She giggles. “I figured you’d like it.”
“I fucking love it.”
I wink and skate off with my team, buzzing with adrenaline and joy. I’ve got everything I could want. I’m back on the team and I’m with my dream girl.
I don’t realize I’m still grinning till Dylan gives me shit while we’re in the locker room.
“Happy to be back, huh?” he says.
I chuckle. “Definitely.”
Chapter36
Maya
“This is so fucking cool,” Tyler says while doing a wide-eyed scan of the Bashers team lounge. We’re lounging in plush leather chairs at a table in the corner.
He downs more of his Red Bull vodka. “I never thought I’d be having a drink in the Bashers’ box after a game.” He looks at me. “Hey, can I come with you to the next home game?”
“Only if you promise to stop taking so many photos.”
Tyler frowns right as he’s about to take another photo of the bar. “What do you mean?”
I shake my head and laugh. “Never mind.”
“Thanks for letting us tag along,” Tori says. “I haven’t been to a hockey game since college. I forgot how wild and fun they are.”
Tyler grins at her. “Gotta say, I didn’t think you’d be so into hockey.”
“Why? Because I’m a woman?” Tori teases.
Tyler chuckles and the two of them joke back and forth. I take in the flirty tone and wonder if my famously oblivious brother can tell that Tori is into him.
He heads to the restroom and I look at her.
“What?” she asks.
“Nothing.” I sip my drink.
She tilts her head at me. “If you’re going to warn me for the millionth time to stay away from your player brother, you’re wasting your breath. I know better, Maya.”
I hold up a hand. “Okay, okay. Sorry. I didn’t mean to come off like that.”
Her expression eases. Her cinnamon eyes are soft again. “There’s nothing wrong with talking and joking around together.”
“You’re right,” I say. But I don’t miss the flash of longing in Tori’s eyes as she looks down at her water glass. I’d bet anything what she feels for Tyler is more than just some friendly flirting. I just wish that she didn’t. My older brother has a pitiful track record when it comes to dating and relationships, and it would kill me to see him lead her on and break her heart.
Tyler comes back to the table and finishes the rest of his drink.
“Another?” I ask.
He says yes, please. I hop up and head to the bar to get another round while we wait for Theo to join us. While the bartender mixes our cocktails, I glance at my phone.
“Maya?”
I look up and see Tracy, Annabelle’s mom, standing a few feet away. She rests a hand on her heavily pregnant stomach and smiles at me.
“Oh hey, Tracy!” I hug her. I haven’t seen her since Annabelle’s birthday party. We didn’t chat a ton since she was so busy with party stuff, but she was really sweet and welcoming to me.
