Net Bet (Buffalo Warriors Hockey #2)
1. Gabe
1 /
gabe
My feet pounded the dirt path, each step slamming out the frustration I couldn’t escape. The lingering heat was unusual for Buffalo in mid-September, making it feel like summer refused to let go. The woods around me were beginning to shift—hints of gold and orange creeping into the green, with a few colorful leaves dotting the undergrowth like scattered confetti. Sweat trickled down my forehead, stinging my eyes as I pushed myself to keep going. I focused on my breathing, forcing it into a steady rhythm, even though my lungs burned with the effort.
At the eight-mile mark, I ground to a stop, gasping for air. My legs were on fire, and my heart thundered in my chest. In one fluid motion, I stripped off my soaked tank top and bent over, hands on knees, struggling to catch my breath. Running had become my way to cope, but today, it had done nothing to silence the noise in my head.
How had my life, which looked so perfect to others, become such a mess? I was drowning inside, wondering if I’d ever find someone to be with long-term, if there was anyone out there who could want me for being me. After years of dating guys who only wanted to use me for publicity—and maybe so they could brag about being fucked by a hockey player—I was done. No more dating, no more sex. Instead of fucking my nights away with guys ten years younger and half my size, I now stared at the ceiling all night, wondering how I could feel so alone and unlovable at thirty-two.
As my pulse settled, footsteps approached, accompanied by an odd jingling sound. A small black dachshund trotted up, his tags clinking together as he sniffed and licked my shoes.
A voice came from up the path. “Leave him alone, Otto.”
The dog ignored the command, and I straightened up to greet Otto’s owner. My breath caught again, but this time it had nothing to do with the heat. The guy standing a few feet away was drop-dead gorgeous—a shock of blond hair catching the light, piercing blue eyes, and a physique that looked like he’d come straight from the gym. It took a few seconds to recognize him—Brody Tanner, the new D-man who’d been traded to the Warriors over the summer. He was younger than me, and much more put-together than I felt at the moment. Something stirred inside, and with a shock, I recognized it as my “guy response.” Finally, I was reacting to someone who wasn’t just another pretty boy barely out of college whose life revolved around an Instagram feed full of selfies and product recommendations. But fuck, Brody was a teammate. A teammate who, if rumors were true, might be open to a relationship with a man.
I tried to speak, but no words came out. What was I supposed to say? I couldn’t exactly ask him to step behind a tree with me. My thoughts spun wildly before slamming to a halt when I caught his expression—wide-eyed and slack-jawed, like he’d stumbled into something he wasn’t meant to see.
Brody had been one of the hottest rookies in the league a couple of years ago, and since we’d met at the All-Star game back then, he probably recognized me now. But if he did, why was he gaping at me like he was afraid I might bite? Eager to convince him I wasn’t a criminal on the loose, I offered what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “Hi, Brody. I’m Gabe Donovan, the Warriors’ goalie.”
He managed to widen his eyes even more before nodding. “I know who you are. Uh… How’s it going?”
His unexpected behavior made me unsure of how to respond. “Am I in your way?” Ugh, that was stupid, considering I was standing in the middle of the trail.
He shook his head, but his gaze remained focused on my chest. Was he bothered because I’d taken my shirt off? It was too wet to put back on, and I wasn’t exactly flashing him. You don’t get to be a professional hockey player without spending most of your life in locker rooms, so he’d seen guys take off a lot more than their shirts. I tried again. “Everything okay?”
Jerking his head upward, he barely made eye contact before looking away. “Y-yes. I’m… I’m just hot.”
He was hot as hell, all right, but I couldn’t go there. Instead, I chuckled and waved a hand at my sweaty body. “Me too, obviously.”
His mouth fell open as he stepped backward and looked at his dog, who was still sniffing my shoe. “Stop it, Otto.” After a pause, Brody raised his head, and his lips trembled. “Sorry we bothered you. We’ll get going.”
“Wait.” I didn’t want him to leave, so I took a deep breath, trying to project calm even though a primal part of me was practically growling stay . I resisted speaking too soon because feeling like that about Brody was silly.
Or was it? If what I’d heard was true, and Brody liked men, was he attracted to me? That could explain why he was having a peculiar reaction to finding me shirtless in the park. My heart sped up, and I couldn’t resist giving him a once-over. Argh! Me Gabe, you Brody. Me want to drag you home.
I held back a chuckle because, whatever Brody was feeling, I was unlikely to drag him far. He was bigger than me—well over six feet tall and at least two-twenty. As much as I wouldn’t have minded spending an afternoon in bed with him, I had to be careful. He was a teammate, and I didn’t want to misstep.
Still, I couldn’t ignore the fact that I was getting more excited by the minute. Despite his size, he was what those romance novels I secretly read called alluring, and the glint of uncertainty in his blue eyes made him even more so.
He was looking into the distance, giving me the opportunity to check him out again. In his yellow polo shirt and tailored khaki shorts, he looked like he’d stepped right out of a GQ summer spread. Perhaps sensing my eyes on him, he focused on me, and our gazes locked. A spark in his eyes made my heart flutter. Did he feel it too? I stuck out my hand. “Good to see you, Brody. What are you doing out here in Williamsville?”
Except for wrinkling his forehead, he didn’t move. Would he seriously deny me a handshake? That would break every rule in the guy code and be lethal behavior for a teammate.
He remained still, and I was about to drop my arm when he finally stepped forward and took my hand. “Good to see you too.”
Electricity stung my palm, making me tighten my grip. His hand was sweaty, but mine was surely no better, and when he curved his lips into an enigmatic smile, I couldn’t help widening my grin. We held on, caught up in our dreamy gaze, for a long moment. Then he let go, quickly dropping his arm and positioning his hands in front of his crotch—a move I remembered well from junior high, designed to cover up sudden boners. Fuck, could he really…
The quick movement made him fumble and nearly drop Otto’s leash. When the dog tried to pull free, Brody grunted and stared at the ground. As much as I wanted to talk to him, I said nothing, waiting him out until he raised his head again. This time he was wearing a shy smile. “Otto and I bought a house out here.”
Finally, an opening. Brody was definitely pinging on my gaydar, so I decided to be bold. “We’re neighbors, then. Welcome to our fair suburb.”
His smile brightened, finally reaching his eyes. “Thanks.”
God almighty, he’s gorgeous. It was a few seconds before I could finish my thought. “I don’t have my phone, but if I give you my number, will you text me? I’ll show you around town.”
“Your number ?” His voice squeaked, and a bright red flush spread across his cheeks.
“Yeah.” I pointed at his pocket. “Go ahead, get your phone out.” I almost joked that he either had a phone in his pocket or was awfully glad to see me, but I didn’t want to spook him more than I already had. “You have it with you, right?”
Moving slowly, he dug into his pocket, struggling to pull the phone free from his stylishly snug shorts. His movements were jerky, and he dropped Otto’s leash before managing to fish out his phone. “Ready,” he said, holding it up.
While I gave him my number, he kept asking me to repeat it. Eventually, he stopped typing, and I raised a brow. “Want to read it back to me? You seemed to be having some trouble.”
He blushed again, adding more color to the red patches that were still there. “I think I… Okay.”
He repeated the number, and I nodded. “That’s right. So, you’ll text?”
“Sure.” He looked like he’d rather chop off a hand than send me a message, but he shoved the phone back into his pocket and picked up the dog’s leash. “I’ll text, but right now, I’m, uh… late.”
“No problem. I’m free anytime this week.”
“Let’s go, Otto. We’ve kept Gabe long enough.” He peeked at me, finding his shy smile again, then tugged on the leash. “Goodbye, and thanks for… you know, the number.”
“Can’t wait to hear from you,” I said, but he averted his eyes and sidestepped around me.
As he walked away, I couldn’t help turning to admire the view—his astonishingly perfect hockey butt filling out his shorts in the best way possible.
Tired from running, I started the walk home. I mentally kicked myself for not asking where he lived. Based on our interaction, the odds of him getting in touch were shaky at best, so I’d have to keep an eye out. He couldn’t live too far if he’d come to the trail when it was so hot outside. Worst-case scenario, I’d see him at training camp.
I thought about our encounter all the way home. As I passed the house next to mine, I was surprised to see the garage door open, revealing stacks of boxes and a newer-looking Range Rover parked inside. Someone must have bought the place while I was in France with the guys.
Pausing, I considered ringing the bell to say hello. It would be nice to meet the new owners, and since they were moving in, they might need help with something. Then I considered my appearance and thought better of the idea. I didn’t want their first impression of me to be a sweaty, stinking mess dressed in shorts and running shoes. Someday soon, I’d go to the Italian bakery in the village and buy a box of pastries for a welcome gift.
Once inside my house, I stripped and stood near an AC vent before stepping into the shower. As I relaxed under the spray, my thoughts drifted back to Brody and Otto. What the hell had been going on? Was there a chance Brody was attracted to me?
I hoped he was since I could think of more than a few things I’d like to try out with him.