Page 165 of Hockey Halloween
She shakes her head. “It’s not your trauma to contend with.” She sighs. “Until you, I haven’t seen him so much as look at a woman since his accident. There’s a spark of light back in his eyes that I didn’t realize was missing until I saw him light up around you.”
I can’t help laughing. “How could you tell with all the scowling?”
Something like sadness flickers across her face. “These boys areall like my brothers. When one of them hurts…” She touches her chest. “I feel it right here.”
A lump springs to my throat but she shakes her head. “It’s not on you to fix him.” She gives me a soft, watery smile. “But I guess I’m just relieved to know that the old Mac is still in there somewhere, and he’ll come back when he’s ready.”
Until his rock-hard cock pressed into my crotch, it had been maybe a year since another human being laid hands on my body. But more than that, it was nice not having someone look at me with pity in his eyes, pity put there by the actions of my ex.
I could be whoever I want to be here, especially since Athena handled the online scandal. Maybe there’s a little part of me who wants to be Mason McGuffin’s girlfriend.
Mason
Looking up into the stands and realizing Lilith had left the game made me feel some kind of way. I’ve never been ashamed of playing hockey, or of the things I do while on the ice, until tonight. If fighting with Johnny upset her, I’m going to have to grovel. And there’s no way the article online didn’t upset her too.
While we were all getting changed after our win, Ares told me that the Johnny situation was handled. He said that the de la Peñas did what they always do and protected their own. The roaring lion in my chest that feels similarly about the team and those in my inner circle settles down at the disclosure.
The article is gone, but the damage likely is not.
I don’t know where she is, or how to get in touch with her. I don’t have Athena’s number to try to get hold of her, and the boys left the rink before I had a chance.
I shoot off a text to Apollo, asking for Lilith’s number and make my way back to the hockey house. I’m exhausted, need a soak in a hot bath, and there’s nothing much else to be done about finding my Pennywise tonight until I have her number.
The lights are on at home, the path to the door is lit up by a slew of Halloween decorations Tate and Penelope put up a couple weeksago. Turns out, they’re both creepy-loving fuckers. And since they met at a Halloween party, too, they go all out, every year.
I open the door with caution, the Halloween Hell-raisers have been known to booby trap the door and leave buckets of goop, or glitter bombs attached to strings. I’m showered, I’m in my nicest game night suit, and I donotwant to get covered in something that sticky and gross.
The door swings open with ease; I wait a long moment. I’ve seen Home Alone, I know that pranksters lure you into a false sense of security before they pounce. But still, nothing comes.
There’s a melodic laugh coming from the den, women’s voices chatting. Hope and curiosity drive me to investigate. I’m not that lucky, am I?
Turns out, I’m exactly that lucky. Athena sits facing Lilith on the bigger of the two sofas in the den. They both have one leg pulled up on the cushions and are leaning toward each other in deep and easy conversation.
When Lilith catches my eye, she gives me a shy smile. She’s showered too; there’s no trace of her costume, or make up, or those damn suspenders that have been driving me wild.
Athena slaps her thigh. “That’s my cue to head out.” She smiles at Lilith before hugging her as though they’ve been friends for ages. Athena isn’t known for being a particularly big people person. I guess my little ghost has a knack for connecting with people.
The oldest de la Peña sister squeezes my bicep on the way past. “Take care of her, Mac.” There’s caution in her tone but it’s not menacing. I meet her stare with a firm one of my own. “Yes, ma’am.”
Her lips twitch, then she leaves. I’m still standing staring at Lilith. She’s wearing a hoodie and yoga pants, her hair falls in loose waves over her shoulders, and her skin has a mild pink hue—probably from scrubbing off the maniacal clown make-up.
She pats the cushion next to her. “I figured we should talk.” Her tongue snakes out to wet her lips, drawing my attention. I don’t want to talk; I want to kiss her. I want to kiss her until she forgets every single word Johnny White ever said to her.
Still not moving, I drop my kit bag onto the floor. “What do you want to talk about, Ghost?”
The nickname makes her lips quirk. “I’m not a fan of you dropping the gloves to pound out your issues on my ex’s face.”
I nod, taking a step toward her. “Noted. It wasn’t my finest moment. He was asking for it though.”
She rolls her lips together, and her eyes turn toward the ceiling. “He always does, but if we’re going to do this dating thing, you can’t be baited by him at every game. You need to find a way to keep it in check.”
I nod again. Another step. One more, and I’ll be able to sit on the edge of the couch.
“You want to date me, night monster?” I tip my head.
She smiles again, and I want to get lost in it. It’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. The way the freckles over her nose scrunch up, the way her eyes light, and the way her pouty red lips spread into a smile. She’s perfect.
She checks her nails like she’s not holding my heart in the palm of her delicate little hand. “I’m not sure.” She looks up at me from under fluttery, sultry lashes. “I’m concerned that dating a hockey player won’t be good for my image. And I came to a new city to avoid being the centre of any gossip or drama.”
