Page 10 of Playing for Keeps
“I’ll make some coffee,” she says as my eyes briefly flick down to her mouth. I watch her teeth indent her bottom lip as she lingers in the doorway. It’s like she’s thinking something, and then wondering whether or not to convey it out loud.
“Something on your mind, Kiddo?”
She shakes her head, letting it roll off her. “Nope. Just get up and get dressed.”
I throw the comforter back without thinking. Then I halt, mid-way from getting up. Thankfully, I’m wearing boxers.
She quickly shields her eyes and shrieks. “Woah, woah, slow down, tiger! I didn’t come around here to meet JJ Junior.”
I swipe a hand across my face, unable to contain my laughter, which comes out in a sputter. I sink back into my pillows, pulling the comforter back over my body.
Fuck she’s funny.
JJ Junior?
“Babe, I think you can come up with something better for my cock than that… god of thunder, maybe, JJ’s beast perhaps… but JJ junior? Just no.”
Her hands fly up to her ears, she covers them with her palms and pretends to sing. Her sweet twang echoing through my bedroom as my mouth twitches in a smile.
“That’ll do with the over descriptive names for your quivering member, Jay. I think I get the picture.”
I chuckle as she backs out of the door, still covering her ears like I’m going to say something she can’t unhear.
She’s not impressed at all by my NHL status, my fame, nor my fortune. And definitely not my boyish good looks, blonde hair, baby blue eyes and a smile I’ve been told is equal amounts cheeky and devilish.
Last night’s memories rush back as I uncover myself from the comforter again. Her presence makes it all abundantly clear – in just a few moments of interaction – exactly why I’m waking up alone. We stayed up way past my bedtime after our pizzas. I think we even went to a karaoke bar and Jade came back to my place to watch a movie. I remember that part because I never bring girls here other than to fuck. And Jade and I are definitely not fucking.
I pull myself up out of bed, cracking my neck from side to side as my feet find the floor.
I reach for my sweatpants at the end of my bed and tug them on, pulling them up to my hips as I throw on my Seattle Hawks hoodie. I slide into my favorite pair of moccasins because I don’t want to pad around the polished concrete floors barefoot while I shuffle out to the kitchen like an old man.
Even though we’ve all enjoyed a much-needed break from the NHL recently, and there’s been plenty of time for rest, it’s still taxing on your body. Now it’s October and the new season has just started. I guess there’s that certain expectation with usbeating Vegas in the finals on our home turf. We have to work that much harder now we’re into the first games of the new season.
The few months I had off the ice were busy. I like to have plenty of things to do. Not that I officially threw my skates away for our break, in fact, I skated most days and went to the gym.
Since junior high I’ve lived and breathed hockey, never stopping for much else. It became my lifeline in a very big way and I’ve never wavered from it. Even during the off season, I never fully let go. I just can’t.
I’m always in control, no matter how aloof I may seem. And last night, for some reason, I kinda lost a little control. Maybe it’s everything catching up with me. I may be turning twenty-eight soon, but surely it’s not all downhill from here.
I walk down the long hallway to my open-plan kitchen, which looks out onto a large dining and living area. Double doors frame the back of the den, opening out onto a large wrap-around balcony. There’s a perfect view of the Space Needle and the high-rise buildings that surround it. Traffic is a never-ending buzz below us, but luckily I can never hear it unless I’m outside on the patio.
When I round the corner I see Jade’s tiny frame preparing breakfast. It’s an odd thing in itself to see her here, but a welcome surprise. The food also smells fucking fantastic.
“This beats McDonald’s when I can’t be bothered cooking first thing,” I muse seeing scrambled eggs being tossed around in a pan, hash browns, tomato and bacon grilling in another… fuck. She’s also found my toaster and has four slices of whole-wheat browning nicely.
I gladly accept the steaming mug of coffee Jade holds out to me with her delicate fingers. Her nails are painted a soft pink and match the color of her light-weight sweater. A dainty goldcharm bracelet jangles a little as she moves, creating a cute little tinkle which is uniquely hers.
“It should taste better, too,” she says with a warm smile.
Not for the first time I think she’s a sweet little thing. Always has been.
She’s five-foot nothing and certainly not the annoying little sister Tanner was always shooing away. Though she was quiet at dinner last night; she opened up a little after having some wine. I know last time she was in town visiting her friend, she was nursing a bad breakup, and I think it rocked her confidence a little. Or maybe a lot. Because while she’s always bubbly, that spark in her eyes isn’t quite as bright.
I don’t know all the finer details, but I’m one hundred percent fucking sure the guy didn’t deserve her.
I haven’t seen her much over the years but she’s always been a ‘root for the underdog’ kind of gal. She’s always had that knack of helping someone when they’re down and offering a kind word. I guess that’s because she’s that much of a fucking angel. Unlike me.
The unfortunate part for her is that sometimes the guys she dates either take advantage of her good nature, or they’re beyond salvaging. I think the last guy, some basketball rookie, was the latter.
