Page 212 of Playing the Pucking Game
I glance each way before darting to the right in the direction of my room. The sun might not be up yet, but that doesn’t mean some of my teammates won’t be awake. Like me, many of themare up before dawn, their bodies conditioned from years of early workouts and skates.
My heart is racing as I tap my key card against the panel and push the door open, thankfully unnoticed. Or at least, I assume unnoticed.
As slowly and carefully as I can, I close our door and then tiptoe into the room.
When I find Kodie still in bed, I breathe a sigh of relief before stripping my sweats off again and slipping into bed.
I’m about to lie down when a voice hits my ears, scaring the ever-loving shit out of me.
“Nice try, Casanova.”
“Fucking hell,” I gasp as I collapse on the mattress, my heart pounding a million miles a minute. “Was that fucking necessary?”
Kodie chuckles.
“I could ask you the same thing. You know I don’t care.”
“Maybe I couldn’t sleep and went to the gym,” I counter.
“Your sneakers are beside your bed,” he points out with more smugness in his voice than necessary.
“Fine, I went for some fresh air.”
“We have a balcony,” he counters.
“Motherfucker,” I breathe, rolling onto my back and throwing one arm over my eyes.
“Admit it. You’re gone for her.”
I bite down on the inside of my cheeks to save me from replying.
“Scary, isn’t it?” he muses when I remain quiet.
“We haven’t slept together,” I blurt.
“Wow.” He laughs. “It really is serious.”
My lips part, but no words appear.
“Your secret is safe with me, Storm.”
I mumble some kind of response, but it’s unintelligible at best. Thanking him properly means something is going on, that I do really feel that strongly about her, and I’m not ready to admit that to anyone yet.
Kodieand I make our way down to the hotel ten minutes before our call time. It was his idea; apparently, I was getting on his last nerve with my pacing back and forth.
I couldn’t help it.
I’m on edge.
Restless.
I need to see her.
I need to know that I didn’t fuck everything up last night.
If I have…fuck, I don’t know how I’ll cope.
If she walks away now like she did before, it’s going to fucking wreck me.
