Page 240 of Risking the Pucking Defense

“You’re a lucky guy, Monroe. I hope you know that.”

“I do, Coach,” I say, wrapping my arm around Hailee’s waist.

“Great. Now get your ass in there to shower. No one needs you hugging them smelling like that.” I lean down to whisper in Hailee’s ear when Coach speaks again. “And you’re on press. Everyone is going to want to see that ugly face.”

“Great. Thanks, Coach.” We both watch as he makes his way to the dressing room to speak to the guys.

“You know, the bunnies will say you look hotter with it,” Hailee teases.

“Don’t care what the bunnies think, baby. Just you.”

Her eyes drop to the mess on my face. I haven’t looked in a mirror yet, but I trust that Eddie will have done a good job.

“You always look hot. Does it hurt?” she asks, a frown wrinkling her brow.

“Like a bitch. But it won’t stop me from doing anything I want to do,” I say, letting my eyes drop down the length of her body. “Hails,” I growl. “Are you wearing anything under that jersey?”

Her cheeks blaze bright red as she glances down at herself.

“I just ran out of my apartment. I have panties on.”

“Goddamn. Turn around for me.”

She does as she’s told and I stare at my name and number branded across her back.

Fuck. Does life get any better than this?

“Monroe,” Coach bellows.

“I’ll wait for you,” Hailee says.

“Not coming to press?” I tease, quirking a brow.

“I think I’ll pass. I’ll go find your parents.”

“Sounds good, baby. See you soon.”

I steal one last kiss before I drag my ass away from her. A cheer goes up the second I step inside the dressing room, and then the ribbing begins. I smile through all of it, because while my face might be a little fucked, my girl pushed through her biggest fear and got herself here for me.

I shake my head as I step under the spray of the shower in utter disbelief.

“You did well tonight, man,” Rett states as I drop into the stall beside his. “Not gonna lie, when I saw the amount of blood, I thought you had a one-way ticket to the hospital.”

Honestly? Me too. But I’m so fucking glad it didn’t come to that.

“Nah, it’ll take more than that for me to fuck up my one chance at playing with you, man.”

“One chance,” he mutters, shaking his head as if my words are nonsense. “You are so much better than you allow yourself to believe. Next game, it’s gonna be you and me again, man. You just wait and see.”

67

HAILEE

Ifeel incredibly self-conscious as I join the small number of players, friends, and family who travelled to watch this game.

“Hailee,” Trudy calls, ensuring everyone turns to look my way as I slip into the room.

Despite Monroe’s jersey hanging almost down to my knees, I still tug at the fabric to make it longer.