The image makes me chuckle, which feels good, actually. After tossing and turning all night, I gave up trying to sleep at four in the morning. I went for a jog, then got to the arena for an early skate before practice—all that to clear my head.
“That was before I got married, dude.”
“Which makes you an even better wingman now. As soon as the ladies find out you’re married, all eyes will be on me.” Elias wags his brows.
“Sounds more like you’ll be his decoy,” Mason titters behind his hand to Zayne, who snorts in agreement.
Ethan points, wagging his finger between Mason and Zayne. “Just take one of those jokers with you.” When he notices I’m here, he does a double-take, then glares at me. “Why are you sweaty already?”
“Just getting a head start,” I growl, keeping my head down.
“Liar,” Luke grumbles as he saunters in. He sits down on the bench in front of his stall and pulls off his shoes.
Mathéo walks in. “What’s the drama today, pinheads?”
Elias smacks him in the gut. “Nice to see you, too, pinhead.”
Mathéo smirks. “That’s the best you can do?”
“Didn’t want you to feel left out,” Elias shoots back.
“Burn!” Zayne cackles.
Patience thinner than the ice in springtime, I jump to my feet. “Enough already!”
All eyes land on me, most the size of the pucks we smack around the rink. I’m usually the calm one who keeps the peace in this place, not the one who blows his top.
I’m mostly geared up except for my glove, blocker, and mask. I gather them and my stick. “I’ll see you out there.”
As I brush by them, Bree’s voice stops me in my tracks.
“Everyone decent?” She steps into the doorway, a hand shielding her eyes. She’s in those wide-leg jeans with the fancy buttons along the pockets and that bright blue top that makes her eyes pop—at least, it would if I could see them. What Icansee is the strip of skin at her midriff, exposed by her raised arm.
The kiss we shared floods back in a rush of heat as I remember the feel of her there as I held her.
“Define decent.” Zayne snickers from behind me.
I swivel my head, intending to put him in his place, but Mason elbows him in the side and says with a snarl, “Cut it, man.”
He and Zayne have been a constant stream of pranks and snark up until recently. But Mason has shut him down more often than not lately and shown more maturity toward the team overall.
“All clear, Bree,” Luke barks.
Standing five feet in front of me, Bree lowers her hand. “Wade. Just the person I was looking for.”
I’m sure she’s here on business, but her words still bring a rush of warmth to my chest.
I tip the brim of a nonexistent Stetson. “At your service, ma’am.”
She gestures to my gear. “Leave those for now. I need you to come with me.”
Her smile falters. That’s when I notice the nervousness in her eyes. Something’s up.
“Sure thing.” I stow my stick, glove, and catcher in my stall before following her out of the locker room to the elevator. “What’s going on, Bree? Why are you taking me upstairs?”
When the doors slide open, she steps inside, then turns around. “There’s something I need to speak to you, Rebecca, and Zach about.”
I swallow down the sudden lump in my throat—I can only think of one thing that would make her want to talk to all three of us at once. Is she quitting her job to go back to Texas so she can be withhim?
