Page 51 of Switching Skates

Something catches my attention out of the corner of my eye, and I turn?—

Oh my God!

I smack my hand over my eyes, but it does little to erase the image burned into my mind.

Most of the guys are butt naked, changing out of their clothes and gear.

Acting like this is only going to draw more attention, so I remove my hand, carefully opening my eyes and avoiding them.

I shouldn’t look, but my eyes wander the room of their own accord. And I definitely shouldn’tstillbe looking.

But I’m a bit taken aback …

I would’ve assumed that Chet had the biggest, given his ego, but it’s surprisingly … average. But Ross? Jesus, that man is packing. I don’t know how he fits that thing in a cup.

Daphne, stop!

Slamming my eyes shut, I turn back to my cubby and take a couple of breaths. I should’ve been prepared for this. Obviously, these guys change in here. But I didn’t have to deal with it before the game because I was dressed and on the ice well before all of them.

Chet walks up and slaps my bare back between my shoulders, and I have to pretend that I didn’t just see his dick swinging about as he asks, “How’s it going with your girl?”

My girl?

Oh my God, is Mason seeing someone?

Pain radiates outward from my heart, slicing me to pieces. It’s not my business if he is, but I can’t ignore the agony the mere thought is causing me.

“My girl?” I scoff jokingly, hoping to pry a bit more information from him on who this secret girl is.

He eyes me worriedly, like I’ve lost it. “Yeah, you know, the girl you’ve been in love with forever.” He lifts his arm to the middle of his pecs. “About this tall. Red hair. Bit of a sassy thing. Hates you. Your sister’s best friend. Ringing a bell?”

“Oh,that one.” I chuckle as my mind goes numb.

He’s in love with me?

No way.

He stares at me, waiting for my answer, and I twiddle my thumbs nervously.

“She’s good. Still busy hating me.”

“Have you tried talking to her, like I told you to? About mending what happened between you guys? You can’t go the rest of your life regretting letting her get away, man. It’s going to eat you alive. More than it already has. Just talk to her, okay?”

I nod slowly, and he accepts that as my answer and walks away, leaving me more confused than ever.

Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting that conversation in the locker room today.

What is Chet talking about? What is Mason supposed to tell me? And why is he talking to his teammates about me at all?

Questions run rampant through my mind as I rinse off and quickly get dressed, heading out to Mason’s pickup, where he’s waiting for me outside the driver’s door.

“Daphne!” he shout-whispers and throws his arms around my waist as I approach. “You were amazing! Incredible! Oh my God, I couldn’t believe it!”

My body begins to vibrate from excitement, and his encouragement catches me off guard. “Really?”

He scoffs. “Are you kidding me? You were perfect.”

I feel my cheeks burn, and I look away, hoping he doesn’t notice. But when I turn back and find a twinkle in his gaze, I know he saw.