Page 99 of You Had Me at Hockey

“There’s not much I’mnotinto,” I admit.

“Oooh. I think we need some toys.”

“I have toys.”

“You’ve been holding out on me!”

“Just waiting for the right time.”

We grin at each other, and the park fades away, and it’s just us on the bench in a bubble of awareness. I cup her cheek and lean in for a soft kiss. Her lips meet mine and cling. Fuck. This is…irresistible. Captivating. Magical. Uh…my poetic vocabulary is sadly lacking.

With my nose touching hers, I murmur, “Roses are red, violets are blue. How did I get so lucky with you?”

Her lips curve upward. “I feel pretty lucky too.”

Chapter 24

Sara

My decision to partner with Genuine People annoyed Harper. She was really pushing for Tryst because of their more high-end reputation, and I’ve been second-guessing my choice ever since. But Josh has been super supportive, and he made me feel better after I saw that stupid video, and that means so much to me.

I want to support him too.

Lilly and I have been texting and talking about Josh and Easton and the stupid, stubborn guys don’t seem to be making any progress in the communication department. I’ve brought it up a couple of times with Josh—what his coach said about communicating better with the power play unit—and he’s been evasive. Now I’m debating being blunt and just asking outright. Usually, this isn’t a debate for me; maybe I’m learning to think before I speak. I don’t know if it will help or hurt things in this case. Maybe it’s better to force the issue between him and Easton?

Saturday night is the evening at the Fine Fox that Lilly, Layla, and I have planned. So Lilly and I decide to stage an intervention. A subtle intervention.

Josh and I spent the afternoon together, so we take a taxi to the West Village from my place. We get there a little early so Lilly and Layla and I can talk to the staff there and make sure there are no problems with our reservations since it’s a pretty big group.

We leave Easton, Colton, and Josh standing with beers in hand as we finalize arrangements. Lilly and I exchange glances. Somehow we have to get Easton and Josh alone. I’m eager to get this done and get things out in the open and resolved between them. I think it will help Josh. I think it’s been bothering him way down deep inside, even though he said it doesn’t matter anymore. Itdoesmatter, to him personally, but also to the team.

Others start arriving. I’m getting to know the guys, although it’s confusing with their nicknames. Josh and Easton didn’t call Colton by that name, they call him Gunner. Cookie is actually Owen, and Russ is actually Evan, and JBo is actually Jay. When Nadia and Igor walk in (the guys call Igor Barbie, which is hilarious) they both raise their arms and whoop, and a responding cheer arises from everyone else there. They’re obviously popular with the team.

We’ve ordered food that we can all share to be set out on tables. Everyone is mingling and laughing, and we’ve organized teams for games of ping-pong, billiards, and shuffleboard. The guys are all trash-talking one another.

At the pool table, Cookie is laughing at Easton. “I can’t believe you just played defense.”

“I meant to do that,” Easton says with a grin.

Owen takes his shot and Easton groans. “Luck.”

“That wasn’t luck.”

“Sure it was. The sun even shines on a dog’s ass sometimes.”

I crack up. Josh is grinning too from the table beside them. He takes his shot, then pumps a fist in the air. “Yes!”

Igor shakes his head and lines up his shot.

“Put it wherever you want,” Josh says.

“That’s what she said.” Igor takes his shot.

I’m laughing helplessly.

“I’ll teach you that shot later,” Igor says, moving around the table to assess his next move.

“Fuck off,” Josh replies.

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