Page 30 of The Chase

The fifth of never.

All the guys I slept with since Charlie’s death hadn’t been serious or were one-night stands. Not like there were that many.

Keiana nudged me.

“Never, Kei. I think Charlie brought me flowers on our first date…but you know I haven’t had a boyfriend since him.”

Her mouth was a thin line. “So TJ’s not the douchey hockey player we thought, huh?”

“No, he is, but he said something about his ex messing him up last night. I think he wants something more with me.”

That was what scared me the most. What if he only thought he wanted something more? I didn’t want to get my hopes up with him because everyone knew he wasn’t a relationship guy. My heart kept yelling at me to give him a chance since he was a complete gentleman last night, and then he sent me flowers. My favorite flowers. Men never remembered small stuff like that, and it pulled at my heartstrings.

I texted my boss instead.

ME: Did you have a hand in your brother sending me flowers today?

ROX:…what? No! He did that?

ME: YES. Also, the holding penalty they just called on him was BS!

ROX: Oh…Max, I think my brother actually has feelings. I always thought he was a robot.

ROX: I heard you told him about your parents.

ME: It slipped out.

ROX: Charlie too?

ME: NO.

ROX: I didn’t think so, but I didn’t say anything. You should have come to the game today! Meet us at Eileen’s for drinks after!

ROX: PLEASE!!!!

MAX: Ugh, you’re annoying, fine.

I got up from the couch with a stretch. Keiana eyed me curiously. “What’s up?”

“Rox wants me to meet her for drinks after the game.”

Her brown eyes twinkled. “Oooh…fun!”

“You want to come with me?”

She shook her head. “Nah, I’m on shift tonight, gonna go back to sleep for a little while. Have fun, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

I walked up the steps so I could go get a shower. I needed to be presentable if I was going to see TJ again tonight. Even if it meant I missed part of the game. I showered and dressed in my cutest long-sleeved sweater dress. With the thigh-high boots again, because I wasn’t completely clueless. I saw the heated look TJ gave me whenever he saw me in these boots.

When I came downstairs, the third period of the game was halfway over, but Keiana wasn’t around, so she must have been asleep already. I sat down on the couch and finished watching the game. Miraculously, they won.

My phone buzzed with another text from Rox.

ROX: Change of plans, come to my brother’s condo in Old City!

ROX: I’m making him order you a car.

I didn’t know where tonight was going, but I was excited. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, though, because TJ had let me down before. But maybe having some sexy fun with him would finally get me over my issues in the bedroom. It didn’t have to be serious. Maybe being with the hockey playboy could help me stop feeling so shameful about sex.