Chapter Eleven ClickTease
ZANDER
As I watched Rylee leave, I couldn’t help but think of how stunning she looks. She was dressed in tight jeans that showed off her plump ass and a crop-top hoodie, which allowed flashes of her flat belly. Fuck, she’s in great shape.
Her outfit leaving the apartment can’t compare to how she looked coming out of the bedroom to get coffee, wearing nothing but her oversized t-shirt and boxers.
Those legs… holy shit. I couldn’t get the memory of them wrapped around my head out of my mind, and have since been sitting here with a half-hard cock hidden under my blankets.
The cat looks up at me and I swear to God he’s frowning.
“What?” I demand to know. “It’s not my fault she’s sexy as hell.”
Gizmo releases a low meow, and I hold up my hands.
“Look, I’m sorry, dude! I know she’s your mom, but facts are facts. Don’t worry, though. As hot as she is, her personality is… rough.”
Rearing back his head, Gizmo bites my hand.
“Ow! Okay, okay! I take it back. She’s a ray of fucking sunshine.”
He releases me and gives my hand a single lick, as if to tell me he’ll let it slide this once.
Jesus Christ, I’m talking to a cat like he’s a real person. I might actually be losing my mind.
Grabbing my phone, I decide to send a message to a real person who doesn’t piss me off - ClickTease.
Last night’s conversation was so… easy. So natural.
I didn’t have to pretend to be someone I wasn’t, or worry that she was only talking to me because of my career.
There was no pretense, and I can’t remember ever feeling so relaxed with a woman before.
Even if we technically haven’t met.
GlideControlZ: Good morning, beautiful.
I send the message and immediately worry that it might come off as too clingy or desperate for attention. Damn it! And I don’t even know if she’s beautiful, but strangely, that doesn’t matter.
This freaking app actually works.
Staring at my phone, I wait for her reply. God, I hope she doesn’t think I’m a loser now.
Suddenly, my phone starts to buzz, startling me. For a split second, I think it’s her, but that doesn’t make sense because the phone is buzzing for a phone call not a message. When I see that it’s my friend Landon, some of my disappointment disappears.
“Hey, man,” I answer. “How’s it going?”
“What up, Zan?” Landon replies, his deep voice booming through the phone. “It’s been a minute since we talked, dude.”
I wince at the reminder. “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry, I should try harder to stay in touch.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he insists. “It’s just as much my fault. Life’s busy, I get it. How’s the season going so far?”
Leaning back, I relax against the couch as I answer, “Good. We’re feeling strong. Brimming with energy after our Stanley Cup win last season.”
Landon chuckles. “Yeah, I bet. I suppose since you’re on such a winning team, I don’t stand a chance of convincing you to come to Minnesota, do I?”
“Not really, no.” Landon and I both attended the University of Minnesota and played hockey.
After school, he got recruited to Minnesota’s pro-team, and I went to a team in Washington before eventually joining the Night Hawks.
He’s been dropping hints that he wants me to transfer to his team since we’re approaching the seven year mark in the pros and can become free agents, but I have no desire to leave the Night Hawks.
They are like family at this point. “You could always come here, though. Be part of a team that knows how to win.”
He barks out a laugh at my good-natured ribbing and replies, “You know, I haven’t written that option off yet. Keeping an open mind about the opportunities I could take advantage of.”
“Smart of you.” Honestly, if I was a part of any other team, I’d probably be weighing my options as well just to see what’s out there. “You’d be welcome here, especially when I introduce you as my wily little sidekick.”
“Dude, we are the same size.”
“I’m half an inch taller, and you know it.”
“Maybe if you took the lifts out of your shoes, we’d be even.”
I snort. “Ugh, that’s the meanest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
We both laugh at that and continue talking for a bit, catching up until he has to go to head to his own practice. Once I hang up the call, I look to see if I’ve received a new message from ClickTease and my heart races when I see the notification in Cloak.
ClickTease: Good morning, handsome. I hope you slept well.
GlideControlZ: I slept all right. Not going to lie, was pretty pumped up after our conversation.
ClickTease: Lol, don’t tell me I showed up in your dreams.
GlideControlZ: That would be waaaaaay too cheesy. I’d never say something like that
ClickTease: Why do I get the feeling you totally would?
GlideControlZ: I swear, I’m super charming in person and not this awkward.
ClickTease: I don’t think you’re awkward. I think you’re cute.
My lips curl into a wide smile. I’ve never had so much fun talking to someone before. Part of me was afraid last night was a fluke, but our conversation flows just as easily today.
What a relief.
GlideControlZ: You’re making me blush Hey, do you want to do one of those virtual dates tonight?
ClickTease: Sure! I’d love to.
Hell yes!
GlideControlZ: Awesome! How about eight? Right now, I should get going. Breakfast calls.
ClickTease: Well, you can’t miss that! Eight works for me. I’ll talk to you later.
GlideControlZ: You got it!
Grinning like a freaking teenager whose crush gave him the time of day, I get up and make my way to the kitchen to find some food. When I’m met with near empty shelves, I frown.
Shit.
I know Grace stocked the fridge for Rylee… but I guess I ate quite a bit of it.
I drum my fingers on the top of the fridge’s door as I consider what to do.
Guess I should go get some groceries for us.
Even though Rylee is infuriating and doesn’t seem to ever come out of her room to eat, my Mom and older sisters would chew me a new asshole for not taking care of things.
They all taught me how important it is to look out for others… even when they’re a pain in the ass.
Glancing up, I find Gizmo standing behind me.
“I’ll be right back, okay?” I tell him. “Promise not to go full Gremlin on this place, and I won’t lock you in the bedroom.”
He just stretches and yawns, and I take that to mean ‘deal.’
As I get dressed and hurry out of the apartment, I can’t help but think of ClickTease, and I can’t wait for our virtual date later tonight.
“Zander? What’s up with you today? You’re distracted!”
I raise a hand at Coach to acknowledge his ass-chewing.
It’s well deserved, and I know it. I am distracted…
by Rylee. She’s been moving around the outside of the rink, taking pictures of us throughout practice.
Now, though, she’s talking one-on-one with Wilder at the penalty box.
They’re smiling and laughing, and it doesn’t really seem like she’s interviewing him at all.
It’s like they’re just hanging out and flirting, which is really pissing me off.
Part of me wants to skate over there, slam Wilder into the boards, and take her attention all for myself.
But that’s crazy. Why would I want her attention when all she ever does is make digs at me and drive me nuts?
Tearing my gaze away from the pair, I do my best to continue to focus on practice and manage to make it to the end without getting yelled at again. As we’re wrapping things up on the ice, Coach calls us all over to the bench.
“All right, boys,” he begins. “We’ve got our season opener in two weeks with the Pelicans, and I want you all to be in the right headspace.
” He looks directly at me. Fuck. “I’ve also got copies of the schedule for your interviews and pictures hanging in the locker room, so be sure to check that out before you leave today. Any question, hit up Rylee. Got it?”
“Yes, Coach,” we all say.
I glance over at Rylee, who’s still standing in the penalty box, snapping pictures of the team as we stand huddled together. Wilder is leaning against the wall next to her, which makes me grind my teeth in irritation.
Why does this girl drive me crazy like this? Why can’t I seem to keep my cool around her? It’s making me lose my damn mind!
Coach finishes up his end-of-practice comments and dismisses us. I’m about to skate toward the tunnel when I hear my name being called.
“Zander! Hold up!”
I look to find Jayce waving me over toward him… and Wilder. At some point, Jayce made his way to the penalty box as well. Rylee is still on the other side of the wall, looking intently at her camera’s screen
Hesitantly, I skate over to join them.
“What’s up?” I ask, sliding to a stop.
Jayce looks between me and Wilder. “You guys coming out tonight for our usual Friday destressor?”
“I’m in,” Wilder nods.
I shoot Rylee a side-eyed look, but she’s still focused on her camera.
“I can’t tonight,” I tell the guys. “I, uh, have a date.”
Wilder raises his eyebrows in surprise and Jayce breaks into a wide smile. Rylee even glances up from her camera, unable to hide her curiosity.
“You’ve got a date?” Wilder asks. “Who’s the lucky girl?”
“Anyone we know?” Jayce adds.
I shake my head. “No, no, you guys don’t know her.” Technically, I don’t know her yet either. “We, uh, just met. It’s pretty new.”
“Oooooh,” Jayce whistles. “Are you excited, Zanny? It’s been a minute since you’ve had a proper date.”
I roll my eyes. “Shut up. I’ll be fine. I date plenty.”
“Zander’s going to fall in looooove,” Wilder teases.
“You guys are stupid,” I grumble. “Anyway, we could still go to the diner to eat before my date. Dinner won’t be needed for that.”
Rylee scoffs. “Typical.”
I shoot her a glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She rolls her eyes. “A date with no dinner? Straight to the afterparty? Typical playboy behavior.”
I grind my teeth so hard, I’m surprised they don’t crack. “What, are you jealous? Would you rather I spend the evening with you and the fuzzball?”
She furrows her brow in annoyance. “I’d rather eat a Carolina Reaper pepper. I don’t care what you do or who it’s with… I have a date tonight myself, so I won’t be around to watch you crash and burn.”
“You have a date?” Jayce exclaims. “Damn, girl! You just got here?”
“Who is it?” Wilder demands to know. “We need to vet this guy. Make sure he’s not a creep.”
Rylee waves her hand dismissively. “Guys, calm down. It’s just a date. No need to freak out.”
Wilder and Jayce argue their points, but I can only stand there and stare at her, irritation boiling within me. A date? Already? Jesus, where’d she even meet the guy?
Fuck, is it someone on the team? Who else has she interacted with since she got to Denver?
I realize I’m spiraling and jealousy is making my fists clench. I don’t have any reason to be jealous, though. Rylee’s a pain in the ass, nothing more!
“Well, good,” I snap at her. “I’ll be home late tonight, but I’ll wait for you tomorrow for our run and interview.” Looking at the guys, I snarl, “You two coming or not?”
Jayce and Wilder stare at me with wide eyes, but I just turn and angrily skate toward the tunnel and to the locker room.