He can protect her all he wants from guys like me, but when it came to that camp … Cam Hardy dropped the ball.
“I’m not worried about her dad,” I mumble, keeping my eyes fixated on Isla. “Not one bit.”
He says something back, but I barely hear his voice as I watch her block another puck from coming into her goal. She may be tiny, but fuck … she’s fierce.
And just like that, a jolt shoots right down my body. Straight to my dick.
The Lady Eagleswin two to zero, and all her teammates swarm around Isla, cheering together loudly.
When the guys stand up to head out, I stand too.
“Hey, I’ll catch up with you guys at the house.” I say it as nonchalantly as I can, but they still smirk, gawking at each other with a knowing look. Because they know I’m not leaving until I talk to the cute goalie.
Once they head up the stairs, I walk down to the plexiglass. If this were a men’s hockey game, this place would be fucking swarmed. And yet, here it is, damn near empty now that the game is over.
“Hey, Nineteen,” I call out once the chaos around her dissipates just as she pulls off her helmet.
Her eyes find mine, and she smiles shyly. For a moment, she stands out toward the center of the ice, like she doesn’t know what to do. But finally, she skates my way. Even in all the gear that comes with being a goalie, she looks so tiny for the position.
“What are you doing here, Hunt?” she says, standing on the other side of the plexiglass. “Did you show up to take notes for the men’s team?”
“Probably should have,” I admit. “Good job out there, blondie. You’re a fucking weapon.”
The compliment makes her cheeks turn pink, and I chuckle inwardly, loving every second of it because I don’t know how I can make the girl blush, who just guarded the goal like her life depended on it, taking no mercy on anyone.
“Thanks.” She chews her lip, glancing back at her team as they head toward the locker room before turning back to me. “I should go. Coach will be waiting.”
“Hey, wait,” I say before she gets the chance to take off. “I want to take you to dinner.” I stop, grinning. “You know, just a friendlycongratulations for kicking assdinner. So, what do you say?”
She looks at me, no doubt fighting with herself if she should trust me or not. Skating backward slowly, she shrugs. “Okay … fine.” Her lips spread into a slight smile, though it’s clear she’s trying to fight it. “I’ll meet you outside in, like, half an hour?”
“It’s a date.” I wink, and she narrows her eyes.
She points her gloved hand at me. “It’s not a date, Hunt.”
“Oh, it definitely is,” I drawl. “See you in half an hour, Nineteen.”
Slowly, she turns and skates toward the exit, and I must look like a fucking fool because, fuck me … I can’t wipe this stupid smile off my face.
FOURTEEN
ISLA
I keepmy duffel bag of crap slung over my shoulder, kind of thankful that I’m about to meet up with a fellow hockey player because this bag and what’s inside of it smells like absolute dirty ass.
I can’t believe I agreed to go to dinner with Hendrix tonight, but here I am, showered and heading to the entrance to meet him. But before even making it to the lobby, I spot him, sitting on a bench, waiting for me.
As if he senses my presence, he looks up from his phone. His dark hair falls annoyingly, perfectly messy. Just like always. And the second our eyes meet, he’s off the bench, strutting toward me.
I had no hair dryer or makeup. I’m sure the women he usually takes out on dates dress up in their fancy, tight clothes and are perfectly styled. But I guess it’s better that I don’t look my best because then he’ll leave me alone after this date.
“Holy shit,” he says suddenly, eyes wide and looking around like a crazy person. “Did I die? Do pigs fly? Did hell freeze over?”
Eyeing him over suspiciously, I hike my heavy bag up tighter on my shoulder. “Um …”
“Because Isla Hardy is here, ready to go on a date with me,” he says, acting stunned. “I figured you had snuck out the back door and were clear across campus by now, Nineteen.”
Unable to help myself, I roll my eyes, though he does earn a small smirk too.
