Page 38 of Scoring Chance

He took a step closer until our hands were pressed between our chests. “Not at all. I was trying to listen to my coach and not react. I was trying to be the bigger man. I didn’t expect you to stand up for me, but you did.” His eyes held mine and he slowly smiled. “It’s been a long time since someone did that for me.”

I frowned. “That’s not okay.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “I really appreciate you trying to see the best in me.”

I blinked, my eyes falling to his lips. I wanted to kiss him. Every fiber of me wanted to close the distance, but the vulnerability in his eyes stopped me. This was a real moment for him and I didn’t want to cheapen it with a stolen kiss. Was I even ready for that? I didn’t want to get hurt again, and I knew if I gave in I’d give him the power to crush my heart.

“I mean what I said. You made me feel welcome and included from the moment we met. You made yourself comfortable in my life without me noticing.”

His lips quirked up. “Do you mind?”

I shook my head. “Not at all.”

“Good because I don’t plan on giving up my spot any time soon.”

My head spun with his words. I wanted to ask him to explain exactly what he meant. Did he see me as a friend or something more? Was what I felt reciprocated? Was I losing my mind?

Yeah, probably.

13

Derrek

Hartman and Olli approached me as I finished tying my skate. I glanced up and took in their stern expressions with a groan. What had I done this time?

“Hey, guys?”

Hartman nodded once while Olli cocked his head. “I heard Josh gave you a hard time at the group dinner last night.”

Great. This wasn’t exactly a conversation I wanted to relive, especially not right before practice. I was already in my head today. This wouldn’t help.

“Yeah, but we figured it out.”

Hartman nodded. “I heard.”

I looked between the two of them wondering what their goal was.

“We just wanted you to know we’ve seen the effort you’ve been making. We appreciate it,” Olli offered a genuine smile.

“Thanks.” This was getting too close to talking about our feelings for my taste. “Should we get out there?”

I went to move past them. Hartman looked like he wanted to say something else, but I didn’t give him the chance. I walked out of the locker room and through the tunnel to the ice. Coach Abrams was standing behind the bench when I passed and gave me a nod as his only acknowledgement. I shook my head and glided over to my goal. This day was weird and having Coach out here was adding to it.

Coach Rust stepped onto the ice and called drills while I cut into the ice and warmed up. I started push, stop, recovery practices, moving to each corner of the crease, dropping to my knees and blocking before going to the opposite corner.

I ran through my own drills, mirroring Olli on the other end, while the rest of the guys warmed up near the center. Coach blew the whistle and they spread out a bit. Schultz and Malkin slowed to the area in front of me.

Schultz caught my eye with a smirk. “I heard you’ve got a crush.”

I narrowed my eyes and glanced at Malkin. He shrugged and hit his stick against the ice a few times.

“What are you talking about?”

Schultz’ grin widened. “You like Elena’s sister?”

I kept my expression neutral. I shouldn’t have been surprised they finally caught on. The guys were like sharks to blood when it came to girls and relationships. I swear all the guys that were engaged or married wanted the rest of us to join them so desperately that they felt the need to insert themselves where they weren’t welcome.

“They looked pretty cozy last night,” Malkin said in a teasing tone.