I frown. “Do you really have such little faith in your teammate?” He sobers quickly, and the reaction is priceless, but I don’t back down. “You think he’d be insulting you behind your back?”
“Yeah, Hayes,” Roman chimes in with his arms crossed over his chest. “I’d love to hear the answer to that too.”
Jaw clenched, Hayes glares at me. When he focuses on Roman again, his features soften. “Sorry, man. I was just trying to tease your friend. Clearly, the joke didn’t land. You know I respect you. It wasn’t a jab at you in any way.”
“Do better next time,” Roman grunts. “There are a thousand ways to get a girl’s attention without insulting her.”
Hayes huffs. “Her attention is the last thing I want.”
I shouldn’t care about the words that leave this asshole’s mouth, but the comment hits too close to home.
“Just likeIdon’t want yours,” I state. “The next time you’re eavesdropping, you’ll know you’re being insulted when you hear ‘Idi na huyi,’ since that means ‘go fuck yourself.’ Have a nice day.”
The whole table bursts into laughter.
I’m biting my bottom lip, fighting a grin, when I lock eyes with the guy sitting beside Hayes. I swear this man walked straight out of a surf ad. He’s all sun and waves. Blond hair that refuses to stay put, sun-kissed skin, and honeyed brown eyes. He’s huge. Way bigger than Hayes, who’s on the leaner side. Broad shoulders, muscular chest, the kind of bulk that belongs in a weight room.
The feature that catches my attention, though, is his genuine smile.
Goodness. What am I doing?
I blink, cutting eye contact, and sneak a glance at Hayes. His cheeks are red, and he’s chewing on the inside of his bottom lip, staring straight ahead.
The blond beside him continues assessing me.
I peer over my shoulder, checking on Chloe. She’s still at our table, her focus fixed on her phone screen. I return to my conversation with Roman, asking if he’d mind introducing her to the team later, and he agrees.
When I get back to the table, I discover our meals have already arrived. As I hover beside my chair, my skin tingles, and my pulse picks up. Once again, someone is watching. As I lower into my seat, I peek over my shoulder. Sure enough, I find eyes on me. But not just one set.
Not only is the handsome blond looking at me, but so is Hayes.
They couldn’t look more different, yet each is gorgeous in his own right. Their attention makes my heart skip and my cheeks warm. When my pussy flutters too, I know I’m in trouble. I leave for Tahoe in two weeks, where I plan to hide away in a cabin in the woods so I can get my mind right for Australia. No distractions. No detours. And definitely no hockey players.
At least that’s what I tell myself.
1 A short version of the name Roman
2 Hi! What are you doing here?
3 I’m very sorry about the tournament. Nev and I were very excited about it. Wanted to root for you as we always do.
4 My friend is back from her business trip; and she invited me to dinner. I decided to agree. For how long can I be moody?
5 As for the tournament—there will be another one next year. Maybe I’ll be lucky then.
6 When you’re on court, you’re incredible. You will be lucky, I’m sure.
7 Thank you
8 Rom is a short version of a short version Roma of the name Roman
TWO
I Want to Ask Her Out
LOGAN
Hayes fumesas the redhead wanders away. I, on the other hand, hold back a laugh. He’s my best friend, but he deserved to be put in his place after the disrespect he showed her. Her conversation with Roman was none of his business.
