Page 13 of One Shot

“Key player focuses to start off the season will be four seniors and two juniors. All Star Seniors: Jamison Clarke and Micah Lawson. Seniors that are contenders for the NHL: Connor Rizzo and Liam Welsh.” She glows when she says Liam’s name. “Juniors: Tyler Barret and, of course, Captain Lucas Donato.” I catch myself rolling my eyes, hoping Coach Andres doesn’t notice. “Problem children: Blaine Mitchell got in a few altercations this summer around campus bars, so he is going to need to be talked to again.” Coach Andres looks up at her, shaking his head.

“Look, Coach, you know I won’t sugarcoat it. Mitchell is looking to stir up trouble. He tried to get other players in on his antics this summer. Luckily, he hasn’t been super successful, but you know that he convinced one other player to join in on a fight this summer. Which brings me to the next problem child, Derrick McAllister. He was almost arrested during one of the incidents this summer for public intoxication. We already talked about that being in the papers and all over the internet. So, this goes without saying but you need to use Mitchell and McAllister as an example that you do not tolerate their behavior or any kind of bullshit,” Bren finishes.

Coach Andres runs his hands through his hair with a defeated breath, but nods. Wow, Bren is amazing. I’m surprised that Suz didn’t take over and lead. Bren really is in charge and she’s a boss bitch!

“They are going to tank the team’s good reputation if they aren’t reprimanded,” Bren adds.

With a big sigh, Coach Andres says, “Thanks, Bren. I know I can count on you girls to focus on the positives and get this team some good press. We have a lot of strong players, so it’s going to be a great season. The six you outlined will make for good press, and we truly need it.”

“Actually, what about seven? Throw in Keith too. He’s a hell of a goalie and was ranked high last year. We’ll call them the Sexy Seven. Ilove it. I’ll follow up with details over email and a timeline for the next month or so,” Bren rambles more to herself than anyone.

A door slams. Bren is now tilting her head, intently listening to the other side of the locker room. “I hear the boys coming in, so we’ll go give them our spiel before you whip them into shape. Can we get fifteen minutes with the boys now?”

Coach nods and asks Bren to close the door behind us. Wow, that was a lot. What did I sign up for? I guess I’m lucky my course load is so light with all the extra community college classes I took the last two years.

Bren gives Suz a thumbs up. It must be the signal she needs because Suz is suddenly strutting down the hall shouting in a singsong, “Boys, it’s your favorites. You better be decent for us because we’re walking down from Coach’s office. Be on your best behavior if you don't want your PR and marketing team to slander your name.”

Bren laughs and rolls her eyes at me. We follow Suz to the main part of the team’s area. I gaze around the locker room. The numbers above each player’s space catch my eye, and my heart sinks into my stomach with despair. How many times did Nick step foot in this locker room? Which locker once bore his number 88? Does someone else use it now? My mind is racing with a million questions as my heart mourns.

Suddenly, I forget all those questions as I unexpectedly take in Liam in a towel. A salacious, eager grin slides across his face as he eyes Bren, who winks in return, mouthing something about losing that towel later.

The players are suited up and decent when we walk in, except one cocky bastard that I’ve never seen before and now unfortunately am seeing entirely too much of. He’s in the back of the locker room, completely naked, just letting it all hang out for anyone to see.

Lucas rounds the corner, naked body also on display, though it’s the opposite of unfortunate seeing a glimpse of the captain’s glistening muscular body. It takes everything in me not to let my jaw drop in those few seconds.

Droplets of water coat his biceps and stream down his torso. Before I can take in the delectable view and assess the captain’s jewels, Liam chucks him a towel. and he turns with his back to us quickly. I notice his sexy back dimples as he hastily ties the towel around his waist.

“Hi, girls.” Lucas rubs the back of his neck, flustered as his face turns beet red. Maybe he isn’t as bad of a guy as I pegged him to be.

“Sorry didn’t know you would be here so early. You know we want to be respectful—” Lucas cuts off his own sentence to turn and look at the still-naked guy in the back. “Mitchell. What the hell is wrong with you?”

Ah, that’s Blaine Mitchell, the delinquent trouble child. The pompous smirk on his face is exactly what I was expecting, but he appears boyish with dimples on each of his cheeks and short sun-kissed brown, bordering on blond hair peeking out from under his backwards hat. Naked except for a hat? He really fits the cocky jock role to a tee.

“Donato, always pretending to be a hero. It’s nothing they don’t want to see, especially the new girl. What’s your name, baby?”

Blaine’s green eyes scan my body before he gives me a “sup nod.” Lucas’ brow furrows with outrage. His hands ball into fists and I notice his body tense, showcasing his scrumptious back muscles. Desire stirs deep within me. Drool almost escapes down the side of my mouth as I shake the daydream of massaging those muscles while he lays beneath me.

“I swear to God, Mitchell, if you don’t start being respectful and get your shit together—” Lucas starts, fists clenched, but I cut in.

“I’m Laur. Lauren Bellinger.” Whispers spread through the locker room when the team hears my last name.

“Thanks, Captain, but it’s not a big deal. Next time, Blaine Mitchell, if you want to impress a girl, have something worth showing off. Since you clearly don’t—” I say looking him up and down pointedly “—I’d say finding some dignity would do wonders for you.”

Lucas’ jaw drops along with a few other guys. Mitchell isn’t the most attractive on the team—that’s clearly Lucas—but he’s still hot. He hassomething worth showing off between his legs, but I don’t care in the slightest. I’m not about to let some prick mouth off at me pretending it’s flattery. Blaine Mitchell is now on my shit list.

Bren goes through a quick spiel telling the “Sexy Seven” we’ll be in touch and that all new players will need to submit a bio by the end of the week if they want any chance at being highlighted on social media or anywhere else.

As I leave the locker room, my heart thumps loudly in my chest thinking about the next time I’ll get to see the captain on full display. Bren starts to discuss some next steps for the Sexy Seven, but I’ve completely tuned her out.

Did Lucas think I was too brash cutting him off and telling off Mitchell? Or did he find it appealing that I can hold my own? Why does he seem to be the only thing on my mind after Bren just went over important assignment details?

Chapter seven

Lucas

The way she just told Mitchell off while also calling me Captain has me heated. Holy hell. Lauren Bellinger is God damn hot, but she is trouble. Maybe I mislabeled her yesterday as just an angelic looking girl with an attitude. Or maybe she is just showing she’s capable of holding her own, which is sexy as hell. I clear my mind of her and then clear my throat to talk to the team.

“Team, listen up.” I inhale sharply, unclenching my fists and erasing the image of my dream girl—who’s probably just a nightmare dressed as a daydream—out of my head, before addressing my team. As I walk through the locker room, I make sure to meet the eyes of every player.

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