Page 93 of Bagging the Blueliner
“Oh, now you’re gonna get it,” I warned.
“Promise?” The twinkle in her eye did me in. Without warning, I pounced on her, loving the sound of her laughter floating in the air.
She was in my arms. I could wait for the rest to fall into place. I wasn’t going anywhere.
Chapter 21
Hannah
Whoever was responsible forplotting out our season schedule deserved a handwritten thank-you note.
A few days in the desert, followed by a stint in sunny Southern California, was heaven. The timing was perfect to escape snowy Connecticut as winter melted into spring.
We got an extra day off after playing in Las Vegas, which meant a beach day in San Diego. The team was pleased to find I booked our accommodations on the oceanfront. Their praise had me taking a mental bow.
You’re welcome, boys.
My handiwork didn’t stop there.
After making a few calls, I booked Natalie on a flight to join us on the West Coast for a few days. The playoff grind was quickly approaching, and my best friend needed a break. Our long weekend in the Caribbean was already a distant memory.
Currently, Natalie and I sat in the shade of a cabana overlooking the beach, where the players were having an impromptu off-ice session in the sand.
Days like today were morale boosters for a team. Training was part of their job, but seeing the inside of the weight room day after day became monotonous. Changing it up and making it fun did wonders.
We could hear their laughter as they ran in the sand. The heat of the day, combined with their workout, had shirts plastered to sweaty bodies, outlining the muscles hidden beneath.
Who needed porn when this was your view?
Damn, I love my job.
With my third drink of the day in my hand, I was feeling a bit tipsy and more than a little turned on. Handing my glass to Natalie beside me, I cupped both hands around my mouth, shouting, “Take off your shirts!”
Natalie giggled. No doubt she was remembering the time I’d drunkenly demanded that Jaxon remove his shirt when he stopped by during one of our girls’ nights in the early days of their relationship. I’d been trying to lighten the mood—they were so awkward together back then—and Jaxon did not disappoint. Natalie, on the other hand, had been mortified when he practically stripped in her front hallway.
Every head on the beach turned in our direction, including innocent bystanders not involved with the team activities.
Even from a distance, I could see the mischief in Cal’s eyes as he made a show of shaking his head in disbelief at my outrageous outburst. Slowly, he reached down to grasp the hem of his white T-shirt, peeling it over his head. Taking a water bottle, he poured it over his head, and I bit my lip to stifle a moan.
Jaxon was never far from his best friend’s side, putting a hand above his eyes to shield them from the sun and get a better lookinto the cabana. Natalie gave him a shy wave, and a smile lit up his face before he wrenched off his own shirt.
He could thank me later for brokering him a little alone time with his wife.
A whistle blew, drawing their attention back to the drills on the sand. Ordering lunch, we settled in to enjoy the rest of the show.
Laying on our stomachs facing the ocean on the comfortable cabana bed, I nudged Natalie’s shoulder. “Aren’t you glad you came?”
Sighing, she smiled. “You sure can’t beat this view.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I raised my glass.
Natalie clinked her lemonade to my margarita. “You’ll have to pick up my slack.”
Exhaling deeply, I replied, “Forget your slack. I’m currently drinking for four.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I wish I was on your team.”
“And what team is that?” I raised an eyebrow.
