I nod, then wait until most of the team has filtered out before I make my way to my office. It’s a small space, nothing fancy—just a desk, a chair, and a window that overlooks the practice rink. I settle in and pull up some files on the computer, trying to focus on plays and strategies instead of the fact that I will be close to Landon this season.
I’m in the middle of reviewing footage when there’s a knock on my door. My entire body goes rigid. I don’t need him to speak to know who it is. “Come in.”
Landon pushes the door open, freshly showered and changed into a fitted gray T-shirt that clings to his broad chest in a way that’s absolutely infuriating.And if his grin is anything to go by, he’s well aware of my discomfort.
“Hey,” he says, leaning against the doorframe. “Thought I’d stop by before I head out. See how your first day went.”
I force myself to look back at the computer screen. “It went fine. The players seem okay with me being out there.”
“Yeah, I noticed,” Landon says, definite amusement in his voice now. In my periphery, he steps further into the office, closing the door behind him. “You were pretty intense out there. Full of authority and calling the shots. It’s”—he pauses, and I can hear the smile in his voice—“really hot, actually.”
I cross my arms over my chest and stare daggers at the wall across from my desk. “That’s enough, Kane.”
“What?” he says, trying to act innocent. “I’m simply saying you’ve got a natural talent for leadership. Who knew?”
“The past is the past,” I say sharply, still not looking at him. “We’re professionals now, and we work together. That’s it.”
He’s quiet for a moment, and I think maybe he’ll take the hint and leave. Then I hear him move closer, and my heart rate spikes.
“See, here’s the thing, though,” Landon drawls. “I’m not sure the past is actually in the past. Not when you keep looking at me like you want to punch me and kiss me at the same time.”
My head snaps up, and I meet his eyes. He’s standing right next to my desk now with his smirk firmly in place, and there’s something in his expression that suggests he absolutely knows what he’s doing.
“That’s not—” I start, but he cuts me off.
“You remember college, Tate?” he asks, his voice dropping lower. “Of course you remember how it was. The way you’d skate past me and your cheeks would heat beneath your helmet.” He leans against the desk, his eyes never leaving mine. “I remember that intense feeling of being watched every time we were on the ice together.”
My mouth goes dry. This is dangerous, a line we shouldn’t cross, especially not now that I am the assistant coach.
“That was a long time ago,” I murmur.
“Maybe,” Landon agrees. “But I’m not the same person I was back then, and something tells me neither are you.” He pushesoff the desk, and as he strides toward the door, he glances back at me. “Think about it, Coach.”
Then he’s gone, leaving me alone in my office with my heart pounding in my chest and absolutely no idea how I’m supposed to get through this season without losing my mind.
Chapter Four
Abby
“You’re going to need to sex it up a bit,” Aspen says over FaceTime, her face filling up half my screen as she leans closer to her camera. “Tell her, Arlo. It just needs something... more.”
“Aspen’s right,” Arlo adds, his face coming into view beside hers. “The video is good, but you need some help. What sold me on Aspen’s channel was Zeland, though I didn’t know it was him at the time.”
I sigh heavily, dropping back onto my bed and staring at the ceiling. “This is useless. I’m never going to be able to do this. I don’t know how to be seductive, and the only reasonably attractive men I know are Leila’s brothers, who I will never touch again. I would rather be homeless and living under a bridge with the local crackheads, jonesing for my next fix.”
Aspen snorts, a knowing smirk spreading across her face. “You know, that whole love-hate aspect would sell incrediblywell. Just think about it. Do you want me to get Ridge to find some dirt on them, and you can blackmail them into it?”
Now it’s Arlo’s turn to laugh, his face lighting up with amusement. “There is no way either of our blow job skills are good enough to get Ridge to do that after the way she insulted him when he fired her. We could easily convince Zeland, though. He’s the weakest link when it comes to us.”
Aspen smirks and nods her head enthusiastically. “You’re a genius, baby, and sexy as fuck.”
“Okay, you two,” I say, cutting them off. “Before you start dry humping each other while I’m on the call, I don’t think blackmailing them will do me any good. I might just have to suck it up and learn to be sexier.”
We say goodbye and end the FaceTime call, then I toss my phone onto the bed beside me. The house is quiet. Landon and Levi must have already left for the day, and I’m grateful for the peace. I need to clear my head, maybe grab some juice and think about how the hell I’m supposed to make this work.
I head downstairs to the kitchen as my stomach growls in anticipation of breakfast, and I make a beeline for the fridge. I pull out the juice bottle and pour myself a glass, then take a long sip. But I immediately gag.
Pulp.
