Page 85 of Playing the Pucking Game

The short drive back to our hotel is in silence. Both Kodie and Fletch have their noses in their cells, no doubt messaging their women, letting them know they’ve got minutes to be phone sex ready.

Ripping my eyes from them, I focus out the window, watching the city pass by outside.

A heavy sigh passes my lips as the hotel approaches. Heat burns down the side of my face, letting me know that they’re studying me, but I don’t look over. I can’t; I’m too busy wondering what it must be like to be able to go home to someone who means the world to you, even if home means a hotel miles away.

“I’m gonna get another drink, give you some time,” I say as we move toward the elevators.

“You don’t have to do that,” Kodie says.

“Nah, it’s fine. I’m not ready to crash yet.” I want to wait here and see if Parker comes back, and if she does, I want to know if she’s alone or not.

“Okay,” Kodie concedes, more than happy to have some alone time with his girl. “Please, don’t do anything stupid.”

“What, me?” I ask, faux-horrified. “It’s like you don’t know me at all.”

“We know you too well. Why do you think he’s saying it?” Fletch laughs.

“Enjoy the rest of your night,” I say, dismissing them. “See you in the morning.”

They watch me for a moment, words dancing on the tips of their tongues, but they both decide against saying anything.

“Goodnight,” they finally say before disappearing into the elevator.

I grab myself a soda from the bar before sitting into a shadowed corner that faces the entrance to the hotel, and I wait.

Time passes slower than I’ve ever known. I picture Parker and the rest of the guys still partying hard.

It’s what I should be doing. That or icing my leg like I was instructed, but I can’t find the energy to do either.

I just need to know she’s back and alone.

I almost give up waiting when my eyes begin to close, but I’m glad I don’t, because only ten minutes later, headlights illuminate the entrance to the hotel before two familiar figures come stumbling into the building trying to smother their giggles.

The need to go to her and help her to the room again burns through me, but I don’t. I force myself to sit there and watch them disappear, happy that she isn’t spending the night with another man.

23

PARKER

I’m exhausted by the time we walk into Linc’s penthouse the next afternoon. My hangover lingered until well after lunchtime, and I can’t say that flying made it any easier.

I still don’t regret last night, though. I needed it.

Was I a little disappointed in how my evening went with my potential orgasm deliverer? I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. But after Linc and Fletch left, all he could talk about was ice hockey and the guys. He no longer seemed excited about spending time with me and only wanted to know about my friends. And of course, his comment about the idiot who benched Linc stung a little. He had no reason to know it was me, but he also didn’t need to belittle the person who made the decision as if his opinion was more important than a professional’s.

Thankfully, Brooke and Leah could read my body language, and when he was distracted, we headed out. We debated going to another club, but in the end, we settled with a bar that served arguably the best margaritas I’ve ever had and almost enough carbs to soak up all the alcohol we consumed. We laughed until our sides hurt, and eventually we got kicked out. In a repeat of the night before, we dropped Leah off first and then made our way back. Thankfully, there was no sight of Linc. I really didn’tneed a repeat of the night before, even if the sight of him on his knees before me has since become a permanent fixture in my head.

I need to forget about the whole situation and how he looked at me like he used to. Those times are long gone. Everything has changed. He’s not that boy anymore, and I'm not the same girl who used to doodle his name in my textbooks and put our initials in hearts.

I was a sap back then who believed in romance, happily ever afters, and soulmates. It’s laughable, really, that I thought he could have been it.

Silly, naive little girl.

The temptation to take a pit stop on the way home so I didn’t have to lock myself in an apartment with him was strong, but all I really wanted to do was fall face-first into his guest bed and have a nice, long afternoon nap.

Linc and the guys might have the next two days off from practice, but I’m not so lucky. I have meetings with the team to review training and rehab programs moving forward. I also have a couple of sessions with members of the team, Linc included. So, despite wanting a break from him, it seems that until I get my shit together and move out, it’s not going to happen.

“Plans for the afternoon?” Linc asks as we climb through the building.