Chapter 2
ASH
What the hell did I just say?
Tish’s eyes widen with hope, and it’s all I can do not to wince.
What am I thinking? This will be a nightmare job!
I open my mouth to take it all back, but Tish speaks before I can.
“Go ahead and set up the appointment with your coach.”
Trent sends me a glare. “Tish, think about this. It could ruin your reputation before you even get your own business started.”
“Or it could be just the boost I need.” She throws her brother a grin.
“I’m not gonna lie,” I say carefully. “It won’t be easy. Hell, I don’t even know if anyone can salvage our reputation at this point.”
Tish’s smile grows wider. “You guys should know by now that I love a challenge.”
Trent throws his arms up in the air in defeat. We both know that when Tish sets her mind to something, there’s no changing it.
Unless she decides she wants to change it, and that’s extremely rare.
“I’ll set up the meeting with Carl,” I promise.
The smile she gives me is so radiant, I feel as if someone gut punches me.
She’s one sexy lady, but she’s my best friend’s little sister.
I’ve spent the last few years watching over her, acting as another big brother, but the feelings I’ve been having toward her lately are not the brotherly kind.
Today, she has her long dark hair pulled back into a messy bun, but when it’s loose it hangs down in waves practically to her waist.
Only a little of the burgundy highlights can be seen in this hairstyle, giving even more depth and texture to the silky strands.
Or at least I imagine her hair is silky. I haven’t actually touched it to be certain.
She has the most unique blue eyes, too. I’m not even sure how to describe them.
They’re dark, but not a midnight blue.
They remind me of jewels at the bottom of a river or something. Shiny, precious, but unreachable.
Because that’s what she is to me—unreachable.
Even were she to be interested in me, I’d have to turn her down. Trent would never forgive me if I dated his little sister.
Besides, Tish is not looking for a guy in her life. She’s focused on raising Becky.
I glance at the little girl happily coloring while lying on the floor. Her knees are bent, feet up in the air as she swings her legs back and forth and hums.
“It’s PR work, Trent,” Tish says, and I realize I’ve missed some of the conversation while I was lost in my thoughts.
“It’s what I want to do. You know I’m only working—was working—as an accountant to pay the bills.
This could be my big chance, a great first step into getting my own company off the ground. ”
“And if it destroys you first?” Trent asks with a scowl.
Tish shrugs her shoulders. “Then maybe I should look for a different career goal.”
God, but the woman is amazing. She knows no defeat and sees everything as a challenge.
The ways she’s taken on raising Becky on her own shows her strength and determination, both of which I admire her for.
Damn, I have to stop thinking about her like this. I have to remember that she’s off limits and remember to treat her as if she were my own little sister.
I stand abruptly, looking at the time on my cell phone. “I gotta head out,” I announce. “I promised to meet Jake to work out, and I’m already running late.”
Tish unfolds her legs and stands from the chair. A lock of dark hair escapes the bun and falls across her shoulder as she walks over to me.
When she wraps her arms around me in a hug, I hesitate for just a moment before returning it, almost groaning aloud at how good—how right—she feels in my arms.
“Thanks again, Ash,” she says as she drops her arms and stands back.
I nod, toss a wave at Trent, then leave.
The Thunderwolves’ club is just a few miles from Tish’s place, so it doesn’t take me long to get there.
As captain of the team, I have my own designated parking stall, so I pull in then sit in my car for a moment.
When did I stop seeing Tish as a little sister and start seeing her for the beautiful and sexy woman she is now?
Even sitting in a pair of sweats and a ragged t-shirt, her hair piled on top of her head in a messy half-hazard bun, she was stunning.
She’s the type of woman who doesn’t need any makeup, but when she applies just a little around her eyes and throws on some lip gloss, the effect is devastating.
At least to me.
But it’s not just her looks that get me. It’s the whole package.
She’s a hard worker, a good mom, and she’s honest and real.
In my line of work, that’s hard to find. The puck bunnies that follow us are shallow and fake, and you can’t trust a word that slips between their painted lips.
For some of them, their goal is to sleep with as many hockey players as they can.
For others, they’re looking for a husband who will be able to give them a life of luxury and fame.
But Tish has real goals.
She wants to start her own business and provide her daughter with the best possible life.
She’s said, on more than one occasion, that she doesn’t want a boyfriend. He would just get in her way.
Plus, she has to be careful who she brings around Becky and she just doesn’t have the time to put so much effort into a relationship.
That works great for Trent. He likes that she’s not looking because he doesn’t have to play the big brother and scare her dates into behaving.
Looking at my phone, I realize I really am running late to meet up with Jake. Turning off the engine, I get out, lock my car, then walk into the clubhouse.
The Thunderwolves’ clubhouse is more than just a place to hang out. We have a private ice rink and weight room.
There’s also offices, a clubhouse to hang out and visit, complete with a cafeteria, and even a small medical area in case anyone gets hurt practicing or working out.
I head to the weight room, which is more like a medium-sized gym.
It has pretty much every piece of equipment a hockey player could want or need.
Immediately, I spot Jake. He’s not hard to miss, especially with so many women around him. That’s usually the case.
Jake’s a wizard on the ice, and his good looks make him a fan favorite of the girls.
Although the clubhouse is supposed to be just for team members and staff, somehow the puck bunnies always find a way inside.
Shaking my head in exasperation, a lopsided grin slants my mouth as I walk over to Jake.
“Ash!” he calls out when he sees me. “Come on over, man. We were just talking about you. Well, about your game the other night.”
The two brunette ladies, one on either side of Jake, practically eat me alive with their eyes as I get closer.
Jake hangs his arms loosely draped over their shoulders, a wide grin on his face. It’s all I can do not to scowl at the women as I focus on my teammate.
“Are we still on to workout?” I ask, ignoring the women.
Jake nods, gives each woman a quick kiss on the mouth, then removes his arms from them. They look disappointed for a brief second then turn hopeful eyes to me.
I raise my hands and shake my head. “Sorry, ladies. Gotta hit the gym.”
Both women form a fake pout with their lips.
“Ah, come on, Ash,” the taller woman simpers. “You know what they say about all work and no play.”
“That they don’t miss a goal or get their face smashed into the wall?” I retort.
The women leave, a bit disgruntled, but at least they leave.
“That was a little harsh, don’t you think?” Jake says. “They’re just looking for a good time.”
“Exactly,” I agree as we head to the locker room. “They’re just distractions.”
Jake grins and waggles his eyebrows. “But good distractions.”
Taking my jacket off, I hang it in my locker, then dig in my gym bag for sweats and a t-shirt. Jake is just looking at me, the smile on his face gone.
“One of these days, Jake, one of these women might take things too far. You’d better be careful before you find yourself in trouble.”
Jake frowns. “About that…”