Chapter 30
Thirty
Tedi
“Good thing you don’t have lasers that shoot out of your eyes,” Decker whispers.
I blink. “She’s all over him. Look at her. It’s embarrassing.”
“I know,” Eloise joins in. “I hate how these women just assume our players are single.” Her wedding ring sparkles from the lights above.
“I’m sorry, isn’t he single?” Decker asks.
“Good for Tweetie. He deserves to get some,” Waylon says.
Kyleigh smacks him across the back of the head.
“Hey,” he says, but she gives him a look that makes him stop arguing.
They’re all so close. Even to Jade’s brothers. They’re like a family, just like we were in Florida—before Tweetie and I ruined it for all of us. I mean, they all are a family still, and then once in a while, either Tweetie or I are thrown in there.
“Who wants to skate?” Kyleigh asks, already walking down the stairs.
“I hate rentals,” Rowan whines, following her.
“You probably want to leave, right?” I whisper to Decker, but Conor peeks his head into our conversation.
“Come on. You go in net. I bet I can score against you.”
Decker glances at me, and I see it in his eyes—the competitive juices are flowing. Tweetie used to get that way too. Competitive right down to their bone marrow. How many times did I witness Tweetie throw down with someone just to say he won? Poor Mr. Hawkins didn’t know what happened to him after he told Tweetie that he’d be lost putting a puzzle together after he finished the border. We ended up winning the annual Veteran’s Hall puzzle competition. Tweetie displayed that sad little trophy for a year.
“Have fun,” I say.
Decker grabs my hand. “If I’m going, so are you.” His expression threatens to out me, so I reluctantly follow.
It takes a half hour to get our skates, and I haven’t seen Tweetie since he was taking a picture with the Kale kid. Maybe he left. I hate the disappointment that sinks my stomach with that thought.
Jade joins us as we’re walking away from the rental counter. “That Maci just drives me insane. She wiggled her way into a picture with Tweetie, and I’m pretty sure her hand is on his ass.”
Decker glances at me but says nothing.
I grab my skates, and we’re coming through the tunnel when I see Maci talking to Tweetie. I swallow down that jealous green monster inside me because Decker is right, Tweetie’s single. He can take her home, or get her number, or go on a date with her. Whatever. What do I care?
“Come on,” I say.
Decker groans, following me. “Why do I feel as if this isn’t going to end well?”
“You’re the one who made the bet with Conor.” I stop and turn around. “Actually, you never even put a wager on it. You’re just doing it to say you did it.”
I circle back around and draw back because Tweetie’s right there.
He reaches out, grabbing my hips to steady me. “Sorry. I was just going to get some skates.”
“It’s okay,” I say, glaring behind me at Decker.
“You let Conor get to you, huh?” Tweetie pats Decker on the back and walks out of the tunnel, laughing.
“Why didn’t you catch me?”
Decker holds up his skates and his drink. “How? My hands are full.”
I blow out a breath and shake my head. “No wonder you’re single.”
“Let’s remember who’s doing who a favor here.”
We sit on the benches to put our skates on, Decker practically growling the entire time.
“I do appreciate you,” I say, and he glares at me.
After everyone gets laced up and heads onto the ice, Conor gets Decker set up in the net. “I’m not going to injure you, so I’ll take it easy on you.”
Decker scoffs.
All the boys huddle around and make their rules. Somehow, they’ve found a helmet and pads for Decker, but it’s not a goalie’s helmet, so there’s no visor.
“Are you sure about this?” I ask him.
“Afraid we’re going to injure your boy?” Tweetie skates around me. “You’re doing pretty good there.” His gaze falls down to my skates.
Tweetie is the one who got me skating again. I grew up skating, but after years of not doing it and living in Florida, I was really rusty. The night he got me back on the ice, we went home, and my god… after having his hands on my hips the entire time and feeling so close to him, the sex was explosive. One of our top ten highlights for sure. Which is probably why he’s bringing it up.
“It’s his choice.” I shrug.
Conor gets ready at the center line. The kids who have stayed are cheering him on. It’s clear they want any of the hockey guys to win and Decker to lose.
“Just remember that in the spring, you’re going to be at third base,” Decker calls.
“Bring it.” Conor grins at him, dropping the puck onto the ice in front of him.
“Conor, this is a little juvenile, no?” Eloise asks.
“Watch your husband, baby.” He puffs out his chest.
She rolls her eyes, and I skate over by the girls.
Conor stick-handles the puck for a bit. “Count me down.”
Tweetie skates up next to him. “Three. Two. One!”
Conor starts skating, and I’m fearful for Decker, although he doesn’t appear to be afraid in the least, grinning the closer Conor gets to the net.
Conor circles behind the net, and Decker loses sight of him, allowing Conor to skate around and just tap the puck into the net. Conor raises his arms and does a celly I’ve never seen him do. I wish I had my phone out so I could get some footage of this. Conor laughs as Decker takes off his helmet and tosses it on top of the net, shaking his head, but still has a smile on his face.
“My turn!” A little boy is already skating toward Decker.
He tries to grab his helmet, but the kid is fast.
“No!” Rowan skates toward the kid to grab him, but he’s too late.
The kid swings his stick back, hitting the puck, and it all happens in slow motion. The puck in the air. All of us yelling no. Decker’s shocked expression right before the puck hits him square between the eyes.
Rowan swings his arm around the kid’s waist, swooping him up. Decker falls forward, his hands covering his face.
“Oh my god.” I skate over there, but Tweetie beats me to Decker.
He squats, and everyone circles around us.
“Let’s see,” Tweetie says.
Decker lifts his face, and everyone groans at the blood streaming down his face. He seeks me out, giving me a look to say, “I’m done.”