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  “It’s extreme air hockey.” Morgan laughed as he slapped his pusher against the surface of the game.

  Rolling her eyes, Gwen placed the puck near her pusher. She hit it then Morgan quickly volleyed it back at her. Like she expected, she was whacked with it. Wincing, Gwen retracted her hand, and Morgan chuckled. “Extreme air hockey sucks.”

  “That’s just you.”

  With a firm shove, Gwen shot the puck with harder force than necessary. It slammed into his fingers curled over the side of the game table. Morgan jumped back, his hand jerking to his lips as he kissed the surface of his skin lightly.

  “Actually, I kind of like it now.” She giggled as she watched his brow lower as he glared at her.

  Morgan slammed the puck on the table, his eyes narrowing.

  Then, the game got intense, and both of them spent the next hour in the basement.

  Chapter Two

  Gwen was doing her stretches at the rail near the bleachers. She was dressed in black leggings and wearing her Eagles sweater. Her brother’s number and name was on the back. It was slightly big for her and covered up her curvy frame.

  Her lesson with her coach would soon start. There were a few skaters on the ice because it was open skating. Tying her skates, Gwen frowned at the unraveling lace. It was hanging on by a thread. She didn’t have any new ones, so she left it and hoped it would hold until her session was over.

  She moved to the ice to start her warm up routine of doing classic jumps and crossovers. But as soon as she landed a jump, she felt her skate give way and her lace rip. Grunting in annoyance, she kicked back her foot and examined the damage.

  She glided off the ice, ripped off her skates, and jogged in her stocking feet toward the locker rooms. The Kats’ practice was over and some of the players were still hanging around the hallways. She looked around for a familiar face, but didn’t see one. Her gaze settled on a few of the players. Most of them weren’t from around here¸ Morgan being the only local on the team.

  Gathering courage, she walked up to one of the sweaty young men. She tried to keep her stare above his shoulders. “Have you seen Tanner?” She held her skates in her hand, one neatly tucked under her arm.

  One of the players, Kingley, pointed behind him. His hair was almost to his shoulders and had a slight curl pressed into it from wearing his helmet. “Yeah, he’s in the locker room.”

  “Can you get him for me?” Gwen nervously glanced backward and then at Kingley. Her coach was going to be there in five minutes, and she would be in trouble if she wasn’t on the ice warming up when that happened.

  “Are you sure I can’t help you?” He sent her a flirty grin.

  “No, but thanks. Can you get him for me, please?” she repeated.

  “Sure.” Kingley sounded a little put out, but did as she asked. A few seconds later, he returned with Morgan.

  “Yeah?” Morgan wasn’t wearing a shirt, his muscular body covered in a glistening sweat. He still had on some of his gear.

  The site took her back a little, her eyes turning to the side. She knew that she was blushing as she showed him her skate. “My lace is shot, and I have practice in a few minutes. Do you have any spare ones I can borrow?”

  “Just the ones in my skates.” He ran his hand through his wet hair, slicking back the long, messy locks.

  “Can I borrow them?” Biting her lip, Gwen tried to smile.

  “And what do I get?” He teased then laughed when he saw her frown. “I was just kidding. I’ll go grab them. Be right back.”

  He went back to the locker room and grabbed his laces. When he returned, both he and Gwen started unlacing her skates.

  Kingley motioned toward her bruised knuckles. “Who’d you knock out?” His tone was flirty.

  “I didn’t get in a fight.” Gwen looked up from her task, sending a playful smile in his direction. “They’re hockey hickeys.”

  Morgan chuckled under his breath as Gwen used his phrase.

  Kingley wiggled his eyebrows. “You want more?”

  Morgan shoved Kingley with his shoulder and shot him a dirty look. “She’s talking about bruises from hockey. I whomped her ass at air hockey the other day.”

  “How do you bruise your knuckles playing air hockey?” Kingley looked confused as he pulled off his tight, black shirt. He had a beard started, but it seemed ill maintained. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing it out of his eyes.

  “When Morgan uses real hockey pucks instead of air hockey ones.” Gwen narrowed her gaze on her skate, a long red lace slipping through her fingers quickly. She glanced cautiously behind her as she tried to hurry.

  “We should play sometime.” Kingley continued to press her as he took a step closer. “I promise I won’t give you any hockey hickeys.” He sent her a devilish grin, which made her blush a little and turn from his stare. “Unless you want some.”

  “We’ll see.” Gwen’s gaze had fallen on Morgan’s annoyed face. When they had her laces replaced, she spoke with a grateful smile as she turned her attentions to him. “Thank you so much, Morgan.” She let out a sigh of relief. “You saved me.”

  “Yeah, well…” He shoved her shoulder playfully. “You owe me now, Porky.”

  Gwen glared at him. “I shouldn’t have told you that.” Then, she jogged away, Morgan watching with a frown. He shook his head and went back to the locker room.

  Gwen saw her coach waiting for her near the rink. Her heart sank. Dellings looked pissed. Gwen quickly sat and shoved on her skates.

  “There you are.” Dellings motioned to the ice. “Hurry up.”

  Gwen obeyed. “My lace broke while I was warming up.” She bit her lip nervously. “Sorry, Coach Dellings.”

  “Six laps for tardiness, little lady.” Dellings crossed her arms. “You should check your equipment before you come. No excuses.”

  Grunting, Gwen did as she was asked. Her coach was brutal, her voice loud and shrill as she yelled at Gwen to move faster. Gwen wasn’t fond of Dellings, but the woman was supposed to be the best around the area. But she loved her solo practices a lot better. No one was in her ear yelling at her, so she could actually enjoy herself.

  As she rounded her sixth lap, her stare settled on the cocky, blue-eyed, Black Kat watching her from the sidelines. When he saw her looking at him, he smashed his face against the glass, distorting his features. She laughed.

  “Roberts!” Dellings shouted. “Gimme a double axel.”

  Gwen’s gaze quickly snapped to her coach. She did as she was asked. Morgan was studying her closely, his hands pressed up against the glass. Gwen paused in perfect form at the center of the ice. She sent a grin to Morgan and then looked down. His red and black laces clashed with her bright, white skates.

  “Good.” Dellings signaled for her to come closer. “Now, let’s practice the routine.”

  ****

  Gwen was squeezing in a practice before the Kats played in a few hours. The arena was quiet, Gwen donning headphones to drown out the silence.

  She had now been there for almost two hours, which wasn’t uncommon for her. Usually, she would stay until she was kicked off the ice. At the center of the rink, she executed one final pearl spin. After the move, she toe picked the ice and glanced around the arena. Noticing the time, she slowly made her way to the edge.

  She was tired and lagging a little as she went to the bathroom. She freshened up and got ready for her new job at the snack counter. Now donning jeans and a T-shirt with the Kats logo on it, she jogged to the stand. They were going to be busy since there was a game tonight.

  She worked with a college girl named Hailey. She was a local puck bunny and seemed to have made her rounds through most of the boys on the Eagles, as well as some of the Black Kats. She was pretty and petite, her makeup done up perfectly, making her look older than she was. Gwen put on her hat, her long, black hair in a ponytail.

  “Porky!”

  Gwen spun quickly when she heard Morgan’s voice. She was startled, and the look in her
eyes showed it. When she saw Morgan, she sent him a slight scowl. He was standing with a few of the other players. “What?”

  “Gimme some waters,” he demanded.

  Hailey glanced at Gwen then started gathering some bottles. She handed them to the boys and used the opportunity to flirt with a couple.

  Morgan tapped on the counter before leaving. “Hey.”

  “What?” Gwen stood before him, holding the edge.

  “How’d the laces work yesterday?”

  “Great.” Gwen smiled. “You really helped me out. Thanks.”

  “Yep.” He studied her uniform then glanced behind him. “I gotta go.” He grabbed his water. “You still riding home with me?”

  “Yeah.” Gwen nodded.

  “’Kay. I’ll see you after the game. Laters, Gwenie.” He tapped the counter with a fisted hand once more then left.

  “Are you dating Tanner?” Hailey whispered.

  “No.” Gwen sighed as she straightened the cups.

  “’Cause you are with him an awful lot, and you two are always messing around.”

  “We do not, and I told you—he’s my brother’s best friend.”

  “Well, if you’re not gonna take him, could you introduce me then?” The girl’s smile brightened. “I’d love to get a piece of that tight ass.”

  “Why?” Trying to hide her jealousy, Gwen rolled her eyes.

  “He’s only one of the best and hottest guys on the team.” Hailey giggled as she bumped shoulders with Gwen. “He’s gonna be in the big leagues someday. I know it.”

  “Morgan doesn’t listen to me about stuff like that.” Gwen frowned at the row of new cups she had stacked next to the others.

  Hailey laughed as she leaned up against the counter. “You like him, don’t you?”

  “I do not.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “Shut up. I do not.” Gwen glared at her then glanced outside the window. People were now filtering in.

  “He likes you.”

  “What?” Gwen’s gaze snapped to Hailey. “Why do you think that?”

  “’Cause he was looking down your shirt when you bent over the counter before. And he’s always finding a reason to talk to you.”

  “He was looking down my shirt?” Gwen fidgeted with the material in question, confusion in her eyes.

  “You could have that boy anytime you wanted.”

  “I could not.” Gwen scowled. “Morgan doesn’t like me like that. I’ve tried.”

  “Try harder.” Hailey laughed. “Or better yet—make him jealous. Kingley has the hots for you.”

  “Kingley?”

  Hailey motioned to the defenseman, who was coming toward them with a few of the other players. Gwen remembered him from the lace incident the other day. She didn’t think he was good looking, and she was sure he had a very bad reputation with the ladies. He was also a college boy at Wartham, something her mother would not approve of.

  “Flirt with him.” She playfully shook Gwen’s shoulders. “Trust me. One nudge is all they need.”

  “Gwenie.” Morgan was back at the snack bar again, pounding his fist on the counter. Kingley stood next to him.

  “Weren’t you just here?” She narrowed her eyes on him and saw the quick flit of his gaze to the logo on her shirt.

  “So?”

  “Can I get you guys anything?” Gwen ignored him and addressed Kingley. She captured him with her big, blue eyes, a sweet grin on her face.

  “Some Gatorade for me and the boys.” Kingley’s stare darted over her quickly, and it was clear that he was returning her small flirt. “The blue kind if you got it.”

  “Of course.” Gwen nodded then went to retrieve their orders.

  Kingley sported a wicked grin and whispered to one of the other players. Morgan’s tongue peeked from his lips and licked the corner of his mouth. There was jealousy in his eyes as he sized up his teammate. It was a subtle gesture, but Hailey picked up on it.

  Hailey addressed him. “I can help you, Tanner.” She spoke in a sexy voice, her stare seeming to undress the fully uniformed center.

  He looked at her briefly, but his attention went straight to Gwen when she came back with the drinks. “Hey.” He pounded the counter lightly. “Porky.”

  Gwen ignored him, speaking to Kingley. “Got ’em.” She unloaded the drinks from her arms before handing them to the other guys, Kingley last.

  He grabbed the drink, but didn’t fully take it from her, his eyes locked on hers. “You’re a skater, right?”

  “Yeah.” Gwen let go then nervously glanced at Morgan.

  “Get me a red, Gwenie. Now.” Morgan’s voice deepened a little, and it was clear he didn’t like her flirting, or being ignored. He was pushing that bully attitude he had perfected after years of teasing her.

  Gwen glanced at Hailey. “Can you get Morgan a red Gatorade?”

  “Sure thing.” Hailey smiled at Gwen as she complied.

  Gwen continued talking to Kingley, “Figure skating, not hockey.”

  “Yeah, I saw you skate a few times.” He leaned over the counter. Gwen never flirted with the players like this, especially in the presence of Morgan or her brother. “You got some moves. If you ever want to partner up, I’m willing to try.” He chuckled as he circled the cap of his drink with his finger.

  “Thanks for the offer. I might take you up on it sometime. It’s hard to find good skaters.”

  Kingley tried to speak, “I—”

  “We better go back.” Morgan addressed the players and moved off toward the locker rooms.

  Most of them followed suit, except for Kingley, who stayed behind. “Hey, you wanna come celebrate with me after the game when we win?”

  “I can’t tonight, but…” She glanced at Hailey. “I could another night.”

  “Cool.” His smile grew, and he tapped the bottle on the counter. “I’ll hit you up the next time.”

  “Sure. Good luck tonight.”

  “Thanks.” He left.

  ****

  After the game, the boys were in the locker room packing up their things. They had barely snuck by with a win, and despite the game’s outcome, their coach wasn’t satisfied. The boys were in sour moods because of this.

  Morgan was glaring at his side, a huge bruise forming there. He sneered then shoved some of his gear in his bag. Then, a small conversation on the sideline quickly caught his attention.

  “What’a ya think of Gwen?” Kingley asked one of his teammates. “She’s a hot little piece of ass, isn’t she? I’m gonna tackle that shit.”

  Springing forward, Morgan grabbed Kingley and slammed him into the lockers. “You stay the fuck away from her, or I’ll kick your ass.”

  Kingley looked surprised, his hands trying to pry off Morgan’s. “She’s not your girlfriend. Back off, Tanner.” There was a fight in his words and a challenge in his eyes.

  “Stay away from her.”

  “No.” Kingley, who was bigger than the slender center, puffed out a little as he stared his teammate down. “It’s none of your business.” He got in Morgan’s face and was so close that Morgan could feel the heat from his heavy breath.

  “Yes, it is. Stay away from her.” He shoved Kingley away from him and was about to walk away, but Kingley wasn’t going to let him.

  Kingley was a known fighter, and it only took a small nudge to set him off. He took a quick swing at Morgan, nailing him in the jaw. Then, a brawl ensued. Their punches drew blood, Morgan’s fist skitting across Kingley’s jaw. Morgan was a scrapper, and once his anger was triggered, he had a terrible temper. Unfortunately for him, so did Kingley.

  The fight was quickly broken up by a few other players, who tried to end it before the coach saw. After a few minutes, both men settled down and Kingley left the locker room in a huff.

  Gwen was outside waiting for Morgan, her skates hanging over her shoulder. She was by herself, Hailey now joining a few other puck bunnies and hitting desperately on a few of the single players.
r />   Gwen’s gaze snapped to Kingley, who stormed past her. She straightened, her eyes narrowing on him when she saw he was holding a pack of ice to his cheek. Looking confused, she watched him until he disappeared. Then, Morgan walked up from behind and tickled her sides. She jumped forward a step and let out a small shriek.

  She turned to him sharply. “Stop it.” She pulled at her shirt with a scowl. Studying Morgan’s face, she noticed a redness to the skin. “What happened to you?”

  “Tilly on the ice.” He started moving briskly toward the door, and she followed.

  “I didn’t hear about that.”

  Walking backward now, he spoke in a cocky tone, “That’s ’cause you were at the snatch bar.”

  “Snack bar, Morgan.” She caught up to him, a slight annoyance in her voice. “And maybe I did miss it. You must’ve not gotten in trouble for it. I didn’t hear anything.”

  “Fuck, Gwen. Just drop it.” Morgan let out a huff then shrugged his shoulders in irritation. “And stop fucking around with the Kats players.” He held the door open and waited for her to go through first.

  “I’m not.” Gwen walked ahead then stayed at his side out to his truck.

  “Yeah, you were. I heard Kingley talking about it.”

  “He asked me out, yeah.” Gwen’s words were quick. “But I didn’t accept it.” She watched him unlock the door and hop in the cab. She did so as well.

  “Don’t talk to him.” He glared at her as he started the engine.

  “Why?”

  “Just don’t fucking do it, okay?” He spoke under his breath as he pulled out of the space.

  “Fine. I won’t go out with Kingley.”

  “And stop hanging out with that Hailey. She’s a fucking jersey-chaser.”

  “Well, she’s nice outside that.”

  “So, how was your first day at the snack bar?” Morgan changed the subject.

  “It was okay.” Gwen shrugged. “It sucks because I’m at the game, but I can’t watch the game.” She laughed. “God, I wish I had been watching tonight. I’d love to see you get punched.”