Page 20 of Love in Overdrive

“See where that got me? Nowhere. The guy didn’t call.” Laney warmed her hands on her mug and tried to forget Cade. “Can we not talk about him? This is girls’ night.”

“Sorry. We’ll only ogle men from afar tonight.” Marti’s gaze followed Sawyer as he shot out of the penalty box.

“What was that?” Laney asked.

“What?” Sitting up a little taller, her friend stared straight ahead.

“Did you just check out my brother’s ass?”

Marti laughed. “Like I could see his fine ass through those padded shorts.”

“Oh. My. God. You did.” Laney gaped at her friend.

“Ease up. He does have a nice ass.” Addison handed her the popcorn bag.

“But Sawyer? He’s my brother.”

Marti’s cheek color deepened.

Laney hadn’t seen her friend blush, like ever. “Shut up! You like him. Sawyer.”

Marti jumped up, popcorn flying. “Nice block.”

The shot on goal was blocked. It might have been a nice play, but Laney was sure Marti was evading the conversation.

Fine. Laney would let it go for now. But she’d be watching.

And she did. The game was tied by the end of the second period. Laney’s focus had been on her friend, until… Sawyer glanced up at the crowd as he drank from his water bottle. He gave a nod to her and Addison, but wait… Did his gaze linger on Marti?

No. It couldn’t be.

“Oh, check it out.” Addison nudged her arm, pulling her attention to the puck bunny across the arena. “The woman is making her move.”

That woman definitely had the hots for player twenty-four, and she didn’t care who knew it. She made her way down to chat with the guy. Laney couldn’t see his face, but it didn’t matter. Addison’s commentary had her snickering.

“Oh, you sure know how to handle a stick. I’d like to handle it, too.” Addison said in a high, squeaky voice.

“You go get some, girl.” Marti pumped a fist in the air, cheering on the woman across the rink.

Addison continued the made-up conversation, alternating between the squeaky voice and a low one.

Laney and Marti bust out laughing. Before they could compose themselves, the teams were back on the ice, and the buzzer sounded.

In the third period, Laney’s attention shifted to the game. The Devils’ goalie blocked three more attempts on goal.

Sawyer took two shots, but they were deflected. He lined up for another.

“Come on. Come on.” Laney gripped her mug tight as she watched him skate toward the net.

The big guy from the Blades’ team body-slammed him into the boards.

“Ouch.” Laney cringed, but was on the edge of her seat.

Sawyer jumped back up and took off down the ice. The clock was ticking down, and the guys ping-ponged down the rink with the puck. A fight broke out on the other side of the ice.

Laney’s attention locked on the action. Sticks slapped together, battling over the puck. Then, number twenty-four got checked into the boards right in front of her. She froze.

Not because of the violent body slam. No. She recognized the face smashed against the glass. And by his wide eyes, he recognized her too.