Page 99 of Pucking Bad Boys

“Yeah.” In reality, I would have a class, but I don’t give a fuck about it. “I asked for a late checkout, so we have the room until noon.”

Something passes in Talia’s eyes as she turns into my arms so she can look at me. “Then let’s do that. This bath is making me sleepy, and I don’t want to give up on our second time.”

Ha. I hope we’ll have millions of times together, but I don’t say that. “Ok.”

“Macklin?” She says before turning around again and relaxing against my chest. “Would you do me a favor?”

“Anything you want, baby.”

“Before you go tomorrow, will you kiss me good morning?”

I run my lips down the back of her neck. “You got it, baby.”

Chapter 27

Shayba

BECKER

Dad called.

Just as I pulled into the arena parking lot on game night.

I heard his agent's tone, so I knew he wasn’t just calling to wish me luck on the first official game of the season.

“Someone from Seattle is coming to watch the game.”

Excitement bubbled in the pit of my stomach when I heard the news. My dream team. The Seattle Guardians have been my dream team since the first time I was put in a pair of skates as a child. The team Brett Bergen—Dad’s best friend and Genevieve’s father—won three back-to-back cups with.

“They’re coming to watch Mack.”

Of course. I should have known not to get excited. Everything is always about him.

“But I told them to keep an eye out for you too. So show them what you’ve got, Becks. Make me proud.”

My dream team wants my brother. Like pretty much every other NHL team out there. And, like the shrewd agent he is, Dad threw me into the mix too.

He would do that for any other client, and I can’t fault my old man for doing what’s right, both on a professional and on a personal level.

My parents have never made me feel unloved.

But there’s never been any doubt about who’s number one.

Mack is the star on and off the ice. The golden child.

Dad’s words have been swirling around in my head since we said goodbye.

I know I need to snap out of it and focus on tonight’s game, but I can’t. I’ve been sitting on the bench by my locker, taping my stick as if my fucking life depended on it.

Coach Harrison came to give us a pep talk, and I nodded and responded appropriately. But I couldn’t repeat one word he said.

The same thing goes for Mack’s speech. His first official address to the team as captain.

Mack is focused, determined, and confident. The locker room responds to him with respect and enthusiasm. He isn’t just one of the best players in the division; he’s a leader.

I’m sure he knows about the scout. Dad must have told him, like he told me. If Mack’s nervous about tonight’s game though, he doesn’t give it away.

“Let’s give ‘em hell.” He claps me on the shoulder as I walk past him on my way out of the locker room.