Page 50 of Hockey 101

Andy explains, Yes. Dawn needs a perfect torso for her sculpture class. Someone athletic.

Well, I guess she’s come to the right place, I say.

Some guys here already have their shirts off, Emily says. Her raised eyebrows make me wonder if she’s excited or horrified by this. She looks sort of innocent. Then she starts rehashing tonight’s game in detail.

As I automatically answer her questions, I’m aware of Andy’s warm presence beside me. She’s looking around, observing everything in her curious reporter way. Greeting my teammates and chatting with their girlfriends. Yet the whole time, we’re connected. My hand is on her hip now and she curls even closer to me.

Let’s check out the living room, Emily suggests.

Andy nods, and I offer to follow once I get us another round of drinks. But when I leave the kitchen, they’re still in the hallway, talking to a shirtless O.D. Oh, shit.

Never took you for a puck bunny, he sneers at Emily. What are you doing here anyway?

They’re with me. I hand out the drinks and drape my arm over Andy’s shoulder. He’s drunk, and he’s in a bad mood because his playing time is down. Coach has been rotating different players in, including me. O.D. squints at me, then Andy. I know you. You’re that chick hockey reporter. Why the fuck is a senior dating a freshman? Baby, you could do a lot better.

I feel her stiffen under my arm. Gee, thanks. When I need the opinion of someone who knows nothing about me, I’ll be sure to ask you. She tugs at my arm. Let’s go.

The three of us continue to the living room. When I look back, O.D. is glaring at us, red-faced.

Emily, of all people, apologizes. Sorry about that. He must be drunk or something. I talked to him because I knew him from a group project. We weren’t best buddies, but he never had attitude like that before.

It’s not your fault. I accidentally punched him in the face during our rookie party, so he’s not a fan.

Andy shakes her head. Still, that’s not enough reason to act like a jerk.

Can we talk about something else? I plead.

Another cheers? Emily suggests and raises her fresh drink. We toast again, and when Emily spots a friend, she goes over to chat.

Andy looks up at me. Are you having fun yet?

I wrinkle my nose. Maybe a party wasn’t the best idea. I like talking to you. Alone. And other things we can only do when we’re alone.

She puts her drink down and hooks her thumbs into the sides of my belt. Well, there are things we can only do at parties.

Like what? I mean, I can think of a few things, but I want to make sure we’re in sync.

Andy smiles up at me, swinging her hips. Would you like to dance?

Since I’ve wanted to hold Andy’s body next to mine for weeks, H to the hell yes. I swallow. Yes. Please.

Let’s go then. We manoeuvre between couples dancing to a slow ballad.

Our goalie, Wally, is DJing tonight; he’s got a digital controller and his laptop set up. As soon as he sees us on the dance floor, he switches to something fast to frustrate me. I give him the finger.

But when I get to see Andy moving in time to the hip-hop beat, I realize that fast is good too. She raises her arms and moves in liquid circles, rolling her hips and giving me a prime view down her top. She turns away from me and flaunts her rounded ass in tight jeans. I lean over her shoulder to whisper in her ear, Have I told you how hot you look tonight?

Not with words, but there have been signs. She giggles, then presses her ass up against me. I had a semi before, but now I’m instantly hard. This is a bold new side of Andy, and I really like it. When she moves away, I grab her shoulders and pull her back against me.

Don’t go, I whisper into her soft hair.

We’re still on the dance floor, she protests. She dances away and then back again. I adjust my jeans, thankful that the room is already dark and everyone nearby is busy dancing.

After two more fast songs, Wally relents and switches to something slower. Fucking finally.

C’mere, I murmur. I put my hands on Andy’s hips and pull her in tight.

She loops her arms around my neck. Her body melts into mine—her head resting on my chest, her breasts soft against my torso, and her ass swaying under my hands. I inhale the citrusy scent of her shampoo.

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