Page 148 of Stick It
“I don’t think you realize just how much the team caresabout you. You’re one of us—a Steelhawk. Coach was right when he said an attack on one of us was an attack on us all, except the team isn’t doing this out of a sense of loyalty or team obligation, but because they are genuinely furious for you. They have your back.Wehave your back, and I’ll be forever sorry that I made you question otherwise.”
I’m still speechless, still turning his words over in my head when we reach the cafeteria and head inside to our usual table in the middle of the room. No sooner have I sat down, when a tray is placed in front of me, the plate loaded with scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.
Typically, Finn drops off my food before hightailing it as far down the table as he can get, but today, he slides into the empty seat beside me. He flashes me another one of those charismatic smiles, this time following it up with a cheeky wink that has my insides fluttering traitorously.
I look away before he can notice the heat in my cheeks.What am I doing, I’m acting like a schoolgirl with a crush!
“Thanks,” I mumble before diving in. Despite my pre-workout bagel this morning, I’mstarving. There’s a temporary lull in conversation while everyone stuffs their faces, before conversation turns to this week’s hot topic—Halloween.
Just like on Roster Day, Athletes Row is hosting a street party this Saturday for Halloween. I spent a good portion of my week trying to convince Wren to go since apparently attendance is mandatory for all hockey players—cue eye roll—but no matter what I offered her, she wouldn’t budge. Honestly, it surprises me that she’s so anti-house party. Wren is so outgoing. She loves a fun night out and getting drinks at The Stanley, but she absolutely refuses to attend an Athletes Row party. Makes me wonder if there is someone on the street she is trying to avoid—and if so, who and why?
“What are you dressing up as for Halloween?” Finn asks casually.
I shrug, not having given it much thought. I’m not exactly buzzing to go, given how my last Athletes Row party went.
“Probably just throw on my Steelhawks jersey and call it a day.”
“Original.” Finn smirks. “Is it dressing up if you go as yourself, though?”
“All right, I’ll put on your jersey and walk around with an arrogant swagger, flirting with anything in a skirt.”
Throwing back his head, he barks out a loud, carefree laugh. It’s the first time he’s done that—with me, at least—and it warms my chest. I realize that for the first time since I arrived at BSU, we’re having an actual conversation. Not one where we’re throwing barbs at one another or riling the other up, but an actual, genuine conversation.
“Nah, I wouldn’t be wearing a jersey.” Lifting the hem of the navy top he’s wearing, he smacks a palm against his rock-hard abs. “Would be a shame to hide all this from the ladies.”
Leaning in, his voice dips an octave as he rasps, “I wouldn’t mind seeingyouin my jersey, though. But not at the party.” His gaze dips lower before flicking back to my face. “I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from pouncing on you, and I wouldn’t give a shit who all was watching.”
My entire body flushes. I grow uncomfortably warm as I shift in my seat, pressure gathering between my legs. I’m momentarily speechless, struggling to remember to breathe, never mind form a coherent sentence.
When I finally recover enough brain cells to make my lips move, my voice comes out breathless. “Oh.” Yup, that’s what I came up with. Oh.Real smooth, Dylan.
My teeth sink into my lower lip, and he tracks the motion,the green of his eyes deepening as desire flashes across them. It seems to take physical effort for him to drag his eyes up from my lips, but when he finally does, he smirks mischievously.
Of course, Kyle chooses that moment to walk past. He scoffs, looking between us, seeing how we’re both leaning into one another. No doubt he can taste the pheromones in the air. God knows, I can. His lip curls in disgust before he addresses Finn. “So, this is what eleven years of friendship amounts to, huh?”
Shaking his head, Finn simply says, “I’m not doing this with you, man.”
Kyle makes a noise in the back of his throat. “What happened to bros before hoes?”
The insult rolls off my back, but Finn straightens, turning fully to face Kyle. “What happened to focusing on the sport? The love of the game?”
“The love of the game isn’t enough to get me onto a pro team. I thought we had a dream—you and me playing pro hockey together.”
“We do,” Finn argues, wincing before correcting himself. “We did.”
Leaning in, Kyle hisses, “That was never going to happen withherin my spot. You think second-line picks get drafted?” he scoffs. “’Cause they don’t.”
“So instead of improving your game, you chose to publicly humiliate her off the team?” Finn frowns. “What happened to you, man? You never used to be like this.”
Kyle scoffs in disagreement. “I was just doing what had to be done.” He glances my way almost dismissively, before focusing back on Finn. “You’rethe one who has changed. Let some girl whisper in your ear while you’re balls deep inside her, and all of a sudden your priorities are her priorities.”
Finn is on his feet in the next second, chair legs scrapingacross the floor loud enough to draw the attention of the rest of the table. Hell, the entire cafeteria.
“I wouldnevertarget another player because they’re better than me.” He gives Kyle a hard look. “I never thought you would either.”
At Finn’s obvious disappointment, Kyle loses his cool. “She’s agirl,” he snaps, loud enough that those listening hear him. “She shouldn’t evenbeon the team.”
“Now isn’t the time or the place, Reed,” Ethan states, voice loud and authoritative. He doesn’t even glance up from his tray, completely dismissing Kyle. “Go sit down.”
