15. Connections
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CONNECTIONS
NASH
I’m a fucking mess.
Since the night in the laundry room, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Taryn. She’s on my mind every waking moment, and when I crash at night, exhausted by a whole day of training and practice, she’s the star of my dreams.
She isn’t just beautiful. It’s all the little things about her that make it impossible to get her out of my head. The way her lips curl when she smiles, how her hair always smells like strawberries. Her laugh that lights up her whole face. The way she feels in my arms, soft and warm and all mine.
But the truth is that she isn’t mine.
I don’t have any trouble guessing what she was doing in the changing rooms with Colsen the day of the photo shoot. The same thing she was probably doing with Colsen and Tucker when we went clubbing.
Our coaching team was clear that the only relationship there should be between hockey players and cheerleaders is a professional one. We can look friendly during photo shoots and at fundraising events like tonight’s, but when the cameras are off, we aren’t allowed to mingle.
Breaking their no fraternization policy can cost us ice time, but can cost the cheerleaders even more. They’ll be asked to leave the team if they’re found in breach of the no fraternization rule.
When I fucked my entire season last year in Hemlock Beach, I had no idea that the woman I took home from a bar was my coach’s new wife.
That’s what made being benched and shunned by my teammates so unfair. If I had known who the hot blonde was, I wouldn’t have even looked at her.
With Taryn, things are different. I know what’s at stake if we get involved and we get caught. We both have everything to lose. And that’s without even taking Colsen and Tucker into account.
It isn’t just selfish of them to put Taryn’s spot on the Shooting Stars at risk; they’re fools if they think their plan to share her isn’t going to blow up in their faces.
Sharing her might be hot now, but what are they gonna do when feelings deepen and they’re gonna feel possessive?
Their friendship is at stake, and so is their game. If they think that fighting over the same woman isn’t going to affect the team, they’re even more clueless than I thought.
Adding myself to this already fucked up dynamic would be the stupidest thing I could do.
And yet, it’s all I’ve been thinking about in the last couple of days. For the sake of kissing her again, of having her in my arms, of hearing her little throaty moans when she comes, I would risk everything.
My self-control is hanging by a thread.
How beautiful she looks when she enters the function room of the Country Club does nothing to improve my state of mind.
I can’t take my eyes off her. The struggle to keep my face schooled into an indifferent expression is real.
As Taryn walks past me with her arm linked with her best friend Jodie’s, I greedily look my fill.
Her short pink dress highlights her curves in an elegant and yet demure way. Long, wavy hair falls down her back, and I know just how silky it felt when I ran my fingers through it.
Her makeup is subtle, highlighting her pretty features rather than trying to change them. Taryn’s legs are shapely and look endless in a pair of pink heels that match her dress. But it’s the graceful way she moves that makes it impossible to look away, even though I know I should.
“You know how women call hockey games the boy aquarium?” Vaughn stops by my side, leaning against the long marble bar where I just ordered the only light beer I’m gonna allow myself to drink tonight.
“Nights like tonight are the equivalent of that for us. When women get all dolled up, they look fucking fantastic. Especially cheerleaders, who are already prettier than average. I love looking at them and deciding who I’m gonna take home tonight.
What do you think we should name parties like this one?
The girls’ boutique? The girls’ market?”
I glare at my teammate. Coach was clear that wearing suits was mandatory tonight, and while most of us went with the ones that were provided to us by the team, Vaughn Heston is wearing something that clearly costs more than most people’s monthly salary.
“The girls’ market?” I bite out. “What are they, cattle? You know, Heston, you’re a talented center.
And I know that under all that douche-bagger-y you can be a decent teammate, and I’m pretty sure a decent friend.
First off, don’t get caught calling this party the girls’ market, or the only company you’ll end up having tonight is gonna be your hand.
Besides, lower your voice. Coach is right there next to the mayor and Brett Bergen, and the cheerleading coaches are making the rounds talking to all the sponsors’ reps.
If you have to score a hookup for later, be smart about it and don’t get yourself benched and the lucky girl kicked off the team.
And I hope the drink in your glass is soda water, since I know you aren’t twenty-one yet. ”
He shakes his head. “Dude, relax. I was just making small talk. And my drink is mostly Sprite. There might be a splash of vodka in it; the bartender didn’t mind serving me. I gave him one hundred good reasons to believe that my fake ID was legit.”
Fucker. If he doesn’t grow up, this guy is gonna squander his talent.
I grab his glass and before he can realize what’s happening, I empty its contents into one of the potted plants that decorate the bar area.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Vaughn wails.
“Can you make my friend another sprite on the rocks?” I turn to ask the bartender. “Believe me, Heston, you’ll thank me later. You might think that your drink looked innocent, but if Coach smells alcohol on your breath, you’ll be riding the bench all season.”
It’s no surprise that Vaughn doesn’t appreciate my looking out for him. “Mind your own fucking business, Belkin. Vodka has no smell. Coach would have been none the wiser.”
“That’s what you think.” I scold him. “Look, see that man standing next to the mayor and Brett Bergen? That’s the new town’s sheriff. Coach introduced me earlier when I came in. Let’s try to end the night without any problems.”
Rather than being grateful for the heads up, Vaughn barks out an arrogant laugh. “I’ve known Sheriff Hartman since I was born. He plays golf with my old man every Sunday. I doubt he’s going to arrest me, even if he caught me drinking.”
I forgot that, like Tucker, Vaughn is Star Cove born and bred. However, it’s more than obvious that their families move in very different social circles.
“Whatever.” I shrug. “Shoot me for trying to help you keep your nose clean.”
The arrogant smile on Heston’s face disappears.
“Ok, ok. Thank you, I guess.” He rolls his eyes.
“I suppose I could have a drink later if I want. My old man would prefer it if he didn’t get a phone call from the sheriff telling him I’m being a shithead.
But since we’re in the business of giving each other unsolicited advice, you aren’t being as subtle as you think you are. ”
“Come again?” I blink, confused.
“Come on, man. You’ve been looking at Prescott’s girl like you’re lost in the desert and she’s a cold bottle of water sticking out of the sand.”
Shit. I did think I was being discreet. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.” I’m not in the mood to discuss my love life, or lack thereof, with Vaughn Heston.
“Whatever.” He smirks. “I get it. Taryn is a bombshell. But I’ve never seen Tucker so taken with a woman.
He even has the official shot of Taryn in her cheerleading candidate uniform hanging inside his locker.
They’re probably keeping their relationship on the DL, but I don’t want you to get blindsided. ”
He doesn’t know what the fuck he’s talking about. “Thanks, I appreciate the heads up.”
Coach is gesturing to the team to gather up to take a photo with Bergen and the mayor. For once, I’m more than happy to oblige if it gets me out of an uncomfortable conversation with Vaughn.
As I walk past a small group of cheerleaders talking to one of the guests, I catch Jodie’s eye.
Taryn’s best friend is looking at me as if I were a piece of hairy gum stuck to the bottom of her shoe.
It isn’t the first time I get the feeling that Jodie doesn’t like me.
I didn’t know her that well at school in South Carolina.
She dated one of my teammates for a couple of years.
Andy was one of the first guys to treat me like a leper when I fell out of favor with Coach Hiddink.
I guess his opinion of me might have influenced Jodie’s.
There’s no other reason why she should look at me like that.
The evening is everything I imagined it would be. Boring AF, but the food is top-notch.
I’m not into schmoozing rich people to convince them to part with their money, but I’m not na?ve. When I go pro, there are going to be dozens of nights like this one where I’ll have to impress the team owners or prospective sponsors.
At the end of the Michelin star dinner and the endless speeches that follow, I get up planning to sneak out. Tomorrow is one of the rare days off we’ll get this season—Coach Harrison doesn’t believe in days off apparently—and I want to catch up on some much needed rest.
As long as no one stops me to talk, I’ll be in the clear, having fulfilled what Coach expected of us.
A sigh of relief escapes me once I make it out of the room totally unnoticed.
I look for my keys in my pockets, but I gave them to the valet, so I need to make sure I have money to tip them.
All I have is a twenty-dollar bill, and while I’m not swimming in money, I guess these guys are used to fat tips, so I’d feel too embarrassed to ask for change.
If my senior year goes the way I hope, by this time next year, twenty bucks will be pocket change for me.
The same door I left the party from opens, letting out the chatter, laughter, and background music of the party that’s still in full swing.