Defender (Seattle Sharks 9)

Sawyer molded the brim of his hat. “You’re saying go to the minors.”

The floors flew by outside the glass enclosure as we descended.

“I’m saying I don’t know your situation. I’m saying that I saw you out there, and you’re a breath away from making an NHL team. Any minor league team would be damn lucky to have you in net.” Kid was good, and sometimes failing a few times made for an even better player.

“I…” he shook his head. “I take care of my mom. I can’t just take off and hope I make an ECHL team and then bounce around praying I make it to the next level.” There was a resignation in his tone that broke my heart.

“Family can be complicated. I get that. Trust me. But look at Rob Zepp. Guy was thirty-two before he hit the big ice. Same with Magnus Johansson. He was thirty-four.” We were almost to the lobby.

“Those guys are one in a million,” Sawyer muttered.

“Maybe, but you know the difference between a guy whose career ends in college and the one in a million shot?”

He looked over and shrugged.

“Talent and drive.” I held out my two fingers as the doors dinged, announcing our arrival. “I’ve seen that you’ve got the first, but only you can decide if you’ve got the second. The rest of those guys out there, they have both, too, but when you have to claw and fight to get there, you appreciate it more, trust me.”

He looked at me quietly, hopefully weighing what I’d said, or mentally calling me an asshole. Either way, I’d done what I could.

“Lecture over,” I promised and led him into the marble-floored foyer.

“I’m running to the bathroom. The girls kicked us out before I had a chance to use it,” Sawyer commented, breaking off toward the restrooms.

“There he is!” Lukas called out when he saw me, dressed in whatever clothing line bore his name. “Where is your girlfriend?” he asked loudly.

“Nice,” I chastised quietly as I took a seat in the sunken arrangement of circular couches. He was one of the few guys who knew the actual situation with Harper, and his idea of helping me along with the ruse was to be as loud and obnoxious about it as possible. Lovely.

“What?” He shrugged. “But really, where is the birthday girl?”

“Upstairs getting ready.” I leaned back into the plush upholstery.

“I thought watching that was a perk of having a girlfriend?” Lukas teased.

“Shut up, or I won’t give you the present I brought you,” I warned.

Lukas blatantly ignored two blondes currently leaning over to get his attention. “I like presents.”

“Yeah, I know.” I laughed. “Be a good boy, and you’ll get it.”

Minutes passed while we talked, and I saw Sawyer make his way to the bar, where more than one woman was vying for his attention. Maybe he’d get the pick-me-up he so desperately needed.

I saw Faith walking toward us, but no Harper, thanks to the angle of the in-ground seating arrangement. Faith put her finger on her lips, and I concentrated on Lukas, hoping I hadn’t given her away.

She snaked her right hand down his chest, and he froze for a millisecond before gently gripping her wrist.

“Absolutely not,” he growled as he removed the offensive touch. “I’m not intere—” His expression changed the instant he saw Faith smiling above him. The usually arrogant, smirking face softened into something I’d never believe if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.

It wasn’t that I didn’t believe in love—I just didn’t have time for it. Keeping myself at this level took everything, and it wasn’t exactly fair to get involved with anyone and then tell them they had to be content with leftovers.

“I’m very interested,” Lukas declared, pivoting slightly to pull his fiancée into his lap and kissing her soundly.

I looked away and found Harper looking wistfully at Faith and Lukas before averting her eyes.

Holy shit, that dress showed off her every curve. The pale pink strapless number contrasted with her flawless skin, hugged her breasts, and ended mid-thigh, showing those gorgeous legs to their every advantage. Her hair fell in thick waves down her back, and her makeup accented her already gorgeous face.

My dick woke up, and I silently cursed. I may not have thought this through well enough.

“Best gift giver ever!” Lukas declared as he pointed at me, keeping Faith on his lap.

Harper made her way to the stairs, where I saw a matching pair of fuck-me heels, and well, that’s pretty much all that stayed on my mind as I stood up to escort her to the limo.

“Sawyer, you in?” I asked, yelling across the bar.

“Absolutely!” he answered.

I walked up the steps, but two or three from the top, I was eye-level with Harper. How was it that every single side of her was sexy?