Page 123 of Off-Ice Misconduct
“You need help,” Bender says.
“No, I need to build an electric fence around my man.” That’s it. I’m going over there.
“Cap …Ace. What the fuck are you…? Fine, your funeral,” Shep mutters, linking pinky fingers with Bender. They’ve been happy to show their relationship off to the hockey team, but less so in the house where Hudson is, even though they keep saying he’s fine with it.
Anyway, I’m gone. I have somethingveryimportant to discuss with Coach, who just so happens to be standing with my hot boyfriend Luke and little Miss Sexy Candy Cane.
It’s pure coincidence.
“Hey, Coach,” I say, standing as close to Luke as I dare. I still smell like him. Will she be able to tell? Probably not, but it’s a nice thought.
“What do you want, McKinnon?” Coach says.
“Oh, you know, justnetworking,” I stress.
Coach isn’t stupid. I’m sure he clocked me from his periphery, storming over here like a jealous bull.
“Miss Lane was hoping I’d introduce you to her, Tate,” Luke says, barely able to bite back the laughter fighting to break free over my blatant posturing. “She’s interested in making a donation—something about hockey sticks.”
Coach’s lips twist the slightest amount. So small, only someone who knew him would catch it. Because nowhe’sgoing to have to talk to her. Pretty sure he planned on everyone else but him doing all the work at this thing.
I stand a little taller, smirking away at Coach. I should be careful with that. Tatum VanCourt doesn’t take kindly to punks, but soon, he won’t be my coach. If all goes well, maybe he’ll be my brother-in-law. Wow. Do I want to marry Luke?
Slooooow the fuck down, McKinnon.
But it’s just … that’s what this feeling is. Too fast. Too much. Out of control. It’s a false sense of invincibility. Life is better, everything’s better, because he’s in it.
They sprint off into a conversation about the rising cost of hockey sticks, and Luke and I are left on an island together, in a sea of all those people. He shifts, angling his body just enough that we’re shoulder to shoulder. Close enough to touch, but we don’t. My eyes flick up. Yep, still under the mistletoe, but now I’m under it with him.
“So, enjoy her attention? She was awful fucking close,” I say for his ears only.
“Believe me, princess,” he says low and dark. “It wasn’t her attention I was enjoying. Kinda liked you racing over here like a territorial bunny.”
We’re talking about my jealous fit, but the way his gaze walks over my skin, I’m left feeling marked and owned. We won’t get to kiss under the mistletoe, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t claimed.
A wildly unimpressed Coach returns to us when he’s finished chatting with Miss Lane and she’s off to search for spiked eggnog.
“Why aren’t you happier? Hockey sticks are three hundred bucks a piece,” I remind him.
“She didn’t just want to talk hockey sticks, McKinnon.”
I knew it. She wants VanCourt cock and she’s willing to have it from either brother.
“So? You’re single and ready to mingle,” I say as if I know anything about his love life, which I don’t. Until I saw him fucking Ryan in my damn bed, I’d never caught wind of the mention of a boyfriend, or girlfriend—nothing.
“In other news, McKinnon,” he says ignoring my belligerent ass, “fundraising efforts are promising. So long as you and theteam keep doing what you’re supposed to be doing—now get your ass out there.”
“Ugh, fine.”
“I remember when you used to say ‘yes, Coach’ to everything. Those were the days.”
Yeah, my loyalties have wandered off-ice.
Bend and Shep are with Mrs. Chamberlain near the peppermint hot chocolate bar in the corner. It’s kinda fucking sweet the way Shep’s full-on got his arm around Bender now, as if he’s afraid Mrs. Chamberlain’s gonna take him away.
“Cap, c’mere a sec.” Bender waves me over, a grin splitting his face.
“Hello, again, Mrs. Chamberlain,” I greet.
