Page 320 of Playing the Pucking Game

“Parker,” Linc says, storming over with a determined look on his face. “Babe, will you go to the Valentine’s gala with me?”

“Hey, I asked first,” Handsy argues.

“No, you didn’t.” Linc scoffs. “And even if you did, she’d say no.”

I raise my brows in amusement.

“Babe?” Linc prompts.

I pretend to think for a moment. “I’m not sure. How do I know I won’t get a better offer?”

Handsy barks out a laugh as Linc growls in frustration.

“I’ll buy you a pretty dress,” Linc offers, as if that’ll help. He should already know that there is no one else I’d rather go with.

“Hmm…how expensive are we talking? And will I get shoes and a purse as well?”

“You can have anything you want. I want you to feel as beautiful as I see you.”

“Pussy,” Handsy coughs.

Reaching out, Linc flicks him on the back of his knee. “Ow, motherfucker,” he complains, twisting around to rub it.

“Parker?” Linc asks again, ignoring his teammate.

I shake my head, a soft smile playing on my lips. “Of course I’ll go with you. And you don’t have to spend a penny on me.”

“What if I want to?”

“We’ll talk about this later,” I say, turning back to Handsy.

“Fine. But I’m buying you a dress,” Linc states as he returns to his spot on the mats.

“Possessive asshole,” Handsy mutters, making me laugh.

Yeah, he is. And I freaking love it.

79

PARKER

“You know you’ve ruined your career, right?”

I rear back as the words hit me, but I don’t give him the privilege of turning to look at him.

“No one is going to be able to take you seriously after this. A few weeks into a job you only got because of your connection to the team, and now you’re fucking one of the players?”

My teeth grind as anger burns red hot through my veins.

Mitchell has been itching to say something since the moment Linc kissed me on the ice a few days ago, but thankfully, we haven’t been alone since. Unfortunately for me, he’s managed to catch me alone in the trainers’ room while the team is getting ready for tonight’s game.

The arena is at full capacity, and the volume of the crowd is unbelievable. With every game the guys win, the busier and louder home games are becoming. Everyone is desperate to watch them go all the way this year, and they’re doing everything they can to support them.

It’s incredible to see, and even more exciting to be a part of it all.

“You have no idea, Mitchell,” I say, continuing to clean down the table I was just using.

The moments before a game are the calm before the storm. The second the guys hit the ice, we’re on full alert, waiting for the first sign of injury and treating everything we can to keep them out there doing what they do best.