Page 76 of Playing the Pucking Game
“Oh fuck,” I gasp as a limping Parker and Brooke move our way, both looking like freaking models.
“Oh, hell yes,” someone—probably Monroe—cheers, and the girls’ faces light up.
“I thought it was just the guys tonight?” I mutter.
“What’s wrong, Storm? Against partying with our new trainer?” Kodie asks, a knowing smirk playing on his lips that I desperately want to wipe off.
“I want to let my hair down.”
“And Parker being here stops you from doing that how exactly?”
Lifting my hand, I rub the back of my neck as Parker and Brooke join us. I have no idea what Brooke is wearing; I’ve barely spared her a second glance. But Parker…Parker is wearing a white tank that is thin enough to show the lace pattern of her bra beneath, and a navy skirt that is so short I’m not even sure it can be classified as a skirt.
“Damn, did Donnelly’s legs get longer?” Monroe asks.
Reaching out, I smack him upside the head.
“Aw, what was that for?”
“For looking. Parker is your colleague. Show her some respect.”
Kodie snorts beside me but doesn’t say anything else.
“Where are we going then, boys?” Brooke asks as she marches through the middle of us like she’s suddenly the leader, with Parker’s hand clutched in hers.
Multiple sets of eyes follow them. Horny fucking bastards.
“This is a bad idea,” I mutter under my breath.
“Oh no, you got me to agree to this. You’re not backing out now,” Kodie says, throwing his arm around my shoulder and moving us toward the exit and the row of waiting cars.
Thankfully, Parker is already in the first car by the time we get outside and climb into another.
The conversation is kept light during the short drive to the club. We talk work, but we don’t mention our game tonight; instead, we focus on how others in the league have done.
Before long, we’re pulling up out front of a club we’ve been to before. I’m pretty sure I hooked up with two bunnies the last time we were here.
I shake my head as I climb out of the car. I’d been excited—buzzing to find some girls to spend the night with. We had come off a win, and I was ready to celebrate the best way I knew how.
How things have changed.
Not only are we suffering the pain of a loss, but the thought of hooking up with one, let alone two, bunnies really doesn’t appeal.
Somewhere over the last few months, something has broken inside me.
Things that used to fuel me into action no longer appeal.
I just wish I could put my finger on what it is so I could get rid of it and go back to those days.
The line to get in wraps around the building, but the second I step onto the pavement, I see those ahead of us being allowedthrough the rope, each member of the team thanking the bouncer with fist bumps.
I remain frozen on the spot as the others disappear into the building.
“Are you okay?” Fletch asks, coming to stop beside me.
I give myself a second before turning toward him and forcing a smile on my face.
“Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
