Page 9

nine

Lenni

I can't believe they're my bosses. They own the team. How am I ever going to look them in the eyes?

I might look calm on the outside, but on the inside, I'm terrified of what will happen now that they know I had sex with all three of them on Friday night. Do they really want a goalie who acts like that? I'll be back in the minor leagues in a flash.

It's not far to their office, but I take my time, dragging my feet. I don't want my dream to end, but I know I need to face whatever's to come. Like they say, when you make your bed, you have to lie in it.

Once in front of their office door, I raised my hand, giving it a quick, swift knock. "Come in." Daylen yells after a few intense moments, because of course I can recognize each of their voices.

I open the door, letting myself in and look at each one of their handsome faces. Everything we did that night comes crashing through, causing my freshly showered body to overheat and my clean panties to get messy.

"Elenna, I mean Lenni, go ahead and have a seat." Daylen is the first to speak as he motions for me to take the chair in front of the desk.

I'm not someone who handles anticipation well, so I blurt out, "Look, we're all adults here. We can pretend like Friday night never happened and move on with their lives. I'm a damn good goalie. I need to prove myself without my teammates thinking I'm some puck bunny who'll sleep with anyone who's affiliated with the team. That's not me, that's not who I am. So, please, if we can keep this between the four of us and move on, I would be eternally grateful."

I know my speech caught them off guard as they stare at me with their mouths open before Kepler finally speaks. "She did say please. You know how well Dylan likes it when she says please."

"Enough Kepler." Daylen snarls, his eyes flaring with the same intensity as that night every time any part of his body entered me.

"And just how do you think we're going to keep this a secret?" Raiden joins the conversation, turning his attention to me. "Do you really think we'll be able to keep our hands off of you after everything that went on that night and into the morning? Because I know I can't."

"It doesn't matter—you'll have to figure out a way. My career comes first." I know my words are hurtful because they're ripping out my soul. But as much as I'd love to have the relationship that they want—that's just not in the cards for someone like me. My life revolves around hockey—it always has and always will. I need to make that clear, no matter who gets hurt, even if it's me.

Time feels like it's standing still as I wait for one of them to say something, anything—even if it's to tell me to pack my bags because I'm kicked off the team.

"Okay, if that's what you want, that's what you'll get. We're still looking for that one woman to share her life with us. You need to be prepared when we find her. Will you be able to handle the reality of us with another woman?" Daylen's words hurt more than I expected causing me to grip the arms of the chair thinking about them touching another woman, the way they touched me.

Taking a deep breath, I loosen my hold on the leather chair. I'm giving up my right to them and choosing my hockey career. I open my mouth to tell them that when Kepler interrupts.

"Stop it Daylen. Can't you see you're hurting her with your harsh words. It doesn't have to be this way let's give it some time." Kepler steps in between me and Daylen giving me a chance to breathe.

I don't know how it can be any different. They're the owners. I'm a player. People will think the only reason I got the starting position as goalie is because I slept with all three of them, which they're half right about.

"Thanks for everything, I really appreciate the chance to be your new starting goalie, but that's all this can ever be, so please can we move forward and start over. Hi, my name is Lenni Klum, and I'm your new goalie." I stand, reaching my hand out to shake Kepler's hand first since he seems to be the most forgiving of the situation.

He smiles and takes my hand. "Nice to meet you Lenni I'm Kepler."

I pull my hand out of his and turn towards Raiden. "Lenni Klum. It's nice to meet you." I stick my hand towards his, waiting for him to take it.

"I'm Raiden." He shakes my hand before dropping quicky, so I turn to Daylen.

"Hi, my name is Lenni Klum. You're new goalie." I reach out my hand. His eyes dropped to it, he doesn't touch me, he only smiles softly at me.

"Nice to meet you too, Lenni. Now if you'll excuse us we need to get back to work."

And just like that, I'm dismissed from their office and most likely their lives. I rush out of their office before the tears start to fall.

Why did I have to go to that stupid club Friday night?