Page 327 of Playing the Pucking Game
“Linc, I already said, I don’t need?—”
“And I already said I’m buying you whatever you want. Non-negotiable.”
“You really are stubborn, aren’t you?”
“I thought you’d learned that years ago, babe,” I tease.
Together, we demolish the entire stack of waffles before slumping back on the couch with full bellies.
“I can’t imagine that was on your diet plan.” Parker laughs.
“Pretty sure I burned off enough calories tonight,” I say, smacking my abs.
“Pilates in the morning?”
“That depends on whether you’re my instructor or not.”
“Not this time. We’re going to a class.”
I groan as if I’d forgotten, but I haven’t. Not even close. I’ve been looking forward to watching her work out in those leggings since our last time.
“Do you need anything before we go to bed?” Parker asks, her eyes tracking over my body. “Anything feeling tight or?—”
“I’m meant to be looking after you, remember?”
“I’m fine. I’ll take some more painkillers before we sleep, and tomorrow it’ll be like nothing happened.”
“I’m fine too. If you’re lucky, maybe I’ll let you rub me down tomorrow after Pilates.”
“Is that a promise?”
“Uhh…what the hell is this?”Parker asks as we walk into her usual Pilates class the next morning. Only, there’s a slight difference. There is no instructor in sight, and the people waiting for class to start…well, we know them all.
“About time,” Fletch calls, where he’s standing with Reese. Kodie and Casey are here too, with Freya, ready to get to work, along with the guys—Handsy, Killer, Brit, and Monroe. Brooke, Hailee, and Leah have joined with a few other girls from the front office. Even Coach has made an appearance.
Parker spins to me with confusion, twisting up her face. “What is happening right now?”
“Oh, didn’t I mention? You’re teaching the Pilates class this morning. And these,” I say, gesturing to everyone in the room, “are your students. They are here to be tortured as you see fit.”
“Uh…I didn’t sign up for torturing,” Killer barks.
“Well, tough,” Reese teases. “You just don’t want to be upstaged by us girls.”
They all giggle.
“She’s right,” I announce. “This is hard as shit.”
“We’re all professional athletes. How hard can it be?” Handsy asks innocently.
“Oh, just you wait,” I tease, walking Parker to the front of the room and passing her a headset that will connect her to the sound system.
“How and why have you organized this?”
“One, because you love hurting us. And two, because I thought you’d love it. I wanted to prove to you how much the guys love and value you. One mention of you running this class, and they all showed up. For you.”
“Linc,” she breathes, her eyes getting all glassy.
“You’re up for it, right?”
