The Pucking Player

4. How to Stalk Your Coach’s Daughter （Professionally）

4

HOW TO STALK YOUR COACH’S DAUGHTER (PROFESSIONALLY)

LIAM

A s Nate and I walk toward the car, my thoughts are consumed by Sophie. Her taste is still on my tongue, the softness of her skin beneath my fingertips branded into my memory. I can’t get her out of my head. It’s like I’ve been hit with something addictive, and I already know one hit isn’t going to be enough.

I need my next fix.

We climb into the car, and I ease out of the parking spot, navigating the unholy mess of midtown traffic. As we crawl through the gridlock, my mind drifts back to her—her emerald eyes locking onto mine, the way her lips parted beneath mine, hesitant but oh so sweet.

I know she’s not going to call me. I need a new plan.

Lost in my thoughts, I almost don’t hear Nate.

“Hello? Anyone home?” he says, leaning over and tapping his knuckles against my forehead. His shit-eating grin tells me he’s enjoying the spectacle.

I swat his hand away, scowling. “Dude, what the hell? I’m driving.” I gesture at the jam-packed street ahead. “You think we’re even going to make it to practice at this rate? ”

Truth is, we should’ve been heading back to Tarrytown hours ago. But after the hospital visit, I wasn’t ready to let Sophie out of my sight, so I insisted we grab lunch. I was determined to sit next to her, but the universe had other plans. I ended up between Nate and Jessica while Sophie sat tantalizingly out of reach.

The entire meal, I was useless. My fork may as well have been a prop for how much attention I was giving it. Instead, my eyes were glued to Sophie. Watching the way she laughed at her sister’s jokes, the sound ringing out like music. Noticing the delicate way she lifted her fork. My brain short-circuited every time my gaze lingered on her lips, remembering how soft they felt against mine.

Nate, ever the observant pain in my ass, caught on quickly. He spent most of lunch kicking me under the table, clearly trying to snap me out of it. By the time the check came, my shins felt like they’d gone through a full-contact practice.

Now I’m stuck in traffic, knowing full well we left the restaurant too late. And Nate isn’t about to let me off the hook.

“Yeah, we’ll make it,” he says, leaning back in his seat. Then he smirks. “But maybe you should focus a little less on Sophie Land and more on the road.”

I punch him in the arm, earning a snort of laughter.

“Hey, I’m just calling it like I see it, bro. You’ve got the hots for this girl, and you’ve got ‘em bad.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. He’s not wrong. I’ve got it bad.

“I don’t know what it is about her,” I mutter. “But I’ll find out.”

Nate groans, pretending to gag. “Dude, you sound like a Hallmark movie. A really bad one. ”

I flip him off, grinning despite myself. “Laugh all you want, but I’m in love.”

That gets him. His eyebrows shoot up, and his grin stretches wider. “From where I’m standing, it looks like Coach Novak is gonna use our team captain’s balls as hockey pucks.”

I bark out a laugh. “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be just fine.”

Finally, we break free of the Manhattan gridlock and hit the Henry Hudson Parkway. The car picks up speed, and the conversation falls quiet for a moment.

But Nate isn’t done.

“You sure about this, Liam?” he asks, glancing at me. “I’m all for you getting some action, but this is Coach’s daughter . You know what you’re walking into, right?”

I grip the wheel a little tighter, my mind flashing to Sophie’s face. The way her lips curved when she smiled. The way her eyes sparkled when she laughed. The way her breath hitched when I kissed her.

“I’m sure,” I say firmly. My voice doesn’t waver. “I’ll deal with Novak.”

Nate shakes his head, grinning. “You poor, whipped bastard. Alright, Captain, if you’re sure, I’ve got your back. Team O’Connor for the win.”

I grin, glancing over at him. “Damn right. I appreciate it.”

“So, did you seal the deal?”

I sigh, the memory of her refusal still stinging. “Nope. She wouldn’t give me her number.”

Nate’s jaw drops, and he clutches his chest like he’s been mortally wounded. “What? But you’re Liam fucking O’Connor! Women throw their panties at you on the daily! ”

I glare at him, but a chuckle escapes despite myself. “Not this one, apparently.”

Nate howls with laughter, slapping his knee. “The great Liam O’Connor, master of the pickup, struck out! I can’t believe it! This is historic.”

“Shut up, man,” I growl, but he’s on a roll.

“The mighty Liam, reduced to a bumbling mess by a pretty face!”

That’s it. I’ve had enough. I point to his phone on the dashboard. “Pick that up and call Jessica. Put her on speaker.”

Nate hesitates but dials anyway, his curiosity clearly piqued. After a few rings, Jessica answers.

“Nate? What’s up? We just left each other like five minutes ago.”

“Hey, Jess,” I cut in, trying to sound casual. “I need a favor. Can you give me Sophie’s number?”

The line goes silent for a beat, and then Jessica bursts into laughter. “Oh my God. I knew it. Is that what you were trying to do when you disappeared with her?”

Nate joins in, laughing so hard, he’s practically wheezing.

“Come on, Jess,” I plead. “Help a guy out.”

Jessica’s tone turns teasing. “Wow, Liam. Begging for a girl’s number? This is a first. What happened? Losing your touch?”

“Can you hook me up or not?”

Jessica sighs. “Liam, I can’t just give out her number. If Sophie didn’t give it to you, that’s her decision.”

I groan, smacking the steering wheel. “Well, what do you think I was trying to do? She wouldn’t give it to me!”

There’s another pause, and then Jessica’s voice comes back, more serious. “If Sophie doesn’t want you to have her number, then that’s your answer, isn’t it?”

I grit my teeth, but then an idea hits me. “Okay, fair enough. Then tell me where she lives.”

Nate chokes on his laughter, and Jessica sputters, “You want me to give you her address ? Are you insane?”

“Come on, Jess. I’m not going to stalk her. I just want to ask her on a date.”

Jessica sighs again, and I know I’m wearing her down. “She’s studying at Westchester College, in the pre-med program. She stays on campus. That’s all you’re getting from me.”

A grin spreads across my face. “Thanks, Jess. I owe you one.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she says, her tone exasperated. “Just don’t make me regret this, O’Connor.”

Nate ends the call, shaking his head. “Dude, I’ve never seen you work this hard for a girl before.”

I shrug, my mind already racing with plans. “What can I say? She’s one of a kind.”

Nate leans back, smirking. “Well, good luck, man. Something tells me you’re going to need it.”

I just grin, my eyes on the road and my heart set on Sophie Novak.