Chapter 21 Brody #2
A million different ways our conversation could have gone, and this right here—with her stroking my jaw, with her asking for the thing I’ve wanted to do for months but didn’t think I could—is the biggest fucking surprise.
“Are you sure?” I rest my forehead against hers. It’s the last bit of my sanity telling me to slow down. To make sure we’re on the same page, because once this door opens, there’s no going back. Not for a second time. “My self-control is dwindling by the fucking second, but I can walk away.”
“You did that once.” Her fingers trail down my chest, palm splaying out across my stomach. Her thumb brushes along the waistband of my slacks, teasing. “And look how it turned out.”
“Horribly,” I croak. “You need to be the one to do it, Hannah. So I know—”
“What was it you said?” she murmurs, her exhale tickling my skin. “Fuck it, right?”
Her lips are soft and sweet on mine, but there’s a roughness to the way she kisses.
Her hands work up to my hair, threading through the stands and giving a sharp tug that almost makes my knees buckle.
I cup the back of her head so she doesn’t hurt herself, a soft moan tumbling from her when I rock my hips, wanting her to feel what she does to me.
“More.” She untucks my shirt from my pants. I let my jacket fall to the ground and bump her ear with my nose. “Please, Brody.”
“I love it when you beg.” I lick a hot swipe up the line of her throat, laughing when she squirms. “It’s nice to be in control around you for once in my fucking life.”
“Do you want me to get on my knees?” She touches my belt, and I see stars. “Because I will.”
“Not here. Not where someone can see.” I kiss her collarbone, glad when she pulls on my hair again. “And not because I’m embarrassed of you, but because I’m selfish, sweetheart. What’s mine is mine, and I don’t want anyone else to see what they can’t have.”
“Your place or mine?” Hannah ghosts her fingers down the front of my pants. Her knuckles tease my cock through the fabric, and I have to hold back a groan. “Preferably soon, please.”
“Mine. Liv is with her mom for the weekend.” I have to shift away from her and scrub a hand over my face to make this decision. “But I have to give a speech before I leave.”
“You have to go out there and talk to people again?” Her eyes travel to the hard dick I’m supporting, and I can’t help but burst out laughing when she gives me a proud grin. “I wish you all the best.”
“Think I need a second before I go out there.” I tuck in my shirt and roll my sleeve back down. Shucking on my jacket, I hold out my arms. “How do I look?”
“Unbelievably hot and like you can’t wait to be thoroughly fucked. Except…” She licks her thumb and touches the corner of my mouth. “There. No lipstick that will give you away.”
“Hey.” I cup her cheeks. “Just give me a little time. I’m not leaving you. Not again.”
“I know.” Hannah smiles, and all feels right in the world. “I’m not big on second chances, but I have a feeling you’re not going to let me down.”
With a kiss to each of her knuckles, I move away and find my way back into the gala.
No one notices my absence, and I charm the fuck out of everyone I’m introduced to over the next hour.
I pose for photos. I sign more autographs.
I give advice to a season ticket holder’s daughter who wants to play hockey at a higher level, but is afraid of the kickback from the boys on her small club team who say she’s not good enough.
“They’re jealous,” I tell her, “Which means you’re doing something right.”
When it’s time for my speech, I get a standing ovation as I stress the importance of camaraderie and working together toward a common goal.
Hannah stands in the back, her eyes never leaving me as I shake the hands of our owner and CEO.
My assistant coaches rib me for speaking so eloquently when they’re used to only seeing me scowl, and when I make it to the bar for one more drink, a relieved sigh loosens out of me.
“Nice job out there,” Maverick says, leaning against the bar next to me. “You light a fire under the boys’ asses.”
“Where’s your better half tonight?” I ask, sipping on my last whiskey.
“Emmy didn’t feel like coming.” He plays with his cufflinks and shrugs.
“I get it. All the questions lately are when is she going to be back on the ice? How is she planning to lose the baby weight? How does she feel about her husband traveling across the country to hit a puck while she’s at home with a newborn?
” Maverick glances my way. “That shit hurts.”
“Being an athlete is really fucking hard. Being a female athlete? You and I can’t comprehend the scrutiny they’re under.” I sneak a look at Hannah, watching her talk to Piper and Lexi. “As long as you’re there for her when she needs you, that’s all that matters.”
“I’m trying to be.” His jaw tightens. “The guys want to double check what time practice is in the morning.”
Thinking about dragging myself to the arena a few hours from now while Hannah is still in my bed sounds unappealing. I swirl my drink around and drum my fingers against the glass, contemplating.
I never missed a practice during my playing career. High school, college, and the NHL all saw perfect attendance from me. It stretched into my coaching days, with the exception of one game last season when Liv had appendicitis and I rushed home to be with her.
When I’m scheduled to be somewhere, I show up.
But how fun would it be not to for once?
“You know what?” I finish the whiskey and slide the empty glass across the bar. “Let’s scrub practice tomorrow. Take the day off.”
“Uh.” Maverick looks down at his hand and pinches his skin, wincing when a red mark appears. “I’m not dreaming. You actually just said that to me?”
“I did.”
“You never cancel practice. Ever.”
“There’s a first time for everything.” Hannah makes eye contact with me. She mimes tapping the invisible watch on her wrist, and I don’t bother holding back my smile. “Might as well make it tomorrow. Weather looks nice too. You guys can go get brunch.”
“Brunch?” He pulls out his phone. His fingers fly across the screen, and I roll my eyes when my own phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out to see what he has to say. “Holy shit.”
Puck Kings (+ their savior, BS)
Miller
911. Emergency. Coach is canceling practice tomorrow morning.
Said we could go to fucking brUNCH?
Around the room, the guys’ heads pop up. They look at their phones, then at me, then down again. Ethan stands and gestures to the server passing with champagne, grabbing the bottle and chugging it.
Hayes
Uh. Did someone spike his drink?
Everett
There’s no way this is happening. Coach canceling practice the day my favorite spot is doing bottomless mimosas AND pancake stacks? I believe in MIRACLES.
Richardson
We’re partying hard tonight boys!!!!!!!!!!!! No sleep until Brooklyn! Strip club. Bar. Night club. Casino. We’re doing it all!!!!!!!
Sullivan
I’m not going to a strip club. Nothing I want to see there.
Mitchell
Same
Richardson
Okay you boring ass married men. The REST of us will go, and we’ll send pictures of all the women you’re missing out on.
“Tell me I didn’t make a mistake, Miller.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “He can’t possibly do all of that in one night, can he?”
“Oh, Coach. Best not to question what Ethan can or cannot do.” Maverick laughs. “It’s better for everyone.”
Everett
Wait a second. If his drink isn’t spiked, and this is really happening… Coach has to have a very, VERY good reason for not wanting to show up bright and early tomorrow.
Is it a woman????
“Let Everett know I expect him on the ice an hour before film review on Monday,” I say to Maverick, tucking my phone away. “And make Richardson join too for talking about women like that.”
“Happy to pass along the message, but he makes a valid point. Is there someone involved with this decision of yours?”
“Miller. This is an inappropriate conversation for us to be having.”
“Oh, fuck off, dude. We’ve spent years working together, and you’re barely older than me.
When I retire, we’ll go to the bar, grab a beer, and shoot the shit.
We’ll probably even be friends.” He clasps my shoulder.
“I’m sure you have a shit ton of pressure on you.
I’m sure it’s hard balancing work and a kid.
Hell. I’m struggling to keep my head above water and Murph can’t even walk yet.
You’re allowed to be happy, just like the rest of us. ”
“Noted. Thanks for the pep talk, Miller.” Hannah tips her head to the door, and I pat Maverick’s chest. “Now leave me the hell alone.”