Page 16 of The Hockey Player and the Tutor
Lola gives me a look of horror, pointing an accusatory index finger at me. “Don’t you dare start crying. It’ll ruin your makeup.”
She plucks a tissue out of the box and hands it to me. I dab at the corner of my eye, a watery smile forming at my red-stained lips. “I couldn’t do this without you both. It means everything to me.”
Maddie scoffs behind me. “You are such a sentimental wanker.” But she bends down and hugs me, nonetheless.
“Okay, the transformation is complete.” Lola removes the towel that was thrown around my shoulders like a cape and stands so I can get a look at myself in the mirror.
Maddie sniffs, a soft smile lifting at the corners of her mouth. “Would you look at our baby girl, Lo? She’s all grown up.”
My hands tremble as I draw them down the front of the hockey jersey I’ve borrowed from Lola. My long dark hair is curled and coiled to perfection, hanging over my shoulders and down my back. The mascara and eye make-up Lola used makes my eyes pop with “stunning color” as she put it.
“Wow.” It’s the only word I can find to clearly express how amazing they’ve made me look.
“He’s going to want to eat you up.” Maddie licks her lips.
I nervous jitter runs down my spine. “Are you sure I shouldn’t wear something more…I don’t know…date-like? A jersey isn’t very fancy.”
Lola winks. “It’s perfect for the game and he’ll love the fact that you’re wearing his number.”
She pats her hand on the embroidered number 17 on the back of my top. “Plus, if everything goes the way we want, you won’t be wearing it for too long.”
We all laugh at her suggestive remark, but inside, my stomach churns with nerves. What if Preston wants to have sex tonight? How exactly am I supposed to broach the topic of my virginity?
Swallowing down my anxiety, I slide my heeled boots over my black leggings and zip them up, gathering up my confidence.
As if reading my mind, Maddie places both hands on my shoulders and plants herself squarely in front of me.
“You’re ready, Brin. But it’s okay to say no. You understand?”
I nod. “Yes, I know. I’m just a little nervous about setting expectations.”
Lola pushes some clothes out of the way and flops down on my bed, propping herself up on her elbow. “You could always start off the date with ‘Preston, I’m a virgin. But I really want you and your big hockey stick to fuck the shit out of me tonight.’ Seems like the easiest approach.”
I cough at her wildly inappropriate suggestion, grimacing over her frankness. I roll my eyes.
“I think I’ll just play it by ear and see how things go. But thanks anyway. Maybe he’ll be too tired after the game to do anything anyway.”
This garners me uproariously loud laughter from them both. Lola throws her head back and lands on the mattress, covering her eyes with her forearm.
“Yeah,riiiiight…a hockey player who isn’t in the mood for sex? Not a chance.”
I sigh and check myself in the mirror one last time. Staring back at me is a girl I barely recognize. A girl wearing a jersey to attend her first hockey game to cheer on her new favorite player.
The same girl who just might come back a very different woman.
ChapterEight
Preston
Our team practice this morning was a light one in comparison to most daily workouts in preparation for our big match-up against the Portland North Stars. We had a few hours of downtime before heading back to the arena to get ready for the game.
Game days are always filled with excitement and some nerves. Especially right now when we’re not off to the greatest of starts this season. The trepidation sits like knots in my stomach, but I’m not so sure they’re all about the game. I want to play well tonight not only to win, but to impress Brinly. Tonight will be her first hockey game and I want to look good in front of her.
My interest in Brin caught me completely off-guard and the attraction was unexpected—like a breakaway down center ice. I hadn’t been in search of someone to date this semester—that was the furthest thing from my priority list. But the connection we share is too strong to ignore.
And from what I already know about Brin, she doesn’t seem like the kind of girl who just wants to hook up. Although our kisses were scorching hot and her moans were the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard, she’s also shown that she has a shy reluctance to take things too fast. I respect that about her.
Which is precisely why I’ve planned something fun for us to do tonight after the game.
