Puck Drills & Quick Thrills (CU Hockey 5)

“Let’s not go too far.”

“There’s an awesome one with a pool!” Rhys says, staring at his phone. Hazel jumps up to look, and West pulls me into the kitchen away from them.

“Don’t tell anyone this, but I’m kinda glad you’re here too.”

“You better be.” I press my lips to his ear. “I don’t let just anyone have their wicked way with me.”

“And you never will ever again.” West nuzzles into my neck. “You’re all mine.”

Those words settle something deep inside me. They make every part of the last few months worth it.

I’ve never been more thankful to be that awkward kid in high school.

To have needed my hand held for the reunion.

Without those things, I wouldn’t have West. That thought is unbearable.

“Shit, it’s just occurred to me that we’re literally about to start a life together,” he says.

“Yep.”

“Tell me, how does it feel to be starting over in middle age?”

I pull back. “I’m not middle-aged!”

“Sure you’re not, sweetie.”

“You know what, I’ve changed my mind. I take it back. I’m packing up all my things and heading home. Middle-aged, my ass.”

“Aw, did I hurt your feelings? Tell me how to make it up to you.” West slides his fingers inside my waistband. “How about some extra credit, Professor?”

I cringe. “You look way too much like your brother to pull that off. You’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way instead.”

“Old-fashioned? With you? Shocker.”

I pinch his ass.

“Fine. Tell me how to make it better, grandpa.”

“Groveling. Lots and lots of groveling. On your knees. On your hands and knees. On your back …”

“I like the sound of that.”

“But if you ever call me grandpa again,” I warn, “I’m going to spank you so hard my hand will be tattooed on your ass.”

“That sounds like a fun time too.”

“Young people these days.” I shudder.

“You’ll catch on eventually.”

“I don’t think you can teach an old dog new tricks,” I say, finally giving in.

“Maybe not.” West tugs me down, nose brushing my nose, lips barely a breath away. “But I have forever to try.”

Epilogue

Westly

FIVE YEARS LATER

This never gets old. The lights, the fresh ice, the crowd … I might not be out there anymore, haven’t been for a long while, but I still get that same thrill entering a professional arena as I did when I played.

The view is different from up here though.

Jasper holds up a champagne glass in front of my face, and I take it and wrap my arm around his shoulders.

He stares out the team’s corporate box windows at the atmospheric arena below us. “Miss it?”

“Yes and no. I think I’ll always miss it, but as I look around this room, the most important people in my life are here.”

Zoe, who’s attending CU; Rhys, who has taken so many advanced math classes, he should have his undergrad before Zoe; Hazel, who’s kicking ass in girls’ hockey; and the twins, who still have their sights on the NHL. Or becoming ninja warriors. There’s no in-between for them.

Jasper grins. “I think Asher will disagree with you that every important person is here.” He nods toward the ice, where Buffalo are heading out onto the Montreal rink for a warm-up skate.

I smile down at my brother, who’s been playing professionally for the last two years. He had an amazing rookie season, and I couldn’t be prouder. His boyfriend sits in one of the seats closest to the window, shielding his face.

Beck throws his arm around Kole’s shoulders. “Aww, you wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen in the Montreal team box, would you?”

“The WAGs are going to shoot me,” Kole mutters. “I’m a traitor.”

“Naw, you have to be here with all your friends from college.”

Kole frowns at him. “Just because we once locked my boyfriend in my dad’s office, did that actually make us friends?”

“Once you commit felony kidnapping with someone, you’re bonded for life.”

Kole leans around Beck toward Jacobs. “Can you please get your fiancé off of me?”

“I tried that once, but he’s like a dog in heat. The best thing to do is let him get it out of his system.”

Kole sighs. “Just don’t start humping my leg.”

“There’s only one leg I hump, and that’s—wait, no.” Beck shakes his head. “That’s weird.”

“Good to know you have some limits,” Jacobs says.

Beck and Jacobs have just got their camp up and running, and they’re getting married this summer. They’re still every bit in love.

Kole stands. “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually going to go talk hockey with my dad.” He crosses the room to where Coach Hogan is ordering a drink at the bar.

Coach misses his son ever since Kole transferred med schools to be closer to Asher in Buffalo. He’s now doing his residency, and I’m surprised he had the time to fly to Montreal as he always seems to be at the hospital, but as I watch Coach Hogan’s face light up when Kole joins him, I’m glad he made it. I’m also glad Zoe and Rhys decided to go to school at CU. They both live on campus, but I can’t imagine having them halfway around the country.