Chapter 40
Chapter Fourty
Cole
We lost the following night in overtime.
I tried to keep the disappointment off my face as we headed to the locker room, but it clung to me like a second skin.
Even though I had scored one goal, I was still disappointed.
Now that meant we had to go home and beat Seattle again.
Three more times. What if we didn’t? What if this was it and Seattle was going to wipe the ice with us?
I could be happy with everything we’d done so far, but I wanted that Cup. Just once.
“Hey.” Oscar dropped onto the bench next to me. He was still wearing his compression clothes and was covered in sweat. “You good?”
I lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “Sure, never better.” Never mind that I feel like a huge disappointment to my team.
“You’re a terrible liar.” Oscar raised his brows at me. “You have nothing to feel bad about, Cole. You did everything right. I’m the one who lost the game for us. I let in too many pucks because I was too much in my head.”
I stared at my best friend. “We’re a team, man.
We let you down because we couldn’t get hold of the puck for longer than two seconds.
” And I wasn’t sure if it was just me, but I was exhausted.
My entire body felt like I’d the shit beaten of me.
I couldn’t wait for the off season. I was going to sleep for a week.
“Yeah, we are a team. Which means you can’t take all the weight of the loss on your shoulders. It’s not just my fault or your fault. We’re tired. Most of us have injuries we’re hiding. We want to win this, but we want to go home, too, and just rest.” Oscar gripped my shoulder.
I caught Jackson’s eye as he stepped into the room. “Who exactly is hiding an injury?” It wasn’t me, even though my ankle had been bothering me.
“Can’t tell you that.” Oscar stood up. “But it’s probably not who you think.”
I sighed as he left me alone and dropped my chin.
At least I was going to be going home to my boyfriend.
I missed Reed more than I thought possible.
He told me he was going to watch the game again with the WAGs, and I wondered if he was disappointed that we lost. I grabbed my phone and couldn’t stop the smile that spread over my face when I saw the string of texts that he had sent.
Reed: OMG! I hate that guy. The one who tried to start the fight with Jordan.
Reed: Get ‘em, baby! So proud of you for that goal.
Reed: HOLY SHIT! Oscar can move pretty quick for such a big man. He goes down into a split like it’s no big deal. I bet Oscar could do that, too, and not even break a sweat.
Reed: Sorry, that didn’t sound that creepy in my head.
I glanced up to find Oscar standing before me again, now dressed in his suit. “My boyfriend thinks your splits are impressive.”
“I’ll have to thank him the next time I see him.” Oscar gestured behind me. “Are you getting dressed or what? The bus is going to head to the airport soon.”
I placed my phone on the bench beside me and took the fastest shower on the planet before I was dressed and heading out the door. I couldn’t wait to get home. Mostly I wanted to wrap myself around Reed and hold him until my ugly nerves had disappeared.
OSCAR AND I STEPPED into our living room and shared a smile at the sight before us.
Reed, Tate, and Zach were passed out on the couch, wrapped in one of the big blankets we kept on the back of it.
It was cute, the way they were all sort of cuddled up with one another, but I didn’t hesitate to pick up my boyfriend and carry him to my room.
He smelled like coffee and dreams I had long forgotten.
Reed didn’t even stir or make a peep as I walked up the stairs or placed him on the bed.
It was only when I stripped off my clothes, dropped them on the floor, and climbed in next to him that he stirred.
“Cole?” he muttered, his voice thick with sleep. “I tried to stay awake for you.”
I pushed my nose into his soft hair. “I know, baby. It’s late. Go back to sleep.”
“Kiss me.” He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled himself closer.
I smiled, tilted his head back and brushed my lips against his. “Love you.”
“I love you, too.” Reed drifted off to sleep again, and I felt like I would never find it. I was exhausted, more than I had ever been, but my brain was going a mile a minute.
I must have drifted off at some point because the next thing I remembered was Reed pressing open mouth kisses against my face and neck.
“You’re here,” he whispered when I opened my eyes. “You’re here, and we’re in your bed. Did you carry me?”
“Mm.” I gripped the back of his neck and pulled his mouth back to mine. Morning breath didn’t bother me. Some of the guys on the team had the weirdest rituals, including not bathing or changing their socks. This was nothing compared to that.
Reed sighed into my embrace, his hands finding their way into my hair. “I missed you so much.”
“You’re wearing my jersey.” I tugged on the fabric against his body. It was way too big for him, but I liked it.
He moved back to my mouth; his tongue curled around mine, and we lost ourselves. Before I realized what was happening, Reed was rubbing against me, his erection hot against my thigh through his bottoms.
“Want you so bad,” he murmured.
“Yeah?” I licked the shell of his ear. “Will you let me fuck you while you’re in my shirt? With my name plastered on your back, reminding me that you’re mine.”
Reed whimpered. “Yes.”
I tugged his shorts down when there was a knock at my door. “It’s not a good time, Oscar.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but uh, Jackson texted. We have an emergency meeting at the arena in thirty minutes.” Oscar’s voice carried through the paneling of the door.
I stumbled off the bed. “Shit.”
I was going to be late. Jackson hated when people were late. Even family members. I once watched him force Tom to stay for drills because he was late for practice once, and that was his brother.
“Baby, I have to go.”
I yanked on a pair of jeans as I rushed to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth as fast as possible, splashed some water on my face, and glanced in the mirror to find Reed watching me. Damn, he was stunning in my jersey.
“Here.” He held out a baseball hat. I grabbed it and shoved it on my head.
I scooped him into my arms. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I love you, and I promise we will pick up right where we left off as soon as I get back.” I kissed him again, then hurried to the door. “Maybe put those panties back on?”
“Anything for you, Casanova.” Reed winked.
And then I rushed out of the bedroom to meet Oscar, who was already waiting outside in the car.