Page 134 of Puck Me Secretly

“Yes.”

“We’re going to lose the game. I know that team.”

“Max, we’re ranked second in our division. What will happen to our rank if you get injured and are out for several games?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“You got lucky that you didn’t break your neck with that hit against the boards or get knocked out with a concussion.”

“I want to play.”

I locked eyes with him. “And I want you to trust me.”

“Fuck.” He tossed his gloves across the dressing room.

“Listen to my reasons. The fans need to love you. When they do, the media will back off. When that happens, you become a commodity, not a liability. It means, you will have your pick of clubs after this season.”

He turned and I could see the emotion in his eyes. “You think I don’t know that?”

“Everyone uses you. They all expected you to show up and perform and they treat you like shit.”

“How does not playing help with that?”

“They need to realize how much they need you. Let them sweat out there.”

“Why does that matter so much to you?”

I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. This was my moment. To be real with him. To be honest. “Because if we get found out, I don’t want your career to be over.”

His head reared back like I had slapped him.

I dropped one more bomb. “I don’t know what you want but I want whatever this is, to continue. And I don’t want you to have to choose between hockey and me.”

He moved across the dressing room in four steps and then his mouth was on mine. His hands pushed into my hair. I moaned, opening my mouth to the kiss.

He lifted his head. “You want more?”

I moaned. “I can never get enough of you.”

He lifted his head and his eyes studied my face, looking for my truth and my honesty. “You know how I feel, right?”

I winced. “Not really.”

He stroked my hair back from my forehead. “If you were a sport, you’d be hockey.”

But you love hockey!

I reached up on my tippy toes. “Kiss me.”

He bent his head down. “Why are you so short?”

I laughed, “You’re wearing your skates.”

He yanked me over to the bench, sat down and pulled me over his lap so I straddled him.

“Max,” I felt nervous, “Anyone could come in.”

“Kiss me.”

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