Page 9 of The Captain's Curfew
She snorts.“You’re joking.”
“Not even a little.”
She props a hip against the counter, twirling the spoon between her fingers.“You do realize I’m not one of your players, right?You don’t get to set a curfew for me.”
“Under my roof, I do.”
She arches an eyebrow, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips.“Logan Carter, did you just admit I’m living under your roof?Does this mean we’re roommates?”
My jaw tics.
I shouldn’t have agreed to this.
Not just because Violet is a walking distraction but because she’s Declan’s sister.
I owe him.He’s been my best friend since I was a freshman in high school.He’s been my teammate since I was a rookie in this league, the guy who always had my back and kept me in check when I needed it.And I’d bet my entire career that he wouldn’t be thrilled to know I’m standing here, watching his baby sister lick peanut butter off a spoon, fighting the completely inappropriate thoughts running through my head.
This is dangerous territory.
I need space.Distance.
I grab my truck keys off the counter.“I’ll be at the rink.Don’t break anything.”
Violet salutes me with the spoon.“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
I don’t stick around to see her smirk.
The rink is my sanctuary.It’s the only place where my head clears, where everything makes sense.But today, I can’t shake my irritation.It sticks to me like a second skin, lingering as I lace up my skates and step onto the ice.
“Bad morning?”CJ skates up beside me, smirking.
I shoot him a look.“Don’t start.”
“Oh, it’s definitely a bad morning,” Declan adds, coming up on my other side.“Let me guess—Violet’s driving you insane already.”
“She left her crap everywhere,” I mutter, flicking a puck toward the boards.“And she eats peanut butter out of the jar.”
CJ whistles.“Scandalous.”
I ignore him.“She needs to find a place.Fast.”
Declan shrugs.“Give it a week.She just got here.”
“She also posted some ridiculous video of me yesterday.”
CJ grins.“The ‘Hockey’s Most Eligible Grump’ one?”
I scowl.“You saw that?”
“Dude, the whole internet saw that.You’re trending.”
I let out a slow breath.“This is exactly what I don’t need.”
CJ claps a hand on my shoulder.“Maybe you just need to loosen up, Captain.”
I shove him off and skate away, but their laughter follows me.I try to put thoughts of Violet and that damn video out of my head.
I fail.
