“What the fuck, man? Every time,” Kiernan said.
“It’s not even funny anymore.” Liam bent double, hands to his knees laughing, contradicting his words. “I told you what to shoot.”
Captain shook his head at Mikah. “Take it like a man.” His voice held pity.
“I’ll help you.” Rookie shot forward on his skates in Piper’s direction.
What the hell, bro? Now Rookie was gaming him?
* * *
Piper clung to the gate. The swooshing sound of skates neared her.
Rookie skidded to a stop. “Need help?”
Oh, disappointment sank through Piper, making her realize how false her internal dialogue had been. No matter what she had told herself, she had wanted Mikah to skate over. She’d wanted to be in his arms and flying fast across the ice while pressed against his rock-hard body. Now she was a little pissed he’d dumped her off on one of the other players. Why had he? Was he over her so fast? “Did Mikah send you?”
“No.”
That didn’t make her feel any better. “Was no one willing to help me?”
Rookie put his hands on his hips. “I’m someone.”
“Sure, but you’re the rookie. You’re the guy they make do the unwanted tasks.” Piper was no hockey pro, but she knew that much.
Rookie flushed. “I volunteered.”
“I’m not sure I believe you. You’re blushing pretty hard.”
“That’s a flush. We train hard.” He sounded defensive.
“How do I know you won’t drop me?”
“I’m a professional skater. We wear a shit ton of gear. I can carry you.”
“I weigh more than your gear. I might spook you, then we’d fall. You’d try to break my landing. I can’t let that happen because Dahlia will kill me for breaking one of her million-dollar players. To prevent that, I’d twist and break your fall. You’re a big guy, you’d definitely shatter a bone or two of mine. Then I’d have problems typing my thesis, I’d fail to get my masters completed, and I’d be stuck trying to find a job with a bachelor’s degree in history. You see my problem here.”
Rookie opened and closed his mouth. “Sort of?”
Whooshing of skates on ice. “What are we talking about?” Kiernan asked.
Rookie waved his hand in her direction. “She thinks I’ll drop her.”
“Not exactly.” Piper had pointed out the consequences if he did. And how could she trust him? He’d seen a pair of boobs on a screen and had to leave the room to self-gratify. What if his hand slipped when lifting her or putting her down, and he lost his rocket center ice? He’d be traumatized. She’d be scarred for life. Had he even washed his hands today?
“Why is she blushing?” Kiernan narrowed his eyes. “You say something inappropriate for the fairer sex’s ears, Rookie?”
“Of course not.” Rookie skated closer to her. He put his hand gently on her upper arm. He tugged her death grip free from the gate. “Trust me. I can take you.”
“I don’t think so.” Kiernan skated closer and took her other arm.
“Eeep.” Piper was now held between them like a human wishbone, and the image of what would happen to her limbs if they pulled in opposite directions flashed through her brain. “I can walk.”
“Let’s see that, then,” Kiernan said.
He knew damn well she couldn’t walk on this ice. Piper shook her head. “I can, but I don’t want to, not with the whole team watching my ice balance skills.”
“You shouldn’t have worn those shoes,” Rookie said.