Page 78 of Her Goal
Mikey says, “Ooh. Cold. So he got dibs?”
“I guess you could say that.”
“Does she still hold a flame for him?”
“I don’t think so. But the fire is out when it comes to me.”
“So poetic,” Pierre says with a laugh, then continues, “but I don’t think so.”
I know so.
“It’s common knowledge that she’s looking for a hockey player.” Hayden winks.
“But not me.”
“If you break her heart, we’ll break that pretty face of yours,” Jack says.
Which is why I should put distance between us. Because I’ll inevitably have to leave Cobbiton and she plans to stay.
Biting the inside of my lip, I say, “I have an idea.” I tell them that I’m thinking of setting her up on some dates with guys from my old teams.
“That’s the worst idea in the world,” Beau says.
“She’s awooman. You need towooher.” Pierre titters.
With a roll of my eyes, I say, “Cap, shouldn’t we be debriefing the game instead of whatever this is?”
Liam grunts and with a crook of his lips, says, “Just consider this painful conversation your reward for saving the game.”
I’m not sure how that works in my favor, but take it as a compliment.
Later, when we exit the locker room, Leah waits among the wives and girlfriends. As everyone pairs off for the post-game dinner that Margo organized, it’s just the two of us.
I tell myself that she wasn’t waiting for me and that I shouldn’t be interested in her. But who knew a guy could be suddenly addicted to the scent of summer, fascinated by the shades of her smiles, and totally intrigued by the way she moves on those lovely long legs?
23
LEAH
I wonderif I’m coming down with a stomach bug. While I was waiting with the girls for the guys to exit the locker room, I recapped everything I’d eaten in the last few days. As a precaution, I’ve stopped using the kitchen in my apartment, not that I’ve been there much lately.
But I cannot shake the strange queasiness in my stomach.
When my siblings and I were kids, there was one hilly spot on the route to the lake. Behind the wheel, my father would somehow time his speed and acceleration in such a way that when we went over those areas, we’d all get stomach flutters and beg him to turn around and do it again.
It’s kind of like one long wave of those that started when I was getting ready for the game and couldn’t figure out what to wear, then got more intense when the Knights circled the rink at the beginning of the game. My stomach swooped when I spotted Hudson’s chiseled jawline. Even from a distance, I recognize the wink in his eyes and his kissable lips. Heck, I see them in my sleep.
Then I realize this sensation must be about a dream I had last night. The one that’s been trailing me all day. It was like we’dpicked up where we’d left off after the bingo game. Our lips met and sparks flew.
“So, are you heading to the party?” he asks, pulling me back to the present.
My eyes lift from his lips to his eyes and I recall the look he gave me when the Knights did their victory lap. His hair is slightly damp and he looks so sweetly innocent that I almost forget what I overheard back in high school.
I straighten up to my full height and clear my throat. Yep, I’m definitely sick. That has to be it. “Oh, um, yeah. I told everyone I’d be there.”
“Yet, you’re here.”
“Well, they need their couple time.” I roll my eyes as if that’s super cheesy of them and start walking toward the hallway.
