Page 97 of Of Pucking Course

“Hey.” She smiles wide, like she’s excited to see me, and makes my heart thud in my chest.

“Hi.”

“You’re looking great out there.”

I chuckle. “I haven’t even started playing yet.”

“Yeah, but you still look hot.”

I laugh. “Thanks.”

“Seriously though, I just wanted to wish you good luck. You’re going to kick ass tonight.”

Sincerity flashes in her beautiful brown eyes. It makes my chest go tight hearing her pump me up.

“Thanks, beautiful.”

Her cheeks flush as she bites back her smile. I skate off and see Del stretching out on the ice while his fiancée Ingrid films him on her phone. She’s probably recording clips for the team’s social media accounts. All the content she’s been posting to our team’s TikTok and Instagramaccounts has helped build up excitement as we head into the playoffs.

“Let’s get a picture with you besties,” she says to me and Del.

We both laugh and stand next to each other for a photo.

“I hate standing next to you in photos,” Del says. “You’re too damn pretty and I end up looking like a troll.”

I shove his shoulder and laugh. “Shut up.”

Ingrid smiles at Del. “I’d have to disagree. I think you’re a hottie.”

Del lets a smug smile break free. “That’s all that matters then.”

He gives her a quick kiss before continuing with his warmup. She walks off to film the rest of the team.

“Doing okay?” he asks.

“Yeah,” I say as I stretch beside him. “Just happy to be here, as cheesy as that sounds.”

“I get it. You’ve always wanted to make it to the playoffs. Everyone in the league does.” He hops up on his skates and goes through a mobility exercise. “You’re a big reason why we made it here, man.”

I shake my head.

“I’m serious,” he says. “As soon as I found out you got traded to Denver, I was fucking pumped. And not just because you’re my friend and I like playing with you. But because I knew what you could bring to this team. We wouldn’t be here tonight without you.”

My best friend’s words hit hard…and make me feel guilty as hell. Here he is building me up before our first playoff game, and all the while I’m fooling around with his sister behind his back.

But the worst part? There’s no way I’m going to stop.

As long as Dakota wants to, I’ll happily go along withour setup. Even though I know her brother would have my fucking head if he ever found out.

I clear my throat and push away the thought despite the uneasy feeling that lingers.

“Thanks, man. That means a lot,” I say.

He skates off, and I finish warming up, ready to focus on the game.

We’re two minutes into the third period, and we’re tied one-to-one with Chicago.

Sweat drips in my eyes as I breathe hard, my lungs feeling tight as I skate after the Chicago winger who has possession of the puck.

---