Page 17 of Pucking Off-Sides With My Brother's Best Friend

I snort loudly. “Fuck you, princess. I’m awesome.”

Her smile doesn’t waver. “I suppose you are. You’ve helped me out a few times, and I’m grateful.”

“Right. No need to go overboard with the gratitude,” I say, trying to clear the awkwardness in the air, though it seems to only be coming from my side of things. “Just don’t let any more dumbass guys affect you like that again, and we’re even. I don’t want to have to bail Jax out of jail when he tries to fight people on your behalf again.”

She shakes her head, giggling. “No, we definitely don’t want that. Our parents would probably freak out, and then it would become a huge thing.”

I shrug before jamming my hands in my pockets. “Anyway, I’ve got to go meet with coach, so…good luck, I guess.”

Aurora nods before taking a step towards me. I suck in a silent breath when she draws closer, her warmth bleeding onto my skin. Her gaze shifts, and for a moment, it seems like she’s staring at my lips. That can’t be right, though. Why the hell would she be? When she shifts to the side and reaches out for the door handle, I breathe out relief and disappointment tangling inside me as I move to let her go.

“See you later, Aiden,” she says, her voice light and almost teasing. The door swings open, and she glances back at me one last time, a spark in her eyes that makes my heart pound.

“Yeah, see you, Aurora,” I reply, trying to sound casual, but I’m pretty sure my voice comes out gruff.

Part of me wants to pull her back, to finish whatever the fuck this moment is. But the other part, the part that’s gotten me this far in life, screams at me to avoid the situation like the plague.

I stand there for a moment, staring at the closed door, dealing with a mix of emotions. I’ve got a meeting to get to, a career to focus on, and no time for distractions, no matter how tempting they might be.

But now I know I’m screwed because for the first time in my life, I don’t want to run. I want to stay. As I make my way to the coach’s office, I can’t help but feel the shift between Aurora and me.

And the scariest fucking thing of all, I know I can’t ignore it.

Chapter nine

Aurora

Fridays used to meanwine, movie nights, and dreaming about my perfect future. Now? They’re a blur of social media strategies, sifting through ice rink photo shoots and praying I don’t bump into my ex and his plus at some random strip mall. All this, while trying not to spontaneously combust every time my roommate freaking looks at me. You know, totally normal life crap.

“Have a great weekend,” I call out before turning to leave. The week gallops by at a breakneck pace, and I’m glad to finally be able to take a deep breath. I know that working for a new team means some long days or nights while we work to get the word out and drum up excitement for the new hockey team in town.

So far, it seems our efforts are somewhat paying off. Community engagement is growing slowly but surely, thanks to efforts to support the local school’s sports teams, but the wider community is still hesitant to engage. A lot of the ongoing issues seem to involve surprise that we have a hockey team to begin with, especially in hot Florida. Still, it’s energizing to see how enthusiastic some of the kids are, especially when they realize they could possibly become professional hockey players too. I don’t know if some of them have just never considered it due to the climate in Florida or what, but they are definitely thinking about it now.

To be fair, I never imagined that I would be working for a professional sports team either. It’s just as much a shock for me as anyone else, but I can’t deny I am having a blast and actually enjoying my work for once, even with the added stress of trying to build a regular crowd.

Sure, occasionally people ask what a social media manager even does or how it’s a real job, but all I have to do is check my bank account and feel vindicated. Turner used to joke about it not being a viable career path. Well, who’s laughing now?

As I trudge through the parking lot my phone buzzes. It’s Katarina, probably planning our night out. I love her, but right now, the only date I want is with my shower. Is it wrong to hope for a freak Florida snowstorm to cancel all plans?

I snort at my own ridiculousness. A snowstorm in Florida. Right. And maybe pigs will fly, Turner will apologize, and Aiden will... nope. Not going there. Time to face the music - or in this case, the humid as hell night out.

My car seat is damn near burning my tush off, and I hiss when the back of my arm grazes the seatbelt buckle. “Ow,” I whine, starting the car and flipping the air conditioner on full blast. Summers here are relentless, and the air is thick. But thanks to the random rain shower that just started, the air should crisp up a bit soon, I just love the sound of the rain hitting the roof of the car.

I take my time heading home. But even with the air-conditioning, I’m still hot, sweaty, and can’t take it anymore. As soon as I get inside, I book it to the shower. Being home alone isn’t super rare, but it has been a while since I am truly able to indulge, and I don’t want to be interrupted.

Ever since the incident with Mark and Aiden’s interference, my body’s been thrumming with restless energy. I’ve started walking in the evenings when the sun isn’t as high in the sky in order to use up some energy and even contemplated joining Katarina at a yoga class she takes, but nothing’s worked. But tonight, Katarina wants to go out, and I need to not be so out of whack. I figure maybe I can indulge a little with the guys out, and that will hopefully settle me.

The water’s warm, the perfect temperature to help cool me down some, and I hum as I slide my hands over my sides. Ever since Turner and I split up, I haven’t felt much desire. Maybe it’s the stress of having to build everything I worked for all over again. Whatever it is, it’s clearly worn off because now I feel like I am revved up all the time.

I moan softly when I bring my hands up to cup my breasts. They have always been more sensitive, though Turner hasn’t spentmuch time there. I let my imagination run wild and imagine someone who is obsessed with them, who wants nothing more than to feel them. My fingers pinch my nipples, drawing another breathy gasp from me, and I lean back against the cool shower wall. It’s enough to make my skin pebble up, but I ignore that, knowing I don’t have all the time in the world to get off. Normally, it takes quite a bit of time for me to build up a scenario to get the momentum I need, but today, it’s almost no time at all that I feel my pussy clench.

“Jesus,” I groan as I let my free hand slide over my navel and bury it between my legs. I’m hot and already damp with water and slick. The neglected wiry hairs part easily as I slip a finger between my lips and aim for my aching core. I’m molten here, wet with heat that has me groaning. One finger is more than I’ve had in a long time, but I am eager to add another, stretching against my walls and making me wish I had thought to bring something more substantial with me.

I close my eyes and try to imagine someone’s here with me, watching and waiting for a chance to make me feel as good as I need. With a shock, a pair of dynamic gray eyes appear, the heat in them enough to have my lips parting with a gasp. I can feel the phantom touch of rough hands on my skin, and I arch my back, wishing I could feel the strength in them as they press harder. I lift my leg up, propping my foot on the rim of the tub to give myself more room.

“More,” I hiss out as I let my imagination unfurl. Maybe it’s wrong of me to do this—to imagine Aiden crouched down in front of me with his fingers deep in me, but damn, I need something, anything to get me off.

I want heated whispers and touches that burn until I’m not sure I’ll ever forget the feeling. “Please.”

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