Ashley wasn’t kidding about the puck bunnies.
The line-up of women waiting for the New Orleans and Montana players to come out of the locker rooms takes up the entire width of the corridor and spills down the hallway.
Peyton and Scott take one look at the crowd of people and decide to go home.
“They were smart,” I say to Ashley as we stand at the back of the pack. “What are we doing here again? I can just see Hunter at home later.”
Ashley shakes her head. “That’s no fun! All the Storm brothers are back together for a night—you think they’re not going to go out and party? Let’s join them!”
“Like old times?” I say, remembering high school and some of the nights we all spent together.
“Exactly.” Just as she says it, the girls in front of us start screaming.
I can’t see much, and I’m being jostled, but I catch a glimpse of a security guard directing everyone to stand back.
Several more security guards step out and clear the way further until there’s a tunnel in the center of the crowd. The door to the visiting locker room opens up, and players start filing out.
Declan Wild strides out first with a couple of his teammates.
Crap, he’s gorgeous. Anyone with eyes would notice him. Dark hair and the most intense gray eyes, coupled with a gray suit that looks like it cost a fortune. Declan’s been a superstar for a long time, and he carries himself that way. He’s confident, sure of himself, and he doesn’t look around at a single fan no matter how much they scream.
“He’s so damn hot,” Ashley whispers.
“For sure,” I say back.
“I can’t believe he grew up in Louisiana,” she says. “I wish he’d gone to school in New Orleans so I could have crushed on him.”
I laugh. “He’s older than us, Ash. He wouldn’t have been close to the same grade anyway. But I think Hunter said that the Wild family lived a couple of hours outside of the city.”
“Well, that’s a damn shame,” she says. “Because sweet Lord, is he fine to look at.”
The two teammates walking with Declan are also easy on the eyes. Tex Williams and Arch Morrison—both of them smirk at the women calling to them, and Tex stops to take a couple of selfies. Arch signs a woman’s shirt, and a hat, and…
“Panties?” Ashley says incredulously as the woman holds up a pink pair of lacy underwear to Arch. “I hope she washed them first.”
While we’re giggling, Jared and Max Storm come out of the locker room.
And the women start screaming all over again.
Fraternal twins, Jared and Max are the two middle Storm brothers with Jared being a few minutes older. All four boys are dark-haired, but Jared and Max have chocolate brown eyes instead of green.
I can’t help but notice the smile on Ashley’s face as she stares at Jared.
Both guys take a few selfies with the puck bunnies and sign some shirts and other things. No panties this time, from what I can see. Max keeps his distance from the women, and Jared grins and makes friendly small talk the entire time.
“Those two are so damn different,” Ashley whispers to me. “Max can’t be bothered to give any woman the time of day, and Jared gives them exactly what they want.”
“I don’t know about that,” I say. “Jared’s just putting on a show.”
As they wave goodbye to the fans, both guys flash megawatt smiles like they’re loving the attention. Their smiles aren’t real, though, and they remind me of myself after a performance.
Of course, I know they appreciate the support; I also know they want to get away from the crowds. Like Ashley says, Max is particularly reclusive; I’ve never even heard of him dating anyone. And Jared is more of a flirt, although he and Ashley have a mysterious history that Peyton and I have never been able to figure out.
Security doesn’t allow anyone to get out of control, and before long, Jared and Max are standing right in front of Ashley and me.
“Holy crap.” Jared stops short, and this time, a genuine smile crosses his face. “My hometown girls.” He puts a huge muscled arm around each of us. “So good to see you.” He whispers something I can’t hear into Ashley’s ear.
“You too.” I smile over at Max, who nods his head in greeting.
