Page 69 of The Coach

Begrudgingly, I point them out to her. “Let’s get you a drink first,” I say over the laughter and yelling that has suddenly increased around us tenfold.

We get in line, and she turns to me. “I missed you.”

I smile down at her, winding my arms around her waist and pulling her into me. “I missed you, too.”

I had away games over the weekend, and by the time we got back, it was well after one in the morning on Sunday because of delayed flights. A complete fucking mess with a bunch of college hockey players getting restless.

Then Monday rolled around, and Mick was back in the thick of work and classes and homework. I tried to send her goodies throughout the week, but there was nothing that compared to waking up together, to starting the day together.

It was a Thursday night, a good time to go out for me and Devon, who didn’t have games until Saturday, and for Mick, who had a late start tomorrow.

“Will you spend the night with me?” I ask, already wondering how we can ditch my friends early and get us back home to my big bed. We still haven’t tried out the handcuffs.

“Hm.” She taps her finger to her bottom lip teasingly. “I don’t know… what’s in it for me?”

“A few rounds of passionate sex,” I start.

Her eyes widen. “A few rounds, huh?”

I nod before continuing, keeping my expression neutral. “Followed by a hot shower together in the morning, of course.”

“Well, that’s a given after the several rounds of passionate sex.”

Inside I smile, but on the outside, I keep my impassive face on. “Then, of course, breakfast in bed.”

She furrows her brow. “So, I have to get out of bed for a shower, then get back into bed while you make breakfast.”

“Oh, no, the breakfast in bed is for me.”

Mick whacks me on the arm, and I laugh at her.

“But, of course, there’s always my favorite part, which is watching the sun rise through my windows, watching it pour over you in the early morning light and seeing your eyes flutter open. Then you always smile at me and say good morning. That’s the best part.”

She sighs, long and deep, “You’re too good at this.”

I smirk before spinning her around when it’s our turn at the bar, she orders her drink and I put it on my tab before we finally make our way over to Robin and Devon. Robin squeals and jumps out of her seat, wrapping Mick in a bone-crushing hug.

“I’m so glad you could make it.” She pulls back and grabs Mick’s face. “We are going to have so much fun!”

And she’s not kidding.

Robin orders us another round before Mick is even halfway done with her first drink, they talk about whatever filters through Robin’s mind at the time, then she gets up and disappears.

“Where is she going?” Mick asks, turning her attention to Devon.

He smirks. “Just wait.”

I look over and see Robin talking with the band and know whatever she has in mind, I want nothing to do with.

“Okay!” Robin announces before bouncing back over to the table. “Boys first!”

“No,” I reply while Devon dutifully gets up and starts adjusting his shirt.

“Come on, man, it’s part of the fun.”

“No.”

“Aw, babe, come on,” Mick says, joining the Gang Up On Tanner group. “It’ll be fun!”

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