Page 86 of The Flirty Forward

“That was amazing, Baby,” I correct. “You ready to go play some hockey?” I can’t help but grin wide; I feel like my heart is going to burst. I’ve got my favorite things combining today—making out with my girl and hockey? It's a good day.

“I guess,” she says, somewhat unconvincingly. I walk with her hand-in-hand back to our practice rink, ready to play my favorite sport with my favorite girl...and I am totally aware of the fact that I’ve become a sap.

Chapter 33

Stephanie

I try to slow my racing heart as we walk back into the practice rink area. So many thoughts are pinging through my head right now. “You sure you still want me to play?” I ask.

Sebastian gives me a look. “Yes.”

“I just need to put my skates on real quick.”

“I’ll wait.”

As soon as my skates are on, we walk over and step out onto the ice. Just like before, it takes me a moment to get used to it. Sebastian waits right beside me as Gunner and Aiden skate over to us. “So who’s the new guy?” Aiden asks with a nod, and dread fills my stomach. I glance over and see William skating.

“He’s playing in the game?” I ask.

“Apparently,” Gunner says, not looking too happy.

Rico skates over. “Hey, what’s happening, and why is some random dude here?”

I want to groan out loud. I will be having a nice long chat with my father after this is done. “Apparently, he’s our new team attorney,” Sebastian says, not sounding too happy.

“I’m sorry. This is my fault, but I’m going to get it figured out.” They all face me.

“How is it your fault?” Aiden asks in his low rumble.

“He works for my dad.”

“Her dad owns his own firm,” Sebastian explains.

Rico frowns. “I still don’t understand—”

I decide to just put it all out there and answer the questions now. “I’m pretty sure my dad worked out a backdoor dealsomehow to get William on board as your legal counsel. It's an aggressive move against me dating Sebastian.” Sebastian wraps an arm around me and pulls me close. Even though I’m wearing skates, these guys all tower over me. They’re all muscle and strength, and yet I don’t feel threatened by any of them. I glance at Aiden. “Where’s Brielle?”

“Bathroom,” he says and looks toward the door, watching and waiting for her.

Somebody blows a whistle. “I’ll talk to Coach after this and figure out what’s going on,” Gunner says. “For now, we’ll keep an eye on him and make sure he keeps his distance.”

I breathe a sigh of relief at the fact they don’t seem to be mad at me. “Thank you.”

The guy with the whistle waves us over, and we head to the middle. My eyes take in the people playing. Obviously, all the Green Thunder guys are; they have to. All the coaching staff is out here too and some of the trainers and others as well. Then there’s an assortment of adults, most of them guys. There’s a few brave women as well, and of course, there’s William. I don’t look over at him as the guy who is refereeing the game explains how it’s going to work. They divide us into four teams. A collective groan goes around when the ref puts Sebastian, Gunner, Rico, and Aiden all on one team. I get to be on that team, obviously, and Brielle too. Together, we make a team of six. Sebastian winks at me, and I have a feeling he worked his magic to make that happen. I watch Aiden skate over to the side and take Brielle’s hand. She’s better than she was; still, I wonder if she’s going to get run over in this game. Who am I kidding? I’m going to get run over in this game!

The ref tells our team we will be playing first, so we move to the side to make a plan. My eyes find Brielle’s wide ones. I glance over at the other team and see that they have Zac, Dylan, Scott, a guy I don’t know, and William.Of course.I’m not worried,though. We have the best guys on our team. “Okay, what’s the plan, guys? Want me to score all our goals?” Brielle asks, rubbing her hands together, which almost causes her to fall over. Aiden steadies her with a hand on her elbow.

Sebastian grins. “I think we’ve got it, Elle.”

She frowns. “Well, what am I supposed to do?”

I can tell all the guys are trying and failing not to smile. “Should we put them on defense, by me?” Rico suggests.

Aiden shakes his head. “No because one of those idiots is liable to plow into them. I’ll stay back with Brielle on defense.”

Gunner nods. “Let’s go.”

I turn to Sebastian. “So that means—”

---