Page 262 of Cross Check

“Thanks for the invite, but I’m hanging at home tonight,” I say.

“You always hang at home these days,” he whines. “What happened to the two of us being the best bachelors in the DC area?”

I met the best woman in the world. I fell in love, and I spend all my time with her. We bought a house we’re painting and decorating and making our own. I never want to walk into a bar again unless she’s with me.

“No one ever called us the best bachelors in DC,” I go with instead. I change out of my gear and dump half in my stall and the other half in the equipment bin in the center of the locker room. “Take Connor. You two can tear up the town.”

“I’ll go as long as I don’t have to get my dick pierced,” Connor warns.

“Never say never, C-Mac.” Ethan smirks. “A pierced dick provides women with a hell of a ride.”

“Behave yourselves. And don’t forget your jerseys tomorrow,” I say, waving to the group.

I head for the players’ garage, whistling as I twirl my keys around my finger. I’ve had my jersey picked out for weeks, and I smile when I slip in my car and find a text message from Lia waiting for me.

AG

Dinner at our place tonight?

My fingers fly across the screen before I have time to think.

Me

I love hearing you call it our place.

I’m already on my way home. Want me to grab anything from the store?

AG

Nope. I have it covered. See you soon :)

The hour and a half drive to the Baltimore suburbs passes in the blink of an eye. The traffic doesn’t bother me, and I don’t care about the detour I have to take because of an accident. I’m going home to the love of my life, and I’m perfectly at peace.

By the time I pull into the driveway, the sky is turning pink and red. The sun sinks behind the clouds, and I park in the garage. I practically jog into the mudroom where I kick off my sneakers and head down the hall, beaming at the sight of her on the living room couch.

“You’re home,” Lia says.

She tosses off her blanket, running to me in fuzzy socks and a pair of plaid pajama bottoms. She leaps in my arms and I hold her, clutching the back of her head while her legs wrap around my waist.

“Hi, baby,” I murmur into her hair. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” She kisses my jaw then drapes her arms around my neck. “How was practice? You smell like death.”

“Because I’m an elite athlete who sweats profusely under his hockey gear.” I set her down and pinch her ass when she heads for the kitchen. “Practice was fine. Still not used to the sight of Coach showing up with a hickey I know is from my sister, and I want to gag every time.”

“See? This is why I’m glad my sisters want nothing to do with sports. There’s no risk of one of my players tumbling into bed with them.”

“That, and the fact that they’re married with kids.”

“Some men like being the dad that steps up.” Lia gestures to the island where there’s a Glacier Freeze Gatorade waiting for me. It’s not my favorite flavor, but my notebook would tell me it’s her favorite, so I don’t argue when she buys them in bulk. “Figured you needed some electrolytes.”

“Thanks. Two months into the regular season, and I feel like my fitness level is almost back. You coaches are brutal.” I uncap the top and guzzle half of the drink down. “What can I help with?”

“Nothing. The water is boiling for spaghetti so you can have your pregame meal.” She walks to the stove and opens a box of noodles. “And I bought a new bottle of ranch, you gremlin.”

“Hey.” I shove the Gatorade bottle away and rest my chin on her shoulder. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” She spins to face me and smiles. “And I love that we’re playing each other tomorrow. Nothing like an on-ice rivalry to use as foreplay.”