“Pretty much. It’s my job, so my days are spent in workouts and practice. Even what I eat is chosen to make me the best hockey player I can be. Even when I’m out and about socially, I’m still Alex Olsen Number Fourteen. Which has gotten me endorsement deals. Which also fills my time—commercial shoots, being spotted out wearing things or doing things for the brands, and just being me, so they want me to represent their brand. All of that has to do with me being a hockey player.”
I frown as I realize this feels weirdly familiar. “What about when you’re with your friends or family? Just at home relaxing?”
“When I’m with my family, it’s a little less…obvious. But we still talk hockey. And my friends are all in the hockey world.”
“What about your girlfriends?”
He looks at me with an eyebrow up. “The women I’ve dated are women I never would have even met, not to mention gotten their numbers, if I wasn’t a hockey star. And theyreallylike the things that come with hockey. The parties, the other famous people they can rub elbows with, the money.”
I frown. I suddenly hate all of his exes and not just becausetheygot to have naked Alex time. Yes, that too—definitely—but also because they were only with him because he’s a hockey player.
Then it hits me.
You’re with him because he’s a hockey player.
Oh.
Damn.
I would have never met him if he wasn’t a hockey player. I wouldn’t have agreed to “date” him if I didn’t need him to be apopularhockey player in Rebel. I do need him because he’s a star hockey player…
Dammit.
I’m using him for his hockey-star-ness, too.
I meet his gaze. I don’t want to use him for that. But it’s inescapable. The Revelers need to be great, and I know Alex can make them that.
But I can also make his time in Rebel about more than hockey. I can be his friend and not just another woman who sees him as a hockey player who can do things for her with his star power.
“You told those boys I’m your girlfriend.”
“Right. That’s what we’re doing, right?”
“ForRebel. So they’re nicer to you. And we’re just…spending time together. I’m not yourgirlfriend.”
He shrugs. “I don’t mind if other people know we’re dating. And—” He looks down at me. “Youaremy girlfriend while I’m here, right? You’re not dating anyone else. I’m not dating anyone else. Isn’t that what that means?”
I think about that. “But…”
“What?”
“I just told you I’m not going to sleep with you.”
He stops walking, and I’m forced to stop too. He frowns at me. “So what?”
“I don’t know… I just…” I look around, then step closer. “That’s kind of the difference between friends and girlfriends. Girlfriends are friends you get naked with. Otherwise, they’re just… a friend who’s a girl.”
His gaze roams over my face as he thinks about that. “I’m not sure I would have called any of the women I’ve gotten naked with friends.”
My eyebrows arch. I hate them even more. But also…that’s on him too. “Wow. That’s really kind of sad.”
“Everyone had a good time. I promise.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, I hate to break it to you, but you’re going to have to get to know me. Talk about things that aren’t naked-time related or hockey-related. Do things that aren’t naked-time or hockey-time.”
He’s watching me with a faintly amused look. “Give me an example. And please say otter club.”
I grin. I really might have to take him to otter club one time. “Movie night in the park.” I have to be there anyway, so he might as well join us. In fact, he definitelyshouldjoin us.
