Offside (The Barker Triplets 1)

“Easy, Forest. They’re just a bunch of assholes with nothing better to do then bitch and complain.” Shane shook his head and took another sip from his mug. “Besides, do you really want me to violate the terms of my parole by getting into a bar fight with you?”

“Don’t worry about me.” Logan stood and moved toward Seth’s table. There were about ten men seated, all drinking and in varying states of sobriety. Most had been quiet throughout the evening, but now that Billie had showed, they’d become as animated as Longwood.

“Hell, no.” One of them shouted. “I’m playing Friday nights to get away from the old lady and hang out with the boys, not some crazy female who thinks she’s better than us.”

“Damn right. No pussy allowed.” Another piped in.

Logan stopped and slowly rolled his head. At six-four, with wide shoulders and a hard, trim body he commanded a certain amount of respect on sight.

Seth glared at him, his beet red face all puffed up like he was a Goddamn blowfish. He was going to have to tune the little bastard up one day. But not here. Not in Duke’s place.

“Longwood, I’d suggest you keep your filthy mouth shut.” His steely blue gaze swept over the table as he flexed his hands. “That’d be a good piece of advice for the rest of you boys.”

“What the hell’s your problem?” Seth’s words were slurred. “Christ Forest, we all like pussy but it has its place.”

Logan’s eyes narrowed as someone yelled, “Hell, yeah.”

It seemed to bolster Longwood’s bravery. He puffed up his chest even more. “And that sure as hell ain’t out on the ice in our league.”

“You really want to get into it with me?” Logan kept his voice level, but there was no mistaking his state of mind—he was pissed.

Seth’s Adam’s apple bobbed as his bravery fled. Nervously he held his hands up. “I don’t want trouble, but I don’t see what’s wrong with us telling it like it is.” He motioned to the rest of the table. “There’s nothing wrong with saying what we feel.”

Logan raised a brow and bent forward, clapping Seth on the shoulder. He gripped the man hard. “You can say what’s on your mind, Longwood. I just think it would be in your best interest to use your brain and choose your words carefully.” He stood back. “Understand?”

“I’d pay close attention to what my friend just imparted, because I’m itching for some action and I don’t mind saying, kicking your asses would ease the scratch real good.” Shane moved alongside Logan and smiled at the now silent men.

They all knew his history, and they knew he wouldn’t hesitate to follow through on his promises—or rather—threats.

Seth’s eyes narrowed. “I’m just saying what we’re all thinking. None of the captains will draft her. No one wants to play with her.”

“Is that so?” Logan asked.

He glanced over their heads toward the far side of the bar. Billie’s eyes were trained his way and though there was no way she could hear their conversation over the din in The Grill, he knew she had gotten the gist. It was pretty hard to miss with all the curses flying and long, hard looks thrown her way.

He smiled and nodded toward Longwood. “You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll take her.”

Silence followed his proclamation.

“Logan, what’s going on?”

[i]Shit[i]. He’d forgotten Sabrina was meeting him. Logan swore beneath his breath and turned to the blonde staring at him as if he’d lost his mind. He had been seeing Sabrina for the last six months or so and though they’d had a lot of fun, lately, he found himself bored. There was no reason for it, except, well, she didn’t hol

d his interest outside of the bedroom and even that had started to diminish.

Hell, the last time he’d stayed at her place he’d fallen asleep on her sofa and hadn’t even made it to her bed.

Her blue eyes narrowed as she gazed across the room. “Tell me you did [i]not[i] just offer to let her onto your team.”

Irritated, he ignored her comment and turned to the men. “I’ll see you boys next Friday.”

Sabrina linked her arm through his and he fought the urge to shake her off. “Seriously, Logan? You’re going to play with her?”

“It’s none of your business, Bree.” His voice was curt and he felt like an ass when she turned her face away, hurt and pissed off. Damn, it was probably time to cut her loose before this territorial thing most women developed after six months ramped up.

Billie was watching him and he nodded, a quick, short movement, before turning away and tossing some cash onto the bar. “That should cover my tab, Duke.”

Shane ordered up another draft. “I think I’ll stick around and uh, make sure little Billie doesn’t get harassed.”