Page 16 of Cross Check Daddies
“You’re late.”
“I know. I’m sorry,” I say quickly. “I had to get my son to school. I won’t let it happen again.”
We shake hands, his grip solid. Dominant. My wrist tingles when he releases it. He’s every bit as sexy as I remember him being on the internet, but in person, the grump levels are off the charts.
“You spoken to the coordinator yet?” he asks.
“We talked on the phone. That’s why I’m here today—to get reference photos for the avatar work.” I gesture toward the photographer Lisa’s already directing.
Ace just grunts and walks off like he’s got a game to win, and I’m just another scheduling hiccup. I exhale and turn to Leo, who gives me a sympathetic smile before heading toward the benches.
A movement on the ice catches my eye. Tanner. He spots me and lifts his hand in a quick wave. My stomach flutters in a way I wish it wouldn’t. I lift mine, fingers loose, and return it with a soft smile.
There’s something in his gaze—familiarity mixed with curiosity. He’s grown since high school. More solid. More intense. The way he looks at me now is nothing like the way he did back then. It’s hotter. Heavier.
I step closer to the edge, careful not to slip. My heels aren’t meant for rink life. I stay at the barrier, smiling as the players skate by in fast, brutal lines. Someone skids to a stop in front of me, sending a spray of ice near my shoes.
“Hey,” the guy says, tugging off his helmet with a cocky grin. “You the game lady?”
“Depends,” I say, amused. “You one of the puck boys?”
He grins wider. “Beau Callahan. I heard you’re building us a video game or something.”
I nod, opening the slim portfolio tucked under my arm. “These are early concept sketches. I want to base the avatars on your actual facial structure and motion range. Think less cartoon, more stylized realism. This way, fans canreallyplay as you.”
“Damn,” he says, leaning over the barrier to study the sketches. “That’s me?”
“It will be,” I say, then glance around at the others. “I’ll be collecting photos today and finalizing the art direction this week. This is just a mock draft.”
Another player skates over. A third one calls out something about wanting his abs to be ‘super accurate’. They’re already hamming it up for the camera. Beau smirks. “So, what’s the game gonna be? NHL clone?”
“More like a hybrid,” I reply. “Part team sim, part lifestyle RPG. The core gameplay will be on-ice action, but the players will also have individual storylines, choices, relationships, fan interactions.”
Kieran whistles. “You’re gonna make us look hot, huh?”
“I mean... that’s up to you.”
He laughs, clearly enjoying himself. I catch Cam watching from across the rink, arms folded. He doesn’t smile, just watches, sharp-eyed and silent. The weight of it makes my skin flush.
This was supposed to be just a job. I remind myself of that with every step I take around the rink, every name I note, every camera shutter click. But something’s shifting beneath it all.
Between Cam’s heavy stares and Tanner’s devastating grin, I can already tell I’m in trouble.
And we haven’t even started yet.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Tanner
Fuck,she’s pretty.
It’s not a new thought, but it hits harder now, watching her through the cracked door as she stands beside the photographer, hair loose and wild down her back, laughing at something he says.
I head back to the locker room and sit on the bench, pretending I’m scrolling through messages on my phone.
“She single?” Rhett says, lacing up his skates.
Deke grins. “Dibs if she is.”
