Edge(29)

I flipped him off silently.

“We have to stay out later to avoid the crazy teething stripper,” he said. “Wanna go eat somewhere?”

“Shit, I have to go home to V and his sweaty fucking socks in the bathroom sink.”

Niko wrinkled his face.

“He’s a pig,” I said seriously. “He soaks his nasty socks and briefs from games in the only bathroom sink we have. And he listens to this crazy music that’s just people screaming. I almost punched him last night when he refused to turn it down.”

“I’d say crash at my place, but my roommate’s there, plus … Crazy.”

“Maybe your roommate’s banging Crazy right now and your problems are solved.”

“Doubt it. He saw me come running out of the bedroom when she bit my dick.”

“Let’s crash at a hotel. I need a decent night of sleep. I’ll get us a suite with two rooms.”

“Yeah? That sounds good. You want me to go back and get those chicks? You can have whichever one you want.”

I glared at him. “Hell no. We’re gonna order room service, watch some ESPN and go to bed. I’ve got to sleep so I can focus on tomorrow night’s game.”

“Alright, cool.”

I already knew I’d wake up ready to get back to work. Hard work got me to the top; I’d have to fight my way back there again.

***



Dell





I parked and checked my reflection in my rearview mirror. I arched my eyebrows, asking the me in the mirror if she was ready for this.

So ready.

Would I have volunteered to bring Vanderschmidt the prescription medication for his urinary tract infection if I didn’t know Luke was his roommate? Not likely. I’d put on a little makeup and a bright pink scarf, hoping Luke would answer the door.

Maybe he’d be shirtless. I couldn’t stare at his rippling muscles in the locker room, much to my disappointment. Even better, maybe he’d be fresh out of bed – unshaven and rumpled. The thought of seeing him that way made my pulse race. We’d seen each other in intimate situations, but that one felt particularly sexy.

I parked in front of the building that housed our team in several apartments. Luke was lucky he didn’t share with two or three players like some of the guys did. This place was like a fraternity house. A lot of the rooms stank of beer, old socks and cheap cologne. I usually avoided coming here.

I knocked and waited, tugging on an end of my scarf. Would it be Luke or V who opened the door? Tapping my foot in anticipation, I wondered if anyone was even awake as nearly a minute passed. I’d texted V that I was dropping by so I figured he was expecting me.

When the door finally opened, it wasn’t Luke or V standing in the doorway. It was a dark haired woman wearing only a team jersey. My heart leapt into my throat. What the hell had I been thinking? There was a 50/50 chance she’d just crawled out of Luke’s bed.

“Hey, can I help you?” she asked with a yawn.

“Um … yeah. Is V here?”

“He’s in the shower.”

“What about Luke?”

She furrowed her brow. “No one’s here but me and V.”

A male voice called from inside the apartment and she turned her head.

“I don’t know who it is!” she yelled, turning back to me. “Who are you?”

“Dell.”

“It’s Dell!”

V came through the living room and approached the door, a towel around his waist. “Hey, Dell, what’s up?”

“I’ve got your …” I held up the bag from the pharmacy. “Sorry, I texted so I thought you knew I was coming.”

“Didn’t see it,” he said, grinning. “I was distracted.”

The woman turned and I saw ‘Vanderschmidt’ lettered across the back of the jersey she wore. My relief was overshadowed by a nagging worry. Where was Luke?

“I could’ve left it with Luke,” I said, handing over the bag. “You didn’t have to jump out of the shower.

“He didn’t come home last night.” V scratched his balls through the towel. This was the downside to being one of the guys. “Bet he gets unlimited ass, being rich and looking like he does.”

“Right.” I tried to smile. “See you at the rink.”

He waved the paper bag in the air. “Thanks for getting this.”

“Sure.”

I turned, sighing when I looked down and caught a glimpse of my scarf. I pulled it off and tossed it on the passenger seat of my car when I got in.

Stupid. I was stupid and naïve for thinking the flirting between me and Luke Hudson was enough for him. Of course he’d screwed a random last night – that was what most of the guys did after playing lousy.