Page 27 of No Pucks

“Are you working with Dr. Arrogant again tomorrow?” I reach down to rub my thigh.

She side-eyes my movement but doesn’t say anything. “I hope not. I’m going to stab him in the throat if I have to hear him mansplain something one more damn time.”

“Or you can’t admit you want to?”

“His head is too far up his ass to be good in the ER.” She huffs out a puff of air, blowing up her bangs. “Maybe I’ll see when our waitress gets off to distract myself.”

“Sounds like a solid plan.” My gaze flickers over to the bar where she’s waiting. She’s beautiful, but not what I want. Fucking Logan released something inside me I haven’t been able to sate with women—or with anyone, for that matter. “Then call me and tell me about it?”

Krista narrows her eyes. “Don’t even think about flirting her out from under me.”

“You don’t like a little friendly competition?” I ask teasing her, glad for the distraction.

She scoffs. “You’re a former NHLer with that—” she makes a face and waves at mine, “TV smile. I know what women like. I have to remind myself all the time to stay far away from types like you and Dr. Arrogant.”

“I thought we were friends?” I say flatly.

“We are, but that doesn’t mean you’re good for this temple of mental health.” She smiles as the waitress sets our drinks in front of us. “Thank you, Rose.”

“You’re welcome.” Rose takes her card and leaves.

“She’s too young for you.”

Krista returns her attention to me and blinks. “I don’t want to hear it, Mr. I hooked up with an eighteen-year-old and am considering doing it again.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You’ve been thinking it,” Krista challenges.

“Fair point, but also entirely rude. I thought he was at least twenty-one.” I pick up my drink, sip it, then take a bigger gulp as I remember the way he looked at me in the locker room. “Hence why I need someone else to hook up with.”

She studies me. “Is that what you really want?”

I give her a flat look.

“What’s that look for?”

“That’s the look of me reevaluating all of my life choices.”

“Why?” she asks, taking a big gulp from her glass.

“Cox is proving to be difficult.”

A tiny little smile forms on her lips. “Difficult how?”

“Acting like he wants to keep hooking up?” I shake my head. “Everything I say, he’s got a comeback for. It’s not disrespectful per se, but he’s got a damn mouth on him.”

“No wonder you like him.”

I glare. “I can’t like him.”

“Didn’t you say he went after you?” she asks.

“That doesn’t change what it is.” I take another long pull from my glass, relishing the burn. Maybe this will help me sleep and not alternate between staring at the ceiling wondering what I did to deserve this and fucking my hand.

“No, but you’re not misusing your position if he’s chasing you.”

“That’s not how it looks or how anyone will see it.”

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