Page 61 of The Wingman

He chuckles. “I think you do, but it’s not about dating. It’s about hockey.” Dread gathers in the pit of my stomach at the mischief in his eyes. “Darcy’s learning to be a player, right?”

My eyes cut to his, and I really don’t like where this is going.

“Being a player is all about variety.” He holds my gaze with challenge. “And there are alotof single guys on the team who wouldloveto help Darcy out. You know, withpracticing.”

Protectiveness rattles through me, and I stare back at himwith my teeth clenched so hard they might crack. He’s trying to get a rise out of me and get under my skin. The rational part of my brain tells me to ignore him.

I can’t, though. I love these guys like family, but the idea of them touching Darcy, of her sitting intheirlaps and strokingtheirhair while they make out, sends hot rage through my blood.

Miller grins wider at me. “That’s a new look from you, Owens. You’re normally so cheerful.”

“I know what you’re doing,” I grit out.

“Great.” He turns back to the ice with a pleased smile that makes me want to break something. “Score a goal tonight, or I’ll make a suggestion next time we’re all out at the bar. Put a little bug in Darcy’s ear, you know?”

Every muscle in my body tightens. “She doesn’t want that.”

“Why don’t you let her decide that? She’s a grown woman, Owens. She can speak for herself.”

She gets nervous sometimes, and she’s new at the dating thing. She needs someone who will take his time with her and not rush her.

And I don’t fucking want her kissing another guy.

“Gents,” Ward says to Miller and me, along with the other forward, before I can tell Miller to back down. “You’re up.”

With my heart in my throat, we climb over the boards.

“Just one goal,” Miller calls as we line up for a face-off.

I take the center-ice spot, urgency surging through me as I get into position. My pulse races in my ears as I think about one of the other players with Darcy. The ref drops the puck, and my body takes over. I claw it away and take off toward the net, blood pounding.

My instincts are different this time. As a hockey player, competition has been drilled into me since childhood, and I letit drive me. For once, instead of thinking about what my teammates need, I think about what I want.

And I really, really want to score a goal. I really want Darcy all to myself.

I race toward the net, watching the goalie prepare. The fans are on their feet, cheering. I slap the puck toward the net. It sails past the goalie. The crowd erupts with noise, and victory rushes through me like a wildfire. Through the glass, Darcy meets my eyes with a gorgeous, proud smile, and I wink at her, grinning so hard my face hurts.

Hazel and Pippa wear their guys’ jerseys, but Darcy’s just in her coat, and the version of me who just shoved past everyone to score a goal wants to see her wearing my name on her back.

“There we fucking go,” Miller crows, jumping on top of me to celebrate the goal, and Darcy laughs. A powerful thrill shoots through me.

At the bench, Ward gives me a pleased nod. There we fucking go, indeed.

CHAPTER 29

DARCY

After the game,I wait for Hayden at home, crouched behind the sofa in the dark apartment. The door opens, and I press my lips together so I don’t start laughing.

“Darce?” I hear him flick the light switch back and forth, but the apartment stays dark—I’ve flipped the breaker so the lights don’t work. “The fuck?” he mutters.

We kissed, and I can’t stop thinking about it. We kissed, and we’ve been pretending it didn’t happen. I need to show Hayden I’m not getting weird about it, that our friendship hasn’t changed.

Even if it doesn’t feel quite true.

“Hayden,” I rasp in a high, creepy voice.

He groans, and I clap a hand over my mouth to muffle my laughter.

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