Page 28

Chapter 28

JAMIE

T he Boston Bears' rink smells like coffee and fresh ice at ass o'clock in the morning. I'm way too tired after being up half the night, but I still can't stop smiling as I gear up. That is until I catch Louis watching me with raised eyebrows.

Act normal. Just act normal.

But normal feels impossible when Rylan walks in, looking unfairly composed for someone who's working on about three hours of sleep. Images from last night flash through my mind: the way his hands gripped my hips, his mouth hot against my neck...

Fuck. Focus.

"Morning, Pirelli," Charlie calls out cheerfully. "Ready for your hometown crowd tonight?"

"Fuckin' right, I am" I shoot him a grin, trying to ignore my urge to walk over and claim our team captain right here in front of everyone.

"Just a light skate today, boys" Coach Shaw calls as he walks into the room. "Just enough to shake off the travel legs. Thirty minutes, then video review."

On the ice, everything should be easier. Hockey I can do. Hockey is safe, familiar territory where Rylan and I just... work. But somehow knowing what he sounds like when he comes apart makes even our usual drills feel charged with new meaning.

"Nice feed," he says after I hit him with a perfect pass, his voice captain-professional. But there's a roughness to it that makes heat pool in my gut.

The puck hits my skate because I'm not paying attention. Fuck. Too busy remembering how Rylan's muscles felt under my fingers, how he gasped my name when—"

"Focus, Pirelli!" Austin barks from the blue line.

"Sorry," I mutter, retrieving the puck. When I look up, Louis is watching me with an expression that's half amused, half concerned.

"You feeling okay?" he asks quietly as we circle back for another drill. "Seem a little... distracted."

"I'm fine."

"Right." Louis's tone is dry. "Just remember, there are a lot of eyes on this team."

My heart nearly stops. Has he heard something? Did I do something already to put this thing in danger?

"I'm careful," I say without thinking, then wince. Way to be subtle, Pirelli.

"Good." Louis taps my shin with his stick. "Some things are worth protecting."

After practice, I take my time getting changed and showered. I need to keep my head about me. Just because I have the urge to run around singing like some kind of Disney princess about how the colors seem brighter, and the world seems like a better, more wonderful place today, doesn't mean I can actually do it.

"Anyone for breakfast?" Charlie suggests brightly. "That diner down the street had decent reviews."

"Can't," Rylan says smoothly. "Need to review some video."

"Same," I add quickly. Too quickly, based on the dirty look Austin sends my way.

"Right." Louis's voice carries a hint of amusement. "Well, don't work too hard."

As guys file out, I catch Rylan's eyes, and the heat in them goes right to my dick. I have to cover the way I suck in a sharp breath with a cough as I remember his promise that we would we'd "review video" together before the game.

God, this secret is going to kill me.

But fuck, watching him calmly go about his usual post-practice routine while we share this delicious secret… feels like it's worth it. Like he's worth it.

Even if I'm already terrible at hiding how much I want him.

Later that night, after our decisive win against the Bears, my family settles around the table at my mom's favorite restaurant. My dad and my brother Adam are already deeply absorbed in discussing some obscure literary theory. Adam the neurosurgeon is somehow trying to connect it to his latest research. Don't even ask me how that's possible, I stopped trying a long time ago. Only my family could turn a hockey victory dinner into an academic debate.

"So explain again," Lola says, leaning forward with that lawyer's intensity she never quite turns off. "Why wasn't that last goal actually offside?"

I hide my smile behind my water glass. My constitutional lawyer sister trying to understand NHL rules is peak Pirelli family dynamics.

I start to explain, but Mom cuts me off.

"Never mind the technical details, darling. Tell me about your team. Are they being supportive? That team captain seems very..." She pauses, choosing her words thoughtfully, reminding me that she's a psychologist. "Intense."

I nearly choke on my water. If she only knew exactly how intense Rylan Collings really is.

"He's good captain," I manage, aiming for casual. "He's good at keeping the team focused."

"Hmm." Mom nods. She's always been incredibly good at reading people. Goes with the territory, I guess. "And you're settling in okay? Making friends?"

Before I can answer, movement by the door catches my eye. My heart nearly stops.

Standing in the front of the restaurant with two guys who must be Aleks Warren and his partner, is Rylan, looking happy and relaxed as he laughs at something one of them says. My heart fucking stops. Rylan's here . In my family's regular spot. Where my mother is currently analyzing my 'interesting team dynamic.' Jesus Christ. I nearly knock over my water glass as memories of last night crash through my brain. Not thoughts I want to have while sitting next to my psychologist mother

"Jamie?" Mom's voice breaks through my daze. "Are you listening, honey?"

"Sorry, just..." I tear my eyes away from Rylan. "Thought I saw someone I know."

But Mom's already turning to look, because of course she is , and her face lights up. "Oh! Isn't that your captain? We should invite them to join us! There's plenty of room."

"Mom, no, that's not—"

But she's already waving. The flash of panic in Rylan's eyes probably mirrors my own before his mask slides back into place.

Well, so much for keeping our distance in public.