Page 64 of Lucky
The low thrum of music and laughter echoing off the brick walls make me instantly like the place.Neon signs and a vintage hockey jersey are flanked by biker memorabilia.A plaque just inside the door readsJerry’s Bar– Family, Booze and Bad Decisions Since 1967.
The guys—I’m not quite sure who that all entails—decided to hang here tonight after the win against Minnesota rather than Mario’s.And while tonight is mainly about celebrating victory, I expect Lucky’s orchestrated this to be my official introduction to his hockey family.
He keeps a warm hand at the small of my back as we cross the threshold, like he knows I’m one breath away from bolting.Not because I don’t want to be here—I do.But this is a big deal… to meet his team and their significant others.Not just Mazzy, Mila and Tempe, who were all so warm and welcoming in the family room the other night, but everyone.
All at once.
In the flesh.
And I’m about to be officially labeled The Girl Lucky Branson Is Into.
No pressure.
“Relax,” Lucky murmurs near my ear, like he can read every thought skittering around in my brain.“They’re gonna love you.Mostly because they already do.”
I shoot him a dubious look as we pass the main bar and head toward the back, where everyone occupies several tables.The space is full of laughter.“They don’t even know me.”
“They know enough,” he says, flashing me that lopsided grin that always makes my knees feel like warm Silly Putty.“And Mazzy’s told them you’re the best thing to ever happen to my social media.So, you’ve got that going for you.”
Why is my mouth so dry?
The space is packed.Multiple tables pushed together.Plates of loaded nachos and sliders.Beer bottles and cocktails and the kind of energy that apparently comes from a good win.Players are in jeans and hoodies, their significant others in various states of glam and cozy.
It’s a lot.
Mazzy looks up, sees me, and waves so enthusiastically she nearly knocks over her drink.“Winnie!”
I’m ushered in with hugs and smiles like I’m a regular, not some wide-eyed outsider fumbling her way through a secret club.
“Glad you came,” Tempe says, wrapping me in a squeeze and then shooting Lucky a look over my shoulder.“I assume you brought her just to raise the average attractiveness of the group.”
“Obviously,” Lucky replies, winking at me.
“Guys,” Mazzy says to the group, nudging me toward the table, “this is Winnie.TikTok Winnie.Lucky’s Winnie.”
My cheeks flame at the label, but no one snickers.If anything, the vibe is a mix of welcome and curiosity.And more than one person shoots Lucky a grin likeDude, you actually did it.
Introductions fly.
Foster gives me a nod and a smirk.“Lucky’s talked about you.”
Mazzy slaps his arm.“Which is rare.He usually only talks about his protein macros.”
“Nice to finally meet you,” says King, whose biceps are frankly alarming.His girlfriend Willa beams and offers me a little wave from across the table.
There’s Tempe’s boyfriend, Rafferty, who gives me a once-over like he’s inspecting a new roommate but ultimately grins and says, “Yup.She passes.”
Then there’s North and Farren, both super outgoing and welcoming.Mila and Penn, who seem like the golden couple of the group, greet me like we’ve been friends for years.
Somehow, I end up seated between Tempe and Mazzy while Lucky grabs a seat across from me.The table erupts in conversation—about the game, about King’s face-off that turned into a brawl, about the fact that Rafferty accidentally spilled a bottle of water on Coach’s pants and nobody’s sure if it was an accident.
I let it wash over me, all while sipping a mojito Mazzy insisted I try.
Lucky’s watching me… I can feel it.He’s relaxed, smiling, his arm slung casually over the back of Penn’s chair, beer in hand.The glow of victory suits him—he’s more handsome than ever because he’s happy.
And the entire time, I’m mentally replaying last night.Not just the mind-blowing sex, although that’s burned into my bones, but the morning too.Him barefoot in my kitchen, handing me a mug of coffee while toast popped out of the toaster.Kissing me slow, then nibbling on my neck, which resulted in him carrying me right back to the bedroom.
And when he finally walked out the door, I grabbed the back of his pants by the waistband and pulled him back to kiss me one more time.
