Me: Holy shit, bro!
Brayden: Fuck! I know! I’m glad you were there to experience that
Me: Me too. Maybe I am the Otters’ lucky charm.
Brayden: If that’s the case, you better be ready to pack your bags and go on the road with us
Me: I think Simon would kill me
Brayden: Come out with us tonight
Me: I’ll see if Adam wants to
“Want to grab a late night snack? I can’t call stale popcorn and a few drinks a proper dinner.” He put his hand on my knee. “Or I can think of some other fun things we could do.”
With the car still in park, Adam leaned over to start kissing my neck, sliding his hand up my thigh. “I think it’s best if you just take me home.”
“Come on, baby. I can tell you’re into me,” he hissed in my ear, shifting in his seat to get better access to me.
“Adam, I don’t think this is a good idea.”
He bit my neck a little. “Oh, come on. You’re all pumped up from the win…let’s use that energy to our advantage.”
With my phone still in my hand, I clicked to call my brother.
Please pick up.
I saw that the call connected. “Adam, I said no!” I made sure my voice was loud enough that my brother would be able to hear me through the phone.
“Why are you being such a prude? I know there’s a wild side under that bookworm exterior of yours just dying to be let out of her cage.”
Brayden
I heard Myla yell, “I said just take me home, Adam.”
“Fuck!” I growled, stripping down to my base layer as fast as humanly possible.
Gavin looked over at me while pulling his jersey up over his head. “Cox, you good?”
Why the fuck is he being nice to me all of a sudden?
“It’s Myla. I think she’s getting messed with by that guy.”
Gavin started to strip down in rapid fire, too. “What the fuck are we still doing here then?” We both yanked on sweats and sprinted out of the locker room with our hockey sticks in hand. “They’re probably in the parking garage. There is a VIP section for those seats they were in, this way.”
Flying down the stairs of the parking garage, my mind was on one thing: killing that dude before he took advantage of my sister.
We found the only parked car in the VIP section. Of course he would drive a Maserati GranTurismo, my damn dream car.
I started banging on the fogged up window, trying to yank open the locked door. I heard Myla scream from inside. “Bray! Help!”
“Shut the fuck up, bitch!” A slap rang out and I rammed the knob of my stick into the window, glass shattering everywhere. Gavin dove into the driver’s seat, pulling Adam out by his throat.
“Who the fuck are you calling a bitch?” Gavin and I yanked the dude out, letting the broken glass scrape against his sleeves, ripping the shirt and letting blood run free.
Myla jumped out of the car, running over next to me as Gavin and I kicked the ever-loving shit out of the dude’s ribs.
She had tears streaming down her face, mascara running everywhere. “Guys! That’s enough. Don’t fucking kill him!”
“Think you’re going to rape my little sister, punk-ass bitch?” My adrenaline was pumping as Myla’s hand wrapped around my wrist.
“Bray! Gavin! He’s not worth it.”
Red and blue flashing lights lit up the parking garage as two officers started rushing toward us.
“Officers! Thank God!” Myla screamed. “This man was trying to rape me.”
The douche was moaning like a little bitch, rolling around on the ground as he held his broken ribs. He spit on the ground, letting blood spray everywhere. “Officers,” he pleaded. “I was just having a moment with my girl when these two guys jumped me.”
Myla walked over to him, stomping right down onto his stomach. “You piece of shit!”
One of the cops grabbed her, putting her hands behind her back. “That’s assault, missy.”
“He was trying to rape me! My brother and Gavin rescued me.”
The second officer started to help the guy to his feet while looking over at Gavin and me as both of us seethed. “Is that true?”
I threw my hands into the air. “Don’t you think I would much rather be in the showers or headed to the bar to celebrate with my team?”
The cop holding Myla squinted at us. “Holy fuck! No way! You’re Cox and Hayes. Man, we listened to the game on the radio tonight. You two killed it! Nice job on that hat trick.”
Thank God for fans in uniform.
Gavin smiled at them. “My buddy Sean Whistler can vouch for me, man. We were just protecting the lady.”
The officer let go of Myla. “Would you like to make a statement?”
She shook her head. “No, I think Adam got what was coming to him.”
Adam. What a punk-ass name.
“I would like to press charges,” Adam said, coughing a little as he leaned on the hood of the cop car.
Both of the officers started laughing. “Yeah, we don’t think so, tiger.”
He got all pissy. “You’ll all be hearing from my lawyer.”
I grabbed Myla, pulling her into my arms as she started to sob again.
“You scum-sucking jerkoff, fucking bring it.” I spit on the ground at his feet. “I ain’t scared of you or your lawyers, and if you come near my sister again, a few broken ribs will be the least of your worries.”
“Aren’t you going to do anything?” Adam threw his hands up, waving at the cops. “He just threatened me.”
The older of the two cops slapped him on the shoulder. “I heard a man protecting a woman after she was attacked. I would suggest you get in your car and leave now before this young lady changes her mind and you get booked for attempted rape.”
“This is fucking unbelievable. Fucking cunt,” Adam hissed as he walked past us.
“What did you just call her?” Gavin wound up and knocked him square in the jaw.
The officers both looked at each other, shrugging.
“I think I told you to leave, sir.”
Adam got in his car, revving the engine loudly before speeding away.
“Perfect.” One of officers smiled. “Now we can rope him for reckless driving. You all get home safe tonight.”
They jumped into their car and sped away, siren blaring, chasing Adam down.
“Well, he had that one coming to him. What an idiot.” Gavin picked up our sticks and handed me mine.
“Thanks, man.” I slapped him on the shoulder.
“Hey, we take care of our own, right?”
Myla rushed over to Gavin, kissing him on the cheek. “This really means a lot to me.”
Gavin gave her a quick hug. “I could use a drink. What about you?”
“She’s only twenty, man. I should probably take her home anyway.”
Myla looked from Gavin to me. “No, we have a win to celebrate. Fuck Adam. I am not going to let him ruin this for us.”
“Well, all right then. We’re about to take you where many puck bunnies have been before.” Gavin gave her a little wink as he started to lead the way back up to the locker room.
“What?” Myla shot me a confused look.
I chuckled at her while wiping the smudged makeup out from under her eye. Even after crying her eyes out, she looked gorgeous. I was starting to realize that my sister was not a little girl anymore and it was killing me. “Well, we can’t have you going out all dolled up with us having swamp ass, now can we? We haven’t even showered yet.”
Chapter 14
Gavin
We were breaking the rules, but if Myla wanted to stay with Brayden and me, she sure as shit was not going to leave our sides for the rest of the night. Hearing that douchenozzle slap her had been more aggravating than any other moment in my entire life.
I peeked into the locker room. “Anyone in here?” I called in.
Without thinking, I grabbed Myla’s hand to lead her into the locker room. “Ever
yone must have just left.”
I took my cell out of my gym bag and saw dozens of missed calls and texts from the players. Scrolling through, I saw that they had made their way to a bar just down the street from the arena.
Brayden showed Myla around. “A lot has changed since Dad was a player.” She gazed around, turning up her nose a bit. “Smells about the same though. Boy does hockey gear fucking reek to high heaven.”
“We play hard. It’s the smell of men and victory.” I flashed her a quick smile, clutching my change of clothes and a towel.
Brayden was right behind me, giving his sister a reassuring tap on the shoulder. “We’ll be quick. You can use the mirror over there to fix your makeup if you want.”
She rolled her eyes. “That means I need to fix my face, doesn’t it?”
I laughed as Brayden ate his words, turning on the water to as hot as it could go. Usually after an intense game, I iced down my sore muscles and then relaxed with a nice hot shower, but I could already feel my aches and bruises attacking my body; I was going to pay for it later for sure.
We all made quick work of getting in and out. We were going to get the third degree at the bar, but I didn’t give a shit.
Walking into the packed joint, everyone started to cheer.
“Finally!” Crosby handed Brayden and me longnecks. “We were starting to think you two ditched us.”
Brayden clinked his bottle with Crosby’s. “Nah man. Just had to take care of something really quick.”
“We’re here now and that’s what matters.” I chugged half the bottle on the spot.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Myla take a seat in a corner booth by herself. Bringing her a water, I took a seat next to her.
“You don’t have to worry about me. Go party with your guys.”
I waved my hand at the rowdy crowd. “They’re all about three sheets to the wind by now. Us just being here is enough. How’re you holding up?”
She started to pull apart a tiny bar napkin. “I think I am in shock. It all feels like a movie I watched, not something I lived.”
The red mark on her cheek was starting to fade a little. “Does it hurt? Should I get you some ice?”
She cocked her head to one side. “Hayes, aren’t you supposed to be some asshat that treats women like pieces of meat?”
I feigned a smile. “Rumors get started with a kernel of truth, I guess.” Taking a sip from my Bud Light to fill a little of the awkward silence, I tried to think of something clever to follow up with. “I mean, I was engaged. It’s not like I am a total dick to all women.”
Myla shrugged. “You seem pretty all right in my book, Hayes.”
“Did you enjoy the gong show at least?”
It was the first time all night she actually smiled. “It was an incredible game. I’m really glad I got to see it.”
“As am I.” I worked my jaw, trying to keep the conversation flowing. “So, where do you live exactly?”
She swallowed the ice cube she had been rolling around in her mouth. “East Flushing, close to Kissena Park.”
“Oh well la di da,” I teased.
“Shut up.” She playfully shoved my arm. “You probably live in some fancy rent-controlled apartment in one of the buildings your family owns.”
“Actually, I am moving into my own place, out from under my dad’s thumb, this weekend. You should come by and check it out.” A few girls walked in through the door, half of whom I had banged at one time or another over the last few years. “Shit,” I muttered as two of them started to waggle their way over to me.
“Hey, Hayes, you were awesome tonight.” Rita was one of the sluttiest puck bunnies I had ever seen; she followed our players around like a junkie in search of her next fix.
I put my arm around Myla’s shoulders. “Please, just go with this,” I whispered to her before diverting my glare to Rita and Jinny. “Thanks. Have you met Myla?” I pulled Myla into my side a little and she followed my lead perfectly.
“Sweetie, who are your friends?” She leaned her elbow on the table, giving them the evil eye.
“Didn’t think you were wifed up, Hayes,” Jinny hissed before sucking on her front teeth. She was fucking gross—I couldn’t believe my dick ever got up for that slut.
I leaned in, grabbing Myla by the back of the head and kissed her hard. That should do the trick.
Myla
Is Gavin Hayes really kissing me right now?
I grabbed his rock hard bicep and gave the best show I could. It wasn’t rocket science to figure out he was trying to get the two women off of his dick for the night.
In a huff the two wandered up to the bar, fawning over a few of the other players.
“Thanks,” Gavin said breathily, pulling his lips away from mine.
I batted my eyelashes dramatically. “Oh, sweetheart, you know you can kiss me whenever you want to.” I elbowed him in the ribs and he winced. “You okay?”
He nodded. “Yeah, just got checked pretty good tonight.”
I bit my lip; I knew the moment he was talking about, and it had been a thrilling part of the game for me. “I was ready to rip Belsky’s throat out at that point. Messing with my boys like that—what fucking nerve!”
“Your boys, huh?” He downed the rest of his beer.
“Well, I have been pretty invested in the Otters for as long as I can remember, so yes, you guys are mine. I have claimed you.”
He got up from the booth, reaching out his hand to me. “Come on, let’s celebrate this awesome win.”
I took Gavin’s hand, glancing over to see my brother’s face fill with rage. “Give me a second.” Gavin nodded and went to hang out with a cluster of players at the far end of the bar.
“How’s it going, bro?”
He sucked in through his front teeth. “He’s charming, but he’ll end up showing his true colors eventually, My.”
Brayden was already a few beers deep; I could tell it was getting to the point where I needed to get him home. “He’s just being friendly.”
Brayden slammed his empty beer bottle down onto the bar top. “Scotch neat,” he yelled before turning back to me. “I saw him kiss you. I wasn’t born fucking yesterday.”
“Bray, he was trying to get those chicks to leave him alone, and I was just helping. It’s not like I am in the bathroom blowing him right now.”
Brayden looked like he was about to blow chunks at the thought. “Fuck, Myla. Where the hell did you learn to talk like that?”
I flipped my hair, giving my brother a coy smile. “I read a lot. I’m not as naïve as you think I am.”
He grabbed my hand. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt, and he’s my captain for Christ’s sake. I don’t want to have to hate him for any other reason than him being a pompous twat from time to time.”
I signaled to the bartender right before she was about to pour Brayden’s drink. “Hold off on that one. We’re going to head home.”
Brayden sighed, pulling out his wallet. “Won’t even let me have a good time with my friends, making out with my damn captain—now I know why I don’t bring you around.” He gave me a quick wink, leaning in to whisper, “Kidding, sis. You’re right, it’s definitely time for me to ice down my knee and call it a night.”
Gavin came up behind us. “Leaving so soon?” He hooked his arm around my brother’s neck. “You’re taking my beard away.”
Brayden laughed. “She’s making me. It’s all her fault.”
Gavin snuck a napkin into my hand. “Get home safely, you two. Cox, I’ll see you in the barn tomorrow.”
Chapter 15
Myla
“Wait. Hold on! Let me get this straight.” Simon sipped on his Cosmo with his pinky high in the air. “Adam tried to assault you, Gavin and your brother beat him up, you kissed Gavin Hayes and then he gave you his number on a bar napkin, but you haven’t even put it into your phone yet?”
I stared down at the napkin with Gavin’s scribbled number on it. “That�
��s the basic gist of the evening’s events. Crazy right?”
“I just cannot believe you waited three whole days to tell me this and you haven’t even contacted that hunky hockey player yet. He’s obviously into you! And I am just so shocked at how Adam behaved. I never pegged him for a rapist.”
I took a bite of my tuna sashimi before responding. “I think the Unabomber’s friends said the same thing about that crackpot.”
Simon chuckled. “You’re probably right. I just feel so awful because I set you two up.”
“There was no way for you to know. He was very charming, to say the least—well, in the beginning that is.”
Simon grabbed my phone and the napkin from my hand. “We’re texting Gavin. They’re traveling home today, right?”
“They should be home by now. They had another win last night, and they play the Sharks here tomorrow.” I wanted to fight Simon for my phone, but a small part of me was excited that he was going to text Gavin. I was just so freaking nervous that he had been drunk at the bar and didn’t really want me to have his number.
“Perfect excuse to send him a little congratulations text then.”
Simon typed away on my phone, reading the text out loud to me. “Hey Gavin, sorry for my delay, it’s been a crazy couple of days. Great win last night.”
I shrugged. “Whatever you think is best.”
He beamed, singing, “Simon says! And sent.”
Handing me back my phone, he flagged down the server to bring us another boat of sashimi and him another Cosmo.
“Who is going to eat all of that?” I glared down at our still half-full first boat.
With a sly grin on his face, he narrowed his eyes. “Trust me, we’ll be needing it.”
My phone buzzed across the table as a couple texts came through.
Gavin: Hey, you! I’ve been thinking of you.
Gavin: I just walked in the door to my new place with nothing but a bed in it, trying to figure out what to have for dinner.
Gavin: What are you up to?
I shrieked a little as my face and ears got warm. “He texted back.”
Simon leaned back in his chair, a triumphant look plastered on his face. “Invite him to eat some of our sushi.”
The Shots On Goal Series Box Set Page 8