Page 84 of Risky Play

“Girl trouble.”

He nodded and ran a hand through his shock of red hair. Cully gathered I had a girlfriend by now since we had to share a room when we were on the road. That was also why I knew what songs got his kids to sleep.

“You wanna talk about it?” he asked.

“Nah, it’s okay.”

He peered at me for a second. “Alright. What was up with Kennedy tonight?”

I sighed. “Don’t worry about it. That was a one-off.”

I couldn’t help but wonder if that was what Noah was gonna do to me when he found out I had been fucking his sister behind his back. I sat back and watched the skyline go by and tried not to think about it too much. Maddie wasn’t ready to tell him, and I wanted to respect her wishes, but this weight on my chest kept getting heavier.

It was late by the time we got home. I changed out of my suit and slumped down on my bed. The futon bed was so much more comfortable than Maddie’s twin bed, but I missed her pressed up against my side.

As if she knew I was thinking about her, my phone vibrated, and I saw she was trying to video chat with me.

I answered immediately. Her cute face greeted me, along with her dark makeup and a witch hat. But she was pouting. “Aw, sweet pea. What’s wrong?”

“You promised…y-you…said you would reel him innn,” she cried, slurring her words.

It was loud wherever she was, and I didn't like that because it was so late already. “I’m sorry. I tried. Where are you?”

“Hockey house,” she muttered, and she wiped her eyes.

Panic coursed through me. “What’s wrong?” I asked again.

“I miss you. Did you get home okay?”

I stared at her image on the screen, sensing something wasn’t right. Her makeup was a little smudged now that I was paying attention. “Where are you?” I asked again.

“Hockey house.”

“Give me the address.”

“Why? You’re tired from the game.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’m coming to get you.”

“Okay,” she muttered and then ended the call.

I shoved clothes into my bag and headed upstairs. Faint sounds of voices floated down from the second level. Dinah was a night owl, so it wasn’t unusual that she was still up working when we got in late. I didn’t say a word to either of the Kennedys as I left the house.

Maddie texted me an address so I could order my rideshare, and I waited a while before it got here. Something was wrong with my girl, and I might not know how to fix it, but I was gonna try.

Plus, I missed her. Traveling could be rough on the body. I loved playing hockey, don’t get me wrong, but since Maddie and I started dating, I realized how the travel schedule got to some of the guys. I understood now why Noah was always antsy to see Dinah. Or why a lot of the coupled-up guys ditched us to see their partners. That’s what I was doing. McCarthy even called me out on it for bailing on him a couple of nights ago. Ty, too. I hadn’t told him about me and Maddie yet.

After my rideshare picked me up and dropped me off at the hockey house, I heard the party bumping from outside. Spooky music played on the stereo, and I didn’t need to knock because a sexy nurse walked out, letting me inside. I moved through the crowd, searching for my girl in vain.

I wasn’t familiar with this house. When she said ‘hockey house,’ I thought she meant the one we went to last time, but realizing the amount of women in the room, I think she meant the women’s team.

“Yo, Cally!” a familiar male voice called out to me.

I weaved through the crowd into the kitchen, where I found my best friend doing shots with my girlfriend. Maddie’s face lit up when she saw me, and I had to gulp when I saw her outfit. Her video call did not do that slinky black dress justice. Or the fishnet stockings she wore underneath. Or the stilettos. Good God, I wanted to see her in nothing but those.

“Baby!” she cried and jumped into my arms. I stumbled back at her immediate action, but then I wrapped my arms around her as she planted a big kiss on me.

I brushed her hair behind her ear. “I thought you were mad at me.”