Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

COREY

T he next few days flew by. Between sneaking into darkened hallways and one random closet to kiss Oliver, and the series against Montreal, the air around the Revenge intensified with energy, Coach Vaughn stalked the halls, scaring half the staff. I knew from my dad that the owners were all beyond impressed with his performance this season, and even though the odds were against us making it all the way. Not one person had a complaint about how the team performed this season.

Two games in, and we were playing like we had nothing to lose. M reports back to the coaching staff felt like I had found my place in the hockey world And I loved every minute. I grinned as I walked out to my car, the midafternoon sun hiding behind clouds, but the temps were teasing summer. Sad, because it meant the season was almost over, but also happy because I had a beach wedding that drew closer and closer every day.

And the passionate sex with my much-younger-former-virgin didn't hurt.

MEL: So. I know you had to have slept with him again because YOU'RE AVOIDING ME.

My place was far enough from the arena that I had time to call my best friend and be tortured by her, so I called, and her voice screeched through the car's speakers.

"COREY ALEXANDER!! MUUMUU!"

I laughed, feeling more alive than I had in years. "Lies. You sit on a throne of lies."

"I may only be a year older than you, but I will kick your ass if you don't share. Save me from Kevin's mother trying to get me to have swans wandering around on the beach."

"Swans? Do swans even like the beach?"

"Not as much as cats. I had to stop her from changing the cake last night. Who in their right mind picks carrot cake over red velvet??"

"Ew."

"Precisely." Her inhale was audible and necessary as I merged onto the highway. "No one really likes carrot cake."

"Maybe the cream cheese frosting but, no way the cake. Now spill. Tell me, how many dirty little lessons have you taught since we last talked, Professor Alexander?"

I grimaced. "When you say it like that, it feels dirty. Ew."

Mel cackled. "It should feel dirty, and good, my friend. Tell me, please?"

I bit my lip. "Five."

"Five? Holy fucking stamina!! Maybe I should trade Kev in!"

"NO!"

"Kidding. Kinda. But I knew it."

I paused, changing lanes and not sure what to say to my best friend. Because so far, things felt casual. Or as casual as it could be, when we were sneaking off and Oliver had to stuff my panties in my mouth so we wouldn't be found, casual. I could lie to myself. I'd been doing it most of my life. "Knew what?"

"Oh stop. You like him."

I scoffed. "Of course I like him, Mel."

"No," she drawled, as if I was not getting her point. "You like him. You never liked whatshisname."

"Oh, how quickly we forget."

"Hell yes. That man dulled your shine and made you his Stepford Wife. And, he tried to steal away your boy toy before you had him called up. All the while, he never acknowledged how good you are at all of that."

"That?"

"Hockey…stuff. Don't tell me you didn't hear the rest, Miss Stick-your-head-in-the sand. Or ice."

I sighed. "He's not my boy toy ."

"Ha! I knew it!"

"Now what?"

"Not boy toy means he's-"

"Oh look, I'm here! Sorry, gotta go!" I hit end before she could say it.

MEL: BITCH. Hang up on me? Muumuu.

MEL: More. He's more. And that's ok. So. Ok. Love you.

The sun peeked through the clouds as I flung my phone into my bag. Headed into the arena. The team was practicing on the ice and I had a meeting before tomorrow's clinch-the-series game.

And maybe a note to slip my favorite student. Shaw, a Montreal player, was a real dickhead. A few of the guys on the team didn't like the guy at all. It was getting rough out there, and I wanted to make sure Ollie knew to watch his back.

"Shaw likes to blindside. Your line will watch him, but if he can get on your left while you have it, he'll take the penalty possibility. Also, time test time. Let's see how fast you can bring the result I'm looking for.

C"

The rumors swirling around him these past few months led me to believe he deserved every check he got the last few games.

As I passed the security checkpoint, I smiled, and pulled out the note, hiding it in my palm.

There he was. Dimples and all, in his gear, leaning against the wall. I nodded as I passed, our fingers brushing as I slipped him the paper. "Sutton."

His lips twitched. The same ones that kissed and licked every part of me last night. And made me come harder than ever before, then fucked me senseless. "Ms. Alexander."

Trouble. Oliver Sutton was trouble. And I was in deep.