Nope.
“Pucks is my dog. I made him an Instagram page last year, Tucks and Pucks. It’s just stupid videos of him being silly, but he’s more popular than me, which just makes sense. He’s the best.”
“Just wonderful,” I muttered.
“I’m sure it will be fine, but I think we should exchange numbers if something comes up.”
“Just to be clear, I’m not interested in actually dating you.” I paused when his mouth tightened. “Sorry, that sounded bitchy. What I mean is, I’m not in the mood to date anyone right now.”
“And especially hockey players, from the sound of it?” One side of his mouth quirked up.
“She has a history,” Miranda said, and I shot her a glare.
“Hey, I get it.” He waved his hand. “Season’s starting soon anyway, so I’m too busy.”
I rolled my eyes. “Nice save.”
He shrugged, tucking one hand in his pocket. “What can I say? I am a goalie.”
I groaned. “Just give me your phone.” Snagging it from his outstretched hand, I sent myself a text from his phone and then handed it back. “There, all done. Now, I’m heading home, So, uh, thanks for helping tonight. Sorry if it causes you any drama.” I grimaced.
“It’ll be fine. No worries.” He pulled out his wallet. “Well, I’m just going to settle my tab and head out.”
“Oh, you don’t have to leave. Again, I should probably head home anyway.” I was feeling discombobulated and it was making me itchy.
“Nah, I finished my meal and I have training in the morning, so I need my sleep.” He looked over at Miranda and Randy, who were both, annoyingly, watching us.
“It’s on the house for helping deal with that douche. Right, Randy?” Miranda said.
“Yes, of course. Totally on the house, but promise to come back,” Randy said. “And really, man, thanks for doing Dani a solid.”
“It was nothing.”
He said it so nonchalantly that I wanted to bristle. He wasn’t wrong though. Right? I mean, I wanted it to be nothing. Just over and done and hopefully managed to get Roger to back off permanently. Win-win and all that shit.
“And I’ll definitely be back. That burger was something else, man.” Then he dropped a few bills on the counter. “Have to tip my server, of course. Nice meeting you both.” He turned to me. “And if you need anything, just call, okay? I’ll keep up the ruse with Roger as long as you want. It really isn’t that big of a deal.”
“Uh, yeah. Sure thing.” Then he gave me one last dimpled smile and walked out of the bar.
I would not look at his ass.
Okay. I would. Hockey players were known for those bubbles and it looked like Gabe was sporting a nice one.
“You have some drool,” Miranda said, lifting her hand toward my face.
I jerked back. “When did you get so close?” She’d moved closer to Randy while Gabe and I had been talking, and now she was almost on top of me.
She chuckled. “While you were staring, I moved in. I wanted to make sure you’re okay. Maybe give you a hug.”
“Ugh. I’m fine, thanks,” I grumbled.
“Are you really okay?” she asked.
I sank onto the barstool next to me. “What the hell just happened?”
“You kissed a super-hot hockey goalie to convince your ex-boyfriend, also a hockey goalie, that it was over?”
I glared. “I didn’t need all that detail. Shit. I mean, of all the people to kiss. And to even suggest a stranger kiss me. Like my day wasn’t rough before I walked in here.”
