“What’s that?”
“Beer league team,” Mr. Lombard answers. “Bunch of local guys. Steve plays for them when we’re not away on a roadie. He’s our other assistant coach. You’ll meet him when you start on Wednesday.”
“Okay, hockey talk is my cue.” Mrs. Lombard snags her wine and kisses her husband on the cheek. “I’m going in the other room to watch a movie.”
“I’m the current team captain,” Benson says. “Your old number’s available. Not gonna lie, I’ve been hanging on to it for you in case you ever made a heroic return.”
“Aww, bro.” I lay a hand over my heart. “Is that your way of saying you missed me?”
Benson waves me off. “Shut up. It’s about time we got some young blood. We need someone decent who can actually defend and skate at the same time.”
His dad snorts. “My guys on D could wipe the ice with yours and half of them are barely old enough to order a drink.”
“Not anymore, old man.” Benson grins at me. “It’s a new dawn for the Bandits. The Wall is back in play.”
“Yeah, to work for me,” Mr. Lombard counters smugly. “To help me shape my players into the best defensive line in our division. We’re taking them all the way.”
Pride swells in my chest at the chance to coach alongside him before I’ve even met the team. His belief in me makes me want to give this opportunity my all.
Not gonna lie, I’ve thought about coming back ever since I left Heston Lake. I was eager to get away when I chose to play hockey out west and have enjoyed all the traveling I’veexperienced. When my best friend’s dad called me up with a job offer I wasn’t expecting, it felt too important to pass up.
Back when I played with Benson in high school, I was known around this town for being too lax and unserious. That reputation followed me to college until I recently started looking for a change. It’s what I’m working on, aiming to become more dependable. Still a work in progress.
“Have you been by The Landmark yet?” Benson asks.
I shake my head. “Why? Is it different? It’s weird seeing new traffic lights and all the other little stuff that’s changed around town.”
“Nah, same as ever. Well, except that Eve bartends there.” He puffs up proudly. “I have a distribution partnership with them now.”
“No shit? Congrats. That’s great.”
“That’s what really put us on the map. Now our stuff is popping up all over New England.”
I clink my bottle against his. The mention of his sister brings her back to the forefront of my mind.
Which is exactly where she shouldn’t be.
Eve Lombard has always been beautiful with her bright smiles and those amber eyes that glimmer with life, especially when she’s talking about something that excites her. I always thought she was cute, except Benny would’ve put me through the wall if I ever even entertained the thought of touching my best friend’s sister when we were teammates.
But now…
She’s all grown up. The forbidden little spark I used to feel around her whenever she laughed or smiled at me hasn’t fully gone away.
It’s going to be much harder to resist wanting her. She stole my breath when I ran into her near my new place.
Her hair’s different. It caught me off guard at first since she never used to dye it, but I like the dark brown fading into blonde at the ends. It was the sheer scarf she had knotted around her ponytail that I recognized first. Vibrant pops of color are a staple for her, followed by the earrings she makes. I’ve always been partial to seeing her wear the less understated ones, like clay popsicles and pastel dinosaurs.
Then she lifted those captivating eyes to meet mine, glossy pink lips parted. The universe shifted and spun off its axis because for a minute, something crazy happened. For a minute, I had her. She felt good in my arms, soft curves pressed up against me.
I can’t help picturing what it would be like to explore her curves. Discover what makes her breath hitch and her body tremble. Hear my name fall from her perfect plush lips.
I meet her dad’s eye and choke on the last sip of my drink, sputtering and hacking until Benson thumps me on the back.
“Dude, don’t die,” Benson says.
Fuck, does he know? Do either of them? Thinking about how hot Eve is while standing between her dad and her brother is risky. I hope my train of thought wasn’t plain on my face.
What the hell is wrong with me?
