Page 109 of Pucking Sweet

I look up at Lukas. “What do you mean?”

“The career and the guy,” he clarifies. “You can have both, Poppy. One doesn’t have to compromise the other. Look at Shelby O’Sullivan. She’s a child psychologist, a mother, president of the WAGs. She’s awesome. Lauren Gerard is in fashion design.”

I sigh. “Lukas…”

“I’m just saying you can be with Cole and be yourself too,” he goeson. “He would never want to change you or hold you back, Pop. Hell, he’s the kind of guy who would retire in a heartbeat if he thought it would somehow help make your dreams come true.”

I look up at him, my gaze softening. “You care about him.”

He nods. “Yeah, he’s my friend. He may be, like, myonlyfriend. Is that pathetic to say?”

“No, it’s not pathetic. I think Tina is my only real friend,” I admit.

“I mean, if I’m gonna have one, he’s the one to have, right? Loyal Leo and all that.” Leaning down, he kisses my forehead. “If he’s who you want, I won’t stand in the way. You can choose him with no hard feelings, okay? You and I can just be friends. I think I’d like to have another friend.”

Damn it.Sarcastic Lukas spins me up and drives me crazy, but vulnerable Lukas tugs at my heartstrings and lures me closer. I want to know him. I want him to let me care for him. Because I get the sneaking suspicion that maybe no one else does.

Resolved, I tip up on my toes and kiss him. It’s soft and quick, just a gentle pressing of lips. But there’s a promise in it, a little kernel of hope. I pull away first, and he’s left blinking down at me in surprise. Heavens, is he really that convinced of his own lack of worth? He must think this is a no-contest win for Colton.

He swoops down to kiss me again, but I lean away, my senses homing in on a curious sound.

“What is it—”

“Shh.” I put up a hand. “I thought I just heard someone crying.”

He’s on alert as we both listen for the sound. After a minute, we hear it again. It’s not a cry…well, at least it’s no cry of pain. His face lights up as his mouth splits into a grin. “Oh, someone is totally fucking behind that door.”

He’s right, the sound is coming from behind a black metal door. We tiptoe forward, a difficult feat for me in these strappy heels.

Grunting, panting, whispered words of passion—

I gasp. Those voices are unmistakable. We turn to each other at the same time. Lukas points dramatically at the door. “It’s Compton!”

“And Rachel!” I mouth.

Oh god, Jake and Rachel. My player and his doctor. Oh, I justknewthere was something happening between them! My hyperactivemind instantly goes into media crisis mode. The spin isn’t impossible, but it wouldn’t be painless either. She really should disclose their relationship to HR immediately. Should I let them know that I know? Maybe later…after they’re finished.

Oh god, now I’m picturing it! I put a hand to my forehead, blinking the image away as rapidly as I can. Yeah, no definitely, this is a problem. On Monday morning, I’ll start preparing our spin.

Next to me, Lukas chuckles, pulling on my arm as we slowly back away. “Those dirty dogs. Don’t they know this is a museum benefit for a children’s hospital?”

“Seriously? Three minutes ago, you wanted to pullmeinto a dark corner.”

“So, you’re still thinking about it too?” he teases. “Good. I bet we can find another stairwell. Or just use that one. Sounds like they’re almost done.”

“Goodnight, Lukas.” Turning away, I walk back toward the party. I can’t think about disappearing into a dark corner with him. I have money to raise, a pediatric hospital wing to build, and a brewing PR crisis to manage.

“See you around, Poppy,” he calls after me. “Let’s do a friend hang soon, yeah? Clothing optional.”

I groan, not looking back. I swear, that man drives me up the wall and down the other side. What the heck am I doing even contemplating getting more deeply involved with him? It’s breaking my own rules. I said, “no players,” and that was for good reason. Thisexactreason, in fact. Dating the players is messy and complicated and about a thousand other adjectives that all translate to “majorly bad idea.”

Besides, Colton and Lukas have made it clear that they expect me to choose one of them. In my heart, I know I don’t want to choose. God help me, I want them both. I at least want a chance to see what this could be. But I fear the only responsible option, the onlyfairoption, will be to walk away…leaving all three of us at least a little bit brokenhearted.

36

Game night. Rays versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, and we’re fucking losing. Hard not to suck when three of our best starters are off the ice. J-Lo’s been back in the dressing room the whole game, retching his guts out. Apparently, he caught a stomach bug from one of his kids. Karlsson is riding the bench with a nasty finger sprain. Then they pulled Mars from the net at intermission.

I don’t know what’s wrong, but Doc Price has him on the bench, and he’s not happy about it. I can see him now across the ice. He’s sitting there, mask off, watching stony-faced as Davidson lets in another goal to the wild cheers of the crowd.