“Nah, I don’t want to interfere with family time. You barely see your dad as it is with how much he travels for work.”
“No, you have to come.” She pulls on my arm and shakes me. “Duke and Austin even drove down to celebrate.”
Duke and Austin are the eldest of the Baldwin brothers and both NHL players. And intimidating as fuck. Between Duke and Austin, I don’t know who’s bigger or full of more rage. Of the two, Austin is more down-to-earth but just as overprotective of Kat as Duke. Her brothers are the reason we are not together. Theo and Tucker would kill me if they knew I had sex with Kat on more than on occasion.
I remove my helmet, laughing. “Is that s
upposed to be the selling point? Duke is the least friendly person I have ever met.”
She nudges me in the arm with her elbow, a big fuck you grin on her face. “My brothers can be a bit—”
“Overbearing,” I finish for her. “Crazy.”
“No, silly.” She laughs. “They are not that bad. Duke and Austin would make most men want to run, but you are not most men. Plus, Dad insisted that you come with us since your mom couldn’t make it.”
As much as my mom wanted to watch me play in person, she couldn’t afford the trip. The flight alone would have cost her close to one month’s rent payment, not including the hotel and other expenses. I worked as many hours as I could between hockey and school at the pizza shop on campus, but it wasn’t enough money.
I sigh at her words.
“Hey, I didn’t mean it like that.” Kat hooks her arm through mine and pulls me closer. “If anyone should have been here, it’s your mom. But look at the bright side. You will be able to afford to fly her to every game you ever play once you get in the NHL.”
Squeezing her at my side, I dip down to kiss her on the forehead. “At least I had one of my good luck charms with me.”
“You can be such a mushball sometimes.” She gives me a crooked grin that reaches up to her eyes.
“It could be worse,” I counter.
“Right, I could get Dirty Dean, and we both know I don’t like him one bit.”
I snort. “I’m not dirty. Whoever came up with that name is a dick, and I should whoop their ass.”
“I hate to break it to you, but you kinda earned that name, Dirty Dean.” She says it again to taunt me.
“Just be thankful you don’t get to see him that often.”
“Only when you’re drunk, thank god. I couldn’t handle it if you were like that all the time. You’re so touchy-feely when your alter ego comes out to play. And you like to get a little too…naked.” She eyes me up and down as if she likes what she sees—because I know she does—but her face gives away nothing.
I hold my hand over my heart, making a sad face. “I’m hurt.”
Kat chuckles and tugs at my hand, dragging me to the rink exit. “You are not hurt. Stop being a baby and take a shower. You smell horrible, and I’m leaving for the restaurant in one hour. Dad will not wait for you, so get moving.”
“You are such a bossy kitty,” I joke, using my nickname against her.
She purrs at me, as per the usual, and we both laugh.
At least one of my girls was here to watch me win another championship. Kat walks with me to the locker room, where we part ways, promising to meet in the same spot. I wish I could attend dinner as her boyfriend and not her best friend.
Chapter 8
Senior Year
Kat
After messing with my hair for far too long, I give up on the curls that refuse to stay in place and rush downstairs to the lobby to meet Dean. He stayed with his team a few blocks away at an affordable hotel. I was planning to do the same, but my dad had insisted on booking me a suite at the Peninsula, which was complete overkill for the weekend.
The elevator doors open and within seconds, I step out to find Dean, dressed in a black oxford and slacks that blend perfectly with his dark features. Even in the winter, his skin still has the appearance of a slight tan from his olive skin. Waiting with his palm against the wall, as if he’s holding the damn thing up, Dean looks like a Greek god, with his short, wavy hair styled and his muscular body toned to perfection.
My best friend has no shortage of women throwing themselves at him—and with good reason. It’s hard not to be attracted to Dean. But I like having him as my friend. Our situation is far too complicated. Sometimes, I wonder if I ruined our friendship by asking him to take my virginity. Regardless, I have no regrets. He had me at hockey, and we have been inseparable ever since.