Page 51 of The Captain

The words shouldn’t have made me stand taller, prouder, but they did.

“And Cassie knows you’re not interested?”

He shook his head. “Fuck, dude. I’ve never put the moves on her. We’re friends. I like talking to her, that’s it.” He looks around, as if he doesn’t want our teammates to hear us talking, and says quietly. “She and I are into some of the same books.”

Our conversation from the last game she came to hit me, when she didn’t have a clue what I was talking about and how she felt Crew was manipulating her. Fuck. Now I had to set that record straight.

“What’s that look for?” he asked, looking worried.

I bit my lip. “I may have said something about you guys dating.”

His eyes widened. “What? Why?”

I glared at him. “Why the fuck do you think?”

“Shit. So that’s why she’s avoiding me?”

“I don’t know,” I said, feeling bad but pissed he tried fucking with our relationship. “You need to just back off messing with people’s feelings. It’s not fucking cool.”

“I didn’t have any intention of hurting either of you, I was just trying to push you.”

I shook my head again, so frustrated but also eager to just get on with my night. “Well, leave that relationship to me.”

He smirked and nodded his head. “Fine. I’m just glad you two are finally in one.”

“You and me both.”

Finally, I had my chance to make my escape and got in my car to get to Cassie’s. I had a whole night planned for us to hang out, and according to her, Mick was going to be gone with her new boyfriend this weekend.

I had a bad feeling about that situation, but I kept my focus on Cassie. Now that I had her, I wanted to prove I was worthy of her.

She answered the door with a shy smile, her hair down around her shoulders the way she wore it when she was home, and her body covered by a big sweater. I couldn’t see anything on her legs, so I guessed her shorts were short.

I set down my box of things and my hockey bag and turned to her, grabbing her hand and yanking her into me. She softened and giggled at the move, making me grin. I loved her like this. No defenses, no walls to break down—the way she was looking at me made me feel like I finally had the real Cassie in my arms.

“I missed you, Sunshine,” I told her, pulling her even closer to me.

She wrapped her arms around my back and melted right into my arms. “I was just at your game.”

“Yeah? Come to watch your guy play?” I teased, and I loved it when her eyes rolled.

“My guy? Really?”

“Yup.” I nodded, tightening my hold on her and lifting my chin, looking at the ceiling as if I were picturing what that would be like. “You show up, cheering me on, rooting for me, unable to stop yourself from screaming at the other players when I get checked into the boards.” I sighed and looked down at her. “Sounds pretty good to me.”

“Oh, I’m sure it does.” She smiled and shook her head. “I don’t think I can ever bring myself to scream during a game. Or any other time.”

I lifted a cocky brow. “Is that a challenge?”

She gaped and whacked me on the chest. “Shut up.”

I reached down and lightly tapped her behind, the sweater covering it was enough to make it slightly less intimate, but I said, “Can you sit on the couch for a minute and let me into your room?”

She furrowed her brow and asked, “Why?”

“I have a surprise for you, but I need a few minutes.”

Reluctantly, she let me go, and I hustled in there with my box of things. Her star lights were already on, and a small lamp was clicked on by her bed. I set my box on her bed and started to pull things out, placing various things here and there. I pulled out a tray and unloaded the snacks I brought. My laptop came out next, and I cued it up on the bed.

---