He shrugs, still wearing a smirk as the water beats down on his muscled body. He’s truly a sight to behold. His form should be replicated and put in a museum. It’s unfair that the world hasn’t been blessed with this view. Because he’s beautiful. A beautiful, cocky asshole.
“I’ve got nothing to hide, Adeline.” His eyes dance. “Besides, nothing you haven’t seen before.”
I snatch a towel from the rod and whip it at him, then storm out. The cocky attitude and the sexy body are tangling up all my thoughts and emotions. “We need a better system!”
“Agreed,” he yells. “Next time try listening for a response after you knock.”
As I slam the door, he barks out a laugh.
Hands balled into fists, I roar. Fuck.
No amount of yoga, journaling, or running could settle my racing heart after the little interaction I had with JJ this morning. But a little time alone wouldn’t hurt, so rather than wait for him to head to the rink, I sneak out the front door while the rest of the crew is in the kitchen talking over one another and banging pots and pans. I don’t feel even a moment of remorse.
The silence on the way in was necessary, but hours later, I’m still off balance. And since it’s a dryland training day, JJ’s haughty smirk is on full display rather than covered by a freaking helmet. And my traitorous eyes can’t focus on anything but his body. There are over sixty men in this room. I’m sure many women find the majority of them hot. They’re all in incredible shape, obviously. I’ve just never given a hockey player a second glance.
Other than JJ.
Then again, I’ve never really given men attention period.
Again, other than JJ.
Ugh. I roll my eyes at myself. I hate this little crush I have. It’s pathetic.
He’s on the treadmill, laughing easily as he runs six fucking miles per hour. Beside him, Brayden Hawke, our team captain and JJ’s best friend, grins.
I’ve known Brayden my whole life. Tyler Warren, former Bolts captain and close friend of my parents, was his guardian in high school and War and his wife Ava adopted my friend Josie and her younger sister during that time. So I know for certain that if there is one thing Brayden is not, it’s funny. The man barely has a personality. All he cares about his hockey and his family. Kind of like me, I guess. I’m not funny either.
So why the fuck is JJ laughing so hard?
When his eyes meet mine in the mirror and he winks, my blood boils. The asshole has got to be doing this on purpose.
Patience snapping, I stalk over to the machine, pull the red cord to stop it, and glare at my roommate. “Since you seem more interested in talking than working when your friends are around, why don’t you go run around the building five times?”
He coughs out a laugh, but he hops off the machine without challenging me. “Okay, Coach. Whatever you want.” Winkingagain, he snags his towel and stalks toward the door.
Asshole.
Teeth gritted, I dig my phone out of my pocket. I need a girls’ night and I need one pronto, so I type out a message to my best friends. Then I text the brownstone family chat.
Me: I’m staying at Savannah’s for the night. No need to save me a plate for dinner.
Winnie: Okay, have fun!
Hope: Ah, girls’ night. I’m so jealous. We should do one of those soon!
I feel a twinge of guilt for ditching them, but it’s not my fault they all have kids.
Before I can stash my phone, another text pops up, but this one is in a separate thread.
Vivi: Oh my god, can I come for a few hours? I need a break.
Me: Haha, it’s been one day.
Vivi: Two. Please, Addie. I’ve got no one.
My heart clenches a little at the desperation bleeding from her message.
Me: What time are you off ‘shift’?
