All the Sauce (IceCats 4)

To my surprise, though, there is a welcome distraction from the shitshow my life is about to become.

Paxy.

Being a Nashville Assassins’ kid, especially the owner’s and captain’s kid, I knew everyone. Yes, there are a ton of players and staff, but we really are a family. Even players who moved on due to trades or retirement, I still keep in contact with their kids. We grew up together, cheering on the best team in the NHL. Our box in the arena was always full, and we had a blast.

Everyone got along, and everyone loved me—except for Angie Paxton. She never liked me. Never talked to me or even acknowledged me. We would be in the same room, on the same couch, and she would completely ignore me. She loved Evan; they hung out, and there were rumors of them dating for a bit there, but they never did.

It was crazy, but I did everything to not let it bother me. While I found her hot and so damn funny and I wanted to get with her, I wouldn’t waste my time. I had plenty of girls who wanted to date me; it didn’t matter that Paxy didn’t want me. Or at least, that’s what I told myself. In truth, it did bother me. I didn’t get it. She wouldn’t even look at me. Well, I take that back. There was one time. She caught me on a face-off and knocked me on my ass. She looked me right in the eye and told me never to forget her name.

And I never did.

But then Paxy fell off the grid. She deleted all her social media, moved, and stopped coming to events for the Assassins. She didn’t even come to my sister’s wedding. The biggest event of the year. I don’t know if Shelli noticed, but I sure did. I remember my mom talking to Lucy, Paxy’s mom, but all she said was Paxy was really focused on work and school. I didn’t even know she was here until Evan told me she was working for the organization. It’s a pretty impressive job to be working on the mental health team of the IceCats facility, but I’m not surprised. She’s always been super smart, and she was a super-talented hockey player. She got hurt, though, and moved on to volleyball. I, for one, enjoyed watching her in those short shorts.

I watch her as she moves around Evan, taking his vitals and asking questions. I’ve always found her eyes to be so arresting. They’re such an interesting green; they shine but also deepen in color and get wider when she’s deep in thought. Or when she’s telling a story. I would imagine that they’d get richer in color when she comes too. Not that I’ve ever gotten to find out. Her dark hair has a lot of blond running through it and is really curly. She has the top half pulled up, her bangs straight along her brow, and her gold, round-rimmed glasses rest beneath them. Her lashes are so long, kissing the lenses of her glasses every time she blinks. Her cheeks are full and rosy, while her lips are glossy and thick. The only difference now is that she’s gained some weight. When we were younger, she was a stick. No shape whatsoever, not that I didn’t still find her hot. But now… Wow.

“Okay. Dr. Tembalt and I will be back in a few.”

She gathers her things, and Evan says, “Thanks, Angie.”

She smiles sweetly at him and doesn’t even spare me a look before she walks out of the room.

I shake my head as Evan glances over at me. “What?”

“She stills hates me.”

He laughs. “She’s never hated you. She just doesn’t care.”

“Same thing,” I retort. “Why, though? I’m a joy and a delight.”

Evan snorts. “The fact that you have to say that means you’re not.”

I grin, enjoying the ease of us. “Mom says differently.”

He gives me a blank look. “You could take a shit on the Stanley Cup, and Mom would applaud the shape of your shit.”

We both snicker at that, knowing damn well it’s true. Mom is awesome. “Whatever. I never did anything to Paxy.”

He shrugs. “She always thought you were full of yourself. Thinking you’re the best and all.”

I look over at him. “I am.”

He scoffs. “Shut up.” We share a grin, and when I look away, he says, “I’m surprised you still have her on your radar.”

“What does that mean?”

He grins over at me. “Been through a lot of women, bro. I didn’t think you’d remember someone who ignored you.”

I scoff. “That’s why I didn’t forget her.” He laughs, and I smile as I admit, “It’s good to see she’s put some weight on. She used to be a stick.”

“Yeah. She’s actually super self-conscious about it.”

I scrunch up my face. “What? Why?”