Something So Irresistible (Something So 3)

“Slacking my fucking ass.” He gives me the finger and goes out to find the trainer.

I end up in the shower by myself, which suits me just fine. Getting dressed in my workout gear, I throw my hat on and make my way to the kitchen, knowing the food is being cooked by the smell lingering in the halls.

I fill up my plate, a mountain of eggs, sausage, bacon, and toast. I sit down and I’m about to take my first forkful when I hear her voice.

“Hey, I was looking for you.”

I don’t even bother looking up.

“Well, you found me.” I put a forkful of eggs in my mouth.

“I wanted to just say that I’m sorry for jumping the gun yesterday. I should have listened to your side before I said anything.” She trails off because my head snaps up and I’m about to tell her to fuck off, but Denise’s voice is in my head. You’re the good guy. I look at her eyes and see that she isn’t bright-eyed this morning.

“Forget about it,” I finally say. “In the end, you did what you’re paid to do.”

“I think we got off on the wrong foot.”

I laugh at her. Got off on the wrong foot. That’s a fucking joke.

“We aren’t off to anything. How about this? You stay out of my way and make sure we never have to work together.” Much better than telling her to fuck off.

“We work together. We will be traveling together.”

I cross my arms.

“We don’t need to be friends,” I say, taking the last forkful. I ate so fucking fast my stomach is throbbing. “You do your thing. Let me do mine. I won’t assume you’re always a bitch and you can assume I’m not always an asshole. How’s that?” I throw my fork down.

She grinds her teeth together. “Fine.” She storms out.

“She is so hot,” Ryder says, sitting down next to me with his own plate while I pick up my plate and am just about to walk away when he adds, “What I wouldn’t do to get a piece of that.”

My plate slams down hard, making everyone look back at us. I lean in close to his ear. “Have some fucking respect. That’s your captain’s sister.”

His face turns a pale white, his head going up and down nodding. I make my way out of the kitchen, vowing to avoid her like the plague.

And for two weeks, it works out perfectly. I know she’s around, but I go the other way when I see her, till the first preseason game when I have no choice. It’s a home game and we leave tonight right after we face Toronto. I walk into the arena with my bag over my shoulder. I’m texting Denise when I bump into someone. I don’t have to look up to know it’s her. I smell her. Her hands go up against my chest, the heat of her palms soaking through my shirt.

“Sorry,” she says to me and I make the mistake of looking at her. Her tight skirt hugs her like a skin. She pairs it with a see-through white button-up shirt with a silk cami under it. A black tiny belt ties around her waist.

“Yeah, my fault,” I say, going around her and walking away from her. I don’t have time for this shit now. I walk into the room and look around. Half of the regular team isn’t here as they are still lying with the rooster.

Phil and Matthew walk in. They will both be on the ice tonight, but I’m the only one going on the road trip. I dump my bag and get in the zone. We are all dressed and ready to take the ice when Coach Dan comes in with Doug and some of the coaches and my eyes land on Allison. She has put on a jacket now with polka dots. Her blue heels complete the outfit. I shake my head and put my gloves on my stick and listen to them tell us to go out there and have fun, no stupid tricks since it’s not a real game, but let’s face it, no one wants to lose.

We line up as the music starts and we bounce on our skates, waiting to finally take the ice. This is my year, my fucking time. I just need a chance to prove it.

Chapter Seven

Allison

It’s not even the big opening day game and I’m a nervous wreck. I had to make sure I put on my bra, then I forgot my phone five times. I walk down the hall, trying to shake out the nerves, and run smack into him. Him. There is no need to say his name because we aren’t talking about him. Him who is the bane of my existence. Him who I go out of my way to avoid. Him who fucks with me even in my dreams. HIM. I smack into his chest, his hard chest. My hands go up and I feel his heart under my hands.