Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
ISLA
I may have played the position of goalie a bit in high school, but this is college. And even though it’s a preseason game, the pressure is still there, and every second on the ice, I feel like I’m constantly on edge.
My parents begged me to let them come tonight, but I asked them—no, told them—I really wanted to get my bearings, playing this new position, before having the pressure of them watching me. I’m not going to be perfect right off the bat, and I know it’s going to be hard for me to accept that.
But here we are, nearing the end of the third period, and no one has scored on me yet, putting NEU in the lead, one to zero.
Though I haven’t dared to look too hard, it’s clear to notice from my goal that the stands are not even half full, which is sad because on any given night the men’s hockey team plays, tickets are sold out.
After a short time-out, it’s go time again. Within seconds, the puck is in play, and players from each team are frantically skating across the ice. Both have the same goal in mind—to win this game.
I don’t want to just be the girl who is Cam Hardy’s daughter and is only here because of my last name. I need to make sure that by the end of this game, everyone knows that I belong on the ice.
No, this position isn’t my first choice, but if here is where my team needs me to be, then I will do it without thinking twice.
HENDRIX
I’ve seen Isla play hockey before. I watched her scrimmage at the camp we both went to, and I’ve seen clips of her on YouTube, but something about all five foot five of her, wearing her NEU gear, standing in front of the goal, using her small body to block a space that size? Fuck … it’s doing things for me.
She is so in the zone that I don’t think she’s looked in the crowd at all since the game started. I expected to see her old man, but unless he’s somewhere hiding from fans, I don’t spot him.
“Fuck, we could use some of these chicks on the men’s team,” Jameson mutters. “Summer Scott is fucking savage.” He whistles lowly. “Hot damn, she’s fast on skates.”
“You know Isla Hardy has only been a goalie for part of one season in high school,” Cash tells us, staring in awe at the girl with her blonde curls coming out of her helmet. “How fucking insane is that?”
“Careful, Hale,” I warn. “Don’t be looking at Hardy too much. I like you, so I don’t want to have to kick your ass. But if it comes to it, I will fuck you up.”
“Dude, you’re so fucking obsessed,” Jameson says, hitting my arm before nodding toward Cash. “Did you see his pouty face when we interrupted them at homecoming? I thought he was going to cry.” He pauses. “Or murder me.”
“It was the latter, I assure you,” I grumble. “Didn’t help that you said that stupid shit either.”
“My bad,” Jameson says, completely oblivious to the fact that his big mouth fucked my night up.
“Don’t worry; I’ll stay clear,” Cash says. “Our parents are friends, so it would be weird for me to go after her anyway.” He cringes. “Besides, you kind of scare the fuck out of me, Hunt.”
“Good,” I mutter, making him grin.
“But just a warning: her dad is protective as hell over her,” he adds. “So, good luck with that. I don’t know any man in his right mind who would get on Cam Hardy’s bad side. Dude is a legend.”
Yet he let her go to a camp where her secret biological dad was going to be, I say silently to myself, instantly annoyed.
He can protect her all he wants from guys like me, but when it came to that camp … Cam Hardy dropped the ball.
“I’m not worried about her dad,” I mumble, keeping my eyes fixated on Isla. “Not one bit.”
He says something back, but I barely hear his voice as I watch her block another puck from coming into her goal. She may be tiny, but fuck … she’s fierce.
And just like that, a jolt shoots right down my body. Straight to my dick.
The Lady Eagles win two to zero, and all her teammates swarm around Isla, cheering together loudly.
When the guys stand up to head out, I stand too.
“Hey, I’ll catch up with you guys at the house.” I say it as nonchalantly as I can, but they still smirk, gawking at each other with a knowing look. Because they know I’m not leaving until I talk to the cute goalie.
Once they head up the stairs, I walk down to the plexiglass. If this were a men’s hockey game, this place would be fucking swarmed. And yet, here it is, damn near empty now that the game is over.
“Hey, Nineteen,” I call out once the chaos around her dissipates just as she pulls off her helmet.
Her eyes find mine, and she smiles shyly. For a moment, she stands out toward the center of the ice, like she doesn’t know what to do. But finally, she skates my way. Even in all the gear that comes with being a goalie, she looks so tiny for the position.
“What are you doing here, Hunt?” she says, standing on the other side of the plexiglass. “Did you show up to take notes for the men’s team?”
“Probably should have,” I admit. “Good job out there, blondie. You’re a fucking weapon.”
The compliment makes her cheeks turn pink, and I chuckle inwardly, loving every second of it because I don’t know how I can make the girl blush, who just guarded the goal like her life depended on it, taking no mercy on anyone.
“Thanks.” She chews her lip, glancing back at her team as they head toward the locker room before turning back to me. “I should go. Coach will be waiting.”
“Hey, wait,” I say before she gets the chance to take off. “I want to take you to dinner.” I stop, grinning. “You know, just a friendly congratulations for kicking ass dinner. So, what do you say?”
She looks at me, no doubt fighting with herself if she should trust me or not. Skating backward slowly, she shrugs. “Okay … fine.” Her lips spread into a slight smile, though it’s clear she’s trying to fight it. “I’ll meet you outside in, like, half an hour?”
“It’s a date.” I wink, and she narrows her eyes.
She points her gloved hand at me. “It’s not a date, Hunt.”
“Oh, it definitely is,” I drawl. “See you in half an hour, Nineteen.”
Slowly, she turns and skates toward the exit, and I must look like a fucking fool because, fuck me … I can’t wipe this stupid smile off my face.