What? You can’t tell me she’s not one of the most gorgeous women you’ve ever seen.
I highly suggest you stop talking about Sadie and her yoga pants. Have some respect.
Jefferson
Ohhhhhh. That’s why you said uh-oh. Cap is mad, Mack Attack. Better run and hide.
Mack Attack
I didn’t know she was off-limits. When did that happen?
Connor
I think just now, man.
Too aggravated to continue this conversation, I walk into the living room where my mom and Sophia are playing cards.
“I’m gonna head to the rink for a little treatment before practice. You guys okay if I leave a little early?”
Sophia doesn’t spare me a glance as she grabs a card from the pile laid out in front of her. “Of course we’re okay, Daddy. Mummo, do you have any threes?”
My mom laughs. “Sophia, remember we have to take turns. You just went fishing so it’s my turn to ask.” Mom’s eyes meet mine and she nods. “Go ahead, Niko. We’ll be just fine here.”
I walk over to both of my favorite ladies and give them a kiss on the head.
“You be good for Mummo, Sophia.”
Sophia groans, and my mom shoos me away with her hand. “Get out of here, son. We’re having a girls’ day.”
I rush into the garage and climb into my SUV. Without a second thought, I back out of my driveway and head to the rink hours before I’m needed to be there.
The thought of the guys ogling Sadie has me moreannoyed than it probably should. I know they’d never do or say anything inappropriate to her, but for some reason, as soon as Mack mentioned her in her yoga pants, I saw red.
I have no right to stake a claim on her. She’s not mine. Sadie is just doing her job. She’s at the rink helping our team prepare for the playoffs. Part of her job is doing yoga. It’s what she was hired to do. Even if it means she’ll be wearing those goddamn yoga pants that have been haunting my dreams.
But after getting to know her last night and feeling that undeniable connection, there’s a growing need to protect her happening inside of me that I can’t quite explain. It’s the reason I can’t handle Mack saying anything about her.
It’s also the reason I’m pressing down my gas pedal, trying to get to the rink, and toher, faster.
My first official day on the job is going better than I expected. The meeting with Sloane and Ellie about Connor’s injury didn’t last too long. Sloane said Connor should probably miss a couple games if we want him in his best condition for playoffs at the end of the month. Ellie wasn’t thrilled, but the Bobcats will clinch a playoff spot if they win their next game. Better to be safe than sorry.
The wild rookie from last night was here early for a one-on-one meeting with Ellie, and he asked me if we could do a morning yoga session before practice. This Jefferson kid is a real character. We’ve just finished up and he’s still lying flat on his back on his yoga mat trying to catch his breath.
“Sadie, are post-yoga naps a thing? Because I could really use one.”
Chuckling, I make my way over to him and reach my hand out to help him stand. “Aw, come on, Jefferson. I didn’t work you too hard, did I?”
I haul him up from the ground and he rubs the sweat dripping down his forehead with the back of his arm. “Fucking right you did. I didn’t expect it to feel like a full workout. But I somehow also feel like a million bucks. Make it make sense.”
Together we walk side by side out of the gym, making our way toward the training room.
“I was working areas that hockey players usually have lingering pain—your hips, shoulders, knees. But instead of exasperating the pain, those stretches should help reduce any discomfort there. It might’ve felt like a workout, but hopefully you’ll start feeling a difference with your flexibility and mobility after a few sessions.”
Jefferson stops walking and does a few squats and high jumps in the middle of the hallway. “You know what, I feel extra limber already.”
We both laugh at his ridiculousness as we continue walking to the training room. As soon as we turn the corner, I run face-first into a hunk of muscle.
Ouch.
