Page 28 of Arresting the Hockey Player
Amber pulls back, grinning at Jasper before glancing in my direction. "We should wait for Charlotte. She's in the bathroom."
I exhale a breath, relieved that she didn't leave. "Oh. She could have used ours," I say and shuffle my feet, glancing down the hallway. Being around her makes me happy, and right now, I could use a dose of Charlotte Grace.
Her name clicks on my tongue, a familiarity that swirls around me like a misty fog. But I can't place it. I've heard that name before. I'm sure of it. Somewhere.
"Gross," Amber says and pulls me from my thoughts. She scrunches her nose. "It probably smells like jock strap or something."
"That's not a thing," I say, glaring at her.
I'm relieved when I see Charlotte stalking down the hallway, heading toward us. Her red hair cascades down her back, slightly wavey, and she is looking completely fuckable.
I clear my throat and shift uncomfortably. I'm going to need to keep my thoughts clean if I'm not going to ravish her before we get out of the arena.
That's one way to put the shit from my past behind me, but not the best option. Kind of what got me into my current predicament in the first place. Well, not exactly. Jasmine wasn't a one-night stand. She was before my professional hockey player days when I thought a relationship was what I wanted. After her, I was one hundred percent a bachelor, hooking up with whomever showed the most interest.
Because she hurt me, and that was how I dealt with it.
And now I don't know what it is that I'm after. Other than Charlotte.
I want her.
Tonight. Tomorrow.
I want her for more than another fun night in the sheets at her place. Not that I'd turn that opportunity down because it was amazing. But I want more. And yet I'm plagued by the knot in my stomach, the worry that the paternity results will forever fuck up my life.
I'm being selfish.
I should be thinking about the little boy, the one who could use a father as a role model as opposed to the abusive asshole whose roof he's been living under.
Charlotte's eyes shine, and all worry seeps out of me.
"Hey, good game tonight," Charlotte says with a warm smile.
I pull her into my arms, embracing her in a hug. "Glad you stuck around for drinks," I say. I don't admit that I worried she bailed. Not that I'd blame her; we haven’t put a label on this new thing between us.
"We have to celebrate. That was a great play you made on the ice tonight."
I'm thrilled she noticed. "Just one great play?" I grin, nudging her as we all head for the back exit.
"You were great all night," Charlotte says, and then her eyes widen, realizing her words. "I'm talking about hockey."
I chuckle. "Sure, if you say so,Red."
She wrinkles her nose with an adorable smile and brushes against me as we walk to the bar. It's not far, and the others will catch up with us when they've done the press interviews that they're required to do.
"How was your week?" I ask.
"You're asking about me?" her voice squeaks in surprise. It's adorable how the question flusters her. "It was uneventful. Lots of schoolwork, regular work, and whatnot. What about you?"
I refrain from admitting that I missed her and that the sweet texts were almost torture when I'd fall asleep in bed dreaming about her.
Not exactly a second-date discussion.
Although this doesn't classify as a date when the entire team is hanging out with us.
I try to hide the grin from my face. The last thing I need is my teammates giving me hell over a girl. "Busy," I say, brushing up against her as we walk to the bar. "Lots of practice and working out." I leave off the bit about Jasmine and the paternity test.
When we head inside Blue Line, our reserved table is waiting for us in the back. There's already a crowd and I'm getting the feeling that maybe some fans have figured out our local afterparty hangout.
