Page 8

Eight

RIZZO

“So, I might have done something stupid,” I say to Shep as we wave to the throngs of people lining the streets for the Christmas Parade from our spots on the Vipers float. I wasn’t planning on spilling the beans about me and Nat, but it’s been weighing on my mind nonstop. It’s only been a few days but I feel like I’m going crazy. I need to talk about it and Shep is the person I talk to about everything.

“Might have?” he asks with a quirk of his brow.

“Ok, so there’s no might about it. I slept with Nat. You know, Hattie’s assistant?”

He groans and elbows me hard in the ribs. I let out a grunt of pain but the two of us keep our smiles plastered on our faces, waving to the kids like everything’s fine.

“You fucking idiot.”

“I know, I know.”

“And?”

“And she told me it was a one-time thing,” I say, trying to keep the incredulity and annoyance out of my voice. Shep turns to me, looking confused.

“Isn’t that exactly how you like it?”

“No, no, no, you aren’t listening. She told me it was a one off, not the other way around. When we were done, she got dressed, told me it was fun, kissed me, and then bolted.”

Shep laughs loudly, slapping me on the back.

“She pulled a Rizzo on you.”

“Yeah, she did. And fuck if it wasn’t…hot?” I run my hand through my hair. It was hot in a weird, really messed up way. I’m always the one doing the walking out, always the one giving the bad news that it’s a one-and-done thing. Her doing it is like this weird role reversal and challenge all built into one and I should probably talk to my therapist about this because there has to be something wrong with me.

“I don’t know, man, maybe that’s not the right word, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since. I’m desperate to get a round two. Like can barely enjoy my time with anyone else kind of desperate.” Not barely. Can’t. Period. I haven’t been with anyone since that night with Nat, despite having ample opportunities, especially after the big win against Syracuse the other night. But I had zero desire to even try to go home with anyone. “What is wrong with me?” I groan.

“A lot,” he answers, shaking his head, “a lot.”

I spot a little girl in a 15 Vipers Jersey and point, grinning. “Hey! Someone give that girl two treat bags!” She smiles widely, waving like crazy when she sees me pointing at her, and turns to show me the back of her shirt where Rizzo is scrawled across her shoulders in sparkly teal letters. I wave at her and one of the teamsters gives her two treat bags. The little girl looks at her dad like she just won the lotto and it makes my chest feel all warm and fuzzy. She reminds me a bit of Ollie, actually.

Ollie is technically Shep’s niece, but he’s been raising her since she was four and officially adopted her last year. She’s his daughter in all the ways that matter and watching him go from fellow man-whore to doting dad was honestly really fucking admirable. I gave him shit for it, of course, but he knows that I love that kid as much as he does, and was all too happy that he left all the puck bunnies for me in order to be a better father to her. Ollie is another reason I’m so thankful that Mac and Nat and Bobby have been able to turn things around for the Vipers—if the team left Seattle, I don’t think Shep would follow and I’m honestly not sure if I would go somewhere without him at this point. He and Ollie have become my family and I can’t imagine my life without them.

“Maybe you’re just growing up,” Shep says, waving to what looks like an entire peewee hockey team.

“I’ve done no such thing!” I say, aghast. “Balls. Farts. Boobies. See—no grown-ups here.” He laughs, shaking his head and I grin at him.

“I mean , maybe you’re just getting tired of the game. Maybe you’re ready for something more than one-night stands from puck bunnies who just fawn over your abs or fame.”

“And chiseled jawline, don’t forget the chiseled jawline. And massive coc—” I get a quick jab in the stomach, effectively cutting me off. We both laugh but then I sigh. That night with Nat had been…different. I mean, she came to my place for one, that was fucking novel. And yeah, her being the one to leave was kind of hot, that’s true, but I also kind of hated it. I wanted her to stay. I wanted to fall asleep with her wrapped in my arms and wake up the same way. And wanting that was fucking terrifying. I have no idea what it even means. Do I want to…date her? Do I even know how to date someone?

“I don’t know.” Shep arches a brow and I know he can see right fucking through me. He’s always been able to, from the first day we met. I roll my eyes. “Look, I’m not saying you’re right, but…maybe you’ve got a point. Maybe, ” I emphasize when he gives me a triumphant smile. “But even if that’s the case, there’s no way that Nat will believe that I want more than just a hook up or fuck-buddies kind of thing.”

“Well, sounds like you’ve got some work to do then, my friend.” I groan and Shep grins, waving to the crowd like Miss Fucking America. We finally spot Mac, Nat, Ollie, and her grandparents and aunt, and everyone on the float goes crazy for Olls. The fact that this kid has an entire hockey team wrapped around her little finger is one of my favorite things about the Vipers. The way Shep looks at Mac, I honestly wonder how the fuck the entire crowd can’t tell that he’s in love with her. My friend has got it bad.

But they’re both dancing around it, playing the whole “don’t want to mess up the friendship” card. Which I get. I’d been worried about messing things up with Nat after we hooked up, and now even thinking about going again or trying for…more, makes me wonder what if . What if it doesn’t work out and she ends up hating me? What if we can’t stand to be in the same room as each other? What if she doesn’t want more with me…but starts dating someone else? Fuck . The thought of her with some other guy while I have to stand by and watch? I suddenly want to punch something.

And to make things even more fucking confusing, as much as the idea of being with her for more than just mind-blowing sex makes something in my chest ache for it, it also scares the absolute shit out of me. Part of me is already running for the hills at the thought.

“Come onnn, don’t bitch out on me! One more. Push it, ya posah!” Jules taunts encouragingly in his thick Boston accent while he spots me. I’m about to hit a personal record on bench and most of the guys are here cheering me on—or fucking with me.

“A hundred bucks says he can’t do it,” Howey says.

“I’ll take that action,” Mowser chimes in. “But make it two.”

“Fuck…off…” I grit through clenched teeth psyching myself up to do the last rep.

“Come on, Rizz. You got this,” Shep says from just over my right shoulder. I take a deep breath and lift the bar.

“Here we go, here we go! That’s it, baby, yeah…yeah…YEAH!!” Jules roars when I push the bar back up with all my might, and everyone erupts when he helps me slam it back onto the rack. I sit up and get pummeled by the guys. I wipe the sweat from my brow and grin at Howey.

“Pay the fucking man.” He rolls his eyes but gives me a fist bump. Everyone starts filing out of the gym, only having stuck around to see me try to break the record. Shep waits around though.

“You going tonight?”

“You know it. Can’t believe you’re gonna miss Jules and Howey trying to line dance.” We both laugh at the thought. Mac had found a little country bar with a dance floor on the outskirts of the city, and her little Louisiana-bred heart had practically soared out of her chest. She immediately demanded that the Sin Bin take on the Tipsy Cowboy and we’re always up for a challenge.

“I know, but I promised Olls a movie date.”

“Buy her some extra popcorn from Uncle Rizzo.”

“Will do. Please send me some video of this shit. Jules said he found boots. And a hat .”

“Oh this is going to be amazing.” We both laugh and he slaps me on the shoulder before he heads out, leaving me alone in the gym. I lay back on the bench for a few minutes, feeling good about the new PR, thinking about seeing Nat tonight and mentally preparing to keep myself in check, and going through plays for tomorrow’s game that’s sure to be a bloodbath. I finally sigh and hoist myself up from the bench. I wipe it down and toss the rag in the bin before picking up my shirt and turning towards the door?—

To find Nat standing there in a sports bra and skin tight leggings. Her eyes immediately dip to my bare chest, still slicked with sweat from my workout. I try to keep my eyes from roving over her stomach and hips. I don’t want to be that guy at the gym but damn if it isn’t nearly impossible.

I head her way and she watches me come, seeming to forcibly yank her gaze up from my torso, inhaling deeply and swallowing hard.

“Hey, Nat,” I say casually, giving her my most winning smile.

“Hey, Rizzo,” she replies, a little breathy before she clears her throat. “Uh…good workout?”

“Great, actually. Hit a new PR on bench. Howey lost two hundred bucks. Can’t complain.”

She huffs out a laugh and then glances around the room. I can see it the second she realizes we’re alone. That palpable tension that always seems to show up between us snaps into place with an almost audible click. I know I shouldn’t but I take a step towards her. She reaches out and rests a hand on my stomach. She doesn’t push me away though, instead she splays her fingers, moving them gently over my skin, so I take another step closer. She moves back slowly as I move forward, her hand never leaving my stomach and burning me with her touch. If she minds me being all hot and sweaty, she doesn’t show it. Her back hits the door frame and I leave just enough space between us to drive us both crazy.

She runs her hands up my stomach and chest before brushing her fingers over the pendant at my throat. My eyes slide closed. I know this is exactly what I told myself not to do, but I can’t seem to stop. Despite my horndog reputation, I actually have incredible self-control when it comes to all things physical. But with Nat, all that control goes right out the fucking window.

“I’ve been replaying that night over and over, Nat. I can’t get you out of my head…”

She shivers and I lean down, slowly sliding a hand to her nape, giving her time to tell me to stop. She doesn’t.

“Rizz,” she whispers and the word makes my cock jerk to attention.

“I miss kissing you,” I tell her honestly, surprised by the words as they fly from my mouth without my permission. She licks her bottom lip and I take it as the invitation it is. She curls her hand around my hip and tugs me forward as I tilt my head and press my lips to hers. It’s instant heat, like a match to a line of gasoline, and we both groan into the kiss, just waiting for that inevitable explosion. I gently roll my tongue against hers, just enjoying the feel of her again, loving the way she runs her hands over every inch of my exposed skin.

“We could go for seconds, Nat,” I whisper between kisses. “Or thirds…or tenths…”

She makes a sexy little mmm sound, but then pulls away.

“We can’t,” she groans, though she leans in and kisses me softly one more time before pulling away for good, putting actual space between our faces. Our bodies are still close, her hands still lingering on my chest, and my hands are still resting on her neck, my thumbs tracing circles on her cheekbones. “One and done, that was the deal. No strings. No seconds.” She says it with confidence, but almost like she’s trying to convince herself. As much as I hate it, I nod and step away, trying to ignore the raging hardon I have now. I won’t push it, no matter how badly I want her. She says one and done and I’ll respect that.

“Ok,” I say simply, holding her gaze. The gray is bright against her expanded pupils, her lips red and swollen from our kisses.

“Ok,” she repeats, sounding a little stunned. We both stand there for a second a touch awkwardly and then bust out laughing. I’m glad we have this connection that lets us breeze through this stuff that could easily get dicey. See, we can do this. It’s fine.

“I’ll see you tonight,” I tell her with a smile as I step aside and gesture for her to get on with her workout. “Hope your dancing shoes are ready,” I add with a waggle of my eyebrows. She smiles, giving me one of those sexy challenging looks.

“Oh I’ll be dancing circles around you, Thirst Trap. Don’t you worry.” I shrug one shoulder, unconcerned.

“Guess we’ll see.”