Page 78 of Cold As Ice

Last night had been amazing; the way Madison had come apart for me. How she’d clawed my back up as I fucked into her over and over. But we’d both agreed.

Friends.

Friends with benefits. That was all it could be.

I wasn’t cut out to play the happy family. And she didn’t trust that the college hockey player could be the kind of guy she needed in her life.

“That’s great,” Connor said, but his expression fell when I pressed my lips into a thin smile. “It’s not great?”

“I don’t know. She’s got me all twisted up inside. We have a great time when we’re together, but she’s keeping me at arm’s length.”

There had been no lazy morning sex. No breakfast this morning. No goodbye kiss.

Madison had prodded my shoulder at the ass crack of dawn, told me it was time for me to leave, and watched me walk away.

Because she had a child.

She had a little person who depended on her for everything. I couldn’t even pretend to imagine what that was like.

“Well, don’t lose your head over some girl you barely know,” he said. “The team needs you to focus.”

“Asshole,” I murmured.

“What?” he chuckled but I wasn’t joking, and I was pissed that he saw straight through me.

More than that—I was pissed he was right.

“I’m just saying, I’ve never seen you like this. And I’m happy for you, man, I am. But just keep a level head, yeah?”

No way I could fess up now. He would think I’d lost my damn mind all over a girl I’d known for a few weeks.

“Don’t tell anyone, okay,” I urged. “It’s nobody’s business, and I know what you’re all like.”

“I’ll take it to the grave.”

“What are we taking to the grave?” Ella walked in still half-asleep. “Morning.”

“You look like you need a strong coffee,” I said, turning on the coffee maker.

“Yes, please.”

“Last night was fun?”

“The funnest,” Connor teased, and she poked her tongue out at him.

I made Ella’s coffee, and she went to perch on his knee. Connor wrapped his arm around her waist.

“And I guess that’s my cue,” I said, pushing the coffee mug toward her.

“You don’t have to leave at the first sign of PDA every time you’re around us.”

“And yet, here I am. Leaving. Tell Mase not to be late for practice.” I gave them a salute before grabbing a bottle of water and a banana out of the fruit bowl.

* * *

It was strange being back on the ice, especially without Connor.

“Okay, bring it in,” Coach Tucker yelled, and we all glided over to the bench.

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