Page 45 of One Good Puck (Denver Bashers #5)

Abby

N erves crackle in my tummy as I carry my gift for Gavin downstairs. I walk up to him as he finishes wiping down the kitchen counter.

Everyone left to go home an hour ago. Gavin and I cleaned up the kitchen, and then I got Emma ready for bed.

When he looks up and sees me, he smiles.

“This is for you,” I say. I set the slim gift-wrapped box on the marble countertop.

He washes his hands, unties the ribbon wrapped around the box, and then opens the top flap.

When he sees what’s inside, his smile fades, and his eyes widen the slightest bit. His mouth is a straight line as he stares at the framed artwork I’ve made for him.

It’s an oil pastel work of that framed photo of him holding Sophie when she was a toddler, right after his team won the Stanley Cup.

I hold my breath, my nerves going haywire at the unreadable expression on his face. The longer he’s quiet, the more I start to doubt myself .

Maybe he thinks it’s weird that I turned his favorite photo of him and his daughter into art.

But then he looks up at me. His eyes are glassy. He blinks quickly, like he’s trying not to cry. And then he smiles.

“This is…” He shakes his head, like he can’t put what he’s feeling into words. “Abby, this is incredible. I just…I love it. So much.”

I smile, relieved and overjoyed all at once. “You do?”

“Yes.” He stares at it again. “You did this.”

I can’t help but smile.

“You are so talented, Abby.”

I shrug and shake my head, but he scoops my hand in his. “You are. This is beyond incredible. The colors, the brush strokes, the way you captured our exact expressions. I don’t have enough words to express how beautiful it is.”

He’s quiet for a long second as he glances down at our joined hands, then he looks up at me. “I know you said your dream was to go to art school, and I’m sorry you never got to go. But you are so skilled and talented on your own.”

“You really think so?”

He nods. “Without a doubt.”

I squeeze his hand in mine, heartened at the way he compliments me. I can tell he isn’t just saying it to be nice or polite. I can tell he means it.

“Have you ever thought about showcasing your artwork?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I don’t know if I’m good enough.”

He tilts his head at me. “You are absolutely good enough, Abby. More than good enough.”

My chest tingles at the conviction in his tone, at how much he believes in me .

“Please tell me this isn’t the only artwork you’ve done,” he says.

I bite back a smile and shake my head. “I’ve been drawing and painting a lot since you gifted me that oil pastel set. I’ve used almost all those canvas prints you gave me. And the stack of pastel paper too.”

The corner of his mouth hooks up, and he kisses my forehead. “I’ll have to get you more.”

“Gavin. You’re spoiling me.”

He quirks an eyebrow. “Exactly.”

My heart bounces around my chest at how amazing he is. He’s kinder and more thoughtful and romantic than any boyfriend I’ve ever had. And he’s amazing with Emma. I can tell just how much he cares about her.

Except he’s not your boyfriend, remember? He’s your friend who you hook up with sometimes. And someday you’re going to move out of his house, this whole setup will end, and you’ll go back to being friends and nothing more.

My stomach churns at the reality check I’ve given myself. And that’s when I realize that I hate the thought of Gavin as just my friend and roommate and hookup. He’s so much more than that to me.

I gaze at him, aching to tell him that. The words are sparking on my tongue. But I hold back.

We’ve only been more than friends for just a couple of months. I’ll probably freak him out if I tell him how I feel.

His mouth curves up in that gentle smile that makes my tummy flip every single time. He picks up the painting. “I’m going to put this in my office. Wanna come with me?”

“Yeah, of course.”

I follow him upstairs and watch as he hangs the painting on the wall of his office. I take in the brightness in his eyes as he looks at it. Then he pulls me into his arms and kisses me until I’m breathless and aching for more. And then he leads me to his bedroom and gives me exactly what I want.

The final buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the Bashers home game. The crowd cheers at the five-to-three victory they just pulled over Dallas.

I jump up and down, cheering along with the crowd.

“Aww, look at you,” Bella says, grinning. “The woman who didn’t know anything about hockey is now a die-hard Bashers fan.”

I laugh and shrug. “Crazy, right?”

Dakota aims a teasing smile at me. “All it took was one hot hockey coach.”

I roll my eyes and smile. I glance over at Gavin standing at the Bashers bench, a serious look on his face, even though his team just won.

A second later, he catches eyes with me. I beam at him, and the corner of his mouth quirks up in a smile before he turns away and disappears down the tunnel with his team and staff.

“Ingrid says the guys want to head to Spanky’s for a drink,” Maya says. “You wanna join? Sophie’s coming too.”

Bella and Dakota say they’re in.

“Do you have to pick up Emma?” Dakota asks me.

I shake my head. “She’s staying with a friend tonight. I’d love to join you and the guys, if that’s cool?”

“Woo! Mama’s night out!” Bella says. I laugh, and we make our way out of the stands.

I pull out my phone and text Gavin.

Me: Congrats on another win!

Gavin: Thank you.

Me: The girls invited me out to Spanky’s to celebrate. Are you coming too?

Gavin: Probably not. I don’t like to be the kind of coach who inserts himself too much into players’ spaces.

Me: Aww :( Please? For me? Just for one drink, and we can leave.

Gavin: Okay, you convinced me.

When we arrive at Spanky’s, we head for the big table in the back. Bella says the guys are regulars at this bar, and this is their usual spot.

We order a bottle of Prosecco to share between us, a pitcher of beer for the guys, a Scotch for Blomdahl, and a non-alcoholic drink for Sophie.

A little while later, Sophie and Ingrid join us. I hand her her drink and smile.

“Dakota told me that Xander asked for a special drink for you to be added to their menu,” I say. “That’s so romantic and sweet.”

Sophie beams. “He’s the best. I love him so much.”

Dakota pulls her into a side hug. “Aww, my bestie is so smitten.”

“Very, very smitten,” Sophie says.

A little while later, Xander, Del, Blomdahl, Sam, and Gavin walk in. We congratulate them on their win.

Gavin sits down next to me right as Camden walks up to our table. “Another pitcher of beer, boys?” he asks .

They all say yes. Camden’s smile drops when he sees Gavin. “Oh hey, Coach. I, uh, didn’t know you’d be here.”

Gavin frowns. “Don’t worry, Connors. I won’t be here for long. One drink and I’m gone.”

Camden lets out a breath, clearly relieved. “Oh. Cool.” He heads for the bar to order more beer.

I chuckle and look at Gavin. The corner of his mouth twitches like he’s fighting a smile.

“Told you I’d ruin the mood,” he says

I playfully smack his shoulder. “You’re not ruining anything. Look, the rest of the guys aren’t bothered that you’re here.”

Gavin raises an eyebrow. “They just hide it better than Connors does.”

“Georgie! You made it!” Xander hollers.

Ryker walks up to our table. He rolls his eyes.

“Don’t fucking call me that,” he mutters, sitting in the empty chair next to Xander.

“Oh, come on. You love it,” Xander teases with a smug smile on his face.

Camden returns to the table with a pitcher of beer. “Hey, Georgie. I didn’t know you were coming.”

Ryker glares at Camden. “Call me Georgie again, and I’ll rip your balls off and shove them down your throat.”

Camden’s brow hits his hairline. He holds up a hand. “Jesus, okay. Sorry.”

I notice Gavin’s beer glass is empty. “Eager to head home?” I ask.

“Yup. I’m ready for bed.” His eyes turn fiery as he looks at me.

I bite my lip, catching his drift instantly. I finish the Prosecco in my glass. “I’m going to run to the restroom, and then we can go. ”

He winks at me, and I walk to the ladies’ room. On my way back to our table, I walk up to the bar and ask the bartender for a glass of water.

While I wait, I feel someone’s hand on my arm.

“Hey, hot stuff.”

I look over and see a blond guy standing way too close to me, smirking. I look down at his hand on my arm. I slide out of his hold and frown at him, stilling when I look at his face. He looks kind of familiar.

“Do I know you?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Nope. But I’d love to get to know you, babe.”

“Wow.” I let out an annoyed laugh. “What a line.”

I slide down the bar and thank the bartender when he sets a glass of ice water in front of me. I grab it and turn around to walk off, but the blond guy walks up to me and catches my wrist in his hand.

“Aww, come on. You don’t want to tell me your name?”

“No. Can you please stop touching me?”

He tilts his head at me, his smirk turning more taunting. What is this guy’s problem?

But then, a second later, I recognize him. This is Zach McCoy. The player that Gavin got rid of for posting his ex’s nudes online.

His grip on my wrist tightens. Dread curdles in my stomach. “You’re being kind of rude to me, babe. I just wanted to know your name.”