Page 101 of Off The Ice

“What’s it matter to you?” I asked.

“Now that everyone won’t be fighting to the death over you, it gives the rest of us a fair chance with ladies.”

“You do know it’s usually middle-aged women using their husband’s money on these auctions, right?” I responded tightly.

“Age is but a number, Brynn.” He shrugged, looking around the ballroom. “Everyone here looks pretty good to me.” He laughed. “Though I have to admit, not quite as good as the lovely ladies at this table.”

“Watch it,” I warned, jaw clenched.

“Relax, Brynn.” His hands went up in defense. “It was a compliment.”

But Maggie was staring at me with a knowing look.

“Coach is going to be pissed, though,” one of the other guys added. “Apparently, you were supposed to be the big money maker of the night.”

I cringed, finding the whole idea of a date auction totally bizarre.

“Maybe if they didn’t pick the weirdest fucking fundraiser they could think of—” I started, hands balling into fists.

“We would’ve made less money,” Shane added. “And gotten less press about it. I mean, have you seen how many people showed up for this?”

“Not like we need the extra press,” I added.

“But seriously, props to you, Liam, for going against Coach like this after he already put you in the line of fire.” Ryan laughed. “No one can say you don’t have balls.”

“I wouldnotwant to be you when he gets a hold of you,” Shane added with a wince.

“What do you mean under the line of fire?” Maggie asked, nosey as ever,

“Coach basically threatened his spot on the team if he didn’t start generating better press around his image.” Ryan laughed as if it were a joke and not my career on the line.

Cassie tensed beside me.

“Liam!” Maggie said, “Couldn’t you have sucked it up for one night if it wasthisbig of a deal?”

Why was everyone at my fucking throatallthe time?

“I—” I started, preparing to spew out some response that would honestly probably get me in deeper shit than I was already in.

“It’s not his fault,” Cassie suddenly interjected. “Don’t blame Liam. I had tobeghim not to participate, even though he kept telling me how important it was.” She gushed, sounding sincere. I gave her a double take at the note of sincerity in her voice,but she kept going, “I hope your Coach isn’t too upset. I just get really jealous when it comes to this guy.”

Her arm was around my chair, her hand resting on my shoulder in a possessive display. I raised my brows at her, but her eyes remained focused on my teammates.

“I’m sure you guys understand. I just couldn’t handle the thought of every woman in Boston fighting each other over the chance to spend a night with my boyfriend.”

Boyfriend.

The word hit me like I’d gotten cross-checked on the ice.

It’s what we’d agreed on when we talked about tonight. I just hadn’t expected to hear her say it out loud. I thought just the sight of us together would be enough insinuation.

A chorus of laughter from the guys sounded, and suddenly they were all around me, throwing light punches on my arm as if I just announced my fucking engagement.

“What the fuck, man. Did Liam Brynn finally commit to a full-on relationship?” Ryan grabbed my shoulders and shook them in what I thought might be congratulations.

“Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Maybe you haven’t,” Brody tossed across the table, knowing the whole thing was for show.

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