Chapter 5

Chapter

Five

GRACE

Inwardly, I repeat to myself that I hate athletes. I try to talk myself into it. I cannot date a hockey player. Again, a chant that I try to talk myself into. I'm not sure it's going to work, especially with the way he is watching me.

I know who he is. At least, I know he was walking out of my father's office. I should want absolutely nothing to do with the man standing in front of me. And I'm not sure it matters how many times I repeat my inward chants. Because the problem is, I want everything to do with him.

He's perfection.

He's tall and muscular. His dark hair and beard are a bit wild, but it only adds to his attractiveness. He looks like one of those hot mountain men. Like he could swing an axe with ease.

I can't even begin to imagine what he looks like with his clothes off.

And I shouldn't… but I do.

The rest of the evening, I try to engage in conversation and stay away from Otto, but I fail. Over and over, I'm drawn to him, my body instinctually inching closer to his throughout the entire evening. I don't know why he hasn't said more than a few words to me, but the way he watches me, the intensity in his gaze as he does, causes my heart to skip a beat.

Nobody has ever looked at me like that before.

He's perfect.

And he's not for me.

No matter how badly I want him to be.

Not only because of who my father is but also because I don't attract men like him. They are never meant for me, and even if they give me a glance, they figure out that I'm nothing special pretty quickly and move on.

The men stay until after two in the morning, then leave, saying that they have work to do tomorrow. Once they're gone and I've helped clean up, I climb the stairs and head straight for my new bedroom.

I'm exhausted. I feel drained from the day. I did a lot today, moving into this house, having a party, and meeting the neighbors. I'm not an overly social person, so this whole day has taken everything out of me.

Changing into my pajamas, I walk over to the window and open the blinds. I can't help myself. I have to look before I go to sleep. Their house is in direct view. I shouldn't be staring and wondering what Otto is doing right now. I should be climbing into bed and going to sleep.

But I stare and think anyway.

Then my thoughts drift to the place I left a few months ago and to a guy I thought was my boyfriend. A guy who stole my work, called it his own, and was the reason I was expelled from college.

I should hate him.

And I do dislike him, but I wasn't invested in school or him. It was a blessing in disguise. I probably would have complacently stayed with him until he broke me. My low self-worth is more than apparent in my choices when it comes to men. And Hayze was just like all the others.

I wish that the whole thing hadn't ruined my reputation in the process, though. But maybe that's what I needed to bring me here. I'm trying to look at the positives, to stay on the bright side. Maybe that's what I needed to find these girls.

It doesn't hurt that the eye candy across the street is there for my viewing pleasure because that's all they can be—eye candy. I'm going to have a good time enjoying said eye candy.

Closing the blinds, I push away from the window and slip between the clean sheets. Lying in bed, I stare at the ceiling and wonder what the world is going to place at my feet tomorrow.

I thought that my life was over when I was expelled from college. Then I went to my mother's, and she confirmed that my life was indeed over and done. At least any help she gave me was over—she was done with me. Her anger, while justified, won't dissipate—not until I prove myself.

And I will prove myself.

But not for her—for me.

I left my mother's house with no idea of what was going to happen next, just that I had to do something. I had to prove to everyone that I could make it. And with that determination, I've had nothing but positive things come my way.

I doubt it's because of anything I've done per se, but I'm going to keep moving forward and accepting everything that happens. Every good thing. Every little victory, I'm going to say yes to.

I can only hope they continue.

OTTO

Rolling to my side, I force myself to sit up, placing my feet flat on the floor. I run my palm down my face in an attempt to wake up before I stand and shuffle over to the window. I'm not sure why, but I have to look out and take note of the house across the street.

Except that's a lie.

I know exactly what I'm looking for— who I'm looking for. Grace. I haven't been able to get her off my mind since the moment I laid eyes on her a few days ago, watching her carry a box into the house.

Her window blinds are closed, and there isn't any movement in the rest of the house. It doesn't surprise me, especially since it's just past six in the morning. That house usually doesn't start making noise until around eight.

Taking one step backward, I turn and head to the bathroom to get ready for practice. I have a busy day ahead of me, like every day, and it's a fucking dream come true.

A week off is all we've earned for our victory.

And now it's back to work.

Grabbing my duffel from the floor, I head downstairs. I'm not surprised to find my roommates in the kitchen. They're all in different stages of making a protein drink, and I join them, although mine is dairy-free.

"You get that girl's number and ask her out yet?" Forrest calls out with a laugh.

"What girl?" I ask, pretending not to know what the fuck he's talking about as I go about my business. I attempt to appear unbothered, although I'm not sure it works.

He snorts, but it's Alexei who speaks first. "Don't play that shit," he says. "You know who we're talking about. You think we don't know when one of our guys falls?"

Finishing up making my protein drink, I screw the lid onto the shaker bottle and begin to shake it, making sure to do it hard, fast, and loud. Mainly to give myself a moment to think of what to say.

"I haven't fallen," I state. Which is a lie. "I don't even know her."

Lev laughs and then clears his throat. "You know enough."

He's right. I do. Because I want her, want to get to know more of her… naked. With a shrug, I lift my protein drink to my lips and suck down a big gulp. Taking a step backward, I walk over to my duffel, ignoring their shit.

I pick it up by the handles and walk out of the house. I can hear them laughing behind me, and I know it's because they are likely taking bets on how long it'll be before Grace starts spending the night here.

Continuing to ignore them, I jog out to my car, throw my shit inside, and take off toward the arena. I need to focus on practice, on my workout, and then later this afternoon, on my lessons. What I don't need to do is think about the sexy new girl across the street.

So, that is what I do.

Coach Burns' good mood ended immediately after we won the Cup. He's back to his normal self. Tough as goddamn nails, giving us the workout and ass reaming of our lives—every fucking day. It feels good to be back. I don't think I'm someone who needs breaks. Ever . Work me out every damn day.

We moan and groan our way into the locker room. Everyone is beat up from the gym and then practice. It's perfect. After lessons, there is no way I won't be able to sleep tonight.

In fact, I'll be surprised if I even make it to my bed before my eyes start to close. I'm exhausted.

"Heard someone moved into Lorelai's room and that she's hot," Reid calls out as I walk out of the showers and toward my locker.

I think about telling him to mind his own fucking business but decide against it. I also think about telling him that he's got his own woman. He doesn't need to be poking his nose around this one, but again, I decide against it. I'm sure one of the guys said something to him, and he's asking out of curiosity.

"Don't know much about her except her name. Grace."

He chuckles. "I didn't even know Lorelai's name when I asked her to that diner the night I met her. You're already one step ahead of me."

"Who says I want her?" I ask.

Reid whistles, then shakes his head. "Aside from the fact that Forrest already told me?" he asks. I fucking knew it . "It's written all over your face. I can tell. You look exactly like me and Thomas when we started falling for our women."

Waving him off, I finish getting dressed and grab my stuff. "Right," I say, rolling my eyes. "I haven't fallen for shit. I barely know her name."

"You're gonna fall hard, Otto," Reid calls out.

I ignore him, knowing he's probably right. Leaving the practice arena, I head toward my car. Instead of driving to the rink where I teach lessons, I decide to take a cruise past the salon.

I know exactly where the girls' shop is located. Hell, we helped them set up all their equipment a few months back. My gaze scans the front window, and I see her immediately. Her blonde hair stands out in the window as she sweeps the floors. Or maybe it's her ass. I'm not sure.

Parking across the street, I watch her for a moment. I feel like a stalker, but I want to figure out why I'm so drawn to her.

I've never been drawn to anyone like this before.

I've had girlfriends, and although hockey has always taken center stage, I have dated. But no girl I've ever gone out with has made me feel the way Grace does. Even in the few moments I've been around her.

I want to find out more.

I want to taste her.

I want to see her smile.

I simply want her.