Page 28

CHAPTER 28

Jordyn

R obert returns with drinks and snacks, an annoyed expression on his face since the game is underway. He huffs as he throws himself into his seat. “That took way too damn long. And I had to carry all this shit through the crowd.”

As my mom hands me and Chelsea our drinks, her voice radiates fake sympathy. “Awe, so sorry, Robert.” She rolls her eyes, and I can barely contain my giggle. “Such a hardship.” She pats his arm in a placating gesture, and I nearly lose my composure. All the resentment is building up and one of these days, Robert will feel her wrath. I hope I’m there to see it.

For now, he remains oblivious. Emitting a grunt, he takes a drink of his soda, his eyes on Josh. “I hope he gets his fucking shit together. His distraction is going to cost them the game.”

I meet my mom’s eyes. As much as Josh irritates me, I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes if he costs them the game. And it seems likely when he allows the Bears to score again.

Tristan and Alex are beside themselves. Alex slams his fist against the ice while Tristan skates over and gets in Josh’s face. The coach starts yelling, and the referees blow their whistles as Josh turns around and flips Tristan off, which causes Tristan to lose his shit and get in his face. It’s chaos for a few minutes when one of the Bears yells something, and a Wolverine player attacks him.

When things calm down, Josh leaves the ice and heads for the bench, throwing his helmet and gloves in a fit of rage.

The pressure is on as the Wolverines struggle. The next goal attempt is stopped by Alex, sending the crowd to their feet and sparking life into the team. The game is fast and furious as tempers rise.

I’m biting my nails, my eyes moving from the scoreboard to the ice. The game is tied with only thirty seconds left. Tristan steals the puck and deftly skates around a Bears player. I watch in horror as a Bears defenseman comes at him from the side. I jump to my feet seconds before the hit, screaming, “Watch out,” to Tristan, but it’s too late. Tristan slams against the boards, hitting the ice, while the player steals the puck.

I hold my breath, fear in my heart that Tristan is hurt. He jumps to his feet and skates off after the player, determination on his face.

Alex blocks the shot by catching it with his left-hand glove, and Chelsea and I jump up and down, screaming.

The game moves at lightning speed. I grip Chelsea’s arm as Tristan gains control of the puck. The Bears surround him, and we’re a man down because Walker got into a fight with a Bears player.

Tristan has no one to pass it to, but he doesn’t seem ruffled as he skates toward the goal. The goalie readies himself, but Tristan fakes right, then slams the puck into the net, winning the game one second before the buzzer goes off.

The crowd leaps to their feet, screaming and cheering. Mom, Chelsea, and I have our arms around one another and are jumping up and down, much to the horror of my stepfather. He tugs on my mom’s shirt, hissing at her to stop being an embarrassment, but she ignores him.

“Ignore him. Robert’s such an asshole. Such a buzz kill.” When my mom pulls back, she winks at me before Robert grabs her arm, saying they need to go see Josh. Chelsea and I follow them but for different reasons. The blood is humming through my veins at seeing Tristan.

Robert reaches Josh and immediately launches into a tirade. Josh extracts himself, slinking off toward the showers. Robert’s face is red as he screams at his retreating back. “I’ll see you at the house. You’re staying there until Monday.” He stalks off, not even bothering to wait for my mom.

My mom shakes her head before turning her attention to me. She hugs me and whispers, “I don’t know Tristan Harrington, but I like what I’ve seen. Go get your man, sweetheart.”

Laughing, I hug her tighter. “Thanks, Mom. Let’s meet for breakfast or something soon.”

Pulling back, she gives me a wide smile. “My schedule is open. Text me when you’re free.” She moves to Chelsea and hugs her, then whispers something in her ear before waving and reminding us to be safe.

“What did she say to you?”

“That woman is magic. She said, ‘Just because you had an asshole mistreat you in the past doesn’t mean Alex will do the same. Give him a fair shot and get to know him. See where things go.’ She also told me I could call or text if I needed any advice.”

“Yeah, um, I may have told her that your parents were rich assholes who were too busy with their own lives to be concerned about you. She obviously remembered.”

“I’m glad you did.”

My attention is pulled away by a sexy-as-sin, dark blond-haired captain coming toward me, a panty-melting smile on his lips. Chelsea pats my arm as she moves away, giving us privacy.

“Nice winning shot, captain.” I step closer to him, not caring that he’s all sweaty and wrapped in layers of padding.

“Thanks. Nice jersey.” He smirks at me, his eyes moving to his jersey. When he looks up at me, the heat burning in his green eyes incinerates me.

“Some random hot hockey god gave it to me. Know anyone with this last name?” I spin around, showing him the back of the jersey, before facing him.

“If you’re looking for him to give him a kiss, then I’m him. If you wanna scream at him because he acted like an asshole, he’s over there.” He points at Alex, who is too busy flirting with Chelsea to notice.

Since the crowd around us has dissipated, I throw my arms around his waist and squeeze him. He hisses out a pained breath, and I immediately loosen my hold and try to step back, but he refuses to let me go, pinning me against his sweaty body.

I tilt my head back, concern swirling through me. “Oh, fuck, Tristan. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just my ribs from being slammed into the boards. I’m gonna get it looked at.” He jerks his thumb in the direction of the locker room. His voice lowers as he says, “I wanted to see you first.”

“Did I ever tell you that you’re a sweetheart?”

“Just now. And you can keep saying it.” His voice is gruff and sexy as hell. As he brushes a lock of hair from my face, shivers of pleasure roll down my body. I want to kiss him so damn bad, but I can’t risk it. We can explain a hug, but our lips pressed together… Not so much.

Chelsea bounces over, tugging Alex behind her. “Hey. You going to the party to celebrate your win?”

Tristan immediately shakes his head as I shrug and say, “ Sure.” My brows draw together as we stare at one another. “Don’t you wanna go and celebrate your win?”

He slowly shakes his head. “I’d rather be with you. Unless you wanna go?”

I reach up, stroking his jawline, shaking my head. “I’d rather spend it alone with you. Josh has to go home, per my stepfather’s rant.”

Tristan grins, catching my hand and placing a quick kiss against my knuckles. “I heard.” His eyes sear me the whole way to my soul as he rasps, “We’d be alone for the night, huh?”

“Jesus Christ. I just became pregnant watching the two of you.” Alex’s boisterous voice interrupts, making us laugh.

“Well, not exactly.” I look over at Chelsea, who threads her arm through Alex’s.

Chelsea wiggles her eyebrows up and down suggestively. “Why don’t the two of you go ‘talk,’ and I’ll go to the party with this hot goalie whose jersey I’m wearing.”

“Oh shit. I just became pregnant,” Alex mutters, one hand over his crotch.

“Jesus, Alex. How many times have I lectured you about the way male and female bodies work?” Tristan shakes his head. “Dumb jock,” he says, sliding his arm around my waist as I shake my head, my earlier misconceptions about jock and intelligence blown to shreds by Tristan and Alex.

“Shit, I became pregnant when he stripped off that other dude’s jersey and replaced it with his.” Chelsea points at Tristan. “Then you started humping the ice and doing splits, and now there’s twins.”

Tristan and I howl with laughter as Alex chuckles. “First, I wasn’t humping the ice. It’s called stretching. Second, I’m very flexible.” He wiggles his brows, causing Tristan and I to laugh harder.

A twinkle is in Chelsea’s eyes as she holds up her keys. “Take these. I’m going wherever goalie goes. ”

Tristan snatches her keys. “Good thing Alex drove me here.” He winks at me before his gaze slides to Alex. “Behave yourself tonight.” He and Alex do a weird fist bump, causing Tristan to wince from the movement. Alex inquires about his ribs, and Tristan shrugs, saying they may be bruised.

Chelsea moves beside me, linking our arms together. “Hot hockey players. Who would’ve thought we’d end up here?”

“Not me.” As my eyes meet Tristan’s, my nerves sizzle and dance, my heart pounding like a drum. I’ve never felt like this before.