Page 31 of You Had Me at Hockey

I didn’t feel very solid. I felt like I was going to come apart. But at least I put on a good act and made her feel safer.

After drinking some of her ice tea, Sara dozes off. I pull out my phone and keep myself busy with a game until the pizza arrives. She tries to get up, but I tell her to stay put while I deal with the delivery guy and then bring some plates and paper napkins from her kitchen, along with the pizza.

“God, that smells good.” She sits up, pushing her hair back.

“Yeah. I’m starving.”

It’s a loaded pie, with pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, and olives, and it’s delicious. We devour it, then both stretch out on the couch. “I’m stuffed.”

“Me too.” Sara sighs. Then she burps. She covers her mouth with her fingers. “Excuse me!”

I chuckle. “That was barely a burp.”

“What? You can do better?”

“Hell yeah.” I swallow some air and force a big belch.

“Oh, good one!”

“I can’t believe we’re burping in front of each other.”

“It’s natural.” She shrugs.

“Yeah.” I pause. “I guess I should head home. It’s late.”

“It’s really late. Just stay here. I have a guest room.”

For a hot second, I thought she was inviting me to sleep with her, until she added the comment about the guest room. But even though I’m super attracted to her, this issonot the time for that. “Okay. We have a game tomorrow, but this team doesn’t do morning skates, so I have lots of time to get home.”

—

“How was the date last night?” Brando asks me in the locker room as we change into shorts and T-shirts to warm up before the game.

“Well. It’s definitely one we won’t forget.” Our goodbyes this morning were awkward and weird. I’m sure Sara never wants to see me again, and honestly, that might be for the best.

“That good, huh?”

“That bad.”

“Oh shit.”

“We ended up at the hospital.”

All the other guys are now interested in the conversation, gathering around. Easton is on the periphery, clearly listening, and smirking. Great,hehas to hear about my humiliation.

“What the hell happened?” Cookie asks. “Sex injury?”

The guys all make sympathetic noises of pain.

“Ouch.” Nate winces. “Hope you didn’t break your wang.”

“Jesus.” I shake my head. “No.”

“Shit, that can’t happen.” Loco frowns. “Can it?”

“Sure it can. Penile fracture.” Nate nods with authority.

More guys wince.

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