Page 11 of Three Hockey Hotties

It’s definitely after hours. All of the other players and coaches have left. I’m sure most of the people in the offices are probably gone too. Of course Benjamin, the workaholic lawyer, is still here though.

“Kane, don’t be a dumbass,” Benjamin tells him, now sounding more exasperated than angry. “You can’t invite people here to skate after hours. I’m sure she thinks it’s cool to see behind the scenes of the arena with a hockey player, but you’re going to have to use other techniques to get laid.” He casts a quick glance toward Abby. “A proper puck bunny only needs the hockey player part anyway, right? How about you don’t get the organization sued.”

“Hey!” Kane says sharply. “She’s not a puck bunny!”

I step forward. “That’s not what this is,” I say, butting in despite my usual MO. My voice is low, almost a growl, and gets Benjamin’s attention.

I scowl at him. I don’t like someone, even Benjamin, talking about Abby that way.

“Look, I didn’t invite her,” Kane says. “She was at the door and⁠—”

Benjamin lowers his voice but still interrupts. “You shouldn’t encourage this stuff,” he tells his younger brother. “You don’t know if these women are dangerous.”

Kane laughs and gestures toward Abby. “She is not dangerous.”

I don’t know if I agree. I mean, I don’t think she’s going to tie him up in her basement or break his legs, but I think she’s very dangerous, actually. I think she’s going to shake up our lives in a really big, unavoidable way.

Benjamin seems to finally actually look at Abby and he suddenly straightens.

I turn to see why.

Abby is sliding across the ice on her own, a look of pure delight on her face.

She looks absolutely fucking gorgeous.

I look back at Benjamin to see if…

Yep, he notices.

He definitely notices.

“This is so fun!” she exclaims. She starts to turn back toward us, and her foot slips out a little too far. She flails her arms, catching her balance.

“Abby, wait for me,” Kane says. He starts for her.

“Oh, I’m fi⁠—”

Then suddenly her foot slides again, her legs going in two different directions, her arms windmill, and her water bottle goes flying.

Kane lurches forward.

My heart plummets to my stomach.

Abby hits the ice.

And Benjamin swears.

CHAPTER 3

ABBY

It’s not often that I feel totally free.

Of stress.

Of worry.

Of intense concern for the people I love.