Page 44 of Keep Me

My tunnel vision for him was absurd.

“Well, I don’t know if you know, but she’s tired of football and super excited to be learning about hockey and taking on this new challenge.” Sienna’s arm slinked around my neck, and she turned to look at me with urgency. What did she want me to do? A song and dance to impress Erik? Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. Sienna subtly pinched my shoulder in an attempt to get me to act interested.

“Ouch,” I mumbled, but gave Erik a limp, somewhat lackluster smile, as there were too many lies in her comment to unpack right now.

“Her only issue is Britt knows absolutely nothing about hockey.” Well, that wasn’t a lie. “Since this is a scrimmage and you’ll be busy once the season starts in October, I thought you might be able to teach her a thing or two before then.”

Oh. My. God.

I wanted to shrink into my sweater, but I couldn’t move because Sienna’s hand was on my shoulder, holding me in place. This was the absolute worst setup I’d ever heard.

Erik took me in, his smile growing wider, as if that were even possible. How many teeth did he have? He wasn’t bad looking. Not in the slightest. His face was perfectly proportioned for someone who was prone to getting hit on the ice daily, but I couldn’t help comparing him to the awkward semi-smile I’d always get from my best friend when he saw me enter the room. The same smile that haunted my dreams on a nearly nightly basis.

“I’d love to help,” Erik said. “That way, when you say Erik Steele is majestic on the ice, you’ll actually know what and more importantlywhoyou’re talking about.”

Then he winked.

I nearly melted in my boots from embarrassment. I wasn’t joking. Seriously, I nearly keeled over at realizing he’d asked me about himself earlier to test my knowledge, and I failed miserably. That was why he looked so amused at my answer.

Another player whacked Erik upside the head and glared at him as he walked past. “Head in the game, not on the pretty girls.”

Erik rolled his eyes until they landed on me. “I’ve got to go, but maybe we could catch up later?”

“Uh.” I coughed when Sienna elbowed me, shunting me forward.

“She’d like that.”

Would I?!

“Catch you later, Britt.” He took me in before walking past, and just like that, the team was ushered onto the ice, leaving Sienna and me alone in the locker room.

I glared at my friend, silently assessing the best way to kill her.

“What?” Sienna raised her hands, trying to look innocent, but it didn’t work for her. She wasn’t the type. “Erik’s a nice guy. I already told you that I thought you’d hit it off. Although, I didn’t realize you two were already so well acquainted. Or that he was obsessed with you.” She dropped her mouth open, looking at me with shock. “That was definitely a curveball.” Then she fanned her face, blowing out a breath before mimicking Erik’s deep voice. “I’ve known she was in communications since freshman year.” Looking up to the sky, she let out a satisfied moan. “I mean, who doesn’t want to hear that from a guy?”

“Is that the only reason you asked me to be your assistant this year? So I could meet Erik?”

“Maybe.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“And you need a good fuck.”

“Sienna!”

“What? I call it like I see it. If you aren’t going to use that vibrating rose in your desk drawer, then you’re going to need to get some action elsewhere, and trust me, Erik’s the guy for that. The amount of action he gets in a week is incomprehensible. He’s not the relationship type and loves to have a little fun. Something you could use an injection of.”

She could talk all she wanted about what I needed, but if I wasn’t ready, I wasn’t ready.

“Now come on.” Sienna grabbed my arm and ushered me out of the locker room. “We’re going to miss the puck drop, and there are plenty of things you’ll want to see before that.”

Looking behind me at the sizable crowd, I was in awe. “Why’s it so busy? This feels like the crowd is bigger than at the Wildcats. I didn’t think that was possible for a practice game.”

Sienna was writing something on her tablet and didn’t bother looking up. “That’s because you haven’t been paying attention. Every year, the Crushers have gotten more impressive, and with much more limited seating than the football stadium, people have to get tickets when they can.”

I flicked my head from side to side, trying to keep up with the players as they skated lengths across the rink. If this was their warm-up, then I had no doubts I’d have trouble keeping up with this game. The crowd cheered as a player skated past us, and Sienna leaned in. “That guy right there is the reason for the draw. That’s Scotty Hendricks.” I’d heard of him but couldn’t remember from who or what they’d said. “You’re wearing his jersey tonight.”

“Ah.”

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