Lifting my chin, I hear my name chanted on the other side of the glass and see a line of girls in 74 jerseys jumping up and down and blinking wide eyes at me.
It can be a lot to process for a young player. When I first joined the team and I was still on social media, I’d get backto the locker room to find my phone exploding with all the texts and pictures and phone numbers.
I’d heard of girls getting dick pics they didn’t want, but I didn’t realize that phenomenon went both ways. I had more breast photos than I knew how to manage.
I confess, when I was a rookie, just getting started in the NHL, I made some dumb choices. I let a few things happen in bars and bathrooms after a few rounds of shots and some pretty intense games. Hell, I’m only human and it was only blow jobs.
Still, that’s the best way I know to get a bad reputation, and to be honest, I felt pretty shitty after the fact. I’ve got a great mom and dad and a big family of professional athletes who’d be very disappointed in me.
It was a big part of my decision to live with Haddy and Gina instead of getting my own place. Idle hands and all that, not to mention, I don’t really like living alone. We grew up in a small town running around together all the time.
But now everybody’s pairing off, and I’m not sure where that leaves me.
Standing, I give Akers a nod. “Yeah, I’ll go out with you for a minute.”
We start for the locker room, pausing a minute to sign jerseys. It’s a sea of Murphy 74s waiting for us, but there’s also quite a few Akers 29 for my buddy to sign.
“Sign here, Sniper Spice.” A girl with long, dark red hair and really big breasts slides her fingers across her collarbones, stretching the white fabric tight over her tits for me.
My brow twitches, and I take the black Sharpie, doing my best to keep my tone light. “Haven’t used that nickname in a long time.”
“I’ve been following you a long time.” She blinks up atme, and for a minute I’m distracted by the thickness of her fake lashes.
Her skin is pale, and when she smiles, her cheeks bunch under her eyes, and her puffy lips reveal small teeth that remind me of a rabbit.Jessica Rabbit.
“Thanks for your support.” I pass the marker to her, and start for the locker room behind Akers.
“Mr. Murphy… Wait,” the woman calls to me, and I hesitate, not really wanting to go back to where she’s standing.
She’s dressed in black leggings and boots with fluffy tops, and the 74 Murphy jersey she’s wearing ends at the top of her slim hips. I’m pretty sure I know what she wants, and with what’s coming this weekend, I’m not interested.
Aiden glances at me, a cocky grin curling his lips. “If you don’t, I will.”
“It’s a deal,” I mutter beneath my breath before slowly returning to where she waits. “You need something?”
“In a manner of speaking.” Her eyes glide up and down my body, and her voice is a purr. “This is for you.”
She extends her hand, stuffing a piece of paper between my thumb and forefinger where I’m holding my stick.
I look down at the stiff card now lodged in my hand. “Do people still pass notes?”
“Call me old fashioned.” She sweeps her hair behind her shoulder and turns, walking away from me standing there with all my gear and whatever this is.
I go back to where Akers is waiting, his head tilted to the side as he watches her walk away. “You are so freakin spoiled, man.”
“What are you talking about?” I check his shoulder with mine as I pass on the way to the locker room. “You know that’s just a bad decision waiting to happen.”
He turns, following me to the locker room still shaking his head. “I’ll take that chance.”
“It’s a power imbalance between professional players and fans. Remember?”
“Trust me, dude. That woman has all the power, and she knows it.”
Tossing my skates into the bottom of my cubby, I notice Gav is already showered and changed into his suit. Owen is right behind him, equally clean and runway ready.
“You know we don’t have to wear the suits anymore,” Saxon Walsh, our best D-man who doubles as a winger when needed quips.
He throws his jersey into the bin for washing. I’ve started doing the same since Haddy and Gina moved out. There’s not enough laundry for just my stuff.
