Chapter 22
Brett
We are in Anaheim tonight, just getting ready in the locker room before the game. I’ve been in touch with Willow when I can, but it isn’t easy getting time on my own. By the time I got to the hotel last night and texted her, she was fast asleep. This morning she called but we were on the bus and the guys were being loud. She sounds good. She told me she watched last night’s game and that made me feel a whole new sense of pride. I told her to make sure to turn on the television for tonight’s game.
“Okay, gentlemen, let’s give it the best you got,” Coach says, giving us our usual pregame pep talk. After a huddle with some cheers, we make our way through the tunnel. I have always loved the rush I get before a game. The guys are all pumped and we are aiming to win. We are on a winning streak of three games right now, so we are hoping to make it a fourth. We all get on the ice for the anthem. Coach puts Wolfe on face off. I’m on the ice too. The Anaheim Thunder is a strong team, they also play rough. As a defenseman, I’m used to fighting and I’ve had my share of injuries. In the past I didn’t care so much, but now I am thinking of my girls back home. They need me in one piece.
Wolfe misses the shot and the other team gets an advantage with the puck at center ice. Evan sweeps in stealing the puck and shoots it across the ice and then we all skate our asses off. The guy I’m tailing is big and fast. I’m six foot three and he’s taller than me. I manage to pass him and block him as Matt sweeps in and takes hold of the puck. As a defenseman I don’t really score many goals, but Matt is surrounded and he shoots the puck to me. I have to think fast. If I shoot to one of the players it would be a shame because I am pretty sure I can get the puck into the bottom corner of the net with the way the goalie is blocking. I take the shot and it goes in. We don’t have too many fans here tonight, but my team goes wild. I lift my stick over my head. “That was for you, girls,” I scream out. “For my girls back home.” I repeat so there is no confusion as to who my girls are.
Evan laughs at my antics and so does Liam.
“You got it bad, bro,” Matt says. “I don’t even know who you are.”
“I’m fucking happy,” I shout. It’s true, it feels good to have Willow and Maylee waiting at home for me. I hope Willow is watching tonight. My blood is pumping hard as we set up for another face-off. The period goes whirring by. A player from the other team trips me. The ref considers it a two-minute minor penalty, even though I think the asshole did it on purpose. After the second period, the score is two to two.
Coach goes over some plays with us during intermission. He also warns us not to end up in the sin bin because this team is tough, and we can’t afford to be down a player. When we head back through the tunnel, we are all determined. The guys are in a good mood tonight, and I think we can win. Coach decides to play our third line at the beginning of the third period, so I am sitting on the bench watching.
“That was some goal,” Liam says, knocking my shoulder. “You and Willow are tight now?”
It’s a question from my good friend. “Not exactly, she’s scared of being with me because of my past. I’ve got my work cut out for me.”
“You’re a persistent guy when you want something,” he states.
“Fuck, Liam, stop trying to convince him to settle down,” Matt cuts in with a scoff, shaking his head with distaste. Looking at Matt feels like I am looking in a mirror at my old self and, fuck, did I have things wrong.
“Bro, he doesn’t need to convince me. I know what I want and it’s Willow.”
“Fuck, why are you still talking like that? I thought you hit your head last time you said shit like that,” Matt snickers.
Liam laughs and so does Evan.
“I was no better before I met Rebel. The right girl is a game changer,” Wolfe explains to our misguided teammate.
“True that,” I say, fist bumping him.
Coach calls me and Matt to the ice. Things move fast on the ice but neither team is able to score, and the game goes into overtime. Wolfe and Evan are already on the ice. We battle it out with the other team. The asshole who tripped me is one of the players, and he smirks at me. Some players use the tactic of playing mind games. He’s hoping to rile me up, but what he doesn’t understand is that I’m not new to this game. I know not to get flustered by an idiot like him.
The game moves fast as we zip up and down the ice. When Wolfe shoots the puck across the ice, I move to block the big fucker trying to get in his way and as I do Wolfe scores a goal. I pump my fist in the air as all the guys come to a stop.
“Take that, asshole.”
“Fuck you, you big drama queen,” he spits and now he’s pushed my limits.
Oh hell no. I rip off my gloves, about to go for the guy, when Wolfe moves in to stop me.
The asshole wants me to punch him as he continues to taunt me by calling me names.
Wolfe whispers, “You’re a father now. You don’t want to come home to your kid with a split lip. Trust me.”
His words hit me hard. Any hostility I was feeling completely evaporates. Instead, I skate off the ice with the guys.
Back in the locker room, the guys are giving me heat about dedicating my goal to Willow and Maylee.
“Aw, Brett, you’ve become a big softy,” Doug, one of our fourth line players, teases.
Another dude coughs and says the word, “Pussy,” into his fist.
“I’m not a fucking pussy, asshole. I’m him,” I say, owning that shit.
I strip down and grab a towel as I make my way to the shower. I don’t cover up and wave my big-ass cock around right next to the dude.
“Put that shit away,” Liam complains.
“You want me to put my cock away, you better stop acting like I’m some pussy for dedicating a goal to my girls,” I retort, looking at the guys who were cracking jokes.
“Fine, fuck, I take it back.” Doug winces.
I use my towel to smack him in the shoulder then I cover up.
I head to the showers feeling good about our win, and all I can think about is sharing my joy with Willow. I head out of the showers and suit up and as I suspected, I am pulled aside for some interviews with reporters.
“Great game,” the reporter says.
“Thanks,” I reply, hoping we are done here but I know better.
“You’re having a great week this week,” she continues. “Do you want to tell us a little more about why you were given time off?”
Bitch.
I hate when reporters get nosy about personal shit. Can’t they just focus on the plays?
“The reason I took time off is personal. Why don’t you ask me about my goal tonight?” I redirect and I see she doesn’t like it.
“You dedicated your goal tonight to your girls, is that right?” she asks.
“That’s right. Willow and baby girl, that goal was for you,” I say to the cameraperson filming us.
“Thank you, Mr. Noble,” the reporter says.
I leave the arena and head out with my friends from the team before another reporter stops me. I used to get thrown off when they asked me questions about my personal life, but I’ve learned how to control the interviews now.
I head out with the guys for a bite to eat. It’s a local sports bar filled with women. Only now that I am with Willow, and I know she is checking social media, I don’t want to have any situation that will lead her to question my integrity. The guys walk deeper into the bar and I am stuck at the door.
“What the fuck?” Liam asks, turning when he sees I am not walking in with them.
“There are too many chicks here. I don’t want to be photographed with a chick on my arm. If Willow sees that shit, it’s going to cause me trouble. We are new and she doesn’t know me all that well to trust me,” I explain.
“That’s complicated,” Liam says. “Sky just knows I don’t care about those girls. The photo ops are part of the job description.”
“I need to get out of here,” I say, panicking.
“Bro, just have a bite to eat first,” Liam urges because we are all starving after a game.
“I’ll order in room service,” I counter. “See you later.”
I turn and leave before my friend can protest. I call an Uber because it’s freaking freezing outside and I head back to the hotel. My stomach is grumbling I’m so hungry. When I get to the room, I order room service.
I loosen my tie and FaceTime Willow. She picks up after two rings. “OMG, Brett, I can’t believe you did that,” are her first words, but what hits me most is that wide smile she’s sporting. This woman doesn’t smile enough. It’s like she is always carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.
“If it causes you to smile like that, I’ll have to do it more often,” I reply.
She laughs. “You’re crazy.”
“I’ve been crazy about you, Willow, but I know I still have some convincing to do,” I say.
“Well, you’re getting an A for effort. That was quite the goal you scored,” she says with a gleam in her eyes.
”I”ll do anything for my girls. How was your day?” I ask.
Willow begins to tell me about going back to work and having Maylee in day care. My baby isn’t so happy to be there, and she is crying. The teachers say it’s normal but Willow has been nervous about it.
“I just feel so guilty,” she declares.
“Why? You’re doing an amazing job with her. The teachers told you that it’s a new environment and it’ll take time to adjust. She’ll be fine soon. She’s a Noble. She’s tough.”
Those words make Willow laugh. I’m not sure why. “Did I say something funny?”
“No, you just talk like such a jock,” she says.
“Nothing wrong with that. I work hard and learn to adjust to different circumstances.”
“True,” she agrees.
There’s a knock on the door.
“Give me a sec. I ordered room service.”
“It’s okay, we can talk another time,” Willow offers.
“Uh uh, we are staying on the phone. We’ve barely spoken all week. I’m back here by myself,” I begin to explain as I open the door and a waiter brings in my cart of food.
“Thanks,” I say to him and pass him a tip.
“Thank you, sir,” he says, and he bows out of the room.
I close the door.
“Shit, that smells good, I’m starving.” I wheel the cart closer to the small table.
“Why are you eating by yourself?” Willow asks as I remove the covers from the food and steam bellows off the steak and vegetables. I ordered a salad too, but I think I’ll save it for the end.
“The guys went to a bar to eat,” I say matter-of-factly as I take a seat at the table and set the phone against the ice bin, so I don’t have to hold it.
“Why aren’t you at the bar with them?” Willow asks, and a crease forms between her brows.
“There were a lot of women there waiting for the team. As in puck bunnies. They like to come up to us for photo ops. I didn’t want the media blowing something out of proportion or making up a story about me or causing shit, I don’t know,” I ramble nervously.
Willow’s lips are rolled in and her eyes are wide. “You didn’t go to eat with the team because you were worried about what I would think?”
“I mean, yeah. Is that a bad thing? I know I have a past, but those women don’t matter to me. All that matters to me is you and Maylee. I don’t want to be in a compromising situation. The reporters kind of know about you because of how things went down at the Nashville game,” I say, and she winces. “Don’t feel bad about that. It was all on me for being a jealous hothead.”
“I still can’t believe you were jealous over Jacob.” She giggles.
“Woman, I have never been jealous in my life. That should tell you something. The thought of seeing you with another man makes my blood boil,” I admit as I take the first bite of my steak. I close my eyes and enjoy the bite.
“Well, I would also feel like my blood was boiling if I saw you with another woman,” Willow says, and I pause mid bite and open my eyes.
“You aren’t joking right now, are you?” I ask because, damn, that is a big statement from Willow. She has her feelings on a tight lock all the time, so this revelation is huge.
“I wouldn’t joke about something like that, Brett.”
I growl, feeling feral. “I want to kiss you so hard right now, Honey.”
I watch her breathing pick up. She’s wearing a white tank top, and her bra has her breasts pressed together, giving her some sexy as hell cleavage.
“Well, since that can’t be done, why don’t you finish eating and call me back? I have a better idea,” she suggests.
“Willow, are you saying we are going to have phone sex because if we are, I’ll stop eating right now.”
She laughs, her cheeks a healthy pink. “You should eat first. Those games are demanding on your body. You need the food.”
“Fine, then distract me for a bit. How is our baby girl?” I ask.
“Sleeping like an angel. The day care is really tiring her out,” she shares.
“And how does it feel to be back at work?” I ask.
“It feels really good, but different,” she says, looking thoughtful.
“How is it different?” I ask, cutting into my steak and placing a large bite in my mouth.
“It’s just that now, even when Maylee isn’t with me, she occupies my thoughts. I’m thinking how is she doing? Is she happy? Is she crying?”
“I was kind of feeling like that too after you told me she was crying a lot. I couldn’t stop thinking about her and hoping she would adjust fast.”
“So I’m not some eccentric parent then?”
“Nah, you’re perfect, Honey.”
“You’re flattering me too much.” She smiles.
“False, you deserve it,” I say as I shovel the last of my potatoes and vegetables in my mouth. “Done,” I announce. “Now go climb on my bed, Willow, and spread those legs for me.”
Her blue-green eyes smolder. “I thought we were going to start off slow.”
“I don’t know how to do anything slow, Willow. When I want something, I go full blast.”
“I kind of noticed that,” she mutters. She keeps the phone on her face but I see her walking through the apartment. She climbs on my bed.
“Legs spread,” I demand.
“So bossy,” she chides playfully.
“Are they spread?” I ask because I can’t see her lower body.
She nods, biting her lip.
“Okay, good. Are you wearing shorts because if you are you need to remove them,” I guide.
I watch as she shifts on the bed. “Show me your pussy. I love that pussy, Willow.”
She bursts into laughter.
“Am I missing something?” I ask, clearly confused. This is a sexually charged moment not a laughing one.
“You said pussy Willow. It’s the name of a plant,” she explains. “You know, those furry little plants that grow in spring.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I confess.
“Never mind, where were we?” I ask.
“My legs are spread,” she says, her voice a soft purr.
“Good, now dip your finger between your seam,” I instruct, and I watch her hand move down. Her breathing picks up as her nostrils flare. “Are you wet?”
She nods. “Very.”
Fuck.
“You’re so beautiful, Willow. I love watching you touch yourself. Rub those juices around and use it to rub your clit.”
She moans and her eyes flutter shut. “That feels so good. I need to see you touch yourself, Brett. Please,” she says, as if she knows she needs to ask politely because I was probably going to say no until I heard that last word.
“Since you asked so nice. What do you want me to do?” I ask, my voice gravelly. I’m so hard my cock is bobbing behind my suit pants as I watch her get herself off.
“I want to see your cock, Brett. Pump it for me,” she pants.
I quickly remove my already loosened tie and then I remove my button-down shirt and trousers. Finally, I remove my boxers, so I am buck naked.
“Damn, you have like a ten-pack,” she says.
“You like what you see, Honey?” I ask as she works herself over.
She nods. “I liked it from the moment I saw you.”
Damn, Willow is opening up and I am digging it. I hop on the bed and begin to jerk off. When I point the phone to my very erect cock, Willow starts to moan louder. “OMG, that’s so hot. I’m going to come, Brett, but I can’t do it. I can’t make myself come properly.”
“Just watch me, Honey. Imagine it’s my fingers rubbing that sweet pussy.”
“Yes,” she cries out, but she keeps her eyes open and trained on my cock.
“Show me your pussy, Willow. Show me so I can fuck you hard with my fingers,” I say breathing hard. A bead of precum makes an appearance on my tip, and I rub my finger over it as I squeeze my cock and take a long languid stroke.
“I’m coming, Brett,” she cries out.
“That’s it, Honey. Rub that sweet clit of yours faster. I am so hard for you right now. You look so fucking beautiful. I want to be back home in bed with you,” I say and Willow cries out her screams of ecstasy, tipping me over the edge as I shoot over my abdomen like a fucking teenager. Watching her come undone only prolongs my release as I come all over myself. My hand grows sticky and, fuck, it’s so hot.
When we both finish coming, she brings the camera to her face, and I bring mine too. Willow’s cheeks are flushed and she’s wearing a lazy smile.
“That was unexpected. I’ll need to score more goals for you.” I wink as my breathing slowly returns to normal.
“That was hot, and I won’t protest goals.”
“Will you come to my game with Maylee? Day after tomorrow?” I ask. We return home late tomorrow and then we have the night off.
“We’d love to,” Willow answers.
I grin like a damn fool.
“I better get myself cleaned up. I don’t know when the guys will be back, and they will definitely stop by my room.”
I stand and head to the bathroom to wash up and Willow does the same.
I slip on a pair of boxers and grab a clean T-shirt from my suitcase. Then I sit back down at the table to eat.
“I thought you were finished eating?” Willow asks.
“I finished my first meal. This is my second,” I say of the clubhouse sandwich I ordered. “Good thing too because you just worked up my appetite.”
Willow laughs and shakes her head like I’m too much.
“Are you sleeping in my bed?” I ask her.
“I have been every night,” she confirms. “I like having your scent close to me.”
“Damn, woman, I can’t wait to get home to you tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait either, Brett,” she says, and it feels like heaven having her opening up to me.