“I fucking well don’t. Reese is the only girl I need. Speaking of, I’m going to find her.”
“Good game tonight,” I say as he continues forward.
“Thanks, Casey,” he shoots back before disappearing down the hallway.
“So…” Linc starts with a knowing glint in his eye. “You’re sneaking around the arena minutes after a certain player has just walked out of the locker room. A certain player who’s suddenly stopped being a grumpy motherfucker…”
The strength it takes to keep the smile off my face as I stare deadpan into his eyes deserves a fucking medal.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Excuse me.”
I attempt to slip past him as if he isn’t a massive defenseman whose shoulders almost take up the entire hallway.
He chuckles before his fingers wrap around my upper arm, halting my escape.
“Linc,” I complain, attempting and failing to escape his grip.
“I’m so fucking glad you both sorted your shit out. Now, please, from one hockey addict to another, do not break his heart again. The team can’t take it.”
“Linc,” I repeat.
“I fucking mean it, Casey. I’ve never seen him happier than when he was with you, and I’ve never seen him more miserable when he was without you. We stand a real chance this season, but we need him fully focused and determined. That means you need to be in the stands as often as possible. He plays even better when he knows you’re watching.”
My cheeks heat as I wonder if it’s the promise of what comes after his win that really spurs him on.
“Be good to him, Casey. He’s a great guy who deserves all the love in the world.”
As I stare at Linc, a guy I’ve known almost all my life, I realize that I don’t really know him at all.
Is he…is he jealous?
Not because he wanted me, but of us. Of what we’ve found together.
I shake the thought away before it really lands, because it’sridiculous. Linc is and always has been a player. He loves it and the attention that comes with it.
“I couldn’t agree more. Now, do you mind moving so I can get to him?”
“Fucking knew it,” he laughs, finally shifting.
“Have a good night,” I call.
“I’m sure it won’t be as enjoyable as yours.”
Spinning around, I smirk at him. “What? Haven’t you heard? You’re Lincoln Storm, a defenseman who loves nothing more than breaking hearts in every state. I’m sure you won’t have any issues securing a wild night.”
His face lights up at my words, but there’s still something I’m not used to lingering in his eyes.
But as I round the corner, I spot the elevator that’ll lead me to the garage, and I forget about anything but the man waiting for me.
The second the doors open at garage level, I’m slipping between them. My sneakers squeak on the concrete floor as my eyes scan the cars for his.
The rumble of an engine hits my ears, and the moment I spin around, I see him sitting behind the wheel of his car, moving toward me.
With my heart in my throat, I run toward him. No sooner has my ass hit the seat do I lean over the console, wrap my hand around the back of his neck, and slam my lips to his.
I kiss him right there and then in the middle of the arena parking garage where anyone could see us. And for the first time, I really don’t give a shit.
Screw the consequences. This right here is more important than anything else in the world right now.
