Page 45 of Playing the Pucking Game
He chuckles as he jumps to his feet and steps closer.
“Loved having your hands on me, Donnelly. Celebrating your new gig tonight, yeah?”
I roll my eyes.
“Of course. Gotta celebrate working with you assholes on the daily.”
I sense Monroe join us before I see him.
“See, Marilyn,” Linc says, throwing his arm around the rookie’s shoulder. “I think she likes me.”
“I just watched the faces you made as she tried fixing up your groin. I beg to differ.”
“Give it time. Just give it time.”
Ignoring him, I keep my attention focused on my next patient.
“Your shoulder, right?”
Marilyn blinks at me.
“Y-yeah. Right one.”
“Great. Face down, then. Let’s see what we’re working with.”
With a wicked grin at Linc, Monroe does as he’s told and settles onto my trainer’s table.
“Go and ice your groin, Storm,” I state when he lingers, watching us.
“Love when you talk dirty to me.”
“Get out of here,” I demand, feeling Monroe’s rumble of laughter as I trace his muscles.
“There,” he states. “Old high school injury that flares up every now and then.”
Linc’s attention lingers a little longer before the heat of his gaze disappears.
“So, you and Storm close?” Monroe asks.
“We grew up together,” I say, probably stating the obvious. “I was just the annoying little sister. We’ve never been able to stand each other.”
“Is that right?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing.” He answers too fast, and my brows pinch. “Did you know he ripped Sutherland a new one the other week when he said something about you joining the medical team here?”
“Linc has always been protective of those around him. He’d have done the same for Casey, Reese, or any of the other females on staff.”
“If you say so.”
I want to ask more, but I find myself biting on the inside of my lips, stopping any words spilling free.
Instead, the conversation turns to other things as I help him stretch out his lateral head.
Before long, the trainers’ room empties out. Mitchell thankfully disappears, although he leaves me to tidy up his shit.
I’m bent over, straightening the mats, when a familiar, welcome voice hits my ears.
