Page 18 of Heart Taker

“But you want more?”

“I want back in the league. Coaching at that level’s my ultimate goal.”

“After today’s win, I can see that happening. And speaking of today.” Selwin waved at the bartender and motioned for a refill. “Let’s get another round to celebrate.”

I finally looked around the bar and noticed several guys checking out my friend, one man more beautiful than the next. Whoa. Since when did I notice if a guy was beautiful? Not since… no. I pushed that thought away.

What the fuck was in this martini?

“One more drink, but that’s it,” I added.

I was looking to get relaxed, not shit-faced.

“So.” Selwin turned in his chair to face me. “Going back to your comment about barely fucking, why’ve you been living like a monk? Is that what happens when you move to Vermont? You eat cheese and maple syrup and stare at the green mountains?”

“Very funny,” I replied and downed the remainder of my drink.

“The night’s still young, maybe we can hit another bar and fix your problem.”

I would’ve laughed at that comment had I not been choking on my vodka.

“There’s no problem.” I coughed and cleared my throat. “It’s a dry spell. It happens. It’s no big deal.”

“Coming from you, wait, sorry, poor choice of words,” he teased. “I’m shocked. You were quite the fuckboy in your day.”

“Not when I was married.”

“Before.”

I nodded. “I was. But I’m not twenty anymore.”

“No shit. Who is?”

“Every player I coach. God, I’m ancient compared to them. They can play all day and party all night. Which is what they’re doing right now,” I replied, shaking my head. “I’ll be the only one on the plane tomorrow without a hangover.”

“Not if you have more than one of those martinis.” Selwin pointed to my drink. “Speaking of your team, they got you good after the game. That guy Moss had it in for you.”

“Yeah, he did.”

Thank God I packed another outfit.

To be honest, it wasn’t the shock of the champagne that hit me. It was seeing Silas smile as he sprayed me with the bubbly. It was the first time in eight months that he’d cracked one. A genuine one. Once I saw it, I couldn’t look away. And I couldn’t help but wonder why he didn’t do it more often.

Stop thinking about it. He’s a student for fuck’s sake.

“Anyway, we headed here soyoucould find someone, not me,” I offered. “I’m too old for this scene anyway.”

“Old? You’re only thirty, D.”

“Picking up someone at a bar isn’t my thing anymore.”

“Who are you right now?” Selwin replied with a concerned look. “I’m worried.”

“I told you, I’m fine. I’m happy. Work makes me happy,” I insisted. Shit, I sounded pathetic. “That being said, maybe it’s time for a vacation. I’ll be running a summer hockey camp this year, but I have a few weeks off in August.”

“It’s April, D. You need a vacation now.”

Thankfully, our conversation was interrupted by the bartender. He placed our drinks down and gave me a smile that was near to blinding.

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