He wasn’t one of us. This was just a quick rehab stop before returning to his life of superstardom. But I still couldn’t help pausing to watch him, his determined look of concentration tugging at my chest. I wanted to go out there and check his knee. Was it wrapped? I hadn’t wrapped it since before practice this morning.
But I stopped myself. The two trainers from his major league team had cleared him for this assignment, and he wouldn’t listen to my words of caution about resting. I couldn’t say I blamed him; his career was on the line right now.
My day of dealing with the boys from my team was over, though. I was going to focus on the boy who mattered most to me. I turned for the door, not looking back.
***
Sadie turned to me, a slushy bright red line decorating her upper lip. “I mustache you a question,” she said, straight-faced.
I laughed heartily at her silliness. She cracked me up, and since we’d both had a strawberry daiquiri, I was easily amused.
“What is it with you and mustaches?” I asked.
“I think it was seeing all the guys from your team with them in November.”
“Ugh. No-shave November is not my favorite. Those guys are hairy enough as it is.”
Sadie rolled her eyes dramatically. “I’m so jealous you get to see all their hairy man parts. I haven’t seen a hairy man part in way too long.”
I wrinkled my brow with dismay. “I mostly see their legs and arms. They cover up their junk.”
We were on the couch, feet propped on the coffee table, relaxing since Kyler had been asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Hockey practice always wore him out.
“So you’ve never seen a hockey player’s dick?” Sadie asked, arching her brows skeptically.
“Well, you know I’ve seen at least one, since Kyler’s dad is a hockey player.”
“Is that the only one?”
“I saw another one on accident when a guy’s towel fell off in the locker room, but it was nothing to get excited about.”
Sadie nodded knowingly. “Mike and Ike?”
“More like half a Mike and Ike.”
“Just a Mike. Ouch.”
“Yeah. I’m just one of the guys, anyway. It’s not like that between me and them.”
She gave me a scolding look. “Yeah, because you wear baggy sweats and a hat every day.”
“It’s comfy and practical,” I said, shrugging. “The rink is cold.”
“You want another?” she asked, reaching for my glass.
“No, thanks.”
She tipped the last of her drink past her lips. “So, if it’s not like that between you and the guys, could you introduce me to Luke Hudson?”
“Why would you want to meet him? I told you hockey players are only after one thing.” My voice rose with aggravation. “And Luke isn’t even staying here, so a relationship with him would be impossible.”
Sadie looked sheepish. “Maybe I’m not after a relationship. I’m in a dry spell, and I’m thinking just one night with a guy as hot as him would quench my thirst.”
I sighed, giving in. “Sure, I’ll introduce you. He’s practically at the rink around the clock, though. Can’t seem to find his mojo after that injury.”
“What’s with the judgmental tone? I thought you were all about helping guys come back after an injury.”
I shook my head. “Guys like him are arrogant and think they’ve got it all going on. They don’t remember what it’s like to be fighting like the guys on my team do — for just a chance to get to the big league. Luke was being considered for the next Olympic team. He’s one of the top players in the NHL. Do I feel sorry for him if he’s one of the more average players in the NHL? Not really.”
Sadie gave me a mock cringe. “Yikes. Bitchy much? Somebody seriously needs to get laid.”
I laughed so loudly I had to cover my mouth with my hand so I wouldn’t wake Kyler up. “I’m very happy with my sex-free life, thanks very much.”
“Well, mine sucks. So I vote for you to help Luke get his mojo back so he’s not at the rink all the time, then I can offer him a no-strings night, he’ll go back to Chicago and we’ll all be happy.”
I considered. “I probably should help him. It is my job. Plus, he doesn’t do pathetic very well.”
Sadie held up her empty glass for a toast. “Make this happen, girl, and I’ll cook dinner every night for a month.”
I hated cooking. “I’ll see what I can do.”
I clinked my glass against hers, my mind already turning about what I’d need to do to help Luke.
***
Luke
I pinched the bridge of my nose, reminding myself to let Dad’s words roll off my back. He was still worked up over my shit performance in my first game back.