Page 36 of The Player's Club
It was the first time I’d truly understood what all the hype was about when it came to Mac’s hockey prowess. We were giddy, a little drunk, and near bursting with excitement. The high was still carrying us as a security guard came in and asked us to follow him. Hannah actually skipped as we made our way to the locker room area.
Mac was one of the first to walk out, freshly showered and looking triumphant. It was only the presence of other people who kept me from throwing myself at him. It didn’t help that his grin was infectious.Every time I saw this man, I wanted him more than the last.
Carmichael, the player who had assisted in the winning goal, came out right behind him, also grinning. Brady Carmichael was all muscle. Although he wasn’t as tall as Mac, he was all angles and strength. He’d recently buzzed his head, and he now looked like he’d come straight out of the Marines. Despite his tough exterior, he was a favorite among the fans, as he tended to say off-the-wall things during press conferences. I’d become a bit of a hockey aficionado lately.
Brady’s gaze caught mine, then slid immediately over to Hannah’s. Interest flashed across his face. When I glanced over at Hannah, she seemed just as intrigued.
“Amazing game,” I said to Mac. “Congratulations.”
“I’m glad you were able to come,” he replied.
Hannah snorted. “You sent a limo and a private jet for us. Of course we were going to come.”
Brady gaped at Mac. “Seriously, dude?”
Mac shrugged and winked at me. “It was short notice. I had to pull some strings.”
I was tongue-tied. Feeling embarrassed, I blushed and stared down at my shoes.
Fortunately, Brady came to our rescue. “I need a drink. Let’s go back to the hotel.” He sent Hannah a warm smile. “You didn’t tell me your name, beautiful.”
Hannah rolled her eyes, but she seemed amused. “No, I didn’t. How about you give me a good reason to give it to you, hmm?”
Mac slung an arm around my shoulder. “I can see why you two are friends already.”
The hotel not only had a bar but also karaoke rooms available to rent. To my surprise, Mac was the one who wanted to do karaoke.
Brady leaned down to murmur in my ear, “He’s a terrible singer.”
Mac gave Brady the finger. “Says the guy who loves to try singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at the top of his lungs.”
“That’s your song?” Hannah’s lips twitched. “Celine Dion?”
“Yeah, and? She’s the GOAT.” Brady shook his head in dismay. “And she’s Canadian. I like Canadians. They know hockey.”
Hannah smirked. “Shame. I’m from LA.”
“I can overlook that.”
Mac and I laughed. Our friends were a match made in heaven, it seemed. The four of us got our drinks and some munchies and headed to our karaoke room. I’d only done karaoke once in college, and it had been at a sleazy dive bar near USC.
“Okay, who’s going first?” Despite the question, Hannah began looking through the song selection choices, mic already in hand. “Oh shit, I love this one!” She grabbed my arm and pulled me up to the front of the room.
I tried to extricate myself, but Hannah wasn’t letting go. The guys were already laughing at us, and when the beginnings of “Before He Cheats” started playing, I couldn’t help but get into the mood with Hannah. Her enthusiasm was contagious.
We sang like crazy people, our voices cracking and squealing, Brady covering his ears more than once during our attempts at the high notes. Mac watched with an amused look on his face.
Our gazes met as I sang the chorus, and the heat in his eyes was enough to make my face burn red if I hadn’t already been that color from singing my heart out. Brady, for his part, just shook his head and laughed when Hannah pointed a finger at him.
When we finished, Brady said to Hannah, “Never let me get on your bad side.”
“I’m perfectly pleasant all the time,” she protested.
“You probably make most guys shit their pants.”
Hannah wrinkled her nose. “Wow, what a lovely description.”
Brady leaned down and whispered something in her ear that made her laugh.