Plus, I can still have my off-ice activities, which require a bed and a partner and nothing else. No chance of a concussion if I stay away from the headboard and the crazies. Then I’ll get to hear my name chanted as it is.
No mention of my brother or his life out West, or the latest young thing on his arm, or any of his latest successes. No one asking about my family or home life. No one trying to get too cozy. It’s just the way I like it. And that’s the way I’d like to keep it.
Krasinski comes into our shared room and shakes his head at me. “You look like shit, man. What, you can’t take a punch now?”
“Oh, I can take plenty, but I can’t share that shit with a vanilla bitch like you.” I chuckle.
He rolls his eyes and faces me as he sits on his bed. “I’m serious, man. We need you on the fucking ice. Are you good or not?”
“Depends on what the doctor tells Coach, I guess. Speaking of, is his hot daughter here?”
“Watch it.” He points at me. “Listen, we all get to look, but no one gets to touch. That’s a rule unless you want to be traded.”
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. If I’m not on the ice, then I have plenty of time to kill.”
“You’re a walking ‘what not to do’ guide, you know that?” He smirks, then laughs. “But I can’t say you don’t got balls, man.”
“What’s up?”
“Party tonight, but get some fucking room service and a shower. No one wants to fuck a smelly asshole.”
“Listen, we don’t kink-shame in this room.”
“Fucking gross.” Krasinski shakes his head and walks out, but I have to admit a shower and some food sound perfect.
I lather up in the shower and welcome the cold water all over me. It eases the bruises and the throbbing in my head and seems to calm the entire world. I order a rare burger with all the fucking toppings and moan as I take a huge, messy bite.
It’s more delicious than I hoped. Hell, this burger tastes better than that hot nurse fucking looked. Although, I bet she’d make an excellent dessert. Maybe she’ll come around and give me a taste of her pussy instead of playing impossible to get.
That’s a fucking good thought. I inhale the burger and wipe my face before groaning and deciding to clean up before going downstairs. I don’t need a hot nurse when there’s plenty of pussy to be had at a team victory party.
How can any athlete settle down when there are sexy women eager to give them a night of whatever they asked? I adjust my clothes and then head downstairs to find the options for the night. Maybe I’ll get lucky times three or four instead of the standard two. After all, why should I deny myself a good fuck when I know that I won’t be front and center in the future games.
A brunette catches my eye quickly, but there is something about her gaze that makes me shiver, sending a warning to the little bit of common sense I have left. She’s too sexy, too quick with a smile, too focused onmeright off the bat, like she knows me. I don’t like that, considering I don’t recognize her at all, and I always remember the women I’m with no matter how drunk or how short a time I entertain them.
So, I go over to the guys and clap a few on the back, ignoring the sparks of pain shooting up my arm and through my head. If I drink, it will clear up. If I drink, I won’t feel whatever pain is in me. Hell, I can ignore the future for a good bit of time if I just have enough shots and enough distractions.
Which is the only plan I’m willing to follow tonight: Have a good time before tomorrow crashes down.
Chase
Iclap Hernandez on the back. “What a fucking game!”
He grins at me, already half-drunk. I take a long drink of beer and grin. He throws his fist up. “Three cheers for Grant’s hat trick!”
The crowded party roars with cheers. I bow mockingly and point at Bill. “Nothing compared to his hat trick!”
The three girls around him giggle and he winks at me. Being a professional hockey player has perks. Especially if I hold onto my dad’s last bit of advice: Have all the sinful, insane fun you can have before you settle down. Get it out of your system, he would say to Stephen and me.
Well, I’m doing just that, and not doing a terrible job at it either. Starting fights, basking in the glow of fame, and fucking whoever I want, whenever I want, however I want. Tonight, my eyes keep drifting to the one girl that I’ve been told to ignore.
Coach’s daughter. She’s ten years younger than me, but fuck if she isn’t begging for attention tonight. She’s got on a skimpy black dress and heels that add a solid five inches to her height. Her long, straight blonde hair reaches the small of her back, and her amber eyes catch mine with a dare in them.
“Don’t do it, man,” Hernandez says seriously. “That’s a sure way to the bench.”
“I doubt that, after my performance tonight.” I finish my beer and reach for the tequila shots.
I wink at her and see her bite her lip as she continues walking. Fuck, the way her hips sway, her toned thighs, the curve of her hips… Delicious. Hernandez elbows me again. “Don’t go after Paige. Seriously.”