Jameson (Face-Off 4)

What has changed since Charlie and the gang had to show up and ruin everything?

“I don’t mix business with pleasure. Sorry.” She gives my arm a pity stroke that sets my skin on fire.

Why is she sorry?

Regan flashes a tiny small before saying her goodbye’s to everyone in our group, including me. “It was nice meeting you, Jameson.”

“Wait.” I grab her forearm as she walks away. “You never answered my question.”

A sullen expression crosses her face. “Under different circumstances, I would’ve said yes to you in a heartbeat.”

“What circumstances?” I ask, bewildered.

“I can’t get mixed up in my father’s business. I’m sorry. It’s just not a good idea. But I’m glad we met. Come by and see me sometime. I'll make sure you have nachos for the next game.”

Without giving me time to interject, she waves over her shoulder at me, falling in line with the rest of the crowd, as she strolls down the hall.

Charlie leans close and whispers into my ear. “Did you ask Regan out?”

I frown. “Yeah, but she shot me down.”

“She doesn’t date athletes.”

“But I’m not an athlete,” I counter, “not even close.”

Charlie shrugs. “Yeah, but I bet she thinks you are one just by association with me.”

“Why would she think I’m one of your players?” I stare down at my clothes. I’m built, but nowhere near the kind of conditioning that screams professional athlete.

“You’re in much better shape that you realize, Jamie.” She acts nonchalant. “It’s probably for the best. If things didn’t work out for you, it would mess up my relationship with her father, and I can’t have that.”

“Who is her father?” The question of the hour.

“Mike Turner.”

It takes me a minute to recognize the name. “Her dad is the Mike Turner?”

“The one and only,” Charlotte says.

I scratch the stubble on my chin, trying to process the news. Mike Turner is the general manager for the Flyers, a hall of famer, and one of the most legendary hockey players to step onto the ice. “I guess that makes her like hockey royalty.”

Charlie nods. “Yup, which also makes her off-limits to you.”

A challenge. Even though I should stay away, I want to pursue Regan even more, so she can see that I’m nothing like my friends.

Chapter 4

Regan

Jameson is the man-of-honor Coach had mentioned at the game. I hadn’t expected him to be so…hot. Actually, I had no idea what I thought he’d look like. After our conversation at the Flyers game, I had lunch with Coach and told her about all the ways we can accommodate her wedding reception. She’d mentioned Jamie several times, raved about him, even. The only thing I’d known about him before tonight was that he was Coach’s best friend.

I almost said yes to his offer. But onc

e the reality of Jamie being Coach’s best friend had sunk in, and what their relationship means to me, I couldn’t go through with dinner. With Coach and her friends so wrapped up in my father’s business, I cannot interfere. Plus, I don’t date athletes.

Jamie is in ridiculous shape, just as toned and muscular as some of the guys on the team. He’s not a hockey or basketball player. I know everyone in both leagues. But I don’t follow the other sports as much as I should, so what sport does he play? Soccer, maybe? He has the build for it. Coach surrounds herself with professional athletes. If only I knew his last name. Then, I could Facebook and Google stalk him to get his stats and scope out his life.

Five minutes after I get back to my office, Murph walks through the door with a wide grin on his face. He sits in one of the leather chairs in front of my desk and folds his hands on his lap.