He grumbles. “I wish we had more time together this semester before you leave for break.”
“Me too. But I am looking forward to seeing my grandfather. My dad said he had really great blood work results at today’s appointment with one of his doctors.”
“That’s good.” His fingertips sneak beneath my Heston U Hockey sweatshirt to graze my skin. “We can still talk. I’ll be here until the end of semester, then home with my mom and Asher for Christmas, and then I have to be back here for a game right before the new year, so I’ll probably just stay to train until next semester starts up.”
“Talk ortalk?”
I press my ass against him, grinning when he grabs my hips to hold me still.
“Woman,” he rumbles. “Both.”
“Uh huh. We’re back in booty call territory.” I break off in a giggle when he tickles me. “Hey!”
He apologizes with a trail of kisses, moving up my neck to end at my cheek. “For real, don’t go silent on me over break. I’ll miss your voice too much.”
“I won’t.”
A flutter moves through my chest. I twist around to kiss him. It only lasts a moment before his teammates make loud kissing noises.
“Alright, alright,” Easton says.
“Five orders of wings and jumbo fries?” A waitress balances a tray packed with food.
“You can bring those right over here,” one of the senior players says.
The waitress gives him a shy smile. “Great win tonight, guys.”
He lowers his chin, the corners of his mouth curling. “Thanks. Care to help me celebrate later?”
Her eyes widen and dart around the group. “Oh, really? Um, I?—”
“Don’t hit on the wait staff while they’re working,” Madden mutters when he comes over to get a basket of wings. “She’s just trying to do her job.”
She turns even redder, her focus shifting to him and his rugged look. Easton grabs my fries while she distributes the food, eyeing them longingly.
“Oh, just eat a fry, Easton.” I pick one out and stuff it in his mouth before he can wrestle with himself about what he’s supposed to eat during the season.
“Hammy’s falling in love with you, Brody,” Noah says with a laugh.
The Landing’s sweet bar dog, Hambone, sits between Jake’s knees with a wide, blissed out pittie smile as he gets his ears rubbed. His tongue lolls out and he paws at the air whenever Jake stops.
“You’re done for. That’s your job now,” Theo says. “Time to hang up your skates. You’re my dog’s ear rub bitch now.”
Jake snorts, showering Hambone with attention. “I just can’t say no to his sad boy face.”
“Coach Kincaid!” Cameron raises an arm in the air.
A good-looking guy in his twenties nods to our group. I think he’s one of the assistant coaches. I recognize his name from the opening announcement before puck drop. He has a beautiful woman around his age tucked against his side. They make their way over to the corner we’ve taken over.
“Great game, guys! I was cheering for you,” she says.
“Thanks, Eve,” Jake says. “You’re our good luck charm. We always play better when you’re there to root for us.”
Kincaid’s brows flatten. “She’d better not be.”
“She’s our head coach’s daughter,” Easton murmurs in my ear. “This is my girlfriend, Maya. And her friend Hana.”
“Hi. It’s nice to meet you.” I offer a friendly wave. “I love your earrings.”
