“I’ll be right back, okay?” I tell him. “Promise not to go full Gremlin on this place, and I won’t lock you in the bedroom.”
He just stretches and yawns, and I take that to mean ‘deal.’
As I get dressed and hurry out of the apartment, I can’t help but think ofClickTease, and I can’t wait for our virtual date later tonight.
“Zander? What’s up with you today? You’re distracted!”
I raise a hand at Coach to acknowledge his ass-chewing. It’s well deserved, and I know it. I am distracted… by Rylee. She’s been moving around the outside of the rink, taking pictures of us throughout practice. Now, though, she’s talking one-on-one with Wilder at the penalty box. They’re smiling and laughing, and it doesn’t really seem like she’s interviewing him at all. It’s like they’re just hanging out and flirting, which is really pissing me off.
Part of me wants to skate over there, slam Wilder into the boards, and take her attention all for myself.
But that’s crazy. Why would I want her attention when all she ever does is make digs at me and drive me nuts?
Tearing my gaze away from the pair, I do my best to continue to focus on practice and manage to make it to the end without getting yelled at again. As we’re wrapping things up on the ice, Coach calls us all over to the bench.
“All right, boys,” he begins. “We’ve got our season opener in two weeks with the Pelicans, and I want you all to be in the right headspace.” He looks directly at me. Fuck. “I’ve also got copies of the schedule for your interviews and pictures hanging in the locker room, so be sure to check that out before you leave today. Any question, hit up Rylee. Got it?”
“Yes, Coach,” we all say.
I glance over at Rylee, who’s still standing in the penalty box, snapping pictures of the team as we stand huddled together.Wilder is leaning against the wall next to her, which makes me grind my teeth in irritation.
Why does this girl drive me crazy like this? Why can’t I seem to keep my cool around her? It’s making me lose my damn mind!
Coach finishes up his end-of-practice comments and dismisses us. I’m about to skate toward the tunnel when I hear my name being called.
“Zander! Hold up!”
I look to find Jayce waving me over toward him… and Wilder. At some point, Jayce made his way to the penalty box as well. Rylee is still on the other side of the wall, looking intently at her camera’s screen
Hesitantly, I skate over to join them.
“What’s up?” I ask, sliding to a stop.
Jayce looks between me and Wilder. “You guys coming out tonight for our usual Friday destressor?”
“I’m in,” Wilder nods.
I shoot Rylee a side-eyed look, but she’s still focused on her camera.
“I can’t tonight,” I tell the guys. “I, uh, have a date.”
Wilder raises his eyebrows in surprise and Jayce breaks into a wide smile. Rylee even glances up from her camera, unable to hide her curiosity.
“You’ve got a date?” Wilder asks. “Who’s the lucky girl?”
“Anyone we know?” Jayce adds.
I shake my head. “No, no, you guys don’t know her.” Technically, I don’t know her yet either. “We, uh, just met. It’s pretty new.”
“Oooooh,” Jayce whistles. “Are you excited, Zanny? It’s been a minute since you’ve had a proper date.”
I roll my eyes. “Shut up. I’ll be fine. I date plenty.”
“Zander’s going to fall in looooove,” Wilder teases.
“You guys are stupid,” I grumble. “Anyway, we could still go to the diner to eat before my date. Dinner won’t be needed for that.”
Rylee scoffs. “Typical.”
