Page 39 of Playing the Pucking Game

“Absolutely not. But something tells me I don’t have a choice.”

Brooke studies me for a beat, and I worry I may have said the wrong thing.

“Oh, I think I’m going to like you. Although not as much as the guys, of course.”

11

LINCOLN

I’ve been distracted all morning, wondering what Parker is doing. It’s ridiculous and not something I’ve ever experienced before. Usually, my mind is on the game and nothing else. But suddenly, there she is, taking up thoughts in my head when I should be focused on winning our next matchups.

We’ve got a stretch of three away games that we need to win. We might be sitting pretty right now, but we all know that it can change on the flip of a dime. And having my mind drifting, wondering if she’s in the training room rubbing down one of my teammates, isn’t going to fucking help.

Stepping out of the shower, I wrap a towel around my waist and walk toward my stall, water dripping from me.

“The fuck was up with you today?” Handsy asks as I drop to my ass, my elbows on my knees and head in my hands.

“Off day,” I grunt, hoping it’ll be enough to pacify him.

“You sick or something? Because if you are, I don’t want you anywhere fucking near me. Hammond isn’t ready,” he says, mentioning our second-line goalie.

“No, I’m not sick.” Just…distracted by a woman I know is walking around here in those goddamn leggings that make her ass look insane.

Every motherfucker inside this building is going to be looking. The knowledge causes something red hot to rise up inside me.

I fear it might be jealousy, but I’m refusing to think about it.

“Right, well, whatever it is, fix it before we hit the ice this afternoon. I’ve got a meeting with Coach,” he says before disappearing from the dressing room. The other guys in here shoot me looks, but none of them dare says anything.

You just need to see her, a little voice says.Once you know she’s here and settled, you’ll relax.

Pushing to my feet, I make quick work of getting dressed, my groin pulling as I step into my shorts. I swear it’s been hurting worse ever since she brought it up. She’s punishing me, and she doesn’t even know it.

With my hair still wet and my athletic shirt sticking to my back, I march out of the dressing room in search of her.

I don’t have to look very far, because as I’m approaching the training room, her voice floats down to me.

The hairs on the back of my neck lift as she talks passionately about how grateful she is to be allowed to do a job she loves with a team she’s supported all her life.

I pause at the doorway and just listen. I’m hardly surprised when another familiar female voice speaks up. Of course, Brooke has gotten her hands on Parker because having a female athletic trainer is marketing gold. I just hope Parker is ready for what’s going to follow it.

Being in the public eye can be incredible. I have met some unbelievable people because of it, and my reach has helped many good causes over the years. But there is a dark side to it all. The trolling, the hate-filled comments. And I hate to even think it, but I have a feeling the ones that are going to be directed at Parker are going to be a lot worse than the kind the guys and I get after a shitty loss.

Despite hearing Parker’s voice, my need to see her grows again, and my feet move before I’ve registered the decision.

A huge breath leaves me as my eyes land on her. She’s sitting on the edge of the treatment table, her focus fully on Brooke as she asks another question, completely oblivious that she’s got the attention of every other person in the room.

Monroe, Killer, Fletch, and Kodie have all stopped what they were doing to watch and listen.

But as much as I want to bark at them to get back to work, I don’t want to announce my presence yet. I just want to watch.

“And what is it that you’re looking forward to most in your new role?”

“Being a part of something I love. Being able to support the team, ensure that they’re all in peak condition, so that they can bring the cup to LA this year.”

“Amen to that,” Brooke says.

I don’t know what I do—I swear, I don’t move—but suddenly, Parker’s eyes lift, instantly finding mine.