Power Play (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 2)

He brings me into his side as I say, “I have a thyroid thing, and sugar makes it angry. I’m not supposed to eat gluten or too many carbs either, but I’m at the point where I feel I need to live my best life.”

“Wes has a gluten allergy. He eats it and pisses out his ass for hours on end.”

“That’s unfortunate. On many levels.”

“It is,” he agrees. “I feel for the dude because I love me a sandwich.”

“Right? A meatball one is bomb.”

He waggles his brows. “You like balls, huh?”

I smack his chest, laughing as we head inside and to a booth. When he sits beside me, I’m giddy at how close he is. He wraps an arm around me as we look over the sushi list. Once we have our rolls picked, we order some sake to go with them and then settle into the booth together. He picks up my legs, draping them over his as our eyes meet. “Favorite color?” I ask, and he nods.

“Blue,” he says simply. “Like the color of your eyes.”

“Nice line,” I tease, and he grins.

“I felt so,” he teases back with a wink. “You have three brothers and Shelli, right?”

“Yes, huge family. I have two real cousins and then two friend cousins. Holidays are insane at my house. You?”

“Just me and my mom.”

“No siblings?”

“Nope. I mean, Wes and Aiden are like my brothers, but no blood. Just me and Mom.”

“What’s her name?”

“Tina. She’s the best. She raised me all by herself. No help at all. When she got pregnant by my father, whom I’ve never met, her parents put her out.”

I widen my eyes. “I couldn’t imagine. My mom’s family is awful. I think I’ve met my grandma like twice, but my grandpa is great. My dad’s family are the best people in the world. There are seven of us, but we all feel like we’re the favorite. They’re awesome—” I pause when I realize I might be bragging. Shit. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be—”

“Shouldn’t be what? Sharing your family with me? That’s bullshit. I’m glad you have that. I wish I did, but my mom loves me enough for a billion people. I’m okay, I promise. I want to know this stuff about you.”

“Do you want to meet your father?”

He shakes his head. “No. He didn’t want me. I don’t want him. Really, my mom is amazing.”

“She sounds incredibly strong.”

“Hell yeah, she is. She’d give you the shirt off her back. Just a damn good woman.”

I smile. “My mom is amazing, and my dad is too.”

“I know. You got some legendary parents.”

“Yeah, it’s hard to live up to their legacy sometimes.”

“Really?”

“I always worry that I’m not doing them proud. Like, Shelli is Shelli. She was successful before she was sixteen. Owen and Evan were drafted first round at eighteen. Quinn is already promised to a premed program. And then there is me. I feel like I’m the sucky Adler.”

He’s squinting at me.

“What?” I laugh, and he shakes his head.

“You are the youngest power play coach we’ve ever had, and you’re a female. Most hockey folks don’t think females are good enough to be in our sport, but all they gotta do is listen to you on the ice to know you own that shit. You’re amazing, Posey. Just as successful and legendary as your whole family.”

My heart jumps into my throat. “You think so?”

“I know so.”

I let out a relieved breath. “Maybe I am.”

He kisses my cheek. “You are.”

I lean my face into his lips, and he kisses me once more as I ask, “Did you always want to be a hockey player?”

“No. Actually, I wanted to be an astronaut, but I’m scared of heights.”

I press my lips together, trying not to laugh. “I feel that could pose a problem.”

“A bit. So I decided to skate like everyone else. I was good growing up, which is why I was able to do it. No one made my mom pay because they wanted me on their team.”

“That’s amazing. You went third in the draft?”

“Yes, my beautiful stalker—”

I snort. “Shut up. I follow that stuff. I like knowing who’s up-and-coming. You went to Boston, right?”

“I’m so flattered that you stalk me,” he teases, his eyes playful. “Give me your love flower—”

“Love flower?” I snort, but he ignores me.

“And stalk me. You’re making me feel all kinds of special.”

“I hate you,” I say, and he laughs. “Is that where you met your ex?”

The mention of her makes his grin fall. “Yeah, freshman orientation.”

I lean on my hand, watching him.

“We were just friends in college. I was drafted before I graduated, and we hooked up when I went back to campus for my coach’s retirement celebration a couple years later, right before I left the Devils. We got engaged about a year later.”

“She said you don’t show emotion? Which is why she cheated?”