So Pucking Over You (Power Play Off The Ice: Snowed In For The Holidays)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

Oakley

Back in the room Dash heads to the shower. Pulling out my laptop, I lean against the headboard and research the Whites in more depth. Daddy and Sabrina both have a reputation for drawing attention from the press. They like the limelight.

Searching her personal social media, I find photos of several other sports players she’s dated, not all of them hockey, and three broken engagements over the last five years. The girl gets around.

The current center for the Arctic Bears has a decent record, but no flash. He’s a team player handing off when the play makes sense. I’ve seen him play and he’s good, just not a media hog. My gut tells me the Whites like the spotlight as much as the win. I wonder what they’ve offered Trevor.

The water shuts off and a couple minutes later Dash walks out pulling on a T-shirt over his grey sweatpants. I swallow twice before shifting my gaze.

I know from the times he’s stayed with Gordy at the house that he’s more of a sleep naked kind of guy. He must be dressing for my delicate sensibilities. But damn, those grey sweats fit fine.

He’d be shocked if he saw the file of photos I’ve taken of him the times he’s come to visit my brother at our house. It’s where I perfected my talent for candid shots. My personal favorite is him in front of the bathroom mirror when he’s shaving, and the towel wrapped around his waist starts to slip. Gordy almost caught me that time.

I drop my gaze back to my screen. Okay, so I’ve kind of stalked him. I know that he’s an only child and his parents both died in a car accident when he was in high school. His grandfather raised him after that. Dash was recruited for hockey during college. Most people don’t know he’s got an MBA. He’s not a dumb jock.

His second year in the league his grandfather died and left him his ranch. Although he keeps a few farm animals, he’s turned part of his property into a camp for underprivileged and orphaned kids. He also has a wedding venue to help support the camp. Good business sense.

After thirteen years on the ice, he still plays all out and is the true team leader, even though as goalie he can’t be the captain. Then there’s that smokin’ hot body. Smart. Kind. Hot. The real deal in a business where the media flaunts the superficial.

He and Gordy have been friends since I was a senior in high school. Damn. Have I really had a crush on him for eight years?

Yes, and after today, after he came to my rescue, it’s gotten worse. I want him. But if I make a play for him, I could lose the friendship I’ve nurtured.

But you could win it all….

“Bathroom’s all yours. We need to get some sleep. Four AM is going to be here before we know it.”

“Don’t remind me.”

Coming out of the bathroom I see he’s stretched out on the too short couch with the spare blanket from the closet. “What are you doing?”

“Gonna get some rest.”

“Not like that, you aren’t. The bed is plenty big enough for both of us. If not, I’ll take the couch.”

“The bed is yours.”

“Dash, you have an important game in forty-eight hours. That couch will mess you up. We’re adults. Get in this bed or so help me, I’ll lay on the floor and neither of us will be worth anything tomorrow.”

“Bossy little thing, aren’t you?”

“It’s been suggested to me a time or two.”

He chuckles but hinges off the couch and crosses to the bed. “I need the side by the door so scoot over.”

Shuffling closer to the wall, I remember him reminding my brother that a man always walked on the street side when he’s with a woman. The fact that he has those old school manners is even more appealing in today’s hype driven world. Where being an obnoxious media hog makes you big news instead of the childish frat boy or girl you really are. But drama and scandal sell papers as my ex-boss so clearly believes. I still prefer facts.

Laying on his back he folds his arms under his head.

I lean up on one elbow and stare down at him. “What’s the game plan in the morning?”

“We’ll get up and leave around the same time as the bus. I prefer to be ahead of them. We should be able to make better time than they can, but it will depend on how quickly the road crews get the highway cleared. The bigger concern is if more snow hits or if it goes around us. The other thing that might slow us down is your coffee addiction.”

Slapping his chest, I do my best to scowl at him. “It’s totally manageable. Every time you stop for gas get me four large cups loaded down with cream to make it palatable. I’m totally capable of drinking it cold if I must.”

“Then we’ll be hitting every rest stop and gas station on the way.”

I lift an eyebrow. “How much do you want to bet I can hold it longer than you, hot shot?”

“No way.”

“Loser buys steaks at Giancarlo’s when we reach Buffalo.”

“Deal. Just know I can eat my weight there.”

“That’s ok. You’ll be buying.”

I wake to a gentle stroke up and down my back and a soft rumble over my head. “Wake up babe, we need to get going.”

Wrapped in a nice warm blanket I balk at being disturbed. “No. I’m comfortable and warm. Leave me alone.”

The warmth slides down to my waist and back up to my shoulder. “You can sleep in the truck, but we need to get going. They’ve upped the likelihood of more snow.”

While Dash loads our luggage into the back of the crew cab I head over to the bus, snapping a few pictures of the team loading. Then record a few questions with some of the guys before hitting up Coach Nugent on how he feels about the possible delay and if there is an option that the game could be rescheduled.

When I’m done, he stares me down. “Did you just record me? What are you doing?”

“My job. This is for the Blades’ social media page. We need to refocus the fans from the personal drama of yesterday. We’re about the team and the wins. The fans are anxious about whether we can win after the drama and even if the next game is going to happen. A game has not been rescheduled for years but with this storm front all bets are off.”

Phil brushes past to climb onto the bus. “Check your app, boss. She’s already posted twice since midnight. Fans seem to be responding favorably. Good job, Oakley.”

Coach yells after Phil as he boards. “You never did this shit.”

“I hate social media,” Phil responds. “Besides, you don’t even know how to look for it.”

I grin at Coach. “Have Phil show you on the bus. Text me what you think or if you have any suggestions.”

Gordy walks up behind me. “Morning, Coach. Can I talk to my sister for a minute.”

Leading me to the side, he shoves his hands into his pockets. “Everything go okay last night?”

“Huh? What do you mean? Coach said he’d talk to you about the plan.”

“He did, but I wanted to know how you were—emotionally.”

I laugh. “Oh my god, Gordy. Are you kidding me?”

He scowls, “I’m just trying to be supportive. You know the touchy feely shit. You’re my sister.”

“Who the hell are you? My brother would tell me to get up off the floor and shake it off.”

“I would not!”

“Seventh grade, Evelyn Dejon deliberately stole a play from me on the soccer field. I was embarrassed and hurt that my best friend would do such a thing. You told me it was a game and to not take it personally. Then to get my ass back up, trip the bitch, stomp on her back, and go out play her.”

He smirks. “Yeah, you did good. Scored two more goals that game.”

“I’ve used that same philosophy for years.”

His eyes shine with the love I know he feels for me. Reaching out, he tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “I just want you to be okay.”

“I didn’t love him. I don’t care. Dash saved me from any embarrassment. Actually, Trevor did me a huge favor. I’ve now got my dream job with the Buffalo Blades.”

And an in with the man I’ve always wanted.