Melting the Ice(40)

            He was shocked when, after showering and getting dressed, he grabbed his phone and found a text message from Carolina.

            My friend Stella and I want to meet up with you after the game for drinks. Are you and your teammates heading somewhere?

            Huh.

            He wondered who Stella was. A fan, maybe? Either way, he was happy to hear from Carolina. He texted her back the name and location of the bar he and a few of the guys were headed to, and told her to meet them there.

            McGill’s Bar was dark and packed, a typical hangout for the before, during, and after-the-game crowd. Drew always felt comfortable coming here because the fans were respectful and didn’t give them a hard time. They could hang out, drink a few beers, play some pool, and unwind. The big-screen TVs to watch the games didn’t hurt any, either. Since it was mostly guys, he didn’t have to deal with the hockey groupies.

            So when Carolina walked in, looking cool and sexy in a brown leather jacket and dark jeans that hugged her slender legs, she definitely got the once-over from all the guys in the bar. And the tall blonde with her was gorgeous. Drew moved from the back of the bar to meet them.

            “Hey,” he said, winding his arm around Carolina. “Glad you could make it.”

            “Drew, this is Stella Slovinski. Stella, Drew Hogan.”

            Drew shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Stella.”

            “Same here. Good game tonight.”

            He arched a brow. “You’re a fan?”

            “I love hockey. Carolina and I watched the game at her place.”

            He shifted his gaze to Carolina’s. “You watched my game, huh?”

            She shrugged. “It was on while I was eating. Then Stella dropped by, and she likes hockey.”

            Drew grinned. “I love a hockey fan. Come on back. We’re playing pool.”

            He led them to where the guys were in the middle of a game. He introduced Carolina and Stella to the six other guys who’d come with him to the bar.

            “Nice saves at goalie tonight,” Stella said, striking up a conversation with Avery.

            “Thanks.”

            “Can’t believe you let that one in the third period slide by you, though. Were you napping back there?”

            “Oh, tough critic,” Trick, Drew’s fellow forward said with a wide grin. He signaled the waitress. “Beer, Stella?”

            “Definitely. And you have room to talk, Trick. You missed an easy pass from Drew while you were an inch from the goal.”

            Trick laughed. “I like her. She has balls.”

            “Well, no, I don’t, but I don’t mind busting yours.”

            Drew laughed, then turned to Carolina. “What can I get you to drink?”

            She grabbed a chair. “I’ll have a glass of wine. Something red, if they have it.”

            “Coming right up.” He went up to the bar and ordered a glass of cabernet for Carolina, watching as Stella engaged the players. Deep in conversation with them, Stella seemed right at home while Carolina observed.

            Actually, her gaze tracked back to him at the bar. But as soon as she saw he was looking at her, she slipped off her chair and joined Stella in conversation with the other guys.

            Okay, he liked that she didn’t want him to know she was watching him.

            She liked him. He knew it, and he understood the history between them and why she was wary.