Page 2 of Of Pucking Course

But when I met Dakota, I wished I could get rid of that rule. From the second I met her, I liked her.

I think back to that night five years ago. It was my and Del’s rookie year in the NHL. He and his teammates threw a huge house party after they won the playoffs, and Dakota showed up.

Del was wasted and made me promise to look after his sister so that no creeps would hit on her. I promised and hung out with her the whole night. We played beer pong and geeked out over our favorite show,The Big Bang Theory. She was stunning and funny and sweet.

From that moment on, I had a crush on her. But I buried it.

For the past five years, I’ve been her friend, nothing more…even though I’ve always wanted more.

Even though over the years, there have been a handful of times that I’ve gotten hints from her that she liked me too and wanted to be more than friends.

Like a couple of seasons ago, when we attended a charity gala together and she went as my date. She kept touching my arm and leg and messing with my hair the whole night, saying how I looked like James Bond in my tux.

Or like last Halloween, when we were at a costume party hosted by Del and his fiancée, Ingrid. I wore flesh-colored boxer briefs with leaves stitched on them and nothing else for my “Adam in the Garden of Eden” costume. I didn’t miss the way Dakota gawked at my chest and abs. Or the way she stammered when she firsttried to speak to me. I caught her blushing while staring at me from across the room that whole night, too.

But I never acted on my feelings. She was off-limits.

I’d lose Del as a friend if I ever tried to make a move on his sister, and no way am I ever letting that happen. I owe my entire career to him.

I think about the way he never hesitates to fight on my behalf when a player from the opposing team lands a cheap shot or a late hit on me.

I think about what he did in college, the way he put everything on the line to help me…

I wouldn’t have a hockey career if it weren’t for him and what he did for me.

Not only is he a solid teammate, he’s my best friend. And I can’t betray him, no matter how I feel about his sister.

So I buried my crush. And now she’s married to some other guy.

I down the rest of the Scotch in my glass, the liquid burning like gasoline in my stomach.

Del’s fiancée, Ingrid, walks over to us, and his grumpy expression starts to fade. He cracks a smile as she slinks her arm around his waist and kisses him.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

She beams at him. “Hey.”

Del is the grumpiest guy I know, except when his fiancée is with him. He smiles more around her than I’ve ever seen him smile.

She turns to me. “Hey, Sam. You’re looking handsome.”

“Thanks. You look lovely.”

She tilts her head at me and flashes that dazzling smile again. She skims her hand on the flowy, floor-length, baby blue dress she’s wearing. Her long, blonde hair is styledin waves and falls loose over her shoulders. “Thank you. It’s always fun to get dressed up.”

“Even for a wedding that should never have happened?” Del grumbles.

Ingrid gently smacks his shoulder. “Don’t say that. This is your sister’s special day. I know you hate her husband, but don’t ruin it for her. Just try to be happy for her.”

Just then, the music cuts out. The restaurant goes quiet, and everyone looks around.

“Everyone, we’re cutting the cake now,” Jake hollers.

Del frowns in his direction. “I thought he was going to give a speech first thanking everyone for coming.”

I shrug, unsure of what’s going on. On the invitation, it said that the reception would kick off with a welcome speech from the bride and groom, but when we arrived over an hour ago, Jake and Dakota were nowhere to be found. So all the guests have been grazing on appetizers and drinks to pass the time.

I look over at the far end of the restaurant, where a four-tiered cake covered in fluffy white frosting sits. Jake is standing there, frowning while fumbling with the button on his suit sleeve. Next to him is Dakota in a strapless white lace dress that skims her body. Her hair is pinned up in a soft, pretty style with layers of her chocolate brown hair framing her gorgeous face.

---