“So are you going to tell us about what happened yesterday or what?” Griffin says, nudging my skate with his.
I knew this was coming. Honestly, I’m impressed he lasted as long as he did before saying something. The dude has zero chill.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about, Wright.”
“Oh, no? So, you just forgot that you had your tongue down Blair’s throat in the pantry yesterday before dinner?”
Suddenly, I have everyone’s attention. Fucking Wright.
“I kissed her. Big deal.”
“Um, it kinda is,” Ryder says, grinning as he adjusts the straps on his shoulder pads. “When’s the last time you hung out with a woman after you slept with her, let alone kissed her?”
I frown. When he says it like that, I sound like a real asshole. I mean, IknowI’m an asshole, but I try not to be to the women I sleep with. And if I think a woman can’t handle no-strings-attached sex, I don’t engage. Like that woman who used to work in the office. What was her name? Becky? I could have slept with Becky without so much as opening my mouth, she was that into me. But I could tell she was the kind of person who’d get easily attached, and I would never do that to someone. Which is why I let her down gently every time she came onto me. Which got uncomfortable after a while, because she came onto me almost every time I saw her.
To say I was relieved when she stopped working for the Rogues is an understatement.
“You make me sound like a prick.”
“Nah, you’re just emotionally unavailable.” Ryder shrugs. “Which is why we’re all surprised that you’ve been spending time with Blair and her brother. Because that’s boyfriend stuff, Logan. And you’ve always been adamant that you aren’t aboyfriendkind of guy.”
“I’m not emotionally unavailable.”
“Oh, dude, you so are.” Griffin slaps me on the back. “It’s cool, though. We get it.”
“I…”
“Have you thought about what you’re doing with her?” Bash asks in that thoughtful way of his. He’s not judging me, but he is asking me to take a long, hard look at my actions. “Because I don’t think Blair’s the kind of woman who will take kindly to being played with. Especially with her brother involved.”
All the guys took a liking to Reed. Not that I’m surprised. He’s a cool kid. Respectful, funny, and easy to be around. He gained four more adopted older brothers last night at dinner.
“I’m notplayingwith her,” I grind out, annoyed. “It’s not like that.”
“So, what?” Maddox says, arching one eyebrow. “You two dating?”
Are we? I guess it kind of feels like it, but it’s not like we’ve had a conversation about it. Would Blair even want to date me? Is that what I want this to be between us?
“I don’t know, okay? I like her. A lot. She’s cool and smart and sexy as hell. I like that she puts up a fight against me, and she’s always there for Reed. She’s special.”
“I fucking knew it was only a matter of time before you fell in love.” Griffin beams like he somehow made it happen.
“I’m not in love. Jesus.”
“Maybe not, but you’re definitely in like.”
“You’re such an idiot, Wright.”
“Methinks the Logie doth protest too much,” Griffin stage-whispers to his brother-in-law.
Maddox chuckles and rolls his eyes. “I have no idea why my sister loves you.”
“Sure, you do. Because you love me too.” Griffin reaches out and ruffles Maddox’s hair. He barks out a laugh when Madds shoves him away.
“We can continue talking about Byrne’s love life after we win, okay? For now, can we focus on sending Florida home with an L?”
“Sure thing, Cap,” Ryder says. He’s such a fucking Boy Scout, but I can’t deny that the former rookie has really grown on me.
When we take the ice against the Sharks, my head is in the game. Mostly. Blair still takes up space at the edges of my thoughts, but I use it to motivate myself.
