Page 18 of Risking the Pucking Defense

“So, how has your summer been?” I ask, intent on keeping the conversation away from me.

“Yeah, you know. I worked.”

“What, no luxury holiday to top up your tan? No visits home to family?”

“No, I didn’t do either.”

I shake my head. “All work and no play will make Hailee a dull girl.” I slam my lips shut when I hear the words spill free. “Oh shit. I didn’t mean that. You’re not dull. Not at all. You’re not a girl, either. You’re a woman and…fuck. Stop talking, Hayden,” I mutter, reaching for my drink and downing half of it without coming up for air.

6

HAILEE

Asudden cheer rips me from my thoughts, and when I spin around, I find Parker racing toward a smiling Bea. She takes Bea’s left hand in hers and gazes at⁠—

“Oh my God,” I gasp as reality hits a beat before Parker pulls her soon-to-be sister-in-law into her arms.

“Did Rett just…” Hayden asks, his voice trailing off.

“Yep, I think he did,” I say, a laugh following.

Who’d have thought it?

Everett Donnelly is committing to one woman.

A few months ago, I’d have said it was impossible. But then Bea walked into his life.

Safe to say that he didn’t see her coming, but she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to him by a mile.

I always knew there was more to our angry grinder than he allowed the world to see, and watching him embrace it and fall head over heels in love with Bea has been an honor to watch. And, if I’m being honest with myself, I’m also a little bit smug because I had a hand in it.

Something needed to happen, and it needed to happen fast if Rett wanted to stay in LA.

The team owner wasn’t impressed with his behavior, and it was only a matter of time before they made a decision that would change Rett’s life all over again. It was the last thing he needed. But their focus is on hockey and winning, not on how moving again would affect Rett. I had to do something, but I was scrambling to come up with anything that would genuinely help. And just when I thought I was going to run out of time, an unknown number lit up my cell. And, well, the rest is history, I guess.

“Wow,” Hayden breathes as more and more people surround the happy couple to congratulate them.

“I need another drink,” I mutter. I don’t mean to say it out loud, but I realize a beat too late that I let it spill free.

“Hailee, are you okay?” Hayden questions before I’m able to escape.

Talk about a loaded question.

But here and now, there can only be one answer.

“Yes, of course. Would you like another?”

He shakes his head, and thankfully, he doesn’t say anything else, allowing me to escape.

I hop up on a free barstool and place my order.

The commotion behind me calls to me, begs for me to turn around. But I fight it. Being at a wedding makes me feel all kinds of things I’d rather not, but also witnessing an engagement?

I blow out a long breath, trying to banish the images that war to take center stage. I don’t need any of them in my head.

My childhood hopes and dreams can vanish right along with the memories of my past. All of them are pointless and a waste of energy.

My prosecco goes down a little too fast. It makes my head spin a little, and that’s enough to tell me that I need to call it a night.