Body Checked (Salt Lake Pumas #2)

by Camellia Tate

  I pushed the feeling aside, reminding myself that I didn’t want to go on a date with her. Not even a date watching hockey.

  “But you’re still not playing, right?” Lacey asked. “So would you sit with us? Or is it hard, watching when you can’t play?”

  “No, I do watch all the games.” I shook my head. “But I don’t know if I can sit with you to watch it. Sometimes I have other obligations.” At least Lacey had been there when I’d been asked to entertain one of our sponsors; she would understand what I meant.

  The lady in charge of the class called for our attention. Turning around to face her, it became obvious how many of us needed these classes. Most of the dogs didn’t stop playing with each other. Vega did well but she had Teddy to distract her. No matter how much I tugged on his lead, Teddy wouldn’t walk away from Vega.

  “Well, you can let me know,” Lacey offered. “I’d love to come, but especially if we can sit with a real NHL star.” Her smirk let me know that she was teasing. Even so, I felt pleased by the flattery. Lacey’s suggestion that I sit with her was almost too tempting.

  I finally managed to haul Teddy away. Just in time for the woman running the class to clap her hands. “Okay, we’ll all be working in pairs. Introduce yourself to the person and the dog next to you!”

  Oh, of course. I should have figured that the universe wasn’t done with me yet. The person next to me was Lacey. On the flipside, Teddy was going to be thrilled to learn together with Vega.

  “Guess we’re working together,” I said, giving Lacey a smile and trying very hard not to focus on how hard my heart beat in response to that. Working with Lacey was going to be great. I had no doubt. And that was the problem.

  Damn her for being so fucking amazing.

  Chapter Twelve

  Lacey

  As I’d predicted, Roxi had been delighted by the idea of us watching an NHL match. Even though I’d had to tell her that Will wouldn’t be able to sit with us. He said it was because he had ‘obligations’. That could have been true.

  But I wondered whether he just felt too awkward around me. I’d seen how startled he’d been when we bumped into each other at dog training. I couldn’t say I was exactly surprised. I’d known Will didn’t want to date. I hadn’t thought that would mean he’d leave the morning after we had sex without even saying goodbye.

  I’d known what I was getting into. So I tried not to hold it against Will, even if waking up in my bed alone had sucked a lot more than I’d been prepared for.

  At least I’d had Vega there. She always cheered me up, even when she was misbehaving. I loved her just the way she was, and I knew that she loved me, too.

  I met Roxi outside the massive Salt Lake ice rink, waving her over and grinning at her Pumas-emblazoned hockey jersey.

  “Well, you certainly look the part,” I teased. “Are you, by any chance, a little bit excited?”

  Just from the manic look in her eyes, I knew exactly what the answer was. “Oh my God, I am so excited!” she announced, with a squee that made me laugh. It was nice to see Roxi so thrilled. I was looking forward to the game, too, but it’d be a lie to say that I could ever match Roxi’s enthusiasm. Then again, I doubted that she’d expect me to.

  As we found the entrance listed on our tickets, Roxi gave another excited squee. “This leads to the VIP section!” she informed me. The last time I had been here, I’d been in the business box. I had no idea how the non-work related VIP section worked. Sensing my confusion, Roxi went on to explain. “It’s for rich people and players’ families.”

  Suddenly, I felt a flutter of nervous butterflies. Not because I thought Will considered me on the level of his family, but simply at the prospect of who we might meet. What would I say if some of Will’s colleagues’ families asked who we were?

  I didn’t need to worry. We were the first ones there to take our seats. “I suppose if you come here all the time, you probably don't always turn up early,” I observed. This wasn’t a playoff match or anything.

  “I can’t believe I’ve actually been on that ice with an NHL player!” I squeed. And the memory of what we had done after brought a pleasant heat to my cheeks.

  Roxi shook her head at that. “Neither can I,” she told me. “A few months ago, I wasn’t sure you’d even know what the letters in NHL stand for,” she teased. I hadn’t been that bad, but I had to admit that my interest in hockey had definitely picked up since meeting Will.

  I’d given Roxi a rough outline of what had happened between us. She knew our skating had then to... activities requiring a lot less clothing. “The guys I meet, I’m lucky if they get me a drink, and you’ve got VIP seats at an NHL match! At least you understand the importance of bringing your favorite friend with you,” she joked.

  Roxi really was my favorite friend, despite all our differences. “And Will takes my dog for runs,” I teased. Not just any man would do that.

  I gave a soft sigh. “It’s such a shame he doesn’t want to be a boyfriend. He’d be so good at it!” For all Will claimed he couldn’t see the point of romance, he certainly knew how to treat someone well.

  When he wasn’t running out without saying goodbye, anyway.

  Roxi gave a soft hum at my comment. I could see her thinking about what she was about to say. I could also see her deciding that she could say whatever she wanted. It was good to have a friend like that, someone I knew was going to be honest with me even if maybe I wouldn’t like what she said.

  “Are you definitely okay with that?” Roxi asked. “The whole not wanting to be a boyfriend thing. Most people... well, most people don’t really hang out after they have a one-night stand. So what is it? Are you like friends with benefits or something? Is the benefit that he walks your dog?”

  I laughed. “No,” I assured Roxi. “If the benefits were purely dog-walking, I don’t think I would be okay with it.” I didn’t know exactly what Will and I were. But I knew the things we weren’t.

  “I asked Will out and he said no. That makes things simple, in a way.” I couldn’t have handled not knowing. “And sure, I’d jump at the chance if he changed his mind. But he’s given me no reason to believe he’s done that.”

  Above all, I wanted a boyfriend who wanted me. Not just physically, but emotionally as well. “I have no interest in dating someone who only wants to be my friend. But why should that stop me being friends with him?”

  Roxi shrugged at that. “I think I would find it pretty hard,” she told me. “Like a constant reminder of all the things I can’t have.” I could definitely see her point. It just wasn’t how I thought about it.

  My feelings for Will were irrelevant. If things were meant to be, they would be. So if not, then that was that. We could still have a nice time whenever we did run into each other - which seemed to be pretty frequent.

  “Anyway, how did you get the tickets? I thought he was avoiding you?”

  The thought that Will might not have wanted to see me gave me a sudden, sharp pain in my chest. I hoped it was just because he thought things would be awkward after we slept together. The fact he’d not only offered to walk Vega but had also arranged for me and Roxi to be here gave me hope. He wouldn’t do that if he wanted nothing to do with me.

  “The universe must be on my side,” I answered. “He turned up at that dog training class I went to. And not only that, we got partnered together.” It had worked well. Will’s big, booming commands to Teddy had made me feel more able to raise my voice to Vega. I’d learned there was a difference between a voice that was just loud and a voice that was angry. Will could shout to make Teddy hear him without sounding scary.

  If I couldn’t have Will as a boyfriend, I still wanted him in my life as a friend. Whether or not that came with further benefits.

  “I don’t think we would keep meeting like this if we weren't compatible in some way.”

  “You’re such a romantic,” Roxi said, shaking her head. “But sure, we’ll trust the universe.” I knew she was teasing. I was
pretty used to most people not believing in things connecting and working out universally the way I did. Still, just because Roxi didn’t think it meant something didn’t mean it actually wasn’t significant.

  Not bothering to argue one way or another, I just shrugged. Roxi took that for what it was, a desire to perhaps change the conversation. “How’s work?” she asked. “That big beer project you’re working on? That’s still going ahead, yeah?”

  I nodded, my hands smoothing over the denim of my jeans. “I think it’s going well,” I answered. As far as I could tell, I’d made a good impression on my clients. If such a thing were possible, I worried I’d made too good an impression.

  “They like all my ideas.” Which sounded great, of course, but there was one big problem. “They like all my ideas the same amount. Or if they have a favorite, they're not telling me about it. I don’t know how to pick which idea to develop.”

  I was used to having someone edit my ideas, giving me pointers of which ones deserved more attention. I didn’t know how to do that if they liked everything.

  “Well, I’m sure that whatever you pick will be awesome,” Roxi told me with confidence that only a friend could have in someone. It made me laugh, especially since she hadn’t even seen the ideas I had mocked up. Still, it was sweet of her to be so sure of me and my work.

  I reached to give her hand a squeeze just as the lights went off and on again, something I recognized as indicating the teams were about to skate out on the ice. And even if I hadn’t, the excitement that oozed off Roxi made it very clear.

  Now that I knew the basics of skating, I found my eyes drawn down to the players’ feet. They moved so fast and so smoothly. One of the Pumas raced around the corner, a spray of ice jetting up as he moved.

  I couldn't deny it was impressive. But I still thought Will had looked better. All the players were huge, but none of them quite had the grace I’d seen from Will.

  Or maybe I was biased. The seats around us slowly filled. From snatches of conversation I overheard, it seemed like everyone had some personal connection to one of the players.

  If it hadn’t been for Roxi, I might have felt out of place. At least, until the break that followed the first period.

  Will squeezed himself into the seat next to mine as I gave a gasp. Despite his obligations, he'd made the time to come see me.

  “Will! This is Roxi. The game is so exciting!”

  “Is it, though, or are you just saying that because you feel like you have to?” he teased but didn’t actually seem to expect me to answer. Instead, he reached over me to offer Roxi a hand. “It’s nice to meet you,” he told her. Roxi positively beamed at him.

  “It’s so nice to meet you, too! Thanks for getting us these great seats!” she exclaimed, the excitement evident in her voice.

  You’re more of a fan than Lacey, I’m guessing?” Will laughed, nodding towards the shirt that Roxi was wearing. “Are you only a fan of Olle or do the rest of us measure up, too?” he joked. It took me a moment to realize that Will was referring to the hockey jersey that Roxi was wearing.

  In response, she, honest to God, blushed. My eyes widened. “I’m a fan of everyone,” Roxi answered. “But especially of Olle Sandström.” It was his surname plastered across her back with the number 1 on it.

  I felt a little bad. I hadn’t noticed Roxi’s jersey or how Sandström was playing. I’d have to take a look when the next period started. I wondered whether it was his playing or his looks that had inspired Roxi’a admiration.

  “Is someone playing in your usual position?” I asked Will. I was fairly sure that the same positions carried over between different players. It had to be weird watching someone else do your job while you could only watch.

  “Kind of,” Will answered. “They’ve got someone in from the AHL team, he plays number 77, so look out for him,” he told us. “He’s good but I think I’ll get my job back,” Will joked. I had no idea if that was an actual worry. I imagined that it was impossible not to think about it when you were off sick.

  “Lacey said you’re hopefully getting back on the ice soon, though?” Roxi asked. Will’s face lit up in a way only ice seemed to be able to do.

  I had to look away so I wouldn’t find it overwhelming. “Yeah,” Will nodded glancing at me and then back at Roxi. “I don’t know exactly when just yet but hopefully soon.” I kept my fingers crossed for Will. Even just seeing how much he enjoyed being allowed back on the ice was amazing, I could hardly wait for how much playing hockey would make him smile.

  “So are you teaching Lacey some rules?” Will asked. “Because last time I had to pretend we use some volleyball terminology,” he teased, giving me a grin.

  Instantly, my cheeks heated with a blush. I hadn’t mentioned that particular detail. Not that Roxi would think any less of me. She knew exactly how much NHL knowledge I didn’t have.

  “It was very gallant,” I said, twinkling at Will. “Rescuing me from totally making a fool of myself. I was very grateful.”

  Roxi hadn’t been teaching me any of the rules. I found I was more interested in learning from Will, anyway.

  “Besides, maybe volleyball skills would give you the edge,” I teased. “I’d be glad to teach you.”

  Will laughed at that. My cheeks hurt from how widely I smiled back at him. “Anyway,” Will said, clearing his throat. “I need to go, but it was nice meeting you, Roxi,” he told her.

  “Yeah, you, too! And thanks again for the tickets,” Roxi rushed to tell him.

  “Any time, just let Lacey know and I’m happy to get you some,” he promised. That was really nice of him. I didn’t think Will recognized just how much Roxi would take him up on that offer. “And, if you’d like, I can even get Olle to sign that jersey for you one of these days,” he offered. Roxi’s eyes widened.

  She nodded her head energetically. “Yeah, I mean that's awesome. Or like... if I could ask him to sign it?” she offered hopefully, making both of us laugh. I had to give it to her for trying her luck.

  Will laughed again. I loved listening to that sound. “I’ll see what I can do,” he promised. I knew he meant it. He would try for Roxi because Roxi was my friend, I was so sure of it.

  Once again saying how it was nice to meet Roxi, Will departed. As soon as he was fully gone, Roxi turned to me wide-eyed. “Oh my God! He’s so nice!”

  He really was. And that was part of why I was so sure that the universe wanted Will and I to keep running into each other. Someone so nice shouldn’t think that romance was a waste of time.

  Will deserved to have someone show him how nice it was to be romanced. Maybe that person wasn’t me, but I could help pave the way for it.

  I wanted to keep seeing him smile and hearing him laugh, though. Feeling the fluttering in my stomach at that thought, I had to confess that I wanted Will’s introduction to romance to be me.

  “I have great taste in friends,” I teased, hoping I wasn’t blushing too hard. “So tell me about this hockey player you’re so admiring of! Which one is he?”

  Roxi laughed. I knew that she let me change the topic away from Will. I was grateful for that. If we carried on talking about Will and how nice he was and how much I thought the universe kept bringing us together, I felt like I might say too much.

  “He’s the goalie,” Roxi informed me. “A sexy, sexy Swedish goalie. He’s been playing for the Pumas for about seven years. He’s a great goalie. But also... I don’t know, there’s just something so deeply attractive about him,” Roxi said, genuinely managing to sound dreamy.

  “And you call me romantic,” I teased. At least the goalie was an easy player for me to identify. Though with the helmets the players wore, I wondered whether I’d be able to spot these deeply attractive qualities.

  If Will had been all helmeted up the first time I saw him, would I have felt the same connection?

  I dragged my mind away from Will, trying to focus on the way that Roxi’s eyes were shining.

  “So have you read
interviews with him?” I asked. I remembered how Will hadn’t understood the point of interviews asking about things outside of hockey. But there was no guarantee that this Olle would feel that way.

  “I have,” Roxi admitted. “But not like because I care what his favorite thing to order at a Starbucks is - espresso frappuccino - but because the interviews come with pictures.” That seemed like a solid defense. Even if I did have to laugh at Roxi knowing Olle’s favorite drink.

  At my laugh, Roxi shrugged. “We all need a hobby,” she informed me. There was clear amusement in her tone. “Anyway, how likely do you think Will actually is to introduce me to Olle Sandström?”

  “I think he will,” I answered. “Or at least, he’ll ask Olle if he wants to be introduced to someone.” Will couldn’t be held responsible if Olle wasn’t interested, but I did believe that he would make every effort. “He wouldn’t have said it if he wasn’t going to try. He’s too sincere for that.”

  It was something that I liked about Will. He didn’t say things just because he wanted to be thought nice. It was more important to him to be honest.

  “Maybe this is why the universe keeps bringing me and Will together,” I teased. “So that we can introduce our friends!”

  Roxi snorted, shaking her head. “I doubt that,” she told me but didn’t elaborate. Glancing back towards where Will had left, Roxi shrugged one shoulder. “It’s a shame he doesn’t want to date you,” she decided. “I can definitely see the chemistry between you.”

  That surprised me a little. I hadn’t really expected anyone else to think so. Chewing on my lower lip, I also glanced the way Will had departed before turning back to Roxi. Whatever must have flashed across my face made Roxi frown.

  “Sorry, that was unhelpful. Maybe he’ll introduce you to a nice NHL player, too? One who does want to date people?” she offered jokingly.

  But, really, I didn’t want to date just any NHL player. It wasn’t Will’s prowess on the ice that attracted me to him, or his fame. His physical fitness certainly helped, but even that wasn’t really the reason.