Maverick (Sin City Saints Hockey 1)

“It’s just…old feelings about what happened to my dad,” I admit to Ro. “I’ll be okay.”

Her grin is catlike. “May I recommend incredible sex to get your mind off things? The hot guy who owns this house would be more than happy to oblige. And you guys are about to have the place to yourselves.”

“Are you leaving for class?”

She shakes her head. “No, I mean…permanently.”

I frown at her, and she breaks into a smile.

“You know how I haven’t been around much lately because I’m helping with the choreography for the next show?” she says. “Well, as much as I can help with one functioning ankle. I’ve sort of been seeing this new dancer in the show, Jason. He’s one of the first line dancers who gets a comped suite as part of the show. He asked me to stay with him, and I’m going to. It’ll be a lot less back and forth between here and the hotel on crutches. Plus, I really like him. It hasn’t been very long, and I plan to keep up the apartment so don’t worry about that. But for now, this feels right.”

Ro is glowing with happiness. I reach over and squeeze her hand.

“This is great. I’m happy for you.”

Her expression turns serious. “You’re my best friend, Gia. I’ll still be picking you up for Sunday dinners at my parents’ house, and we have to make time for shopping and nights out. I don’t want to lose our friendship.”

My heart aches with happiness. I didn’t plan on my roommate becoming such a dear friend when we moved in together. It was for pragmatic reasons—someone to split the bills and take the trash out on occasion. Instead, I have a best friend for the first time in my life.

“I adore you, Ro,” I say, swallowing against the lump in my throat. “I want to meet this guy, and I absolutely still want us to spend time together.”

“Time alone,” she says firmly. “I’ll never be one of those women who doesn’t go anywhere without my boyfriend. Ugh, how constraining. I need time to talk about how he is in bed and how he wears the silliest looking brief underwear I’ve ever seen.”

“Briefs?” I arch my brows.

“Not just briefs, girl. They have a ball hammock. A pocket for his balls. He says he loves them because they keep everything from bouncing around and getting sweaty while he’s dancing.”

I laugh lightly. “There’s something about that I really like, though. He sounds like a guy who gets his teeth cleaned twice a year and doesn’t leave his socks on the floor.”

“Jason? Oh yeah, that’s him. You’ll like him, though.”

“The Internet will be most disappointed that you and Pike aren’t riding off into the sunset together,” I tease.

Ro laughs. “Who knows where this thing with Jason will go, but for now, I’m happy. I wouldn’t move into an apartment with him right now or anything, but staying in his suite…hopefully it’ll be fun.”

“Just don’t let your grades slip,” I say, channeling my inner Eliza Harmon, mom extraordinaire.

“Jason’s taking college classes, too. We study together sometimes.”

“I like him already.”

She clears her throat, a mischievous gleam in her eye. “Hey, I’m not trying to throw shade or anything, but it’s kinda funny that your best friend with a bum ankle is getting laid while you’re living the nun life.”

“Ha! Go on, rub it in.”

She taps her chin thoughtfully. “If only there were a hot, willing, single man nearby who could melt ice with the way he looks at you.”

“If only.” I give her a look. “And hey, if you decide you don’t want to stay in the apartment at any time, it’s fine. I’m not going to be there long term, and I can buy out the lease or go month to month. It’s no problem.”

“What? Where are you going to be?”

I give her hand another squeeze and say, “I’m not sure yet, but I’ll know soon. And when I do, you’ll be the first person I tell.”

“Be smart, Gia,” she says softly. “Maverick seems like a really good man, and I just want you to be happy, okay? You deserve it.”

The lump in my throat returns, and I can’t seem to find any words, so I just nod.

Ro has left for class and I’m dozing in my lounger by the pool an hour later when I hear someone approaching.

“Hey,” Maverick says, tossing a big beach towel onto an open chair. “How are you?”

I slide my sunglasses down and take in the view. Covered in sweat and bronzed from the sun, Maverick is a walking temptation. The sweat adds definition to his already defined muscles and his swim trunks hang just low enough to show the definition of the “V” at the top of his hips.

“Good, how are you?”

He grins. “Better now. You look hot in that little swimsuit.”