More than Friends

As I pick up the pace, her eyes widen, and she bites down on the pillow. With her eyes focused on me, the look of pure ecstasy in them forces me to pound into her harder, faster. Her body convulses once more, the grip she has on me tightening. Although muffled by the fabric, her scream reaches the silent air.

Panic sets in for a moment. I don’t want this to end, but the thought of the Baldwin brothers breaking down the door to interrupt us causes me to move faster.

She lets out one last sigh, watching me, as I find my release. I collapse on top of her and kiss her lips before rolling onto the mattress next to her.

Did I convince her that we could have more? I hope so because my love for Kat is true. After we last had sex, I was confused and unsure of how to separate my feelings. After months apart, what I felt for her back in college has only grown stronger. But how would this work? She’s right about not seeing each other for most of the year.

I move the pillow behind my head and Kat curls up next to me to rest her head on my chest. “Why couldn’t the Blackhawks pick you instead of the Flyers?”

I laugh and plant a kiss on her forehead. “Because I have bad luck.”

She drags her finger along my jaw and smiles. “I wish we could find a way to make this work.”

Her words are like a punch to the gut. “We can,” I tell her. “I will find a way.”

“I guess we can see what happens. Maybe our luck will change.”

“Even if it doesn’t, I will do everything in my power to be with you, Kitten.”

She smiles. “We should get some sleep. Your flight leaves in a few hours.”

“I can sleep on the plane.” I grab her by the hips and pull her on top of me. Her body is more filled out than before. Even her breasts are larger.

Glancing down at my cock, she licks her lips. “You’re hard again.”

“I’m not done with you.” I lift her up just enough to slide her onto me, careful not to fill her all at once.

She falls forward, presses her palms against my chest, and whispers my name. I stare up at her, hoping this means as much to her as it does to me. Falling in love with my best friend was the last thing I wanted to happen. But it did. Now, we have to figure out how to navigate our relationship from here.

Chapter 18

Four months after the NHL Draft

Dean

Skate, train, practice, repeat. That was my schedule for most of the summer and all through the pre-season. Now, my entire life revolves around hockey. I keep telling myself that this is what I wanted. But having all this success doesn’t feel the same when I have to do it alone.

Even though I got a nice first-year salary, one that allowed my mother to quit all of her jobs, I wish she had taken me up on my offer to live with me in Philly, but she loves the weather in Florida too much. Then, there’s Kat, who has her internship and her entire life in Chicago. Both of my girls feel as though they are a world away, even though they are only a short plane ride from me.

With each week and month that passes, it’s even harder to find the time to talk to Kat. Everything between us has gone to shit since the Draft. I never have time. Our schedules always conflict.

On the way to the club, I hit the button on my steering wheel for Kat’s number. Her line rings several times before I get her voicemail. She finished work two hours ago. By now, Kat should be home watching TV for the night. Lately, she has been tired because of her internship and often passes out early, making it even harder for us to talk.

I miss her like fucking crazy. Soon enough, my team will be in Chicago to play the Blackhawks, and I will finally have a night alone with my girl. If she doesn’t start to hate me for all the missed conversations. I made a promise to her that I plan to keep. But our time difference and schedules are making a liar of me.

When I get to Scores, I pull into the crowded parking lot, surprised to find a strip club. My new teammates, Liam West and Shane Murphy, told me to meet them here for a drink, but I had assumed it was a sports bar. If I weren't with Kat, Dirty Dean would be coming out to play tonight. But Kat makes me a better man. Despite my lack of sex over the past few months, I have to be on my best behavior.

The guilt of being here without Kat knowing has me on edge. Now, more than ever, I wish she would answer the damn phone. I dial her number one more time and get the same result. I don’t want to leave a message on her voicemail about a strip club. I doubt Kat would appreciate that.

When I get out of the car and walk up to the building, Liam and Shane are already waiting for me at the door off to the side, with their hands stuffed inside their winter jackets. Of all my teammates, only Liam and Shane have welcomed me to the team. Parker, Kane, and Donovan have all been dicks. In fact, Tyler Kane even went as far as asking our coach to bench me. He thinks I play dirty and that I am not a team player.

Kane can think whatever he wants. I didn’t lead my college team to three championships because I used tricks and shady tactics to get us there. The first few weeks with the Flyers was rough. At least I have Liam and Shane. They help to lessen the tension in the locker room and on the ice.

“About time,” Liam says. “We thought you were going to bail on us again.”

“Nope, not this time. You’re stuck with me tonight.”

“Let’s get this party started,” Shane says, pressing a buzzer next to the door.