Chapter 30
thirty
LOGAN
It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that kiss yesterday. My head is focused on Blair as I tug on all my gear before dragging the special blackout jersey over my head for our themed game at home.
“So are you going to tell us about what happened yesterday or what?” Griffin says, nudging my skate with his.
I knew this was coming. Honestly, I’m impressed he lasted as long as he did before saying something. The dude has zero chill.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about, Wright.”
“Oh, no? So, you just forgot that you had your tongue down Blair’s throat in the pantry yesterday before dinner?”
Suddenly, I have everyone’s attention. Fucking Wright.
“I kissed her. Big deal.”
“Um, it kinda is,” Ryder says, grinning as he adjusts the straps on his shoulder pads. “When’s the last time you hung out with a woman after you slept with her, let alone kissed her?”
I frown. When he says it like that, I sound like a real asshole.
I mean, I know I’m an asshole, but I try not to be to the women I sleep with.
And if I think a woman can’t handle no-strings-attached sex, I don’t engage.
Like that woman who used to work in the office.
What was her name? Becky? I could have slept with Becky without so much as opening my mouth, she was that into me.
But I could tell she was the kind of person who’d get easily attached, and I would never do that to someone.
Which is why I let her down gently every time she came onto me.
Which got uncomfortable after a while, because she came onto me almost every time I saw her.
To say I was relieved when she stopped working for the Rogues is an understatement.
“You make me sound like a prick.”
“Nah, you’re just emotionally unavailable.” Ryder shrugs. “Which is why we’re all surprised that you’ve been spending time with Blair and her brother. Because that’s boyfriend stuff, Logan. And you’ve always been adamant that you aren’t a boyfriend kind of guy.”
“I’m not emotionally unavailable.”
“Oh, dude, you so are.” Griffin slaps me on the back. “It’s cool, though. We get it.”
“I…”
“Have you thought about what you’re doing with her?
” Bash asks in that thoughtful way of his.
He’s not judging me, but he is asking me to take a long, hard look at my actions.
“Because I don’t think Blair’s the kind of woman who will take kindly to being played with. Especially with her brother involved.”
All the guys took a liking to Reed. Not that I’m surprised. He’s a cool kid. Respectful, funny, and easy to be around. He gained four more adopted older brothers last night at dinner.
“I’m not playing with her,” I grind out, annoyed. “It’s not like that.”
“So, what?” Maddox says, arching one eyebrow. “You two dating?”
Are we? I guess it kind of feels like it, but it’s not like we’ve had a conversation about it. Would Blair even want to date me? Is that what I want this to be between us?
“I don’t know, okay? I like her. A lot. She’s cool and smart and sexy as hell. I like that she puts up a fight against me, and she’s always there for Reed. She’s special.”
“I fucking knew it was only a matter of time before you fell in love.” Griffin beams like he somehow made it happen.
“I’m not in love. Jesus.”
“Maybe not, but you’re definitely in like.”
“You’re such an idiot, Wright.”
“Methinks the Logie doth protest too much,” Griffin stage-whispers to his brother-in-law.
Maddox chuckles and rolls his eyes. “I have no idea why my sister loves you.”
“Sure, you do. Because you love me too.” Griffin reaches out and ruffles Maddox’s hair. He barks out a laugh when Madds shoves him away.
“We can continue talking about Byrne’s love life after we win, okay? For now, can we focus on sending Florida home with an L?”
“Sure thing, Cap,” Ryder says. He’s such a fucking Boy Scout, but I can’t deny that the former rookie has really grown on me.
When we take the ice against the Sharks, my head is in the game. Mostly. Blair still takes up space at the edges of my thoughts, but I use it to motivate myself.
I’m going to play my heart out. Reed mentioned that he and Blair had been watching all our games, and I’m determined to win for her.
Shit, I need to offer her my tickets for the next game. I almost asked them to come tonight, but Blair mentioned they have a family tradition on Black Friday. They get up super early, hit the stores for sales, then watch movies all day while they eat leftovers and snack on appetizers.
Part of me wishes I was there with them.
“You ready for this?” Maddox asks. He nods in the direction of the neutral zone. I’m taking the first face-off.
“Hell, yeah.”
“Good. Let’s fucking go.”
My mind quiets as I face off against the Sharks’ center.
The ref holds the puck in air and I bend over, ready.
The puck drops and muscle memory takes over.
My stick hits the ice, connecting with the black rubber disc, then everything explodes into action.
The crack of sticks, the swish of blades against the ice, the chirping of the opposing team as they try to get in our heads.
I block it all out. I’m nothing more than focus and determination. We’re going to win this game. Our barn is full of cheering fans decked out in their black Rogues gear, we’re on a roll and playing even better than we did last year, and my girl is watching with her little brother at home.
For the first time in as long as I can remember, the idea of my dad’s reaction to how I play this game doesn’t even factor into it.
He can think whatever the fuck he wants—I’m not playing this game for him.
I’ve paid my dues, and I’m as good a player as he ever was.
Maybe better. He doesn’t get to force me back into his shadow. Not anymore.
My muscles burn as I race down the ice, pushing hard in the last fifteen seconds before the line change. Maddox connects with the puck, sending it flying toward Florida’s goalie, who deflects it.
That’s okay. He won’t stop them all.
The first period goes by in a blur, and by the time the clock ticks down to zero, neither team has managed to score. Not that we haven’t both tried. Florida already has fifteen shots on goal, and we’re at twelve.
After fueling up with more water and taking a short breather, we’re back on the ice.
Our fans scream as Bash blocks another goal attempt and boo when the refs call offsides against us, and we end up back in another face-off.
We get control of the puck, and the hometown crowd goes wild as Wright breaks away from the pack and pushes toward Florida’s goalie.
Maddox slams a defenseman into the boards as I avoid another, getting myself within passing range.
When the Sharks overwhelm Griffin, he doesn’t even look as he passes the puck to me.
We’ve done this so many times, we can trust each other to be exactly where the other needs, and tonight is no different.
The puck connects with my stick, and I cushion it, shifting my weight before tapping it around their center’s right leg and toward the goal.
Florida’s goalie extends his leg, but he’s half a second too late, and the puck slips right between his pads and the pipe. Red lights flash, sirens blare, and the announcer credits me with the goal and Griffin with the assist as the crowd goes wild.
I look up to where I know the cameras are and point my stick, winking.
That one was for Blair and Reed, even if they don’t know it.
The rest of the game goes by in a haze of sweat, hits, and two more goals for us, and only one for the Sharks. When the final buzzer sounds and we pile into a celebratory embrace on the ice, I wonder if Blair’s watching.
I take my time showering. The game was intense, and I fucking stink. Then we answer some questions for the press, along with a few for our social media team, and I’m finally free to check my phone.
There’s a text from my dad that simply says, You should have sunk that second goal attempt, which I delete and ignore. But there’s also a couple of texts from Blair, and my heart beats like I just finished a shift on the ice.
Blair
You should have heard Reed cheering when you scored that goal. He’s a hockey fan, now.
Congrats on the win, Viking. You were good tonight.
The last text came through a little less than an hour ago, and it’s a Friday, so I bet she’s still awake. I should just text her, but I want to hear her voice.
My thumb is hovering over her name in my contacts list when Ryder claps me on the back.
“You going out with us tonight? We need to celebrate.”
“I don’t know, man. Chasers?”
“Yeah. I think the ladies are planning to go home, so it’ll only be us guys.”
“I may show up. I’m kind of tired, though.” I zip my coat and try my best to ignore the curious look Ryder sends my way.
“Sure. You’re tired.”
“Don’t fucking start, rookie.” I shake my head, trying not to grin.
“I’m not a rookie anymore,” Ryder protests.
“Close enough. I’m heading out. Maybe I’ll see you later.”
“Uh-huh,” Ryder drawls. “Tell Blair we say hi.”
Motherfucker.
Ryder’s laughter follows me as I walk away, but I can’t say shit because, of course, he clocked me. I want to talk to her. To see her. If she’s busy or asleep, I’ll join the guys at Chasers. But if she’s not?
We’ll see.
The cold November air slaps me in the face as I walk out of the arena and toward my car, but I ignore it. Pressing my thumb to Blair’s name on my phone, I try to breathe normally as the phone rings once, twice, three times before her voice fills my speaker.
“Hello?”
“Hey, angel.”
“Logan, hi.” There’s an awkward pause as Blair probably waits for me to say something. After all, I’m the one who called her. And I’ve never called her before. Texts? Sure. But actual calls? This is new territory for both of us.
“So you and Reed watched my game, huh?” God, that was lame. What is wrong with me?
Her throaty chuckle goes straight to my dick, and I have to adjust myself before I open my car door and drop into the seat. “Yep. He insisted. I wanted to watch The Santa Clause.”
I grip my chest, even though she can’t see me. “Ouch. You wound me.”
“You’ll survive.” There’s a pause as I start my car. “Why are you calling, Logan?”
“Can’t I just call to chat?”
“Um, I guess you can, but you never have.”
“Right.” I laugh nervously. “Um, I was wondering if I could come over? Bring a couple of pizzas for you and Reed if he’s still awake?”
The silence that follows has my stomach rolling. Does she not want me to come over? I thought we had a moment yesterday, but maybe I misread the kiss? All of this is so far outside of my comfort zone, I have no fucking clue what I’m doing.
“You want to come over?”
“Only if that’s okay.”
I hear Reed say something in the background, though I can’t make out what. Then Blair sighs and says, “Yeah. You can’t stay up too late, though.” Another pause. “I know, but you’re still thirteen.” Then, “Fine, whatever. What do you want on your pizza?”
My face hurts from how big I’m smiling as I listen to the two of them banter back and forth.
I navigate to my favorite pizza place’s website on my phone and start typing in the details for my normal order.
Then I add Reed’s order of meat lovers and Blair’s request for pepperoni and onion. “Do you have soda?”
“No, just water, oat milk, and a questionable bottle of red wine.”
I chuckle. “I’ll grab some. See you two soon.”