.”

She grins, something wild flashing over her eyes. “Then prove it.”