Page 36 of Shootout
The catch was that the current occupants wouldn’t be moving out until the end of October. I told her I’d take it. I was pretty sure two of the three rookies would be sent down to the farm team once the regular season began, and I’d be able to handle one rookie until I moved into my new condo.
I’d already spoken to Vick about sharing the new digs. After all, I didn’t need all three bedrooms, and Vick had become my best friend on the team. He was also trustworthy and kept his mouth shut, an important factor considering my fake relationship with Jessie. Once we lived together, I’d have to come clean with him. He’d notice she never spent the night.
After the game, I met with Jessie and her family for pizza. I took a few selfies which I dutifully posted to social media, calling attention to my being off the market, but it was all part of the facade.
We had a private table in an alcove, and I was flying high. Despite limited playing time, I’d scored a goal and an assist. I poured another beer from the pitcher and held my glass up. We clinked glasses around the table; even Wild managed a smile.
“This team is going places. I can feel it.” I grinned at everyone on a natural high only caused by a good hockey game.
“Good game, asshole.” Wild’s grimace appeared to be his version of a smile. He, too, was on a natural high as he’d also played a fantastic game.
I held up my beer glass. “Same to you, asshole.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, you’re an asset to this team.”
“Emphasis on theass?”
“Definitely.”
I glanced at Jessie. She beamed with happiness. Satisfaction surged through me that I’d helped put that smile on her face. After all, it was all about me, right?
On a whim, I leaned in and kissed her cheek. She smiled up at me, and our eyes met. Something inside me turned soft and mushy, even worse, vulnerable. I didn’t fall for women. I didn’t put myself in a position to be hurt by them, and warning bells sounded in my head. Jessie might be dangerous to my heart, and I’d be wise not to go there. She wasn’t emotionally available.
I turned away, noticing her family watching us with approval and disturbed by their expressions. Whatever I was doing, I was convincing, too convincing. Even Wild had slightly warmed up toward me. While this was a good thing, I feared once our inevitable breakup happened, he’d hate me more than he ever had, no matter how we portrayed our split.
Uncle Ray directed his attention toward me. “You’re not bad for a wussy center.”
“Thanks. I think.” I grinned, grateful for the distraction. Our group was crowded around a table for four, and my thigh rubbed Jessie’s. A shot of desire rushed through my body and straight to my dick. I shifted but couldn’t get away from her without rubbing up against Wild, and that’d never do. I’d take my lumps with Jessie. My gaze swung toward her, and there I was, losing myself in her eyes again. Of course, I was playing my part, no emotions involved.
Keep telling yourself that. You might eventually believe it.
“You two are so cute together,” Brenda gushed.
I stiffened and forced myself to relax. The lines between faking it and feeling it were blurring. Jessie dragged her gaze from mine and smiled shakily at her baby sister. She felt it, too.
We needed distance, and this upcoming road trip would provide it. I’d gather my thoughts and get a handle on my libido. I foresaw another month or two before I’d be back on the market fucking puck bunnies on road trips and hooking up after home games. I prided myself on my ability to control my body and my emotions on and off the ice. I could do this.
I could do this.
I could do this.
I could do this.
Those words became my mantra, even as I feared I might not be as strong as I thought I was when it came to denying myself personal pleasure.
“I can tell how in love you are.” Brenda rested her chin on her hands and smiled.
She could? I blinked a few times and studied her face for signs of sarcasm but saw none. I was secretly appalled but told myself I’d been doing an incredible acting job. That’s all. That had to be all. Jessie was still recovering from the end of a long-term relationship, and I didn’t do serious. Too much life to live to get tied down to a woman I’d known less than a week.
ChapterThirteen
HOPE LIKE HELL
~~Banks~~
Several days later, the team arrived home early Thursday morning after a two-game road trip. We’d won one and lost one. I had points in both games despite limited playing time.
I hadn’t seen or talked to Jessie since that last Saturday evening after our last home game. I’d started to text her several times but abandoned each message. I didn’t know what to say, considering our circumstances. If I did check in on her, I’d give the impression we were more than we truly were, but didn’t I want to give that impression? Jessie hadn’t called or texted me either, not even to discuss hockey. I felt a little out of sorts about her ignoring me, even though those feelings were unreasonable considering our circumstances. I’d known her about a week and a half. A mere raindrop in a puddle, but making out in the car with her was indelibly written across my brain in glaring red graffiti.
