Page 9 of The Puck Daddy

“Okay,” I murmur as he rushes off.

I’m such an asshole. Why would I say that to an ex-NHL player who lost his entire career to something as common as an injury? It might have been cute to say it if he were still playing, but now? I must be lost in my own melancholy, just playing with the condensation on my glass, because I startle when a throat clears right in front of me.

Leaning across the bar top, Theo smiles. “Hey. What happened to that confident hockey god I was just chatting with a few minutes ago?”

I want to say sorry for sticking my foot in my mouth, but that would mean admitting I know who he is. Would he be mad if I knew? Is it a secret? Or is it just a coincidence that he didn’t give me his name yet? Or mention the NHL. Wait, what did he just call me?

My eyes snap up to his, and despite myself, I give him a small smile. “Hockey god?”

“Well, sure. I didn’t miss that breakaway tonight. And what about those hat tricks in your last two games? That’s impressive.”

A wider grin spreads across my face. “You watch my games?”

“Nah,” he says casually, flipping around and leaning against the bar top. His back is to me, but he’s looking at me from over his shoulder. “The college channel was on earlier, and some blogger was interviewing you. She mentioned something about back-to-back hat tricks this season. Or at least I’m pretty sure that was you. Sweat dripping off that body of yours. Hockey jersey. Light blue, red, and white. Charming smile?”

Oh god. Heisflirting with me.

“So, you were watching,” I say, arching my brow with confidence. “I called it.”

His laughter is this sexy rumble. Some of that weird tension eases, and Theo suddenly looks younger. His broad shoulders lower as he relaxes.

He smirks and flips back around to face me. His plush lips tip to the side in this sexy way I’m growing used to. “Who knew Adrian DeLuca is a little bit of a brat?”

I trail my fingers along the zipper of his black leather jacket. Oh yeah, these sexy rocker-Daddy vibes look good on Theo, even if the Daddy part is just wishful thinking. I tug him closer. “And why does that sound like a compliment?”

“DeLuca,” Rizzo shouts across the room. “Get your ass over here and hang out with your team.”

Theo pulls away, the spell between us broken once again. I roll my eyes. Fuck. Rizzo’s bad timing makes me want to scream. “Sorry.” I give Theo a shy smile.

Theo shakes his head and slowly backs away. “No, don’t be sorry. I get it. Go on. Hang out with your team. Celebrate your win.” His gaze is warm, and his smile is soft. He’s no longer looking at me with those flirty blue eyes. Instead, there’s an almost caring look on his face. For years, I would have killed to see Theo Walsh flirt with me. But fuck me, why am I more interested in exploring this look rather than the flirty one?

Chapter 5

So much for no alcohol.

Theo

Was I really just flirting with Adrian DeLuca? And why can’t I stop smiling? He’s a hockey player, of all things. Not once in my whole hockey career have I ever checked out an athlete. Sure, I could appreciate their bodies and their skills, but not one of them did it for me. Back then, I was more into the smaller guys, ones I could toss around and flaunt my muscles for. But I was different back then. Or hell, maybe I wasn’t.

I was always into a submissive partner. One that I could take care of. One I can spoil and cherish. I thought I imagined that submissive side of Adrian out on the patio. And when my bodyreacted to this idea that had started building in my head, I panicked. I ran back inside like a coward.

Luckily, the little brat followed me. Fuck, Adrian isn’t anything I’d ever imagined. He’s even better. He’s attentive, playful, and sweet. And the shy, vulnerable glimpses he allowed me to see? Fuck. When was the last time someone flirted with me like that? Hell, when was the last time I flirted back?

Then Kayla approached me and told me that Luna and John also didn’t miss the wide smile on my face. She said I technically still had twenty minutes left on my break and to flirt away. I’m pretty sure there’s a rule against hitting on the customers, but Kayla knows my situation, so her encouragement isn’t surprising.

Note to self: I’ll have to buy her a gift card for her favorite café.

I didn’t miss the way Adrian looked disappointed when I snapped at him. Truthfully, I didn’t mean to. Something about him made my protective side flare up. Not to mention, I wouldn’t want anyone to feel as lost as I did when I had to quit hockey.

But as I get back to work and the night progresses, that happy feeling I got while flirting with Adrian begins to fade. And when a stunning little twink begins hitting on Adrian, all thoughts that we might have chemistry fade away.

The twink is blond, beautiful, and young. Hell, he’s someone I would have hit on in college. Kayla and I keep revisiting the table and dropping off drinks, with the blond drinking the most.Initially, I was impressed that Adrian didn’t want any alcohol. I’m no prude, but I liked how he seemed to be changing my perspective on the ‘typical hockey player’ I’ve grown used to.

But as his teammates get louder and rowdier, I can’t be entirely sure I imagined the sweet and slightly bratty boy I wanted to get to know.

A half an hour later, the beautiful twink plops himself onto Adrian’s lap and kisses him right on the lips. A commotion erupts at their table, and several of Adrian’s teammates break out into loud shouts. At first, I fear the worst and think there might be some homophobic assholes on his team, but the encouraging hoots ease my fear. That’s until the phone cameras start flashing and I realize there will be online proof of someone else kissing Adrian.

Maybe this is the guy that Adrian mentioned when we first met. What was his name? The one he watched movies with and likes classics.

---