Page 108 of Behind the Bench

Lincoln

You need to get out more, Hunter.

I can’t believe I agreed to goat yoga. This is probably the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. I’m standing here in a greenhouse-looking studio, trying to figure out where the hell Sadie found four goats for this shit. She’s some type of miracle worker.

Ellie walks up next to me wearing a pair of high-waisted yoga pants that have me wishing we were alone so I could sink my teeth into her glorious ass. She bumps her shoulder against my arm. “Told you this wasn’t a bad idea. The guys are having a blast and it hasn’t even started yet.”

Looking around at the team, I see that every single one ofthem is laughing or has a smile on their face. Damn, I hate when she’s right.

“Yeah, yeah. You were right. For once.”

She fake gasps. “Lincoln Scott. Can you say that again? I don’t think I heard you.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. “Keep it up, Coach. I’ll make you pay for that smartass later.”

Ellie pats my shoulder. “It’s cute you think that should scare me.” She leans in to whisper in my ear. “When really all it does is make me wet.”

Her words immediately go straight to my dick. I do my best to adjust myself and try to think of something to settle the big guy down. Algebra. Our scary GM, Jerry. Jerry doing yoga. Yep, that works.

Ellie laughs and then takes one more look around. “Where’s Niko? It’s not like him to be late. He’s usually the first one here.”

I didn’t even notice that he wasn’t here yet and the fact that he’s nowhere to be seen has me worried. Hunter walks up as I’m pulling out my phone to call Niko.

Wait a second, is that a puppy?

Ellie’s squeal nearly knocks me off my feet. “Oh my gosh, Hunter! Please tell me that’s your puppy!”

Hunter rubs the Bernese Mountain Dog’s head with a goofy grin on his face. “He sure is. Guys, meet Gordie. I figured he might enjoy some goat yoga himself.”

Ellie rushes over to Hunter and steals the dog right out of his arms. She looks over at me with her own set of puppy dog eyes.

Ellie and I have been discussing the idea of moving in together this summer. It doesn’t make sense for us to live separately when we’re together every night and every day at the rink. She’s hesitant to pull the trigger because Sadie still hasn’t found steady work. That’s my girl, always putting the people she loves first.

“Those puppy dog eyes aren’t going to work on me, Montgomery. It’s not happening.”

She hands the puppy back to Hunter and juts out her bottom lip. Gordie really is adorable. Hey, I’m not a psychopath. I think dogs are great. I just don’t love the idea of waking up all night with a puppy or cleaning up after them.

Before she guilts me into buying a damn dog, I look at Hunter and change the subject. “Have you heard from Niko? I was just about to call him.”

He nods toward the entrance. “Here he is. Looks like he brought Sophia.”

I look over to the door and see a disheveled Niko come through the door, Sophia in his arms. I’ve never seen Niko look so flustered before. He’s always calm, cool, and collected. His demeanor now isn’t showing any signs of those.

“Sorry I’m late, guys. I had another nanny quit on me. I hope it’s okay I brought Sophia.”

The last thing this guy should be worried about is childcare for his daughter, but all season he’s been having a hard time finding a steady nanny. I can’t wrap my head around it. Who wouldn’t want to nanny for a rich hockey player with a gorgeous house and kid?

Sophia gets so excited when she sees the goats behind us. “Daddy, look! Goats!”

Niko smiles and rubs his hand down her hair. She looks at him and grabs his cheeks with her tiny hands. “Can I go say hi to the goats, Daddy?”

Niko looks at us in question.

Ellie reaches her hand out. “Of course you can, sweetie. Come on, I’ll introduce you to Wayne. He’s that tiny black goat climbing on Sadie right now.”

She walks away, hand in hand with Sophia, and Niko runs a hand through his hair. His hair looks messier than I’ve ever seen it. I have a feeling he’s been running his hands through it all day.

I clasp him on the shoulder. “You okay, Captain? I’m sorry you can’t find a reliable nanny.”

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