The Bad Boy Hockey Collection: A Collection Of Single Daddy Romances

Besides, what’s the harm in sending one little message?

Chapter Three

Corinne

What a long night. Just seeing Brody and his cocky grin set me on a rollercoaster of emotions I hadn’t expected. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get away from the thought of having to face him today, by myself, with no one as a buffer.

Of all the damn lawyers in this city, why in the world did he have to show up at the law office I work at? Hell, why did he have to end up choosing Arnold Barrett as his legal counsel when there were four other equally promising attorneys he could have chosen from in that office alone?

The answer is simple—because that’s just the kind of atrocious luck I have.

Two glasses of wine and a bubble bath later, I still couldn’t bring myself to switch my train of thought to something more neutral, something that didn’t include someone with the last name Marsh. So, I did the only thing I could do to take my mind off that dumbass, gorgeous hockey player with shitty siblings and an even shittier, obnoxious attitude...

Mindless entertainment.

I settle under the covers of my queen-sized bed and hide away from the world with only my cellphone to keep me company. Absently, I open up the LookingForLove.com app with the intention of scrolling through profiles and picking out all the reasons this online dating thing is never going to work. Instead, I see the alert at the top of the screen, a little number one with a circle advising me I have a new message.

I’m rolling my eyes even before I read it.

Hey there. Another person hiding behind their profile picture. Glad to see I’m not the only one. Hidin’ from anything in particular?

After reading it, however, my eyes narrow. My initial instinct is to respond back with, “Yeah, YOU, you creep.” But something stops me, and I just stay there, huddled under the blankets, staring at the screen like I could somehow read between the lines and find more meaning in the words. His username is silly, too—EyesAreEverything—but there is something intriguing about the fact that he’d made the same silly decision to hide behind an image revealing only his eye. It’s a stupid decision, I’d thought at the time that I’d done it, which shows exactly how serious I’ve been taking this online dating thing, but he’d had the same idea. Finally, after debating whether to answer the message at all, I decide to answer truthfully.

Hey. Yeah, the world, actually. You never know who’s reading this stuff or memorizing your picture. What’s your excuse, Mr. Blue Eyes?

I am surprised when he responds within a few minutes, making a bell sound chime from my phone. I am just as shocked that his response makes me smile.

Hiding from all the mysterious ladies out there with pretty hazel eyes that have coffee addictions and dream of getting a bulldog puppy someday.

So, he’d read my profile. In full. Interesting.

I type back, You can read. I’m impressed. It’s bordering on rude, but this guy seems to have a knack for humor, so I take the chance.

Read and write; I’m a real scholar. You should see me juggle, too. I’m a jack of all trades, believe me.

I have to give the guy some credit; he could hav

e easily taken the chance to say something pretentious like, “You should see what else I can do,” or even called me on my shit and said it was my charming personality that must’ve kept me single all this time. Instead, he took a jab at himself, was actually kind of funny, and chose to keep the innuendo to himself.

Yeah, definitely impressed.

I’ll take your word for it. Really, though—what’s your excuse for the eyeball closeup instead of an actual photo of yourself?

My interest is piqued and I know my message will let that be known. Whatever. I am curious, so sue me.

I look like Quasimodo. No, even better, I’m a cyclops; I’ve only got one eye to show off.

There is a pause, then a second message comes in.

I’m kidding. Honestly? A friend talked me into joining this site, and I guess I’m not following all the rules very well.

A slow smirk crosses my lips. This guy is interesting, even if it is just to keep me company after a crappy day.

Wow, a rebel and a cyclops. That should really be in your profile description, you know. I can’t help myself. The sarcastic humor is refreshing. He didn’t ask me what I was wearing or vying for a chance to meet up and prove how fucking wonderful he is.

Updating my profile now. Are you laughing loud?

The reference to my username makes me smile wider. Not yet, I write back. But you’re getting close.