Page 49 of Heart Taker

“I am, I said so,” I insisted. “Can’t you do the same for me? Maybe this isn’t as glamorous as the pros but it’s still hard fucking work. And I’m damn good at my job.”

“Your leg looks better. I could hardly see any limp.”

“I’ve worked my ass off in physio for years.”

She nodded and pursed her crimson lips. “I better get going.”

“Next time, a call will suffice,” I replied curtly. “Ifthere needs to be a next time.”

“You’re still an asshole, Damien.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

CHAPTER 15

SILAS

Did I stick to practice like I was told to? Yes, but my concentration was shot to hell.

My curiosity about Damien’s ex had me wanting to follow him off the ice. My defensive instincts pinged loudly and that didn’t make any sense at all. Damien didn’t need my protection. The very idea was ludicrous. Still, from everything I’d read, and what Damien said, his ex-wife sounded like a narcissistic puck bunny.

Why was she here, now? Did she want him back?

“Banning looked shook up when he left,” Finn offered as he nudged my arm. “What’s that about?”

“His ex-wife is here.”

“Shit, that can’t be good.”

“Exactly. And before that, I came out to him.”

“How did he react?”

“He’s fine,” I replied as I took a sip of water. “No worries. Just like I expected.”

“Banning’s cool.”

“He is.”

Damien was a lot more than that. He was brutally honest in his opinions, he worked as hard as his players, and he was fierceas hell when it came to hockey. All in, he was the most intriguing guy I’d ever been around. Smart, sharp, and sexy. It made me wonder why the guy was still single.Ifhe was single. Not that I should be assuming or wondering about my coach at all.

What type of women did he go for? Or what type of men, for that matter? I thought about that queer bar in Chicago and more questions rattled around inside me like a pinball machine. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. It was foolish, but I couldn’t help it.

Finn nudged me again. “Dude, why’s your face purple?”

Jesus, so much for keeping these crazy feelings about Damien under wraps. I downed another gulp of water, hoping—no, praying—that it would calm me down.

“It’s the workout. Hardest one we’ve had in months. Even leading up to the finals.”

“I know. Coach was all over you this morning.”

I choked on a mouthful of water and nearly showered my friend.

“Seriously, Si?” Finn chuckled and glanced at me with a knowing smirk. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

Nothing except my dirty imagination. All I could picture was Damien and me getting sweaty, minus the hockey equipment. Okay, maybe a jersey was involved in my fantasy. That would be hot too…

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