Spinning to the Goal (Desert Ice Hockey #4)
Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
ACE
W ith a sigh, I primped my curly dark bangs in the mirror of my bathroom at the squad house. The damn things never stayed where I wanted them. I had perpetual bedhead. My gaze caught on my sheer black shirt in my reflection. My nipples were showing through the shirt. Fucking Tyler talked me into this. Like I needed to show off my body to get men. “Pfft.”
“What the hell are you doing in there? We’re about ready to go.” Tyler, my roommate and the best D-man on ASU’s current roster, poked his head around the doorjamb, his wavy dirty-blond hair falling to his cheekbones and his brown eyes fixed on me. “You look fabulous in that shirt.”
“It’s too tight on my shoulders.” I wriggled my shoulders and circled my head. “I’m bigger than you, you know.” I scoffed and settled my gaze on the hint of eyeliner rimming my brown eyes. The fucker had made me do that too.
“Yeah, but the shirt is too big on me.” He stepped into the room and wound an arm around my shoulders, our gazes meeting in the mirror. “You can have it.” With a waggle of his brows and a chuckle, he kissed my cheek. “You look like a Daddy tonight.”
“No, I don’t.” I leaned into the warmth of his body, taking him in.
He flaunted his ripped abs under his white crop top and his black shorts were so tight they left nothing to the imagination. Yeah, he was getting laid tonight. Who wouldn’t want a piece of him? Mr. Hockey Body on full display.
“Whatever.” With a tsk, he twisted and stepped from the room. “Let’s go. The night isn’t getting any younger.”
“Fine.” I tucked the front of the shirt into my jeans and followed him through a short hallway and into our main room, which opened to the kitchen.
Myles, our second-string right winger, stood at the kitchen counter, drinking a protein shake. As his gaze snagged on me, he sputtered and coughed and then let out a howl of a laugh. “Dude, look at you.”
“Stop it.” I threw him a quick glare. “Now that Mason is out of the house, you two seem to have decided to take his place in the moron academy.”
God, I missed having all my boys around. But everyone had found their places in the NHL, along with a good man by their side. At least Archer and Mason were still here in Arizona.
“Not so.” Myles gave me a charming grin, his blond bangs framing his big brown eyes. The guy fit the term doe-eyed perfectly.
Strolling to him, I landed my hand on his shoulder. “Next time, I think Tyler should pick out your gay bar attire.” I looked over his fitted button-down and nicer jeans. Myles wasn’t as out and proud as the rest of us, but he was coming along.
“Nope. I can’t believe you let him put makeup on you.” With a grin, Myles downed his drink.
“What, he looks great like that, all smoky-eyed.” Tyler slapped my ass. “I can’t wait to see what kind of guy he hooks up with tonight.”
I sucked in a breath. “Yeah, we’ll see.”
This whole thing started because of my months-long dry spell. I’d lost my mojo somewhere, and these two were determined to find it for me. Maybe I’d finally become the weird goalie type. It was bound to happen. All the greats were known for their peculiarities.
“Right on. Let’s get out of here.” Myles grabbed my elbow and led me toward the doorway to the garage and his waiting truck. “The Club on Mill, here we come.”
After climbing the metal stairs to The Club and showing our IDs to the bouncer, we made our way inside. It was Saturday night, and we’d won our second game of the season against the Air Force. The place was hopping. I scanned the bar. Lights pulsed to the dance music spilling out of the DJ stand speakers and men danced and ground on each other on the dancefloor. Pulling Myles close, I said, “Shot. Now.”
“Hell yes.” An open-mouthed smile spread over his lips.
Grabbing Tyler’s hand, I tugged him away from a hot little twink he was eyeballing to a long bar with a chalkboard behind it. The names of various shots were written on the board in neon colors. As I bellied up to the bar, I asked, “What are we starting with tonight, boys?”
“I’m feeling like a Dirty Boy.” Tyler pointed at the shot name behind a muscled and bare-chested bartender.
“Why am I not surprised.” I huffed a laugh and faced Myles. “And you?” Would he join us or stick with a beer? I leaned into him. “We won tonight. Have a shot.”
He tapped his chin. “Uh…fuck, okay. I’m having the Sucky Sucky.” He gave me a sly grin. “Because tonight, I need a little sucky, fucky, me love you?—”
“Dude.” I held my hand to his face. “Stop.” If Myles was talking like that, we were in for it. He only had two bar modes, chill Myles and fucked up stumble home from the b ar Myles. “I see how it’s going to be tonight.” With a chuckle, I shook my head. I’d have to keep my wits about me to be sure these two didn’t get into trouble tonight.
With a snicker, Tyler said, “What are you getting? The Big Daddy?” He scraped his finger down the front of my shirt.
Choking out a laugh, I said, “No, and there’s no shot like that.” I scanned the list of shots. “I’m getting the I’m Fucked.” A chuckle burst out of me. We were all in trouble. Tempe better watch out tonight.
“Good choice.” After patting me on the back, Tyler flagged down a bartender and ordered our shots, along with beers, and paid.
The bartender dropped off our drinks.
I plucked my shot off the bar and held it up while Myles and Tyler did the same. “To our buddies playing in the big leagues, Archer, Jonah, and Mason.”
“And may they all win their games this week.” Myles tapped his shot against mine and Tyler’s and then tipped it back.
“Here, here.” I sucked down my drink, the cool sweetness of fruit juice mixing with the harsh tequila. I winced and plunked my glass onto the bar. No more of those.
Myles coughed and slapped his glass on the black bar top. “Fuck, that’s good, but I can tell it’s lethal.”
After drinking his shot, Tyler grimaced and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Holy shit.” Straightening his shoulders, his gaze swept over the bar. “Let’s cruise, boys.”
Oh, here we go. I picked up my beer. They were going to find a guy for me. Hopefully, tonight, I could break this dry spell.