“Hey,” I say, hand in my pocket.
She turns to Blakely. “I talked with the guys, and they’ll be able to use the new purple rug we got for the ice. They’re unpacking it now.”
“Oh, awesome.”
“Let me know if you need anything else. I’m going upstairs to work on a few graphics.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
“Okay, catch you later.” She walks by me and runs her hand down my arm as she passes. “Good luck today.” And then she’s gone.
When she’s out of earshot, Blakely whispers, “She was telling me the other day that she’s trying to get you back. I don’t know what your history is, but I would be careful because aren’t you dating someone?”
“I am. Sarah can try all she wants, but it’s not going to happen. I’m happy with Ollie.”
“Okay, good. Just checking. All right, I’ll let you boys get to the locker room.” She moves by us. “Good luck tonight, Halsey.”
“Thanks,” he says quietly as we move away.
When we’re out of earshot, I say, “That was fun.”
“Not a f**king word,” he grumbles.
And I leave it at that because why torture him anymore?
* * *
Silas: Where are you?
Ollie: Back of the bar.
I move through the crowd, trying not to draw attention, but that’s nearly impossible after another big win. Undefeated has never felt so good.
Posey follows me as well as Holmes and Rivers, and we head to the back of the bar where Ollie is waiting with a round of beers.
God, this girl. She’s perfect.
“Hey, baby,” I say as I plant a k**s on her l*ps.
“Hey, handsome,” she says, k**sing me back. “Congrats on another win.”
“Thank you.” I give her another k**s and sl*p my arm around her waist, keeping her close as she hands out the beers.
Ross appears, and I give him a nod just before he walks up to Rivers and k**ses him as well. Rivers then slides his hand into Ross’s and pulls him off to the side to a private booth.
“Guess we won’t be hanging out with them,” Posey says before taking a sip of his beer.
“I didn’t think we would,” Ollie says. “They really like their privacy.” She then looks up at me. “No goals tonight. What was that about?”
“Two assists, babe, that’s just as good.”
“Is that what you’re convincing her?” Posey asks with a laugh. “Dude, you’re pathetic.”
“I might not be well-versed in hockey,” Ollie says, “but I know that bullshit he just spewed is inaccurate.”
Posey lets out a boisterous laugh while I give my girl a look.
“What?” She shrugs. “It’s true.”
“You’re supposed to back me up.”
“Not when you’re making a fool of yourself.”
“Hell, I think Ollie is the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Please tell me you’re bringing her to Banff when this season is over. We could use her to cut through your bullshit.”
“Yeah, she’s coming with me,” I say as I k**s her forehead, only to feel her go stiff in my arms. Confused, I glance down at her to see if everything is okay, and that’s when I hear a familiar voice.
“Great game, boys,” Sarah says, coming up to us.
Jesus, is she following us around today? Is there an air tag on me that I don’t know about?
“Uh, thanks,” Posey says.
Sarah grips my arm. “Amazing assists.”
“Hey,” Ollie says, swatting at Sarah’s arm. “Don’t touch him.”
The abrupt demand startles me, only to make me inwardly smile. Ollie is claiming me.
“Excuse me?” Sarah says.
“I said don’t f**king touch him, especially in front of me. That’s disrespectful as shit. I know you might be from a different generation, but I’d appreciate if you didn’t set back feminism and act like a man-stealing bitch. Accept the fact that you’re not together anymore and move on.”
Oh hell, I think I just got hard.
Sarah’s brows narrow as she says, “You might be his girlfriend at the moment, a flavor of the week, but Silas and I have over a decade of history. If I want to touch him, then I’ll f**king touch him.”
“Don’t,” I say to Sarah. When her eyes connect with mine, I repeat, “Don’t. I honestly don’t want you near me. I’m just tolerating it because it’s part of your job, but outside of the arena, don’t come near me.”
“Silas,” she says, looking insulted. “I know we’ve had our disagreements—”
“Disagreements?” I say, my voice a harsh whisper. “I think you remember it incorrectly because what you did to me wasn’t a disagreement. What you did went against everything we promised each other. I’ll never forget it. I’ll never forgive it.” Ollie’s arm tightens around me, offering me support. “You have absolutely zero chance of ever winning me back, so for the love of God, leave me the f**k alone.”
“Zero chance? Really? I see the way you look at me, Silas.”
I grip Ollie even tighter.
“You’re mistaking distaste for lust. There isn’t anything in this world that would make me change my mind. We’re over. So save your dignity and move the f**k along.”
“Wow,” she says, shaking her head. “You’re really going to take this girl you barely know over me? We have history, Silas. I know you. She doesn’t. And when she breaks your heart because she’s too immature, too inexperienced to date someone of your caliber, I’ll be sitting back, waiting.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” Ollie says. And f**k, I love her. I love her so goddamn much.
Without another word, Sarah walks away, fl*pping her hair over her shoulder.
“Oh shit,” Posey says before laughing. “You pissed her off.”
“Good, maybe she’ll stay away once and for all.”
I spin Ollie toward me and lift her chin so her l*ps are near. “I’m going to f**k you so hard when we get to my place.”
A smile stretches across her beautiful face.
“I’m counting on it.”
I lightly k**s her, only for Posey to clear his throat. “Can you two not? Some of us are struggling romantically and would prefer not to watch you two go at it.”
I lift my l*ps from Ollie’s and then turn toward Posey. “Some of us? Does that include you?”
“What? Me?” He points at his chest. “No, I’m not struggling. I’m fine.” He pats Holmes on the back. “Just looking out for our dear friend Halsey here.”
“Don’t,” Holmes says, peeling Posey’s hand off his shoulder. “I’m good.”
“Not from what I saw this morning,” I say.
“Ooo, what happened this morning?” Ollie asks.
Holmes gives me the death glare, and I say, “Sorry, dude, she’s a part of me now. What I know, she knows.”
He takes a long pull of his beer before saying, “Just ran into someone . . .”
“Blakely,” I say, filling in for him.
“And I don’t know, just told her how beautiful she looked. That’s it, we’re not talking about it anymore, or I’m going to f**king leave.”
“Dude.” Posey shakes Holmes. “You said that to her? That’s huge. What did she say? Did she blush?”
“I said we’re not getting into this,” Holmes says, always in a bad f**king mood.
“She blushed,” I answer for him. “And she said he looked really good in his suit.”
Posey’s mouth drops open. “Holmes, that’s your in.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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