Trouble : Boston Bolts Hockey

“Need anything from your luggage before the event starts? I’m happy to bring you up to Dec’s office to grab it.” I can’t help but drink in the beautiful woman in front of me. She’s far too pretty to be wearing the frown that tugs at her lips every time Declan speaks. The man is about as subtle as an elephant walking through a mouse’s birthday party, stomping around and making a mess of things.

I love the guy, but sometimes I’d like to smack him around a bit and force him to lighten up.

She shakes her head and hits me with a genuine smile. “I’m good. Thanks. Though I would love a tour of the fire station at some point.” She eyes my best friend, her gaze sweeping across the wide planes of his chest before she fixes her focus on me again.

“I can make that happen. Dec will probably have to stay here late, so when the event is over, you and I can swing back in and pick up your stuff. I’ll show you around then.”

Declan merely shakes his head at me. He thinks I’m hitting on his new roommate, and he’s not wrong. She’s fucking stunning, with long dark hair flowing past her shoulders like the soft waves of the bay at the end of the street and green eyes full of a playfulness I’m eager to bring out. But more than that, I’m drawn to the nervousness that buzzes beneath the surface. The way she bites her lip when she thinks we’re not looking makes me want to lean in and sink my teeth into it too. Ease her worries. I could give her a few orgasms, help her relax so she can focus on the beauty of this town rather than what’s clearly worrying her.

Declan mentioned a stalker, but is that a serious issue? I just assumed all pop stars had stalkers. It’s par for the course, isn’t it? Though the way she’s acting is very un-par for the course.

“You gonna take her down the pole too, Fitz?” Daniel Hall asks with a smack on my shoulder.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Smart-ass,” I mutter to our star right winger, though there’s no hiding my smile.

Beckett glares at me, but fortunately, his kid has already run into the station and is chattering with some of the guys on shift in the bay.

“Now that’s an offer I wouldn’t turn down,” Mel whispers.

Fuck. I can practically feel the caress of her breathy voice against my cheek.

With a wink, I press my teeth into my bottom lip. Yeah, I’m going to make this woman forget all her problems tonight.

“Everyone else here?” I ask Daniel, craning my neck and searching for the rest of my guys. Beckett rounded up a good chunk of players from both the baseball and hockey teams so that he could help raise money for Declan’s department. As much as Dec complains about his brother-in-law, he’s gotta be grateful that the man cares so deeply.

Daniel points to Brooks, Aiden, and Gavin Langfield—Beckett’s brothers—who are standing with their significant others and laughing as one of our other wingers, Camden Snow, gestures wildly. “The rookies are in Jorgenson’s car, and Parker should be here shortly with his wife. He’s riding with Cortney Miller.”

I nod. “Good. Let’s all meet up at Thames after. You staying at your dad’s tonight or driving back to Boston?”

His dad is Ford Hall, the lucky bastard who married Lake.

Daniel grins. “Heading back to Boston. Although…” He eyes Mel, who is currently talking to Lake. “If she were staying at my dad’s, I could make an exception.”

An irrational flare of possessiveness hits me as he gives her a once-over. I have to flex my fingers to keep from grabbing her hip and pulling her toward me.

She’s younger than me—as well as much closer in age to Daniel, who is only twenty-four—and I don’t do possessive, so the sensation baffles me.

Declan steps closer, and the scent of him—clean, masculine soap mixed with the hint of fire—infiltrates my senses. “I gotta go. I’ll see you after.” He nods at me, then at Daniel.

Before he can disappear, I grab his shoulder and lean in close. “I’ll bring Mel down to the bar after so you don’t have to worry about rushing. Meet us there when you’re done?”

Declan glances at my hand on his shoulder, his brows furrowed, and the smallest hint of dread works its way through me, so I release him. Shit. He’s weird about being touched.

His expression clears, and he nods. “Sure. I’ll see you there.”

I give him a playful smile. “I’d say text me when you’re on your way, but I know you won’t, so…”

He huffs, his expression darkening. “You’re never going to stop with that, are you?”

Without waiting for me to respond, he disappears into the crowd.

When I turn back, Daniel is watching me with a curious frown. “What?”

“You two ever…?” His eyes widen, but he doesn’t finish the question.

I have to laugh. My extracurricular activities are no secret. His aren’t either. Hell, the guys on the team call him Playboy. It’s common knowledge that I bring men or women back to my hotel room after games to unwind. Sometimes both. But Declan? Yeah, no. He hasn’t known how to have fun since college. And he’s definitely not comfortable with a man’s touch, let alone sex with a man.

“Nah. Just friends.” Family, really. Our friendship is the most meaningful and longest lasting connection I’ve ever had. And likely ever will. With a playful grin to hide the bitterness I sometimes feel when I think of him as only a friend, I add, “The man can’t even bother to text me back.”