Page 11 of Can't Always Get What You Want

She’s testing me.

She probably thinks I’m too stupid to realize it, maybe she thinks I’ve been knocked in the face one too many times with a hockey stick to have a set of brains. The joke is on her because I wasn’t born yesterday, and I know what she’s doing.

The truth is: I already know this is a shitty idea.

I already know I won’t be able to tell Gio.

Why would I?

This isn’t a date.

Nova said so much herself and who am I to contradict her? A mere drink between acquaintances…

Another truth: as my teammate’s sister, she is the one woman I absolutely should not date. Sure, I’m attracted to her. I’d be a fool not to be. But her brother has a history of giving hell to anyone who so much as utters her name, especially when it comes to finding her attractive. Zero dudes in the history of theBaddies have ever taken her out; handing her a drink at a Christmas party does.

Not.

Count.

So when Nova popped up on my screen on the dating app, I about rolled off my goddamn couch.

Then when I matched with her?

I nearly dropped my fucking phone.

But there she was; Nova Montagalo—flirting with me.

I’d have to be a goddamn idiot to let an opportunity like that pass me by.

I plan to jump in the shower, telling myself I’m not putting in any more than any guy would before drinks with someone new. I’ll shave with precision. Debate which cologne makes me smell sexy and hot enough to have a woman wet between her legs.

Standing in the bathroom as I wait for the water to heat up, I swipe a hand over my jaw, checking my reflection in the mirror.

Damn I look good…

More importantly? I look like someone who knows exactly what he’s doing, which is acompletefucking lie. Honestly though, I am clueless, operating solely on my sense of humor and an unhealthy amount of fake confidence.

When in doubt? Make her laugh. Make her smile.

The truth? I’m not all that confident.

People assume I am; because of the way I carry myself, because of my size, because I know how to throw a punch during a fight on the ice and can take one without flinching. But confidence is something built when you’re told you’re worth something. When you grow up hearing you’re smart, or talented, or evengood.

I didn’t.

I grew up with a dad who never outrightsaidI was a disappointment, but he never had to. It was in the way he sighed loudly when I missed a play, the way he compared me to myteammates who were bigger, faster, better. My mom—she meant well, I think. But she taught me early that love was conditional.

I had to earn it…and even then, it could still be taken away.

Shaking my head as if to clear those thoughts, I climb into the shower. The water’s too hot, but I don’t care. It wakes me up, cranks my energy up a notch. Tonight isn’t a date—at least, not technically—but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to it.

Nova’s fun. She’s the kind of person who keeps you on your toes, who makes it impossible to predict what she’s gonna say next. And yeah, she’s hot. Stupidly hot. But it’s more than that.

I scrub my hands through my hair, lather up quickly. I don’t need to overthink this. I just need to show up, look good, and not make an idiot of myself. Should be easy.

Rinsing off, I cut the water and step out, grabbing a towel. The mirror’s fogged up, but I don’t need to see my reflection to know I’m grinning like a dumbass.

6:03

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