“She is.” I clenched my fist inside my glove. “And I want to make a sexist-as-fuck remark about her beingmine, but that shit isn’t cool.”
Naese chuckled. “Got it, Cap. I won’t hit on the new hot chick.”
Adam, our goalkeeper, patted my shoulder. “It’s okay to claim your woman.” He took a long slug of water.
I shrugged, squinting. “She’s her own person.”
“I hear you, and Naomi would throw a fit if she heard this convo, but…Naomi’s still mine. I put a ring on that finger and promised forever, same as she did, which makes me hers.” He winked. “When it’s mutual, it’sallgood.”
“Well, Keelie and I are new, and I haven’t dated in twenty years, so I don’t want to mess this up. Do you think Naomi would keep Keelie company at the game tomorrow?”
“I couldn’t stop her,” Adam said. “That woman is a menace.” His smile turned indulgent. He loved his wife, and I couldn’t help but be envious—because he knew she felt the same.
“Great. Mind if I text her? Just to make sure.”
“Go for it, man.” Adam tossed his water bottle to a staff member, pulled on his gloves, picked up his stick, and skated to his goal.
“Why’s your girl dressed like a frat boy?” Maxim asked.
Naese snickered. I shot Maxim an angry look. “Because I’m taking her to play golf after this.”
Maxim’s face crinkled into a confused expression. “Golf? Why?”
“Because she likes it, she’s good at it, and she’s excited to kick my ass.”
Maxim tipped his head. “Fair.”
“What happened with the girl you met last night?” Nik asked. “She had a double name.”
“Ida Jane.” Maxim scowled.
“You met a woman?” I asked.
“We went to a restaurant, and some guy accosted a woman out front,” Maxim growled.
“Not quite,” Nik said, smiling. “She gave him hell. Knocked him on his ass—which he deserved.”
Maxim shrugged, but I noted the dull red creeping up his neck and under his scruff. “I like her.”
I clapped him on the shoulder. “Hope that works out.”
He grunted.
“You get her number?” Nik asked.
“Yeah. I got it.” Maxim scowled. “But I’m not sure I’m going to call her.”
Naese leaned in close to me. “He’s already texting her.” He darted off when Maxim lunged for him, leaving Nik and me chuckling.
“You’re golfing later?” Coach asked from behind me. He must have been leaning against the boards. His clipboard sat beneath his forearms. “I said hi to your lady.” He tipped his head toward Keelie, who sat engrossed in her phone.
“That’s the plan,” I said.
“Paloma likes to play.”
“Cool.”
“Where are you going?” Coach asked.
