Page 11 of One-Time Shot

Or maybe it was Jett. Geez, he was intense.

“See you at five.”

“Wonderful! Excellent!” I flashed a megawatt grin and gave two thumbs-ups, stepping backward and—stumbling over my own two feet.

Jett grabbed my arm, saving me from falling flat on my behind. “Easy there.”

He was so close, I could smell the sweat and heat of him…and I liked it. More than a little.

Yes, Jett Erickson was a decidedly handsome man—roguish and rough, like a pirate or a highwayman in a regency romance. Don’t judge. I’d read a few of those. However, he wasn’t my type of person. He was too big, too mysterious, too sporty, and probably too straight…all of which made him bad infatuation material.

I cleared my throat and primly adjusted my glasses. “I’ll see you Wednesday.”

Jett tipped his chin, his lips curling at one corner. “Later, Maloney.”

“Later,” I repeated, waving as he walked away.

When I was sure he was gone, I pumped my fist in the air triumphantly. Yes! I’d done it. I had my jock.

Now I just had to collect data, run a few flawless experiments, and write a riveting piece.

Oh, yes…and not fall in lust with my hockey hero subject.

Piece of cake.

CHAPTER4

JETT

“Two scouts will beat your game this weekend with Trinity. They’re a solid middling team—not too easy, not too tough. You guys should beat them with your hands tied behind your back, but a W will do. How are you feeling? Is your knee bugging you?”

My agent was a sturdy middle-aged man with a thick mustache and thinning hair dyed an unnatural shade of brown. At least that was how he’d looked last time we’d seen each other. It had been a few months since our previous in-person meeting. Randall was a busy man with an impressive clientele…who also happened to be a friend of my dad’s and an old teammate of Coach Beekman’s.

He’d taken me on as a favor to my old man. However, I knew Randall wouldn’t waste time with me if he didn’t think I had potential. And I didn’t really mind these occasional phone calls. Randall was a nice enough guy and someone I absolutely wanted in my corner, but sometimes I wished he didn’t know so much about me.

Like my knee problem.

It was an old injury that flared up once in a while, but it never stopped me. Probably because I was a pro at managing it. I iced it three times a day and did whatever exercises were necessary to strengthen the muscles surrounding my kneecap.

Truthfully, it kind of hurt. I shouldn’t have extended my jog with Malcolm yesterday. I had strict rules about how much time I spent on any nonessential extracurricular activity, especially if it impacted my knees. Then again, that had been more of a brisk walk than anything.

And just like that, I had a dopey-ass smile on my face.

I couldn’t help it. The memory of the uber-serious science guy lying in wait for me in his oversized sweats and scruffy sneakers with his nose in a book made me chuckle. He’d been so earnest and yeah…he was kinda cute, too.

Don’t worry. I knew Malcolm was out of my league. Too smart for me by half.

I still liked him, and I respected his tenacity and grit. He’d shamelessly stalked me for days.Days.

Melanie, my favorite barista at Coffee Cave had wondered if I knew I had an admirer.

“He’s adorable,” Mel had singsonged. “Glasses, wears V-neck sweaters, and carries a backpack the size of a small microwave. Ring any bells?”

“Uh…”

“I think he’s got a crush on you,” she’d teased.

My ears had gone pink for sure, but I’d scoffed and moved on. I knew better.