Page 30 of Wild Love
He nods as Quinn sets our drinks down with a triumphant smile.
“Guess they do come out in the off-season,” Reese says to her.
“They aren’t exactly the most social of players. They’re no Jack Wyld.”
“Why? Because they don’t chat up random puck bunnies at the bar?”
Oh snap, does he mean Quinn?
“I amnota puck bunny.”
I’m with her in the horrified expression on her face. Slut-shaming is so nineties.
Reese’s face pales. “Shit, I didn’t mean you. I meant… never mind. I’m sorry.”
She picks up her drink and fingers the straw. “Besides, if I were, my standards would be Jack Wyld high.”
Oh, Quinn. I think I might like her.
“Anyway,” Reese says. “Now you’ve had your first official sighting.”
“Not like it matters since they’re off-limits this summer.” Quinn frowns.
I note she saysthis summeras if she fully intends to bag a hockey player someday—a top player by the sounds of it.
Reese drops his voice. “You can thank Jack for that rule.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
He shifts in his chair and leans in, resting one elbow on the table. “Last summer, there was an intern, Crissy, who was rumored to be hooking up with a player.”
“Jack?” Quinn asks. “I doubt it. Probably some chick looking for attention.”
“Maybe.” He nods. “I didn’t know her. I was in the media department last summer, but Crissy was doing a rotation in the social media department, like us, with Blythe at the same time she posted the picture.” He sits tall and uses his hands like he’s painting the scene for us. “Her, with a sheet pulled up to cover her, but obviously naked and then someone, allegedly Jack, lying in the bed behind her.”
“Allegedly?” I ask.
“Just a back and part of a shoulder. Impossible to make out,” Reese clarifies. “She posted it from the team’s page, though with the caption, CHEATER. It blew over pretty fast since no one could be sure it was him. Besides, our captain can bang the entire state as long as he keeps playing like he’s been. But, they put the no-dating-players rule in right after that incident.
“First of all, Jack doesn’t do exclusive relationships, so the idea that he cheated is silly.” Quinn purses her glossy lips.
“And second?” Reese prompts.
“It’s dumb that they made a rule because one person couldn’t keep their shit together.”
“Wow,” I say, stunned. I’m shocked at the gall it would take to do that. And to risk the job. I’ve seen pictures of Jack, and he’s gorgeous, but to go to that extreme and publicly call him out?
We sit in silence for a few moments before Reese breaks the silence again. “Arizona, what led you to Minnesota?”
“The job, of course.”
“I mean, lots of internships out there. Why one so far from Arizona?”
“Running from something?” Quinn asks. There’s a sparkle in her eyes. I could have guessed she likes the drama, but it’s confirmed when I see how ecstatic she is at the prospect.
“No. A friend from college recommended me for the job.”
“Where do you go to college?” Reese asks.
