Page 35 of He Has Game (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
“Don’t say that, Vivvie. You know there can’t be anything between us.”
“I don’t care what Mary says.”
“It’s not about fucking Mary,” I say, harsh because I need to get through to her, let her know who she’s dealing with and that she shouldn’t be harboring romantic fantasies about the likes of me. But she doesn’t blink.
“Then there’s no problem, Finn. Because I really . . . like you and I find you attractive.”
“Fuck. You don’t know shit about me.”
“I know I want to make love to you.” How the fuck do I argue with that? My cock is dead set against any argument and my brain just went sideways because my heart is thundering up, pushing the blood right where it shouldn’t be. Especially not now in a fucking cab.
While I’m trying to get my mouth reconnected to my brain so I can make a cohesive response, my phone rings. The automatic reflex to pull it from my pocket takes over, thank the Lord.
“Ham, what’s up? I’m on my way to the jewelers now.” My eyes are still on Vivvie and she’s watching me, staring at my fucking mouth. Does she have any idea how distracting that is? That I know what she’s thinking? What it makes me want to do with her? She takes a sip of her coffee while I listen to Ham.
He grunts and says, “I heard from your mother. She wants to visit and asked for a game ticket—to sit with Vivvie.” Everyone’s calling her Vivvie now.
“No. And stop calling her Vivvie. Her name is Vivian.” I watch Vivvie tilt her mouth in a smile at that and it gives my blood a stir.
“Do you really want to go there?” Ham says. “If you say no, you risk her showing up and causing a scene. Or worse, complaining to the front office. I think we’re lucky she called me.”
“It’s not luck. It’s the number I gave her to call.”
“Thanks for fucking nothing,” he says. I laugh in spite of the curious look Vivvie is giving me over her coffee cup. “Get her a pair of tickets on the visitor side. I don’t want her having anything to do with Vivvie.”
“If you say so, but—”
“Thanks.” I end the call. He’s used to me. Puts up with it because he knows I’m good for promos and work my ass off to get them. I have a shoot for a Bauer skates spread coming up tomorrow and I briefly consider bringing Vivvie. But fucking A. We’re not really together, so why should I bother? Like anyone will care if she’s at a photo shoot for billboard ads.
“Who was that?” She asks after a long sip of her black coffee. We’re early. I wonder how Ham got Shreve Crump & Low to open up the store before hours for me but I’m glad to get it done before the full schedule all day.
“My agent.”
“Something about tickets? Who is it you don’t want sitting anywhere near me?”
“My mother.” I test her out. It doesn’t matter if she knows since our fucking relationship isn’t real. She can’t hold it against me.
“You mother? You’re protecting me from your mother?” Her voice squeaks high like a mouse and I laugh, remembering my first impression of her. I was right and I was wrong about her. Vivvie is a complicated puzzle of a girl—woman. Whatever.
I give my automatic shrug, the one sentiment I reserve for my mother. The only one she deserves.
“What makes you think I’m protecting you from her? Maybe I’m protecting my mother from you.” I can’t help myself. Teasing Vivvie is just too much fun even when I know better. She doesn’t disappoint me with her disapproving scowl and it makes my dick grow.
“What? You don’t mean that, Finn. What the heck is going on? Explain yourself.”
“Whoa, you used the heck word. I must have got you really riled up.”
She reaches over and slaps my arm. The contact is playful, but I feel it and I grab her hand tight in mine and hold on when she tugs to get it back.
“Now I have you,” I say, low and meaning to tease her with the flirty, throaty voice, but I’m getting into it as my dick hardens because her eyes go wide and then molten and she doesn’t back away when I lean forward. I could kiss her. Again. It would be justified since we’re in public sort of, on our way to buy a fucking diamond and it’s the only time I’m allowed to touch her or show her what a real fiancée of Finnegan Reed would be in for. She doesn’t even see a sliver of what I have, what I could give her, and at the moment, my dick and I are dying to show her the whole enchilada. Maybe I can scare her into rethinking her so-called attraction.
Time and place, Finn.Like never and nowhere. The cab jerks to a stop as a rude reminder.
We go inside and Ham is there.
“What the f—?” I stop myself and determine I need to behave like an adult. Under control—never mind my semi-hard-on. “What are you doing here?” I try to keep my voice low as I keep an arm around Vivvie and we follow the old man, who shows us to a back room.
“I had to promise some things to get this special treatment,” he says.
