Me: I am too.
Jordan: Get your head in the game! I’m going to be a wreck with this one.
Me: Tell me about it.
Jordan: You’ll be great. You always are.
Me: Aw, shucks… Thanksssssss!!
Awe, shucks – what in the fuck?! I don’t talk like that. This girl was really getting the best of me and I couldn’t help but enjoy the crap out of it.
Jordan: It’s just the truth.
Me: I’ll talk to you after the game. We’re about to start warm-ups.
Jordan: Perfect. I’ll be watching as much of it as I can at work.
Me: Have a good shift.
Jordan: Give those guys a run for their money tonight.
Me: I’ll try.
It was nice being able to talk to a chick that cared about my team and the sport I was so passionate about. I had never had that before—Mindie couldn’t have cared less about sports of any kind, always saying they were too hard to understand. Thinking back on it, I realized that should have been a deal breaker.
“What has you so happy?” Gavin already knew the answer to his question, or at least I assumed as much.
I pulled my jersey over my head. “I’m sure you’ve been told the latest Crosby-Bates gossip.”
“Been told what gossip?” Brayden came up to us, stick already clutched in his hand.
“Crosby is taking Jordan out tomorrow night,” Gavin answered.
“Oh yeah! That’s right. Congrats, man.” Brayden slapped my shoulder.
I shook my head. “Of course you knew too.”
“Oh but of course. Karla told me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Everyone is going to know everything about this relationship, aren’t they?”
“When your teammates are married to the best friends of the woman you’re seeing, there is no privacy,” Gavin explained.
Brayden threw his hands in the air. “Myla knew everything about Karla and me without me even having to tell her most of the time.”
“Note to self, never tell Myla a secret,” I said teasingly.
Gavin nodded in agreement. “For the most part, you’re right on the money with that one.”
“Can we please get our heads in this game? We’re standing around gossiping like a women’s soccer team when we should be getting revved up for this damn bout.” Brayden was right. I needed to get my man-card back and become the beastly tender the Otters needed.
Jordan
This game—ugh! I was so nervous. It was the make-or-break night in the season, and the outcome would determine if the Otters were going to be in the playoffs or not. I hated when it was down to the wire. It was hard to even watch.
The bar was packed, which was awesome and terrible all at once. I loved being busy, but I was supposed to be phasing out of this place and the bartenders were still relying on me more than they should. Instead of just observing and offering a little coaching from time to time, I had to dive in and fix mistake after mistake.
“Excuse me?” A kind-looking lady flagged me down from the other end of the bar.
“How may I help you?” I asked.
“I ordered a cosmo and this is not even pink.”
I took the drink from her. “I am so sorry about that, miss. I’d be happy to make another one for you.”
I turned to Billy, the bartender who was working that section. “Come here, now.”
His head hung low as he followed me to the corner. “What is this?” I held the martini glass in front of him.
“Not a cosmo.”
“Bingo. Now let’s try this again.”
I wanted to yell at him. I wanted to rip my hair out, rip his hair out. There were some cocktails every bartender needs to know, and a cosmopolitan was very high up on that list.
“Sorry Jordan.” Billy looked so defeated.
“Don’t apologize. You’re better than this. Just stop rushing and get these drinks right.” I hated wasting liquor—it went against everything I stood for—and my heart hurt as I poured the incorrect drink down the drain. I watched closely as Billy struggled to remember the recipe.
I stopped him as he reached for the grenadine. “You’re already messing up. What is in a cosmo?” I yelled to Bridget, who was filling a few pints of beer behind Billy.
Even though she was annoying as shit, she knew her drinks well. “Vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice.”
“You’re done for the night, Billy. Go tell Vito I’m sending you home to study.”
“Yeah, okay.”
He was deflated, but his feelings were not something I could care about. He needed to step up his game or find other employment, it was as simple as that. Sending the kid home made me feel like Jon Taffer from that show Bar Rescue, but oh well. I hated to think I was being a dick, but I needed to be a hard ass—that was what I was getting paid to do.
“Bridget, Billy’s going home. I got his section.”
“Aye, cap!” She gave me a little wink before going back to mixing another cocktail.
In between making drinks and making sure all the customers were being taken care of in a timely manner, I caught glimpses of the game. The Otters were up five to four going into the third period, and the entire bar cheered with me when Harding scored another goal.
“That kid is on fire tonight,” an older man remarked before asking for another whiskey on the rocks.
“Chase Harding has undeniably turned into an incredible player,” I answered.
“I was skeptical at first, but have been pleasantly surprised,” he added.
“Oh, for sure, but he can handle a puck like nobody’s business.”
“That’s for damn sure.” I handed him his next drink and he said, “Thanks. Are you a big hockey fan or do you just make stuff up to talk to your customers about?”
I laughed, pulling up the bottom of my black polo to reveal an Ollie is my homeboy tank top. “I bleed hockey.”
He raised his glass. “That’s fantastic. Who’s your favorite player?”
My entire body got hot as I pretended to think about my answer. “Crosby. I have a soft spot for goalies.”
The patron nodded his head. “I’ve heard he’s a really nice guy in person. Talented and not a dick—that’s a winning combination in my book.”
I chewed on my lip. I wasn’t normally one to talk about how well I knew the players because I worried people would try some shady shit to get to know them. “I’ve heard the same thing.”
The buzzer sounded and with that victory, the New York Otters secured their spot in the playoffs. I relished the thought of the beards that were going to adorn the players’ faces and my skin prickled with excitement. I mean, what girl doesn’t love hunky jocks with sexy beards? It was one glorious win for superstition in my book.
Chapter 9
Jordan
“Do I bring my vibrator on the date?”
Myla’s hand flew to her mouth as she tried to not spit her lemonade out everywhere. After swallowing and laughing for a few seconds, she choked out, “Fuck it—why not? With all the pent-up feelings and attraction you two have built up over the years, I will be shocked if you don’t fuck him tonight.”
“But is it too slutty?” I asked while running the flat iron over the top portion of my hair to battle the frizzies. I was losing—my hair was not cooperating.
“Totally slutty, but subtle enough.” Jessica was sitting on my floor, painting her toenails. “You don’t have to take it out of your purse, but have it just in case you want to use it.”
“I’m really starting to get nervous.” My hair was not doing what I wanted it to, my makeup was still not perfect, I had no idea what I was going to wear, and the car was going to be at my place before I knew it.
“You’re going to have the best time.” Karla topped off my wine glass before filling hers with the bottom of the bottle.
“Just think about it—how perfect would it be if you guys got married?” Myla was probably already start
ing a Crosby-Bates wedding Pinterest board.
“This is date one, My. Let me get through dating him before you start planning our nuptials.”
She threw her phone down on the bed, huffing. “Fine. I’m just so damn excited.”
“Where is he taking you?” Karla asked.
“The Gramercy Tavern. I’m so excited to try it.”
“So fancy,” Jess remarked before blowing on her wet nails.
“What are you going to wear?” Myla asked.
I shrugged. “Will said to wear a dress and heels.”
“Little black dress with heels—you can’t go wrong with that,” Karla advised.
I dove into my closet to find a little black number to wear. Finally, I found the dress I had in mind. I slipped it on and grabbed my leopard-print pumps. Walking out of the closet, I modeled my outfit for my girls.
“So, what do you think?”
They all started clapping.
“It’s perfect!” Myla was so adorable bouncing on my bed with her little baby bump.
“Are you sure? I really want everything to be perfect.”
Jessica got up, checking out my necklaces where they hung on the rack. “You’re stunning, he’s crazy about you, and there is nothing for you to be worried about.”
“I can’t believe we are finally doing this.” Crosby took my hand, leading me into the busy restaurant.
“It’s been a long time coming.” Ten years in the making and we were finally there, about to have a real first date.
“Good evening,” the host greeted us.
Will gave the guy his name and we were escorted to our table, a dimly lit booth in the back. Perfect.
I was a ball of nerves. I couldn’t believe that after all this time, we were finally sitting across from each other in a horseshoe-shaped booth sipping on whiskey gingers. It wasn’t that we hadn’t ever been out together before—we had—and it wasn’t that we couldn’t have amazing conversation—we did. It was all the pent-up frustration and chemistry that we had been forced to stifle for too long; it was all coming to a head, and I was about to burst from attraction and eagerness.
“You look incredible, Jordan.” Crosby’s fingers rolled over my forearm, sending goose bumps over my entire body.
“Myla and the girls helped me get ready—I don’t girl very often.”
Crosby sneered at me. “Myla can be a fucking gobermouche.”
“Wait, excuse me—did you just use that word? Like no one knows what that word even means.”
He pulled me closer to his side so we were almost touching. “I have word of the day emails, babe. I’m not just a dumb jock that protects the net. I actually read quite a bit.”
Thank God for horseshoe booths.
“I just still can’t with you and your nerdy side. But I do have to agree—Myla does stick her nose into everyone’s business. Sometimes, like in this case, I am glad she is like that though.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now if it wasn’t for her pushing me to talk to you after the game the other night.”
“I am so glad you listened to her.”
“As am I.”
His lips landed on my cheek. “I’ve wanted this for so long.” His confession soaked into my heart.
“I’m so glad these feelings aren’t just one-sided.”
I let myself take in his features. I could tell he hadn’t shaved in a few days, and he had the beginnings of a gorgeous beard.
“I feel like I know you so well, but not at all.” His fingers laced into mine as he shifted to look directly at me. “Tell me something I don’t know about you.”
“Ummmm, let’s see.” I hated being put on the spot like that. “I don’t remember the last time I was on a date, as embarrassing as that sounds.”
Crosby chuckled. “That makes two of us. It’s been fucking years for me.”
“Now you tell me something,” I playfully demanded.
He took a deep breath. “I feel like this is something that should be out in the open right away, but I don’t know how to say it.”
I could tell he was trying to choose his words very carefully. “Just say it. I am the last person you should ever worry about being judged by.”
He sighed. “Okay, here it is: I am a very aggressive lover…like, I am into a lot of kind of extreme stuff.”
Excitement shot through me. “Wait, hold on.” My hand flew to his arm.
“I knew it would scare you off. Fuck.” He ran his hand over his face.
“That is actually the opposite of what I was going to say.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Is that so?”
I nodded. “I think we might be compatible in that regard, sir.”
His voice was low and rough as he said, “Sir—I could get used to that.”
I kissed his cheek. “That’s exhilarating.” I bit my lip. “Can I confess something?”
“Please do.”
I pulled my purse closer to me and grabbed the black silk bag from within it. “This may or may not be a vibrator.”
He growled a little. “You’re quite intriguing, little girl.” A sly smile peeked through Crosby’s short beard.
“Oh yeah? Why is that, sir?” I played with the red straw in the rocks glass in front of me, trying to calm my shaking hands. Just the sound of his voice did something to me that I could not control, and frankly, I didn’t want to.
Crosby’s eyes narrowed, pulling me even closer to him in the booth. “Because I never knew this side of you existed. You always came across as sweet and wholesome to me. It’s almost like walking into the nerdy girl’s closet and finding a cavalcade of whips, chains, and handcuffs. It’s fucking hot as all hell.”
I bit my lip, letting my mind play with the image of Crosby handcuffing me to his bed. “People are always shocked when they figure out how much of a freak I really am, but it is also a side of me that I rarely reveal to anyone.”
“I am glad you’ve opened up this is side to me, sweetheart.” His voice was gravel soaked in honey as his green eyes flamed with passion.
“As am I.”
Will grabbed my hand, starting to draw circles on my palm with his thumb. “I've been looking for you for a long time.”
I sighed, leaning back into the cushioned booth. “I’ve been right here this whole time.”
His eyes met mine, and they were filled with sincerity as he spoke in a low voice. “Trust me, I know. I am finally seeing it, truly and completely seeing you.”
Our server came over to get our order. Right as Will was about to order for us, I stopped him. “Why don’t we blow this joint, grab some pizza, and head back to your apartment? This place is not either of our cup of tea.”
Crosby threw his menu down and pulled out his credit card. “You heard the lady.”
“I’ll be right back with this.”
The server huffed off and Crosby grabbed my hand. “Are you trying to make me fall for you on night one?”
I quickly pecked his cheek. “Maybe.”
Chapter 10
Crosby
I couldn’t get Jordan back to my place fast enough. After grabbing a pepperoni pie from the pizzeria down the block from my building, we were finally walking out of the elevator into my apartment.
“I’ve got wine in the kitchen. Red or white?” I asked, slipping my shoes off. It wasn’t the first time Jordan had been to my place, but it felt like it was because of how nervous I was to have her there. I was so thankful I’d had the maid come while I was in Boston—I would have been so embarrassed if Jordan had seen the pigsty my place usually was.
“Surprise me,” she said, setting the pizza box down on the table.
I quickly poured us two glasses of zinfandel and joined her again. “Why don’t we eat this in bed and find a good movie to watch?”
“Yes!” She grabbed the food and a couple of napkins. “Best first date ever!”
“I’m really glad
you think so.”
Jordan kicked off her heels and jumped into my plush king-sized bed. Right then all of my apprehension flew out the window. We were the same two friends we always had been, but now we were just kicking our relationship up a notch. I felt silly for how much I had let myself overthink the situation. It was turning out to be absolutely amazing, and I didn’t want to miss a second of it because I was worrying.
We settled on watching A Walk to Remember, and it was so adorable how Jordan knew all the words. She even started laughing before the funny parts even happened. It would never have been my first choice in movies, but when her face lit the fuck up as I scrolled passed it, there was no way I wasn’t going to put it on. I wasn’t really interested in watching the movie anyway—I wanted to watch her.
Jordan caught me staring at her. “What?” She narrowed her gaze at me.
“I’m just admiring you.”
She bounced closer to me, grabbing another slice. “Admiring my fat ass devouring this pizza.”
“If you ever call yourself fat again in my presence, I will punish you.” My mind tripped to the thought of spanking her little bratty ass, making my dick twitch a little.
“Is that so?” she teased, biting her lip.
“A spanking a day keeps the brattiness away.” I winked at her, grabbing the top of her thigh. “I like you, little girl.”
“Oh yeah? How much?” she asked with pizza still rolling around in her mouth.
I grabbed the slice from her hand, tossed it back into the box, and threw the entire thing onto the floor. I let my fingers weave into her short, dark hair while I growled in her ear. “How about I show you.”
She relaxed her shoulders, letting me drag her to the end of the bed.
“You’re going to be a good girl and let Daddy have his way with you, okay?”
She nodded.
“I need to hear you say it, baby girl.”
“You can do whatever you want to me, Daddy.”
Hearing her call me that sent me into overdrive. I yanked her dress up over her head then tossed it onto the armchair in the corner of my room.
The Shots On Goal Series Box Set Page 35