Page 18 of Puck Lust

The only way for me to ignore the inconvenient feelingsthat trigger me every time I catch him staring is to focus on something else.

So I’m killing two birds with one stone and trying to be a team player for the first time in my hockey career. If I concentrate on the game, I won’t get sucked back into those fantasies of “what might have been” again.

Inviting him here tonight before we’re thrown together for the weekend was just a way to clear the very fucking tense air that seems to swarm us every time we’re in the same room.

Although, with fantasies of him watching me in the shower swirling through my mind way more often than I want to admit, I’m not sure how effective my grand plan will actually be.

Knowing he’s gonna be naked in our shared shower, hot, wet, soaping up every inch of his body when I’m just a few feet away with the knowledge that he’s straight?

Damn. That’s gonna be torture of the worst kind.

“You look like you’re a million miles away,” Sam says, handing me a beer. “What’s up?”

Christ, does he have to be so observant all the time? But Sam never was one to let anyone lament in silence.

“Just thinking about the game this weekend.” I take a long gulp of beer. “Trying to get my head right.”

“I think it’ll be really good for you. Being on the road is a perfect way to get to know the team better. Who are you rooming with?”

“VK,” I say, clearing my throat. “I knew him from junior hockey.”

“That’s cool. I’ve always heard he’s a good guy. Speaking of the devil,” Sam says, nodding at the door at the far end of the space.

I turn to look over my shoulder, casually sipping my beer.And what I see sends the cold liquid shooting down the wrong pipe, launching me into a choking fit.

“Are you okay?” Sam asks as I sputter and cough.

“Yeah,” I finally rasp, just in time for VK to make his way over to the table, a petite blonde with huge tits clutching his arm. Her tiny black tank top skims the bottom of her bra, her jeans low enough to expose the edge of her hot pink thong.

Classy.

“Ohmygod!” she cries out. “This is so insane. I can’t believe I’m going to meet Sin City!”

Red spots creep into VK’s cheeks. “Ah, well, I saidmaybe.”

She jumps up and down when the roadies make their way onto the stage and start arranging equipment. I roll my eyes at Sam for the second time, but he only smiles at the girl.

“Anything for friends of Jack,” he says graciously.

VK sticks his hand out. “Thanks for the invite. I’m a big fan.”

“Likewise,” Sam says, turning his attention to the blonde. “Sam Hartley. And you are?”

Obviously a fucking puck bunny groupie.

“Livvie,” she says with wide eyes. “I recognize you. You’re engaged to Brixton Scott. That is just the coolest thing ever, to be marrying such a superstar. You guys must have the most glamorous life together.”

I try to swallow a snort but it escapes before I can pull it back.

“You know, Sam’s a pretty big deal himself,” I say to the girl, knowing I sound like a condescending asshole, but betting she won’t even realize it.

Her jaw drops open and her attention flies back to Sam. “So you’re really famous, too?”

“Well, I?—”

“Don’t let him his modesty fool you. He’s the best tight endin the NFL.” I wink at Sam and he chuckles. “Way better than Travis Kelce.”

“Wait, so you know Travis Kelce? Is he coming tonight?” Livvie gasps. “Ohmygod,ohmygod!Do you think he’ll bring Taylor?”

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