Page 8 of The Puck Daddy

“Thank you.” I sip on the drink and moan. Not because I’m actually trying to be flirty this time, but because this is the best sugary drink I’ve ever had the pleasure of drinking. “Holy shit. I think my tongue just had an orgasm.”

“Language,” Theo replies automatically. His tone causes me to sit up, and my heart beats faster. Why was that so damn hot?

Theo blushes. “I didn’t mean that.”

I grin. “No, no. That’s fine. I can watch my language around you if you’d like.” Theo still looks flustered, so I change the subject. “How long have you been working here? I come here every so often and haven’t seen you here before.”

“I’m new to town. Well, I guess not new, but it’s been years since I’ve lived here in Brynn.”

“What’s brought you back to our fine town?”

Theo eyes me curiously. “Hmm. Promise to not make fun of me?”

I hold up my hand as if swearing in court. “I promise.” He nods and opens his mouth, but I continue. “Unless, of course, it’s absolutely ridiculous. Then I probably just won’t be able to contain myself.”

He barks out a laugh. “What the hell? You promised.”

“I did. And I promise I’ll try my best.”

Theo narrows his eyes. “College,” he whispers.

“Did you say—”

“College. I’m finishing up a few business classes and starting an internship soon.”

My lips part in shock.

“Hey now. I told you not to make fun of me.” His words are playful, but there’s a vulnerability in his eyes.

I snap myself out of it. “What? No! I am not making fun of you. That’s…that’s amazing. Inspirational, even.” There’s something sexy about a man with brains. But a sexy athlete who also has brains? Pure kryptonite.

“You don’t think I’m too old?”

“God no. What even is too old? My friend’s mother never got the opportunity to finish her degree before she had kids. Twenty years later, and she’s finally in a position where she can. I don’t think she’s too old, she’s…”

“Inspirational?”

I laugh. “Well, yeah. But where’s the lie?”

“Touché.” He smiles. Kayla and the other bartenders work around us, making drinks and serving customers. The selfish part of me knows I should let him get back to work, but I really want him all to myself. He doesn’t make a move to stop our conversation, and I don’t remind him that this is his place of employment, either.

At one point, Kayla walks up to Theo and whispers in his ear. I’m ashamed to admit that jealousy swirls in my stomach until Theo nods at her and points at my glass. “Would you like another one, Adrian?”

My whole body lights up when he says my first name. It’s the first time he hasn’t called me DeLuca since meeting me, and I like the way it sounds rolling off his tongue. Fuck, I’m a sap.

I nod eagerly, glad he isn’t pulling away. We continue chatting and getting to know each other. My inner thirteen-year-old does this crazy little dance and hoots with joy. I haven’t had this much fun just chatting with someone in a really long time.

“What are you doing in school?”

“I’m here for hockey.Hockey is in my blood,” I smile as I say the last line. I’ve been dying to say that exact phrase to Theo Walsh since I heard him say it all those years ago. It might be pathetic, but I’ve imagined saying it many times with so many different scenarios unfolding. But not once have I ever pictured the way his smile falls as disappointment clouds his features.

“Have you ever considered what you might do if hockey was taken away from you?”

My stomach drops. Fuck. How could I be so inconsiderate? Of course, he would be wary. He lost everything.

“Theo,” Kayla calls out. “Can you help me with these drinks? These hockey players are thirsty as fuck.” She laughs at her ownjoke. I glance over at my teammates and see several of them chatting with some of the puck bunnies. Rizzo is on the other side of the table, chatting happily with another teammate, but I’m shocked to see Judy sitting on Callaway’s lap instead.

“Sure thing,” Theo replies. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

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