Page 9 of My One & Goalie
“I’m not many guys.” Then he flashes me a cocky grin and heat unfurls low in my belly, my thighs clenching.
I’m in deep trouble with this one.
CHAPTER 5
XANDER
Rachel and Jett head to the bathroom, so I get the leftovers boxed up and pay the check. I also call a mechanic and arrange a tow for Rachel’s car, assuring the guy I’ll swing by in the morning to settle up.
I’m waiting by the door for them when I get a text.
Coach: Fifteen game suspension. You can accept and be back in a month or proceed with a hearing. Your choice.
Acid rises up my throat as I stare down at the words.
Suspension.
One month.
If I fight the suspension, I could make matters worse for myself. The most sane thing to do is accept the punishment and move on with my life.
Xander: I don’t love it, but I’d rather not drag this thing out
Xander: I’ll be back in the rink in one month. Tell me when and where
Coach: Keep behaving yourself and I’ll let you know
Coach: Stay out of jail. No women. No drugs
Xander: I never do drugs
Coach: Thank God for small favors, huh?
Resisting the temptation to send him the one-finger emoji, I shove my cell into my pocket as Rachel and Jett trot up.
“Ready?” Rachel asks, a soft smile playing on her lips.
“Yeah.”
“Thanks for dinner. It was lovely.” She flutters her long lashes at me and I wish we were alone. Fuck what Coach texted me—I’d love to smash my mouth to hers, kissing and licking and sucking until she’s breathless in my arms and panting for more.
And I’d happily oblige.
“Thanks, Coach.” Jett’s chirpy little voice interrupts my fantasy about his mom.
FML.
More like Fuck the MILF, but that’s a wet dream to unpack later, when I’m alone.
“No problem, bud. Let’s get you home. Your mom’s right—it’s a school night.”
Rachel takes Jett by the hand and the three of us stroll out to the car. I can’t help thinking how different this existence is from my life back in Boston. Normally, I’d be gearing up to go partying with the guys after a game. Drinking and dancing with the puck bunnies of the day.
But this feels better.
Fuck, what’s happening to me?I’ve been in Starlight Bay for twenty-four hours and I’m going soft.
Rachel smiles at me across the console, her face bathed in white moonlight, and every inch of me takes notice. This woman’s stunning and not in a fake puck bunny kind of way. Her beauty’s real, soft and tender, stirring up an almost primal need to protect her or something.