Page 26 of Hooking

Brooks shakes his head, turning to walk away from me as if he’s disappointed. “You never gave her a chance to make that decision. You just made it for her. Come talk to me when you’re ready to pull your head out of your ass.”

I clench my fist in frustration and unleash my fury in the wall behind me. Fuck. I internally scrutinize myself as I shake out the pain. Brooks is right. I decided that she couldn’t handle this possible baby drama, so I just cut her out. But I can’t help but think that she would walk away.

Practice is brutal. First day of training camp, and I already regret missing the optional early training. Brooks is relentless and usually I wouldn’t complain but I know why he’s doing this. He can’t physically kick my ass off the ice, so he’ll do it while we’re on it.

We’re nearing the end of practice as Mr. Richards makes his way down to the ice, with administration staff following. “Gentlemen, this is a big season for us,” he starts as we all kneel on the ice, intently listening. “We’re the reigning Stanley Cup champions, and we’re here to show other teams we mean business. There’s been a few changes to the staff this year, and I’d like to take a moment to reacquaint everyone to the old and the new.”

He introduces each individual and their role, yet my mind isn’t paying attention. My eyes immediately find her, watching as she avoids me. Fidgeting with her earring as if she can’t sense my presence.

God, she’s gorgeous. Her blond hair is pulled back into a low, slick, but messy bun while her blue eyes are intensified by the color of her baby-blue top. Her full, plump lips are painted light pink, just begging me to suck on them.

Yeah, I’m completely fucked.

I try to focus on Mr. Richards’ words, yet my attempts fall short. Once he finishes, I skate toward the bench, watching as the staff file back down the tunnel. I’m ready to say something to her when Polston cuts me off.

“Hey, Reynolds,” he says, stopping right in front of her.

“Hey, Polston,” she replies with an eye roll. “What can I do for you?”

He grins at her and rubs the back of his neck as if he’s nervous. Yeah, right. “I was wondering if you would want to get a drink or let me take you to dinner sometime.”

“She’s not interested,” I growl low enough for only myself to hear. Well, I think low enough for only my ears, as I skate a little closer to the pair, but I’m proven wrong when Cassidy’s gaze snaps to mine.

“And you would know this how?” she barks in my direction before turning back to Polston. “But he’s right. It’s not that I’m not interested. I’m just preoccupied currently. With you know, the breakup and all.”

“Understandable,” I mock him before he takes off toward the locker room.

Once Polston’s out of earshot, Cassidy sets her attack on me. “You’re a real piece of work. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, I know,” I say, following her as she starts down the tunnel. “Were you going to take him up on his offer if I didn’t overhear?”

Her steps falter. “Seriously? You’re jealous? You’re the one who ghosted me, might I remind you.”

“I ghosted you?”

“Yeah. Then you show up here today, acting as if nothing happened and ready to pick up where we left off in Cabo.”

Fuck. Brooks was right. I fucked it up big time. Guess this is what I get for sticking my dick where it doesn’t belong.

“Look, I can explain everything. Just have dinner with me tonight,” I beg, knowing that if she does, it’s time to come clean about everything.

She looks at me, doubt swirling in her deep-blue eyes. “Fine. Six thirty, the little Chinese place by my apartment. You remember it, right? You can make it up to me then.”

Without another word, she turns and heads back toward her office, her hips swaying with each step tempting me. Fuck, I need to get this shit handled. Entering the locker room, I quickly shower, ignoring everyone around me. Throwing on some sweats, I head to find Talya.

She has promised we’d have this handled quickly and quietly. With lawyers on standby for damage control, of course. But I really hope it doesn’t come down to that. I know Natasha is lying. She’s a puck bunny who’s pissed that she couldn’t sink her teeth into Brooks, so now, she’s hoping she can trap me. And she picked the right sucker because I’m a man of my word and will always step up and take care of my responsibilities.

Talya and I arrive at the testing center right on time. Natasha’s already inside, talking to the lab tech. “Perf,” she says, her gaze cutting to mine. “Channing, so glad you made it. Ronny here is ready for us.”

Ronny gives me a nod as a slight smirk tilts at the corner of his mouth. I inwardly cringe, knowing that Natasha was working the guy over before we got here. Sad part, he looks like he would easily give into her regardless of the tiny human growing inside her stomach. But we’re not here to play games.

“Ronny is it? I can assure you understand the severity of this test,” Talya says, narrowing her eyes at the guy.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says, smiling at Natasha. “I can swab you both at the same time in the same room, or separately if you’d like.”

I want to tell them to take us to separate rooms, but I want to make sure she’s not going to manipulate the tests. That the results will be one hundred percent definitive. But before I can speak, Talya lays down the law, demanding that we watch the test for Natasha be administered.

Damn, someone need to give this woman a pay raise. She’s a sniper and will shoot you down in a matter of seconds if you try to pull a fast one on her. The test takes a matter of minutes, and we’re on our way. Talya ensures that the results will be rushed, so we’ll know in a few days.

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