“I think he doesn’t have a use for that anymore.”
“Yeah, sorryI didn’t tell you it was on the market,” I quip. “I could have sold it to you for double since you love it so much.”
Eddie groans dramatically. “First Darby gets whipped by Carla, then you move Tessa in, and now he’s giving up a hookup palace. What’s next? Someone pops out a kid?”
“Been there, done that, doing it again,” Brian pipes up, Abby wrapped around his waist. “And I hope all you fuckers get that lucky.”
We all laugh, except Eddie, who groans again. Tessa, Carla and Zoey rejoin the group. As we wait for the valet to bring the car I kiss her, long and hard on the mouth. She’s flushed from the act and the public display. “What was that for?”
“Because I can,” I whisper back. Beside me I see Eddie with his phone up again, filming himself and Brian. Our eyes meet, and he quickly drops his arm.
“I was Snapchatting me and Brian, not you or anything else,” Eddie explains.
“It’s fine. Snapchat me,” I say, and when he doesn’t move, I say it again. “Come on. Snapchat me.”
Eddie looks skeptical, but he points the phone at me. I hold up my ring. “Stanley Cup champs, everybody.” A few of the guys standing around hoot and holler. I still have one arm wrapped around Zoey. “Only thing prettier than this ring is my girlfriend.”
And then I kiss her. Tessa and Carla clap. Duncan whistles. Eddie groans and stops the video. I pull away from her and level him with a serious stare. “Snap that or I’ll bitch-slap you again.”
I’m smiling, so he knows I’m kidding…mostly. He nods and hits a button on his screen. “There. You’re officially off the market. Happy now?”
“Very,” I reply.
“Me too,” Zoey whispers against my ear. “Now get me home and I’ll show you just how happy.”
36
Zoey
“Oh my God, that was amazing!” I can’t help but gush as soon as the final buzzer sounds.
Carla smiles at me. “Duncan did great. He’s going to get sex tonight. But only oral, because he didn’t score, he only assisted.”
Tessa laughs and turns to me. “They wager sex acts on every game. It’s ridiculous.”
“Yeah, Jude would be getting it whether he scored or not,” I explain with a smile. “Mostly because I can’t deny myself.”
They both laugh. Tessa wraps an arm around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze as we step into the elevator that’ll take us down to the family lounge level. “I’m really glad you and Jude worked everything out.”
“Me too.” I glance up at her and grin. “And I’m glad things didn’t work out for you and Jude.”
She bursts out in a shocked laugh. Carla does too and shakes her head. “You know I hated Jude when he was with Tess, and after, of course. But with you…he’s different. And he’s growing on me.”
I smile. “Good. Because he’s a really great guy.”
The elevator opens and we step off into the hallway, flashing our passes at the guard before making our way into the friends and family lounge. Levi is the first to show up, his hair still damp and his handsstill tightening his tie.
“How’s the shoulder?” Tessa asks, worry on her face.
“Sore. But not worse.” Levi sighs. “It’s going to be a long season if this doesn’t heal up.”
He leans in and steals a kiss, then he turns to me. “Jude is going to be a little longer than normal. He’s taking Christopher on a little tour. He said you could join him. He’s in the training room, I think.”
I smile. “Thanks. See you guys later.”
I head out of the lounge and down the hall to the left. There’s a state-of-the-art gym there and some medical rooms for doctors to treat injuries as well as a cardio room. As I round the curving concrete hallway, I see Christopher with his mom, but Jude isn’t with them. The kid is beaming like a spotlight he’s so happy, and his mom looks equally thrilled. She recognizes me and waves.
“Did you have a good time?” I ask, even though I know the answer.
