“No,” I confess meekly, rubbing my brow embarrassedly with my hand. “I in all probability should not have had that second Lengthy Island.” How embarrassing. Of all folks, Caleb has to search out out about my blackout.

“You continue to look fairly tough. Fairly pale. It is higher so that you can go house and lie down,” the involved tone his voice takes on when he says this touches me. I really feel like he needs to boost his hand and stroke my cheek. However he does not. As a substitute, he simply appears to be like at me with a tragic expression.

“All proper, I used to be nearly to…” I interrupt myself as a result of within the nook of my eye, I see Byers dropping his towel. Now he is standing stark bare, not 5 ft away from us. I’ve completely no downside with bare males, however I may need one if Thornton catches me in right here. He would not admire me ignoring his guys’ privateness. “I ought to go,” I say rapidly. “Right here.” I am about to take a step ahead handy Caleb his jacket when he steps ahead and wraps his arms round my decrease again. Earlier than I notice what he is doing, he lifts me up and to the facet.

“What…,” I stammer, pressed in opposition to his muscular chest.

“That was shut,” he says, casting a furtive look at Byers, who’s simply getting a pair of shorts from the locker. Caleb gestures on the Devils emblem emblazoned on the ground subsequent to us. “You nearly stepped on the emblem,” he explains, reducing his gaze to me. His intensely targeted gaze that shoots straight between my legs.

“And?” I ask, a bit dazed.

“That may’ve been unhealthy luck.”

“Dangerous luck?” I repeat, managing to boost an eyebrow.

“Yeah, the blokes are fairly superstitious about that.”

“Oh, solely about that?” I tease him, turning into increasingly more conscious of his proximity by the second. I really feel his agency physique, his heat naked pores and skin below my palms. I want I might discover his muscular tissues with my fingers.

“Nicely, what can I say, hockey gamers are simply superstitious,” he replies, with an expression that sends a shiver down my backbone. I swallow, at the moment unable to reply.

“Whoa, what is going on on right here?” I hear Byers ask. His amused tone makes me notice that I am nonetheless within the arms of the ahead. He will need to have seen me ogling Caleb. Rattling! Feeling a bit embarrassed, I launch myself from the embrace and take a step again.

“Okay, so I higher get going,” I clarify, avoiding their gazes. “See you.” With that, I flip round and make my exit.

12

Caleb

“My, my, appears to be like like somebody’s acquired it unhealthy for you, eh?” Byers remarks as quickly because the door slams shut behind Emma. I do not reply, however I return to my locker with a smile I can not suppress. Yeah, I’ve to confess Byers is correct, it appears our masseuse has taken a liking to me. I prefer it, quite a bit. The best way she checked out me with these cat-like eyes… Fuck, how will you not get turned on by appears to be like like that? Underneath completely different circumstances, I’d’ve kissed her proper right here and now – slipped my tongue into her mouth. The reminiscence of her incredible style has nearly light. I am going to admit, I’d’ve preferred to style her once more. However I can not. Emma and I, it is an phantasm I can not bask in any longer. The truth that she does not keep in mind the occasions of Saturday night time, or extra exactly, what occurred outdoors her condominium, is my saving grace. That manner, I haven’t got to fret about her telling anybody. I suppress the slight pang of disappointment I really feel as a result of she’s forgotten our kiss. I do know it is higher this fashion.

Over the subsequent two weeks, I intentionally maintain my distance from Emma. I do not know the way I would react if she acquired as near me as she did within the locker room. It is higher to not take any dangers, so I am going to keep distant. However I watch her from afar, observe how Durand and Parker by no means tire of courting her. It sickens me. These two are like herpes; you simply cannot do away with them. Emma appears to get alongside rather well with Toby and his new girlfriend, Mindy or Mandy – I do not know what her identify is. The three of them hang around repeatedly. Usually, half the group joins them after they exit. I’ve seen that the camaraderie among the many gamers has improved since Emma arrived. We have been already a tight-knit bunch, however now that the blokes are doing issues collectively extra typically, the bonds between some have change into even stronger. That is additionally affecting their hockey efficiency. We have been stronger than ever on the sport final Sunday. Even Coach Thornton raved about it. And from Carl, the large boss, we every acquired a $500 bonus. The environment on the Portland Devils, whether or not it is gamers or administration, could not be higher. That eases my thoughts as a result of I could not stand extra folks with unhealthy moods round me. Issues are going badly between Jess and me. The final time we had intercourse was after the night time at Brillant. Since then, each time she needs me, I make up an excuse. She senses that one thing’s not proper – accordingly, she’s insecure and moody. It is annoying, however I can not change it. I simply can’t carry myself to the touch her. One thing in me resists. Perhaps it is my guilt in the direction of her, or possibly it is the truth that I can not cease occupied with Emma. It is irritating. The extra I attempt to get her out of my head, the extra she haunts my ideas. I inform myself it is solely as a result of I can not have her. In spite of everything, every part forbidden in life has a particular attract.

Two weeks earlier than Christmas, the entire group is eagerly wanting ahead to our subsequent sport. That sport could lead on us to the playoffs. Since within the New American Hockey League we play in, there aren’t as many groups as within the greater leagues, our common season ends in January, whereas for others, it often runs till late March or early April. Anyway, we’re optimistic about making it to the playoffs and we prepare arduous on daily basis for it. After I come into the rink on Monday morning, 4 days earlier than the large sport, I discover a be aware in my locker.

Meet me tonight at 9 within the VIP space of the ice rink. And, Caleb, not a phrase to anybody!

T.

T? Who might that be? Toby, Thornton, or Terry, the man from the memento store? These note-passing video games trouble me. If any of them needs one thing from me, they need to come out and say it. I crumple the be aware and toss it again within the locker. My temper right now is downright dismal. Jess spent the morning bawling her eyes out as a result of I turned her down once more. Coping with her is turning into a correct chore. To blow off some steam, I hit the health club arduous. Afterward, I let Maxwell work out the knots. I am going to give it to him, he is one of the best sports activities masseur we have ever had. But each time I lie on that desk, I want I have been within the subsequent room with Emma. As soon as, I caught myself holding my breath, listening, considering I heard her voice. Understanding that Parker and Durand are nonetheless operating their wager gnaws at me. Somebody must clue Emma in. I am much more satisfied of this after I discover out at afternoon follow that she lately agreed to go on dates with each of them. She went to the flicks with Parker and Durand took her to some fancy restaurant.

“At the present time’s been a proper washout,” I grumble to myself as I step into the bathe afterward. I hear Parker within the locker subsequent to mine, cheerfully whistling away. I would like to shove the cleaning soap down his throat. And Durand, that smug asshole; somebody must wipe that superior grin off his face. A wave of anger programs by means of my veins, making me slam my fist in opposition to the tile wall. I can not recall ever feeling so helpless. Emma does not need to be a part of this damned wager. I ponder why Toby, her oh-so-good pal, does not set her straight. Why does he let this entire mess proceed? Toby… the be aware in my locker springs again to thoughts. Abruptly, I am burning with curiosity about who it is from. I resolve to go and discover out. If it is truly from Toby, I am going to carry up the Emma scenario with him. Since I am not eager on experiencing one other recent Jessica drama, I kill the hour and a half on the rink. Seize some grub and alternate a number of phrases with Terry, who’s sprucing up his memento store for the subsequent sport. I can verify, the message is not from him. He is in a rush, it is his spouse’s birthday, and he is taking her out.

At 9 sharp, I discover myself within the VIP space. I am clearly not the one one who acquired a be aware. Your complete group is right here, save a number of exceptions. Toby proclaims that he is the brains behind this gathering and motions for silence. I be part of him and solid a look down on the empty ice beneath.

“What’s all this then?” I ask, and the Swiss lad clamps his mitt over my mouth.

“Ssh, do not break it. We have to be lifeless quiet,” he hisses, his snowy brows knitted tight. “Alright, everybody come nearer. However for God’s sake, maintain it hushed.” He beckons the others as much as the glass barrier at chest top. The VIP space is sort of a raised terrace, giving us the proper view of the ice. Then Toby whips out his cellphone and dials a quantity. “We’re prepared. Let the present start,” he whispers, and all of the lights within the enviornment exit. It is pitch-black for a second till a blinding highlight carves by means of the darkness. It zeroes in on the participant’s bench, the place a lady in a beige winter coat and a white bobble hat steps out. It is Emma. She’s sporting skates and glides onto the center of the ice, adopted by the beam of sunshine. There, she stops and waits.

“What’s she doing?” I whisper to the goalie.

“Simply wait,” he replies with a smile, aiming his cellphone digital camera at our masseuse and hitting report. I furrow my forehead, gazing again down on the ice, and spot a determine approaching Emma. It is Durand. His face nonetheless wears that bloody smug expression. Emma lets him kiss her on the cheek, and it boils my blood. Simply as I am about to ask Toby what the hell that is and if the fool is proposing to her, a second determine seems. It is Parker.

“Now, you all should be lifeless quiet and watch carefully,” the goalie breathes to us.

“What’s this about, what’s he doing right here?” we hear Durand ask. However Emma ignores the Canadian, lets my mate give her a peck on the cheek, and palms every of them a hand. Now Parker says one thing, however sadly, we won’t make it out, he is too soft-spoken.

“Each of you’re really distinctive males,” Emma declares loudly sufficient for us up right here to listen to clearly. Her gaze goes from Parker to Durand and again once more. I am too distant to learn my two teammates’ expressions, however I need not, their physique language provides away their uncertainty. “Nobody has gone to such lengths for me,” Emma continues, “and actually, at first, I felt nearly honored. Two good-looking males such as you, refusing to take no for a solution since you’re so decided to win me over.”

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