Page 15 of Home for the Hockey-Days

It’s everything you’d expect from a... well, a wedding. I betthis little soiree of theirs cost them a fucking bomb. Or rather, cost daddy dearest.

Since my eyes landed on Rowan, I know where she is with every step she takes. I feel her questioning eyes roaming over my face. Why did I blow her off? Why, indeed. I’m not going to make eyes at that asshole’s girl. That’s a line into act-of-war territory that even I won’t cross.

I can’t believe she’s with Johnny fucking White. She seemed so damn nice... I suppose there’s no accounting for taste.

There are more women in the room than I expected. Guess I hadn’t thought about the guest list beyond the hockey team being invited.

The round tables each seat six. Scott takes a seat to my right, leaning toward me. “She’s off limits, cap. White’s girl.”

How am I the only fucker in the building not to know that she’s already with someone else? Not just anyone, but Johnny fucking White. My blood boils as his name tunnels further under my skin. And how the hell did Scott notice my attention on her? I need to stop staring. I’m clearly drawing attention, and it’s kind of rude.

She’s just so goddamn stunning, I can’t help myself.

Justin sits on my left. To Scott’s right, Athena takes a seat, and Rowan sits next to her.

Oh, for fuck’s sake. They had to sit right here? At my table?

Worse still, Athena moves the fucking centerpiece off to the side so we can all see each other.

A chick I’ve never seen before sits next to Justin. She’s wearing a dress so low cut I’m pretty sure Justin just jizzed his pants.

There’s an awkward atmosphere at the table, but according to these little fancy embossed place cards, everyone is exactly where they are supposed to be. Athena chats toRowan, but her eyes stay firmly focused on my face as the meals appear in front of us. I have no idea what I eat. I can’t taste it. Idoknow that it’s definitely more filling than the bite-sized teases we were given on arrival.

I have no clue what the conversation around me is about either, I can’t hear it.

When I’m not staring at my plate, I’m sneaking glances at the fiery redhead sitting across the table trying to murder me with her death-glare. She’s clearly pissed that I ignored her and didn’t return her smile and greeting. At least I think that’s what she’s pissed at.

Good.

I’m pissed too. What good person, in their right mind, dates Johnny White?

Pissed means I won’t accidentally stick my tongue in her mouth and make her moan my name while her cum decorates my cock.

Easy, tiger.

CHAPTER 6

Rowan

There are few people in the world that I’ve met and thought, “I want you to bend me over the nearest piece of furniture and fuck me senseless.”

To date, August Kade might be the first and only.

Strike that ‘might be.’

Fuck, he’s handsome as hell.

I thought he felt the zing of attraction too. That jolt of electricity that strikes in your veins and drives you to act without forethought. The crackle of your body dictating a deep and feral need to be with someone, sometimes before you even know much about them.

When he walked into the party, I thought all my Christmasses had come at the same time. This party is a bust. Not only am I surrounded by hockey players, but they’re all staring at me like I’m the enemy.

I might be imagining that. Perhaps. Maybe. But that’s what it feels like.

I can’t hook up with any of them either. Not only because I don’t want any of them, but my ex put a sour taste forathletes in my mouth. All he ever wanted me for was my brain, my intelligence, and to help him get good grades.

When he asked me to write a whole paper for him, I did, because I thought we were in love and that’s what people in love do for each other, right?

Except he didn’t love me. He loved that I could help him pass.

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