Page 40 of Puck Me Twice

But whatever happened last night added to the fact that we’re supposed to be fake dating – only for appearance’s sake – it leaves me wondering if what I feel for her is reciprocated. I think it is, especially after her behavior on the plane and last night in my room.

But I’ve been wrong before.

I can’t risk falling for her even more and losing her. I have to keep my distance emotionally. It’s been easy until now because there was a clear boundary in place.

The locker room door opens, and I hear footsteps.

“Okay. Well—I have to go,” Vanessa says. She pauses, then rises to her toes and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. “Have a good game, Sven.”

Maybe I’m not wrong now.

fourteen

. . .

Vanessa

He scored a goal and an assist last night. After a quick post-game dinner in the locker room, the guys board the plane to Philly. As much as I want to, I can’t sit beside Sven—Patrice, the social media coordinator, wants to chat about some promos we’re doing tomorrow.

I eat breakfast hours before the players are up, and I’m already at the arena and getting my regular job duties done by the time the players show up for prep.

During pre-game skate, I’m standing at the bench with Joaquin, who is filming some footage of the behind-the-scenes.

An orange jersey skates past us. We’re on our side of the ice, so I don’t give it much thought until it appears again, spraying us with ice.

“Hey, Van,” he says, taking off his helmet.

My eyes go wide, and I grin. “Wyatt!”

He grabs for me, and I let the buffoon hug me. I almost forgot he played for this city.

There’s a murmur from the staff behind the bench. They probably think I’m fraternizing with the enemy or some bullshit like that. It couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Haven’t seen you in a while, chicky,” he says. He smells like sweat, even though the game hasn’t started yet.

“Yeah. You’re taking care of yourself?”

My roommate’s brother grins. “Well, you know me.”

“Yeah. I do. That’s why I have to check.”

Wyatt smirks. “You don’t usually travel with the team.”

“Things change,” I say shortly. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sven skating around the ice, glaring in our direction. He fires a puck toward the net and Lewis dives out of the way.

“So it’s not just to see me?” Wyatt winks.

“Yes, definitely, it’s all a ploy to see you,” I tell him dryly. Pope, stretching his hamstring nearby, looks over at us curiously. “You’re ridiculous. Glad to see you haven’t changed, dude.”

“You should have called me. We could have hung out while you’re here.”

“We’re on a back-to-back. Got in last night and I’ve been here all day.”

Wyatt shakes his head. “Next time. I won’t be up in Boston until January, I think.”

“We’ll sit down and compare schedules later,” I promise. “You should get back to your side of the ice. Your coach will get pissed.”

“Yeah, maybe.” He runs his hands through his hair. “Take good care of Bex, you hear?”