Power Play (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 2)

The light flashes, and the Assassins win as the hats fly to the ice for Hoenes.

If I had one, I’d throw it.

I’m so proud but, at the same time, sad. That man could have been mine, but I messed it all up. That’s a first; usually it’s the other way around. I don’t know how guys live with themselves. I feel like a pathetic piece of shit, and I want to be the one he celebrates with tonight. I want to be under his gaze. Feel his hands and his lips. I want to be the one to say I was proud of him. To say I knew he was a lethal shot. If he weren’t an act-before-thinking kind of player, he wouldn’t have made it. He’s just damn sure he’ll score, and I wish he would do exactly that during the power play. I can help him, I could get him there, but I don’t know that he wants me to.

I want nothing more than to make this right.

But I have no clue how.

Chapter Fourteen

Boon

Coach said the goal that won the game made up for the one I caused for the Wild.

I’m proud of myself. I did great tonight, but it’s one hell of a difficult pill to swallow, knowing Posey was right. I bet she was up in the box, just grinning. Excited to be right. Probably even screamed “Told you so!” Though she may be right, it doesn’t make her actions okay. My power play isn’t strong, but I’ll get there. The fact that Posey didn’t make the choice of sitting me with a clear head is what pisses me off.

As annoyed and upset as I am, I’m still unable to get her out of my head. It’s not all this bullshit that I’m thinking of either; it’s how sad her eyes looked in the hall. How she kissed me with such passion. And how if I don’t find out her favorite color soon, I might freak out. I’ve said from the beginning that I think we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot, and I’m wondering if it’s because we feel things and we don’t know how to handle them.

Or maybe that’s just me.

Then again, she isn’t doing well in the communication department either.

If only she had asked me. Talked to me. I would have been pissed she was taking me off the power play, but I wouldn’t be hurt that she did it out of spite. I didn’t take her for that kind of person, and I honestly don’t think she did either. I know that fuckface who was screwing Aiden’s sister fucked with her head, just like Julia did with mine. If we could put all of that behind us, I think something special could happen. If only Posey had pulled me to the side to make sure everything was good, she would have seen I was planning on taking her home with me tonight.

Instead, I’m at Brooks House, in no mood to deal with anyone.

We don’t have practice tomorrow and our next game isn’t for two days up in New York, so the boys are getting rowdy. I have no desire to do the same. I’m going to eat my steak, demolish this baked potato, throw back a beer or two, and then I’m going home. It was a good night and I’m stoked to have my first hatty of the year, but I fear I miss Posey. Which is really bad. I mean, come on. I fuck her once and I miss her?

Talk about being pussy-whipped.

I’m no Aiden Brooks, damn it.

Which reminds me.

I look across the table at my friend, who is throwing back a shot and laughing. He’s been in a great mood lately, says it’s because he’s marrying the hottest girl in the world.

I’m kinda sorta jealous.

But one thing is for sure—Posey is hotter.

“Aiden, what the hell is on your finger?”

I saw him take a ring off and put it in his locker before the game. I thought maybe I had seen it wrong, but then he put it back on after the game. I was so hung up on Posey, I hadn’t asked. Aiden is slightly drunk because he gives me a toothy grin and holds up his hand, flipping me off with his ring finger. “It’s my engagement ring.”

I blink while Wes laughs, the only way he really can laugh. Hard. “Your engagement ring? You’re kidding.”

“Nope! I love it. It’s all black and shit.”

“That’s what girls wear, not dudes,” Wes laughs, and Willy snorts.

“I mean, we all know you have soft, silky hair like a girl, but this is going a bit overboard.”

Aiden splutters. But then he smiles, not even the least bit affected by us. “Fuck all of you. If Shelli gets a ring to keep dudes away, I get one to keep the females away.”