Page 48 of Slapshot
“Really?”
“Yeah. I don’t need a reason to get dressed up. My shoes are just as fabulous at home as they are here.”
I glance down at her five-inch stiletto boots. They are fabulous.
“Well, there are plenty here.” I motion with my cup.
“Hockey boys. Bleh.”
“You know, they aren’t all bad.”
“You mean like Lex?” She smiles and bats her eyelashes innocently.
“Since when did you start taking his side.”
“I’m always on your side, but sometimes you’re wrong and need someone to point it out.”
I laugh and she squeezes my arm. “Go.”
“What about you?”
“I’m fine. I think I’ll go grab another drink. Patrick might need some consoling after that beating you gave him. Or maybe I’ll see if I can find that guy, Ash. Did you see his arms?”
“You know he’s a hockey player, right?”
She waves me off. “If he mentions the H word, I’ll just toss a drink in his face.”
I take my time walking across the yard. Lex smiles as Jonah continues, but in that way people do when they’re just being polite and don’t really mean it.
Oh, god, am I really going to out myself in front of the entire team?
I’m not ashamed to be hooking up with Lex. He’s hot and nice and the sex is beyond. And the guys probably won’t care, Lex is right, but… making a gesture like this means something to Lex. I know it does. I can read it all over his handsome face.
The last time I dated someone, it blew up in my face. I can’t take another blow this year. I just can’t. But, I don’t want to lose him either. Despite all my misgivings, he makes me feel seen. Vermont feels less like a punishment since I’ve started hanging out with him. Which means, we’re about to go from quietly hooking up to dating. I’m dating a hockey player. In what world did I allow that to happen? I can’t help but feel like I’m voluntarily walking into the fire.
Lex glances up and meets my gaze and then quickly looks away. I don’t think simply walking up and standing at his side is going to cut it. I’m going to have to make it clear to him, and everyone else, that he’s my guy.
When I’m just about to Lex and his group, Patrick steps in front of me. “Dalager, I need a rematch.”
“Oh no. I’m retired.”
“Quitting while you’re ahead. Smart. I should try that more.” He darts off.
I continue walking toward the group of guys, but now Lex isn’t there. I do a quick scan of the yard finally finding him on his way back inside the house.
“Yo, Vonne,” I yell over the music and hum of conversation.
He pauses with his hand on the door and looks over his shoulder. “Yeah?”
I hurry to him. My heart is galloping in my chest every step of the way. I slow when I get to the bottom step.
“Something I can help you with?” He almost smirks. I know he’s thinking I want to go upstairs to his room. I do. I really, really do. Public grand gestures are so not my style. Being with him is so much simpler when it’s just the two of us.
Since I can’t think of what to say, I don’t speak at all. I go to him and wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. He chuckles in surprise but then his lips claim mine back. His hands move to my hips and suddenly I’ve lost all control of this moment.
A few catcalls come from behind us and a couple people cheer him on, but when we finally break apart the world hasn’t stopped like I feared. The music still pumps, and people go back to drinking and chatting like two people making out in the middle of the party is no big deal. I guess it really isn’t if you’re one of them, but I still feel like an outsider.
I like these guys. For the most part, they’re a really good, fun group. I’ve never hated hockey players like Vivian. I’ve avoided the hockey world, which in turn has meant hockey players, but now that I’m around it again I don’t want to screw it up. I’m actually enjoying my job and I’m pretty good at it.
