Page 33 of Hooked
Change Sticks
Rockwell
“Night, ladies. Nice to meet you,” I said to Honor's roommates as I trudged through their living room like the walking dead.
“You too,” they answered, their stunned eyes locked on me. Liketheycouldn't believe I was leaving, either.
Where did I go wrong? I didn't know. I wasn't sure if Honor hated me or what. I thought all that fuss she made over her job was her way of playing hard to get. Because, like I told her earlier, if anything happened to her job because of what we did? I'd gladly give her some cash to get by.
What girl would turn that down? Getting to have your cake and eat it, too?
Well. Honor, I supposed.
And now, as I climbed into my Maserati, I was overwhelmed by the hot, embarrassing burn of rejection. That was something I hadn't felt in a long time.
Call me crazy, but I liked it. For too long, all I'd known was a void in my stomach—deeper, maybe, a hole in my soul. It was a hunger that mercilessly consumed anything and everything it ever wanted. And that hunger got what it wanted. It always did.
Things come easy when you're rich and good looking and play a sport for a living. But somehow, it was never truly satisfying. Something I didn't quite realize until I sat in my fucking Maserati, in my expensive suit, feeling more confused than ever.
I really thought I could have Honor tonight. And I reallythoughtI wanted her. And yet … when she turned me down? Hell. As much as it stung, as hot under the collar I might have felt, I couldn't help but think she made the right call.
Because now? I just wanted her that much more.Damn—her kisses were so unbelievably hot. She made me so hard, my dick ached. I wanted to see those luscious lips, so delicate and pink and plump, wrapped around my cock. I was sure I'd see it, too.
But she said she barely knew me. When you're a famous athlete, it sure seems likeeveryoneknows you—or at least, they think they do.
Not Honor, though.
I fired up my engine and, as I backed out of Honor's driveway, remembered our little chat about that goal of mine that used to be automatic, but hadn't been working for me lately.
Maybe it's time to change sticks.
Huh. Yeah. Maybe.
Chapter 11:
Jump Through the Hoops
Honor
Two days later.
The Blizzard were scheduled to play tonight in Montreal. The ice girls don't fly with the team on road trips, of course; we stay behind in Denver. But a road trip for the team doesn't mean an off day for us. Instead, we're often tasked with promoting the team, or attending charity and public events.
Andthat'san aspect of the job I've really started to enjoy.
Today, our good deed was that we took a group of youths from an after-school program bowling. The kids were great, and a real riot! And they were so happy to go bowling and pose for pictures with us and eat the catered food and desserts. It was so good to see them enjoy themselves—sometimes, a little can go a long way.
***
Honestly, bowling was more than a good deed for the kids. For me, it was a much-needed distraction. Especially after what happened the other night with Hunter.
My new roommates now thought I wasinsane,by the way. After I heard Hunter's car drive off, I walked into the living room and they stared at me, slack jawed.
“Whoisthat man?” Sara asked.
“Andwhyisn't he spending the night?” Kayla added.
Of course, they thought he was the hottest guy ever. Thankfully, they're not sports fans, so they didn't know he was a hockey player—and I wasn't about to tell them, either.
