Page 95 of Hockey 101

I shake my head. No, I’ll stay up. I have too much to tell you. Message me when you’re almost back, and I’ll come to your house. I’ve been shy about staying over with his housemates around, but I’m ready now—this is part of being all in. Maybe there will be teasing, but that’s part of life with Jack. His teammates like him, so they hassle him. It’s a guy thing.

Time to kiss your smoochy-poo goodbye, Sinc, someone calls as they walk by, thus proving my point.

Jack presses his keys into my hand. Go straight to my place and make yourself at home. You can eat or watch TV if you want. And if you want to go to sleep, I’ll wake you up when I get there.

I wrap my arms around his neck and purr, I’ll keep your bed warm.

Jack groans. Now I’m not going to be able to think about anything except you in my bed for the next three hours.

Here’s a preview then. I stretch up to give him a quick kiss, but Jack turns it into something hot and messy. I’ve really missed Jack—his warm lips, his strong arms, his passionate ways. We kiss until Bergy calls out a warning that the bus is leaving.

See you soon. Jack gives me one last squeeze and lopes off. Emily magically reappears, and together we make our way out to the parking lot.

The weather is good and there’s not much traffic, so our trip home is uneventful. I transcribe Jacob’s game story, edit it, and forward it to Jaz. Then I dust off my hands, work done.

I’m sending you money for gas. Thanks so much for driving, I tell Emily. She borrowed her housemate’s car.

She beams at me. Are you kidding? If you didn’t ask me to help pull off your grand gesture, I would have been so disappointed. It was worth it, too. Jack looked so happy. You two make the best couple. She reaches over to pat my hand. You’ve been through a lot this semester, and I’m really glad it’s all working out.

I nod. My challenges were things I was able to conquer with help from people who care about me. Dawn, Emily—and now Jack—are in my circle of trust. Yes, I have issues to work through—but I have both inner strength and people to depend upon.

Emily pulls up in front of Jack’s house. It’s sort of weird to be alone in a guy’s house without him. He must trust that you’re not going to snoop through his stuff. Because I would so do that.

Jack isn’t the type to have deep secrets. I’m pretty sure that he doesn’t keep a journal and there’s not much personal stuff in his room.

But what if you find something kinky in his underwear drawer? she asks.

Like what?

She shrugs. I don’t know. Leashes? Handcuffs?

I’d ask him why we haven’t used them yet.

Emily’s shocked face is the last thing I see as I close the car door. Once in Jack’s room, I don’t search the drawers for sex toys. I drop my purse, then take the world’s fastest shower—in case the guys get home unexpectedly early. After all the momentous things that happened today, I’m exhausted. But once I’m back in Jack’s room wrapped in my towel, I’m not quite sure what to wear to bed. Naked is too risky an option, so I settle on the jersey—and nothing else.

24

EMOTION

ANDY

ANDY. WAKE UP.

Whoozit? I open my eyes slowly. Where am I? I’m in bed, but it’s not my bed. This bed is bigger than three of my beds.

Then a warm hand caresses my hip. My bare hip. Now I’m wide awake.

Jack? I turn my head, and he’s lying in bed right behind me.

Yeah. I just got home. He kisses the back of my neck and I shiver. I have to say, finding you in my bed is my new favourite thing.

I wiggle around to face him. His broad chest is bare and inviting—despite the new red welt on one side. I know Jack sleeps raw, but I lift the duvet to double-check. Nothing on the bottom either. Very nice.

I’m too hot, I grumble.

Well, you’re always hot to me. But maybe it’s my jersey? Jack pulls the hem up and I lift my arms. He eases the jersey off me and throws it on the dresser.

That’s very valuable now that it’s autographed, I inform him.

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