Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

ZACH

I ce baths are not the one.

I didn't like them when I was in college, and I hate them even more now.

"Getting older isn't fun." I turn to Jon, who looks just as impressed with the "therapy" as I am.

"I've got four years on you, rook. Wait until you can't bend your knee the next morning."

"I kind of like them." Jensen gets into another bath beside me. "The shock makes you feel alive."

I lean back and squeeze my eyes shut, fighting through the discomfort as it freezes my bones. "You sound like Luna."

"How many times is that now?" Jessie shouts across to Jon.

"Half a dozen at least. No wait, seven with this one."

I remain motionless, hoping that perhaps my lack of reaction will deter them.

"The wife messaged me earlier; she said Luna has a dress."

I do respond to that. "Yeah? Did she manage to convince her?"

A huge grin spreads across his face. "Yep. You're four thousand dollars lighter and also in the doghouse."

I knew I would be when I swung by their place earlier this morning to slip Felicity my card. A sense of satisfaction settles over me, knowing I finally managed to treat her. I want to do it again and again and again.

"Kate got something too, Jensen."

"Good for her," he shouts back to Jon and then climbs out of the bath.

"You haven't finished your time, and I thought you liked freezing your balls off," Jon quips.

"Nope, all done."

He throws a towel over his shoulders and strides through the pool area, swinging the locker room door open with force. It's like a flashback to the bar in Whistler, but each time he's even more pissed.

I look to Jon. "What's eating him?"

"Honestly? I've got no idea. Things haven't been right with him in a while. He killed it in light practice this morning though."

"Yeah, angrily killed it. Scared the shit out of me," I reply.

"Zach Evans, scared? Come on now." The alarm on Jon's phone goes off. "Time's up, buddy. Thank fuck."

This is my chance to talk to him about last season. Like hell am I going to coach with it. Burrows is still pissed at me for playing in that mindset back in New York. I open my mouth but immediately clamp it shut when his phone starts ringing.

"Hey, Angel."

Wrapping my towel around my waist, I make for the locker room. There's nothing worse than being a third wheel in a conversation.

"Yo, Zach, wait up," Jon calls after me.

Holding his phone face down to his chest, he stands there, his junk barely covered with the smallest underpants known to man—it's nothing I haven't seen before but Jesus, have a bit of dignity. We all know you have it downstairs.

"Yeah?"

"They're over at Riley's Bar, introducing Luna to the Scorpion's hangout. Want to join them?"

"Yeah, sure."

He goes back to the phone right as I push through the door. "Yeah, count us in."

Riley's is packed as it always is.

We find the girls sitting in the large back booths away from most of the crowd, and as soon as I lock eyes on Luna, I breathe a sigh of relief. She looks happy, relaxed, and like she's known the girls for years.

Sliding into Luna's side, I automatically rest my arm along the back behind her head, and I don't miss the way Kate inspects my every move.

"Give me some lovin'." Jon slides in next to Felicity and pulls her into his arms, burying his face in her neck. "Missed you, Angel."

"Oh, and here comes my lunch."

We all turn to Kate as Jon cocks a brow at her.

"What? It's been all of four hours since you last saw her."

He grabs a French fry from the plate in front of Felicity and points it at Kate. "We'll make a believer out of you yet."

"I very much doubt that." She pauses and spins her empty cocktail glass around a couple of times, staring down into the bottom. "And anyway, who's to say I'm not seeing someone."

We all stop what we're doing. Luna pauses at sipping her drink.

"What?" Felicity eventually speaks first.

"I'm seeing someone. No big deal."

"Who? What? Where from?"

"One at a time, please. He's a lawyer, and no, he doesn't work with us. I met him in college, and we recently reconnected at a wedding for our mutual friends." She flushes slightly and leans back in the booth. "I kind of really like him."

Felicity belts out the classic wedding march and Luna bursts into laughter, the sound squeezing at my heart.

"That'll be you soon, Angel." Jon turns and plants a kiss on the side of her neck.

"Have you set a date?"

Felicity's eyes light up at Luna. "Yes! We have, but I'm not saying just yet. We need to make sure the registrar can do it first."

"Why don't you bring this guy to the gala?" I ask Kate.

A flash of excitement crosses her face. "I didn't want to impose, and you haven't met him yet, so I thought maybe I shouldn't."

"Bring him. I think we need to put a face to this…what is his name?" It's my foundation. What the hell if the organizers moan.

"Tom."

"Yeah, bring Tom. Tell him to bring his wallet too. We need all the donations we can get."

"What type of lawyer is he?" Luna asks.

She's fit right in with the group, like she was always meant to be here. Jon shoots me a glance from across the table, and I know he's thinking the same.

"Litigation, like me."

Felicity's tone is stern. "And how come I'm only hearing about this now?"

Kate shrugs. "I wanted to see if it was more than just sex."

I practically spray my beer across the table but halt when I see the way Felicity is looking at Luna.

She knows.

Retracting my arm from behind her head, I bring it to rest at the top of Luna's thigh. She visibly relaxes under my touch and fuck if that doesn't do something to me. Leaning into her ear, I whisper quietly. "Everything okay, Rocket?"

She nods while the others continue their conversation. "Yeah. Thank you for the dress and shoes. You really didn't have to."

"I can't wait to see you in them." Her skin pebbles, and my urge to move my mouth just a few inches lower and kiss where I see her response is overwhelming.

"Did you have a good practice?"

Physically yes, but mentally not so much. "Yeah, it was good."

I look over to see everyone still engrossed with Kate's news. "I have a late session tomorrow, and the ice is free afterward. How about you join me? I can help you learn to skate."

Turning her head slowly, her eyes go wide. "I don't have any skates."

"You do. I got you some today, and I put them in for sharpening overnight. I'm particular about my blades."

"You bought skates for me now?"

"Yeah. You kind of need them to learn."

"Aren't you just full of surprises today."

God, I could flirt with her all day, if it didn't make my dick so hard in public.

"Did you get a chance to talk to Jon?"

"Not yet. I'll try again tomorrow."

"Don't leave it too long. It's like getting back on the horse. The sooner you do it, the better."

I smirk at her analogy. Fucking ride me, baby. Please.

"Are you all set for the new school year, Luna?"

She turns to Felicity, and I look up to find Jon fixed directly on me. I can already see how tomorrow's practice is going to play out.

"Yeah, I caught up with all my lesson plans just before coming out here."

"She's head of Art and Design. Got a promotion at the end of last year," I confirm, pride swelling within me.

"Oh wow. That's really impressive. You must be a really gifted teacher," Felicity replies.

"I love what I do. It doesn't pay great, but I love my kids, watching them grow and develop. It's really rewarding."

"You're right to follow your dreams. Do what makes you happy," she agrees.

Luna nods. "What are your kids studying?"

"My son, Jack, is just entering his sophomore year studying kinesiology. My daughter, Darcy, is back home in England about to enter her first year and is reading English Literature."

"And Jack's making some waves in division one," Jon adds.

I sit up. "Is he now?" Last I heard he was good, but Jon doesn't praise anyone without merit. Even future stepchildren.

He nods, a serious look on his face. "He's going to be the starting forward this season, mark my words."

"Think he's got what it takes?" I sit back, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Maybe. Word on the street is a few teams have started to notice him. Could be that he moves into the AHL first. He's got something though, along with the dedication."

"Gets that from his momma!" Kate shouts across the table.

Jon smiles at his fiancée. "Sure as shit isn't from his dad."

"Damn straight," Kate retorts.

Luna turns to me, lowering her voice. "What's the story with Felicity's ex?"

I lean back toward her ear. "In a word. Asshole."