Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 115763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Well, not forcing down my feelings probably has a lot to do with it too. Now that everyone knows and has accepted it with less fanfare than I expected, the anger inside me has lessened measurably. At least off the ice. So far, I’m still hitting harder than a Mack truck on the ice.
“Guess we’ll have to see what sweater she’s wearing tonight, won’t we?” I quip, arching a brow and flashing a cocky smirk. Of course I already know what she’s wearing, because I saw her pack her suitcase for the trip to tonight’s game, and there wasn’t a single Lee jersey in sight. More importantly, she wore a Mahoney jersey last night while we had a double round of intense sex that was more than fucking, but a whole lot less tender than “making love.” In other words, just the way she likes it.
Seeing my name on her while she took my cock deep inside her did strange things to my brain, primal things I don’t want to examine too closely, but suffice it to say, it was sexy as hell, and I can’t wait to repeat that experience with a custom Stanley Cup champion jersey on her. And nothing else. Except maybe those knee-high socks? Those are hot as hell too.
Just the thought of it has my cock responding, and I have to adjust myself, which is no easy feat through the layers of gear I’m already wearing.
“Quit thinking about my sister,” Dominic orders, popping my cup with the tip of his stick.
It doesn’t hurt through the thick plastic, but it does send blood flow elsewhere. Namely, to my face, where I can feel a flush heating my cheeks. I’m not embarrassed by my thoughts of Penny, but ten minutes before the most important game of my life isn’t the best time to be fantasizing about your girlfriend.
Girlfriend? Yeah, Penny and I are moving fast. Hell, I already asked her to move into my condo, but she wants to finish out her lease with Talia, which means six more months of back-and-forth between her too-small bed and my king-size one. I’m also paying extra attention to the ring she’s designing for Miles Conniver. She’s making it specific to his fiancée’s taste, but I’m learning a lot about what Penny herself would want in a ring.
“Oooh, they’re fighting again!” Brody singsongs.
Coach pops his head out of the office. “Lee, Mahoney, do we need to have a chat?”
“No, sir,” I bark.
“If it’s about Brody getting traded to the Beavers next year, yes,” Dominic answers with a grin. Brody mimes stabbing himself in the heart, and Dom responds by drawing a tear falling down his cheek.
“Get ready, you bunch of assholes,” Coach calls out. The stress of tonight’s game is hitting him, and he’s done with our bullshit.
Penny keeps telling me that she believes in me, that this is the Hawks’ season to win the whole thing, while tempering it with reminders that I’m not retiring after this season and I’ll have another chance to win again, or win for the first time if tonight doesn’t go the way we hope. But for Coach? He’s nearing the end of his career, and this might be the last chance he gets to drink champagne out of the most special cup in hockey.
“Let’s do this for Coach,” I shout.
A chorus of “for Coach!” rings out through the locker room, and all conversation about me and Penny and Dominic is forgotten.
As soon as we take to the ice for warm-ups, I skate the wall in front of the section where Penny’s supposed to be sitting, looking for her. She’s a spectator tonight since the Blizzard’s cheerleaders are performing and the Hawkettes are scattered around the arena, supporting but not performing. As family, Penny and the Lees have prime seats only a few rows behind the bench. Dominic and I both made sure of that.
I quickly find Mr. and Mrs. Lee, a.k.a. Mom and Dad, as they’ve repeatedly insisted I call them. And truthfully, they’re more parental than my own parents, so though I’ve resisted for so long, I’m happy to surrender and use the honor-filled names and be truly included in their family. Or as Dominic likes to call it, indoctrinated.
True to Penny’s expectation, they were thrilled when we told them that we’re dating. Mom hugged me tight and whispered in my ear that she was glad I finally figured it out. I was shocked, but she simply gave me a knowing wink. I guess I wasn’t as good at hiding my feelings for Penny as I thought I was, but Mom had kept my secret until I was ready. Or fate intervened, as the case may be.
“Where is she?” I shout, making sure they can hear me over the excited fans around them who are cheering.