Hard Pass (St. Louis Mavericks 3)

The money would go to charity and everyone who participated got swag and discount coupons for Jackson Athletics. With my face all over the jumbotron and at the booth where people were signing up, I was in the spotlight much more than I wanted to be, but at least the picture of me holding a hot dog in each hand was tame and G-rated compared to the original photo. They’d photoshopped in a hot dog cart, giving it a carnival feel, so it made it a lot more innocent.

I got in the elevator and headed up. I liked watching from the press box since it was big and airy, set at center ice. The arena was sold out tonight, and though that wasn’t unusual, it felt good to know I helped make it happen.

This job fulfilled me in ways none of my others ever had. Not only was the money good, but I looked forward to coming in every day. I’d made friends, my colleagues respected me, and the bonuses would make my life so much easier.

The puck dropped and my heart was instantly in my throat. I was always happy and a little nervous when the Mavericks played, but this was different. I was excited in general, but I was also a little enamored watching Nash on the ice. I knew the cocky prankster side of him, the thoughtful, generous side, and now the sexy, passionate side. There was so much more to him than I’d imagined and seeing what he was capable of on the ice made me reconsider everything I thought I knew about him.

How was one professional athlete the whole fucking package and how had I allowed myself to fall under his spell? I didn’t have any illusions about us having a future or anything crazy like that, but my gut told me neither of us had gotten enough of the sex.

A breakaway on the ice snapped my attention back to the game and Nash glided toward Tampa’s net like he and the puck were one. He flicked his wrist and the puck slid between the goalie’s legs, and when that red light went off I screamed as loud as everyone else.

“Way to score, Reilly!” I yelled out.

“Bet you liked when he scored last night too,” Monique murmured in my ear.

My face flushed hot and I jabbed her with my elbow. “Hush!” I replied in a heated whisper. We’d been too busy to go to lunch, but we’d snuck away for a quick break where I’d given her the Reader’s Digest version of last night’s sexcapades.

She just laughed at me. “Go on down and play with those wieners.”

I gave her a look. “Are you sure you’re not a thirteen-year-old boy?”

“Sometimes.”

Despite her ribbing, the game was action packed and the hot dog eating contest went well. We had over fifty contestants and the winner got four tickets to the game of their choice next season.

I missed the second goal, scored by Wes, but Nash scored again just as I got back up to the press box and the energy in the arena was contagious.

“That’s how you do it, Reilly!” Monique said, putting two fingers in her mouth and whistling louder than anyone I’d ever heard in my life.

“Damn, you got some lungs,” I said, laughing.

Despite today’s tragic loss, the team was on fire. They were focused and steady, keeping Tampa on their toes, and Drew was like a brick wall in goal. He made saves that left us gasping, and as the final buzzer sounded, the team immediately surrounded him. There was no doubt he was tonight’s first star, and I watched the celebrations on the ice and in the stands with a smile.

Hopefully, we would go out to celebrate.

My body still tingled from last night’s lovemaking, and I would have been a liar if I said I didn’t want more. I was an adult who was allowed to enjoy mind-blowing sex with the sexiest man alive, and after all the sadness today, I was pretty sure Nash could use some too. I’d think about what it might mean for us to continue sleeping together later. Right now, I just wanted to party.

I headed down to the lower level looking for Monique. The team was probably showering and getting dressed now, so it would be a little while before I could see Nash, but Mo would know if people were going out.

“Hey, give me five, will you?” she called out. She was huddled with two of the camera operators and I nodded.

“Come find me,” I called back. I headed toward the family lounge, which was on the same level as the locker rooms, smiling at friends and family members I recognized. I felt a little out of place, since I technically wasn’t a friend or family member, so I leaned against a wall and pulled out my phone, checking email.