“Who’s Penn?” I ask innocently. The second the words leave my mouth I realize I should have not asked that.
Jill’s brows raise in suspicion. If I was actually married to Boone, I’d know who the hell Penn is, his apparent “ex” roommate prior to me. And the guy he’s currently, really living with.
“You’ve never met Penn?” Jill asks cautiously.
I laugh, trying to brush off the question. It’s too late to backpedal now. “No, I don’t think so. Boone’s always been protective of our relationship. That’s why I haven’t met any of the other players or his friends.”
Cassie nods like that tracks. “That would explain why Ty never mentioned you. Boone and he talk about everything together it seems. Penn’s number six.” She gestures to the ice, where the shaggy blonde guy that I noticed earlier skates toward the bench. Something about his face tugs at a memory. “Huge showboat, big defensive player, and total asshole. He’s the one always getting Boone into trouble. You know, the one dragging him out to bars.”
And holy shit. My money’s on this guy being the one who paid for the private dance with Boone at the club in Hoboken.
I fight the heat creeping up my neck and focus on adjusting my shorts, forcing a casual smile. “Gotcha. Yeah, I think Boone was just, you know, waiting for the right time to introduce me to everyone. Now that it’s out in the open, and official legally, I’ll be coming around more.”
“Love at first sight. Thought that only happened in the movies but I’m really happy for you two. Boone deserves the best and you seem like a real sweetheart who isn’t just after his money and fame,” Jill says with a smile, and for the first time, I feel like I’m having a genuine conversation with other women that doesn’t leave me feeling awkward or out of place.
These women aren’t being negative; they’re actually being supportive of my fake marriage to Boone.
It’s… nice in a very strange and unexpected way.
Somehow, the conversation naturally shifts to jokes about their husbands and plans for the offseason. They’re already talking about a Europe trip with the other wives and players, casually including me in their plans like I belong here and will be on that trip with them.
It’s bizarre, being invited into this tight-knit circle when everything about my relationship with Boone is a farce. I thought these women would see through me, loathe me, or at least judge me for waltzing into Boone’s life without having met anyone prior.
But instead, his good reputation and general likability seem to be shielding me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Making this easier for people to believe than I thought it would be.
The buzzer blares, signaling the start of the second period. Boone skates out, and before the game fully picks up, he glides to the glass where I’m sitting. Then he blows me a kiss—or at least I think it’s meant for me—and shoots me a wink.
Cassie and Jill loudly swoon and then laugh.
“You know,” Jill says, leaning in conspiratorially, “he’s the most private on the team. We always figured that meant he was the kinkiest and that’s why he never brings any woman around. He keeps his interests under wraps. Behind closed doors. Maybe has women sign NDAs before he sleeps with them or something like that.”
Cassie nods, her grin wicked. “And we’ve had an ongoing bet he’s packing the biggest cock.” She glances toward the ice. “Though Ty is, like, absurdly hung, so… maybe not.”
“I’ve never met a guy as big as Lochlan so there’s no way that’s possible,” Jill adds.
I can’t stop the furious blush that’s rising to my cheeks. They’re casually discussing their husband’s and Boone’s anatomy like it’s no big deal, and I have no idea how to respond given I’ve never even seen him with his shirt off despite being legally married to him.
We’re supposed to bedoing the deed.Humping like bunnies. In the honeymoon phase still. Or whatever it is that newly married people do.
Luckily, the game distracts them again, and soon I’m on my feet, caught up in the action and cheering louder than I ever expected. It feels… oddly natural.
When Boone scores his fourth goal, the entire stadium erupts into a deafening roar. Seven wins in a row and still dominating the tournament they’re in.
I can’t help the swell of pride in my chest, even though this is all supposed to be pretend. He’s so confident and good at what he does. Maybe I just love seeing people succeed because that’s the same feeling I get when I win a tough case.
Jill leans over to me as Boone skates a celebratory lap, soaking in the applause of thousands of loud fans as he lifts his arms up and down with a wide grin.
“See? Big dick energy.”
Cassie smirks, leaning in from the other side. “More likebig ice pick energy. Maybe once you see all of us hockey wives aren’t so bad, we’ll be able to hang out more outside of the rink.”
“Oh, yes! Let’s go shopping next week. Lochlan owes me a new bag.”
I smile. “Sure.”
When the final whistle blows, I’m hit with a strange sense of loss. The game is over, but the energy in the stadium lingers, electric and alive. And more than that, I actually had fun watching Boone play.
“They do a press conference after the game,” Jill says, looping her arm through mine as we stand. Cassie grabs my other arm, and together they start leading me toward the tunnel. “Then the guys meet us there.”
