Page 59 of Zero Pucks Given
“First time he’s ever lasted long in anything!” another player joked.
Laughter and jeers filled the plane.
“It’s just a marketing campaign,” I said smoothly. “I can barely tolerate her. Honestly, it’s better than signing autographs at a new car dealership like you had to do last week, Thompson.”
Thompson grinned. “Amen to that! My wrist is still sore from holding that pen.”
“I think it’s sore for another reason,” someone said, making a jacking-off motion.
But Tyler was still smirking at me. “You can barely tolerate her? Rumor has it youlikeher.”
There was a chorus of oohs and aahs from my teammates.
“A rumor, huh?” I turned to stare at Mason.
He folded almost instantly. “Hey, you’re the one who told me to try to make friends with the rest of the team!”
“Not by blabbing about my personal life.”
“So it’s true?” Tyler pressed. “You’ve got the hots for this beer girl?”
“It’s most certainlynottrue,” I said firmly. “We’ve only got one more scheduled date, and then I never have to see her again.”
“I don’t know,” Hunter said. “You’ve been in a good mood lately. Maybe she’s thawing your frozen heart.”
I showed him my middle finger.
Thankfully the conversation shifted after that. I waved to one of the assistant coaches, who brought me an iPad with scouting reports on the Oilers. I spent the rest of the flight reviewing tape, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses.
Edmonton was a nice little city that I’d visited a handful of times since joining the league. Our hotel was downtown, just a few blocks from Rogers Place, the arena where the Oilers played.
And where we would begin our playoff attempt tomorrow night.
I was still buried in my thoughts, picturing the Oilers defense and the strategy that I thought would work best, when we walked into our hotel. A team employee had already checked everyone in and was ready to hand out keys and room assignments.
But when I rounded the corner, thereshewas.
The sight of Josie stopped me in my tracks like I’d hit a brick wall. Long legs in blue jeans, and blonde hair running down her back in waves. She was standing at the front desk with a rolling suitcase by her side, nodding to the concierge as he handed her the key to her room. She gave him the friendliest little smile, the kind that lit up her entire face, before turning away.
Her gaze collided with mine. She blinked in surprise.
Then that same warm smile spread across her heart-shaped face. No, not the same. It was warmer, more genuine.
“They put me in first class!” she said.
“First time?” I asked.
“Oh yeah, but it won’t be my last. I don’t think I can ever fly Economy again. Did you know the drinks are free in First Class?” She leaned closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I don’t want to alarm you, but it’s possible that I’mverytipsy right now.”
“Possible?” I teased. “Or probable?”
“Yes,” she replied with grave seriousness.
The two of us laughed, but we weren’t the only ones. Tyler and a cluster of my teammates were watching from a corner of the lobby, snickering at the two of us.
It shouldn’t have bothered me. I was a veteran of the league, one of the best players on the team. This wasn’t fucking high school. I had thick skin.
But an intense feeling of shame flooded my veins. Everyone else was focused on the series against the Oilers, while I was going on play dates between games.
