Page 21 of So Pucking Perfect
Mario grinned at me. “I can do that. I’ll be your wingman.”
I clenched my jaw. I was supposed to be a professional, building up my team and establishing myself as a leader. Instead, I was in my office asking my assistant coach to ask around about an omega I was interested in.
Was this high school or professional hockey? I couldn’t tell anymore.
“Quit with the pouting. It’s not a good look. We’re friends, right? Let me tell you about the time I was courting my omega and snuck them into my hotel room. I was a rookie at the time, and my coach went ballistic when he found out. It was worth it, though. And it didn’t stop me from sneaking around with my omega. I just got better at hiding it.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’m not a rookie, though, I’m an adult, and so is Rowan. I’ll talk to him and see what he wants to do. For all I know he isn’t even interested in anything past what we’ve already had.”
Mario scoffed. “Yeah, no. I’ve seen how he looks at you. The team has seen it. Just be prepared to get read the riot act from these guys once they find out. They’re very protective of him.”
As much as I shouldn’t want my team to turn on me, I loved that Rowan had the support of my players. I’d be more than happy to sit and be lectured if it was in the spirit of supporting Rowan.
But first, I needed to make sure he and I were on the same page. Which meant that this date had to be a success.
Chapter 15
Rowan
Nervous didn’t even begin to express how I was feeling about this date with Reid. I checked my outfit in the mirror several times. I even sent a picture to Elliot and Nix to get their input. Elliot’s first question was who the lucky guy was, and of course, I wasn’t about to spill the beans about me and Coach. Evan knew simply because he had asked enough times about what happened with my heat, and lying to my closest friend was nearly impossible.
Also, Coach insisted on picking me up at Evan’s place. I’d had to go back home to get clean clothes. My plan had been to sneakin and out to get back to Reid’s house, but Reid wanted to “do things properly.”
Once I was ready and finally left my room, I found Evan sitting in the foyer watching out the front window. He had a direct view of the driveway.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“I want to talk to Coach before you leave.” The matter-of-fact tone to his voice left no room for argument.
I groaned and put my head in my hands. “Why? It better be something team-related and not about me.”
“It is about you. Because I’m your honorary big brother, and I’m not going to let him take advantage of you.” Evan folded his arms over his broad chest.
“You know I spent my heat with him, right? It’s a little late to give him the talk.”
“Don’t care.” Evan shrugged one shoulder and turned back toward the driveway.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. There was no way around this, and honestly, I kind of loved it. Evan was the best honorary big brother I could ask for.
“So where is he taking you?” Evan asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. He never said.” The man hadn’t had a ton of time to plan, and I would be content with a simple dinner at a restaurant.
Evan rolled his eyes. “Come on, man. I—”
The coach’s car pulled into the drive, and he got out. I raced to the door, hoping to beat Evan there. But of course, the hockey player was faster than I was. He held me at arm’s length as I tried to get to the knob. He opened it.
Reid raised a brow.
“Hello, Coach.”
“Evan. How are you?”
“Doing great. Come on in.”
“No, we really should be going,” I said. I tried to sneak past Evan, but he blocked me.
Reid chuckled. “Well, if Evan wants to read me the riot act, I suppose I can’t blame him.”
