Page 5 of Of Pucking Course

I’ve always had a crush on Sam. Anyone would. He’s tall and jacked with the most incredible sandy blonde hair and chiseled jaw. He looks more like a male model than a hockey player.

Not only is he hot, he’s also a sweetheart. He’d give theshirt off his back to anyone if they asked. The kind of guy who would get out of his car to help an elderly lady cross the street. I’ve actually seen him do that.

And he’s the guy friend who never hesitates to pretend to be your boyfriend if you’re out, and a creep won’t stop harassing you. He’s done that for both me and my best friend Sophie.

But he’s also my brother’s best friend. And I knew better than to ever give in to my crush on Sam. Del is the most overprotective big brother on the planet, and if I ever got together with one of his friends, he’d lose his mind.

I think back to the first time I met Sam, at that huge house party my brother and his teammates threw during their rookie year in the league. I was instantly attracted to Sam. He was hot and sweet, and we spent the whole night playing beer pong while nerding out over our favorite show,The Big Bang Theory.

But I pushed aside my little crush and only ever let myself see him as a friend. I figured he only ever saw me as Del’s kid sister.

But little moments would happen where I wondered if he ever saw me as something more…like right now, when he tells me I’m the most beautiful woman in any room while looking at me with fire in his blue-green eyes that look like gemstones.

I force myself to push aside the feeling. He’s just trying to make me feel better. He’s just trying to be a good friend.

“Sam. I just broke up with my husband during our wedding reception. In front of all our family and friends. I’m a trashy, tragic mess.”

“Don’t you dare say that.”

I’m caught off guard by the conviction in Sam’s soft, low tone. He almostsounds bossy.

I’m not used to hearing him speak like this. Sam’s always been a sweet and gentle guy.

I gaze up at him and take in the intensity of his gaze.

“Don’t ever talk about yourself like that,” he says in that low, firm tone. Shivers fly across my body.

“It’s the truth, though,” I say. “It took my husband shoving our wedding cake in my face to realize that marrying him was a huge mistake. I should have known sooner. I mean, none of you even liked him. Not you, my brother, or my friends. I should have taken that as a sign that Jake and I shouldn’t be together, let alone get married.”

For a long moment, Sam doesn’t say anything. He just stares at me, intensity flashing in his eyes.

I hug my arms around myself. What I really want is for Sam to hug me. But I don’t feel like I can ask him that.

I wouldn’t normally have to. We’ve hugged a million times over the years. As friends.

But in this moment, when he’s looking at me with an intensity I don’t recognize, when he’s speaking to me in that low, rough whisper, when the air between us is thick, it doesn’t feel like we’re just friends.

It feels like we’re teetering on the edge of something else. Something more.

He glances at my arms. And then he takes a step forward, closing the space between us.

I drop my arms at my sides, and a second later, he rests his massive hands on my shoulders.

His touch is warm, and I want more. So much more.

“You’re right, Dakota. I didn’t like Jake. He wasn’t good enough for you. Not even close.” He huffs out a breath. “I’m sorry for what you’re going through right now. I really am. You don’t deserve it. But honestly? I’m glad you’re not with him anymore.”

My heart skids in my chest. I want to know why Sam feels that way.

The words spark on the tip of my tongue.

“Why are you glad?” I finally manage to say a second later.

He opens his mouth, but before he can speak, there’s a knock at the door.

Sam’s hands fall away from me, and he takes a step back, hitting the wall behind him.

“Dakota, are you in there? It’s Sophie.”

---