Page 31 of Playoff (Toronto Blaze #4)

Is that a challenge?

Jess

I worried about how things would go with Justin and my parents every time the team played in Vancouver or Seattle.

Mom and Dad asked for tickets, and Justin would always arrange them.

After, they’d drop hints about their financial constraints.

Once he’d given me his POA over his finances they couldn’t guilt money out of him, but they did make him feel bad, and I hated that.

They were used to me being a hard-ass but it was stressful for all of us. Justin refused to stop giving them any money, so my job was to make sure they didn’t exploit him. This trip, with Alek on the team, would be so much worse.

Then Justin told me Alek walked out, apologized for his parents, and left.

The three of them had been confused by it, and so was I.

I’d messaged Alek before the game to get information Justin wouldn’t give me.

I didn’t like bothering the others, since I did it so often.

And yes, I’d wanted to reach out to him.

I definitely hadn’t expected Alek to do something to help my twin.

It gave me warm thoughts about my booty call buddy, and that wasn’t good.

I sent him my thanks and he brushed it off.

I didn’t like that. I mean, yeah, we didn’t have a relationship.

But we’d shared things, beyond orgasms, and I thought there was a nice guy hiding under the asshole.

And while we’d mutually shared those orgasms, he’d done something outside of sex for me, and it felt like the scales were out of balance.

Our relationship, such as it was, wasn’t the kind that was supposed to get out of balance like that. Not like…

Like what? My parents? They were masters at keeping track of favors and things owed.

That probably contributed to how I felt.

Justin? I was still paying him back for what he’d given up for us.

I owed my grandmother so much for how she stepped in for Mom and Dad, and even though I was here with Justin like she wanted, I still was torn about abandoning her.

She might not remember me, but she deserved someone to visit her.

Would Alek think I owed him? Could I do something to offset it?

I wished I had someone to talk to about this, but I couldn’t let anyone know I was hooking up with Alek.

No one at work, for sure. I never told my book clubs about my connection to the Blaze.

The guy who’d asked for Justin’s autograph the morning after sleeping over had been in one that I’d had to quit after that fiasco.

I was afraid to share with anyone connected to the team or who knew about us and his parents’ Ponzi scheme.

That basically eliminated anyone I knew in BC or Ontario.

So, I resorted to my usual stress reliever.

Justin made comfort savory food when he was stressed, and I baked.

I got the best feedback from baking bread.

I made some loaves of a rich whole wheat that were healthy and tasty, and a couple of coconut for a sweeter option.

Justin knew my quirk, like I knew his, but since he’d just seen our parents he wouldn’t be surprised that I was letting out some tension.

The extra loaves I could give to Alek. Keep things balanced, at least in my mind.

The team was on their way from the airport, so I wrapped one of each and took them down to the storage locker to hide, like some kind of spy.

Justin was eating a slice of coconut bread when I got back to the condo. I shook my head. “What if that wasn’t for you?”

“Then you’d make more.”

He was right. “Good flight?”

“Good enough.”

“And Mom and Dad?”

He grinned, something I didn’t see often enough. “They’re probably still trying to understand why Alek apologized to them for his parents.”

Something I was questioning too. “Did he tell you why?”

Justin cut off another slice. “He gave me the PR answer, not the real one. But I told him I’d try better to get along. I said I would before, but I didn’t make much of an effort.”

There was no reason for that to make me go gooey. “Maybe he’s not as bad as we thought.”

He drew his brows together. “Maybe. I said something about the trade deadline to him and he looked a little shocked. Maybe he wants to stay. Guess we’ll see.”

I wanted to ask more questions, about what answer Alek had given him and if he was likely to be traded, so I went to my room. Asking that wouldn’t be suspicious at all. I pulled out my phone.

Me: I heard what you did after the Vancouver game.

K: Did it work?

Me: Yes. I’d like to show you my appreciation

K: Another ride to Hamilton?

My cheeks heated, though there was no one but me to read the text. And we’d agreed it was over.

Me: Meet me in the storage locker

I picked up the rain gear I hadn’t replaced after my trip to BC, so I had an excuse for leaving if Justin asked. He didn’t, having gone to his room to unpack. This secrecy was stressful. Good thing it would be over after this.

I was first to our locker and shoved my rain gear away.

I’d soon need to pull it out again. March was coming up fast, and it would get warmer and wet as the snow melted.

I picked up the bag with the loaves of bread from where it was tucked behind my summer clothes.

I heard the elevator door open on this floor and stepped into the hallway, checking to see who was there.

Something jolted inside when I saw Alek. Just like the night at the bar. He was wearing jeans again, and a long-sleeved T-shirt. The hair was a little longer, the jaw scruffy. I sighed. I was ridiculous.

He scanned the lockers before he noticed me. I thought I saw the barest hint of a smile and then he was moving this way, stopping just a little too close in front of me. “Hello.”

I felt breathless, which was not good. I took the bag of bread in my hand and shoved it at him. “For you.”

He glanced down. “What is that?”

“Bread. One whole wheat, and one coconut loaf.”

“Bread?”

I huffed. “You know what bread is. I made it, to thank you for helping Justin.”

He stared into the bag with a puzzled frown. “You made it. Bread.”

“Yes, bread. I assume you’re not gluten-free since I’ve seen you eating bread before.”

He met my gaze. “Thank you. No one has ever made me food before.”

More weird feelings warmed up my insides. “You talked to my parents, and Justin said their dinner was a lot less stressful after you did that. I appreciate it. It wasn’t what I meant when I messaged you.”

He shrugged. “It wasn’t much.” He didn’t understand our family dynamics. “But thank you.” He finally took the bag from me.

“You’re welcome.”

I wanted to ask if he thought he’d be traded, but his gaze moved down my body before coming up again. I felt it, like a heated touch. “I’d been hoping for a different display of gratitude. The kind with lace.”

I wanted to scoff, but my breath was shallow and goose bumps were rising on my skin.

I wasn’t wearing anything sexy—just jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt, with my plain but comfortable underwear underneath—but I shivered.

“No lace. And this is the storage locker, not a place to hook up.” That reeked of tackiness and desperation, and damn, images were flashing through my brain that I shouldn’t allow.

His brows lifted. “Is that a challenge?”

No, it was not. I had no intention of having sex in a storage locker, where someone could come and see through the mesh cages. I just had to say no.

Instead, I licked my lips. Bad girl, Jess.

Alek used his free hand to tug me close to him. “I’m good at challenges.”

The smart thing was to say I didn’t mean it as a challenge and step back. Unfortunately, that message didn’t get through to my body. Instead, I leaned up and kissed him.

Big mistake. Huge. Alek slid his hand around my waist and pulled me against him. The kiss heated up and before I realized, my hands were pulling on his short hair, keeping his mouth on mine.

He finally broke away. “This your locker, right?”

It took me a minute. “Uh, yeah.”

He maneuvered me inside and set the bag of bread on a box. Then he dragged me to the back, between a set of skis and a stack of Christmas decorations. He pressed me against the wall, his big body hiding me from anyone who might come by.

I stared up at him. “What exactly do you think we’re doing in here?”

“I’m taking that challenge.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be a challenge?” It didn’t come out as a statement but a question, and my hands were wrapping around his waist.

“So should I stop?”

“No.”

Justin was unpacked, laundry in the machine, and watching some game footage when I got back to the condo.

“You okay? You look a little flushed.”

I shrugged. “Decided to get out a couple of floors early and use the stairs.” I insisted that Alek go up before me, and I’d set my watch timer to five minutes before I followed him, paranoid that Justin would be on Alek and Fitch’s floor for some reason and when the doors opened he’d see Alek and me together and… figure out something.

It wasn’t logical. I’d bumped into the guy by accident on the elevator before. But the bold part that came out when Alek smirked at me was no longer leading the way.

“Want to go out for dinner?” he asked.

“Sure.” Justin tended to be a real homebody, especially after a series of away games. If he wanted to go out, I would do anything I could to encourage him getting out of his shell.

“Thought we’d go to that Italian place. Maybe in half an hour? I invited Fitch and Alek to join us. Trying to get along better.”

My smile froze. How the hell was I supposed to pretend I barely knew Alek when ten minutes ago he’d been inside me?

There was no good reason I could think of to say no, so I just said sure again and fled to my room.

I splashed water on my cheeks, to get rid of any flush or other incriminating evidence.

Then I crossed to my closet. Here was a clothing dilemma.

What to wear to have dinner with my twin brother and two of his teammates, one of whom I’d just had sex with?

And it was a secret we’d both have to carry to our graves?

Red lace was not it. I chose a nice sweater and some dress pants. Would Alek like— I shoved that thought down.

Fitch and Alek came up to our condo. Justin mentioned the Italian place we liked, and they agreed. I busied myself with rearranging the contents of my purse so that I didn’t have to look at anyone. Justin said he would drive, so the four of us took the elevator to the parking garage.

Fitch insisted I have the front seat and I didn’t argue. Being in the back seat with Alek seemed like a really bad idea.

The ma?tre d’ was pleased to see Justin again and led us to a private booth. Alek sat across from me, with Justin at my side. I tucked my feet against the bench seat so I wouldn’t touch Alek. I was so tense I had to fist my hands on my lap.

“You guys ever been here?” Justin asked. They both shook their heads. “Cooper brought me the first time. Then I brought Jess her first day in Toronto. Cooper knows all the best places.”

“He took me to a hole-in-the-wall that had the most amazing Thai food before my first game,” Fitch agreed.

“He does that with everyone, then,” Alek said, and I kept my eyes on the menu. I didn’t need to, since I knew what I’d order before we arrived, but I had no idea what my face would show.

“He also took me to get a new suit right after we ate.” Justin was smiling as he talked, and I hated the thought that I could take that away from him with one slip.

“I missed that.” Do not shiver when Alek uses his deep voice.

“We must be better dressers since he didn’t take us out,” Fitch gently teased. “So what’s good?”

“Everything,” Justin raved. “Everything pasta is done perfectly, but I love the rigatoni. To die for.”

Alek nudged my foot and I shot him a glance. “What do you like, Jessica?”

There was no reason that should make goose bumps rise on my arms. I smiled at his earlobe. “I usually get the lasagna. I always take some home, since I don’t have hockey player metabolism.”

“You don’t work up a sweat very often?”

I shot Justin a glance, afraid he’d notice this byplay, but he was discussing the wine list with Fitch.

This time I met Alek’s gaze, frowning. “Not as often as the team does.”

He ran the toe of his boot up my shin. I pushed it away. Maybe I should hope he was traded.

“That sound good to you two?” I focused my attention on Fitch. “A red, don’t you think?”

Alek turned to his teammate. “Sorry, I missed that.”

“We’ll order a red, right?”

Alek nodded. I didn’t bother—Justin knew what I liked.

Our server took our orders and dropped some bread on the table. Fitch reached for a slice and offered it to Justin. He shook his head. “No thanks. Jess made bread today so I’ve already had a lot. I’d rather leave room for the main course.”

Fitch paused in buttering his bread. “Oh? Jessica bakes?”

I couldn’t help shooting a glance at Alek. The teasing looked was gone from his face. Wait, what had he done with the bread I gave him? He wouldn’t have told Fitch I gave it to him. He could have picked it up at a bakery, somewhere nearby.

“She’s good,” my twin said.

“I bake, but Justin cooks. He makes an incredible spaghetti carbonara.”

“What meat do you use? I can’t always get guanciale,” Fitch asked.

Excellent . He must cook too, and it moved the attention onto something other than the bread. I’d have relaxed, except that Alek still had a frown crease on his forehead.