Page 22 of Power Play
God, I really am an asshole.
I grab a coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs before sitting down at the table next to hers. She stiffens, but it's so subtle I don't think anyone else has noticed.
Jonesy, ever the asshole, sits next to me and loudly asks, "Who were you getting it on with last night, Coach? Got a lady-friend in Vancuv? I don't think I've ever seen you pick someone up at away games."
Unfortunately, Lacey happened to be sipping her coffee when he asked. She chokes in a gasp, and a bit of coffee, and starts coughing.
I smile, resisting the urge to look her way. One glance, and I’d give us both away. "Your mom," I reply easily.
Jonesy holds out a fist to be bumped, but I simply glare at him. Ben pats Lacey's back, hard, while she struggles to compose herself. I've seen sexy Lacey, confident Lacey, at-work Lacey, at-ease Lacey, but never flustered Lacey. I fucking love it.
"Sorry, wrong hole," Lacey gasps out as she regains her composure.
"That's what she said," Jonesy claps back.
We all just groan.
Chapter twelve
Lacey
I'm living in my own personal version of Hell.
We're back in North Carolina, but Tracey has gathered every available team member to the ice for a TikTok idea she has.
Things have been going great with Scott and Ben. They send me heated glances that make me blush whenever they don't think anyone is watching but haven't made a move past that.
I've been keeping my head down, focusing on the players and my job. I knew going into sports physical therapy that it's a male-dominated field in a male-dominated industry. I have to work twice as hard as a male physical therapist to earn even half the respect. And I don't mind at all. I absolutely love this job and am eager to prove my worth.
In a year or two, when I've earned the team and coaching staff's respect and trust, I can think about letting off the gas. But for now, I've only been here a week and I'm just getting started.
Back to my personal version of Hell.
Tracey’s latest ‘brilliant’ idea has me recording on her phone while she turns practice into a circus. The boys, in full gear and skates, pass her around to see how far they can get before someone drops her.
Tracey's over-the-top giggles and laughter as Ryan hands her to Alt causes my molars to clench. She's squirming and not making it easy for the guys. Ryan and Alt are smiling broadly, looking down at her like she's the cutest thing they've ever seen. That's not what has acid churning hot in my gut, though.
It's when Alt goes to hand her off to Ben, she manages to position herself to wrap her legs around his waist and her hands go to the back of his neck. Ben frowns down on her in shock before his eyes raise to find mine and a world of conversation happens between us in just a look. He's uncomfortable. He doesn't want to hold her. And he's angry on my behalf.
He shuffles a few strides to Jonesy, eager to get her off of him.
"Is he the reason you only do one night?" Scott’s voice is low, his breath warm against my ear, a quiet ripple in the chaos around us. I jump a little. I hadn't heard him come up behind me, but now that I'm not distracted watching my sister dry hump my ex, I can sense his presence. He's standing only a few inches behind me, pretending to watch the scene through the phone.
"No?" I whisper back.
His low chuckle eases some of the burning in my stomach. "You're a shit liar, Lacey."
The low gravel he adds to his voice when he says my name sends a full body shiver up my spine. I can feel his smile of satisfaction at my reaction.
"Am I that obvious?"
"It's one of the reasons I like you so much."
I freeze, heat rushing to my face. He’s not supposed to like me at all. One night. That’s all it was supposed to be. So why did the thought of him wanting more send my heart racing? Is he breaking my one-night rule? Does he want more? Do I want more? Would I give him more?
My shoulders droop. In another lifetime, I absolutely would. I'm sure it would only ever have been a sexual relationship. He seems likehe's not very interested in the whole dating/marriage/opening his heart thing. But man, a fuck buddies situation with him would have been amazing.
No. I determine it was an off-the-cuff response. No one likes liars. He doesn't like me like that. He doesn't want more.
