Page 42 of Scoring Chance

“That’s what you think,” Erik said from behind us.

I watched as they took turns harassing Hartman. It was funny to see the captain suddenly panicking at the idea of being a dad. He was the strong, steady one and the guys were having a great time ragging on him.

A few more guys let themselves in and soon the topic changed to the pizza. I felt eyes on me and realized I’d worn out my welcome.

Malkin came over and put his arm over my shoulder. “Are you here with Nikolay?”

I looked up to him and shook my head. “He’s not here yet.”

“So?” He narrowed his eyes.

I glanced around and found most of the guys watching us.

“I just stopped by to help.”

His raised an eyebrow, and I pulled away from him. “You guys have fun.”

A few of them called out their goodbyes, but they were all still watching me. I picked up my plate with a single slice of pepperoni pizza and headed to the door. Derrek met me and pulled me in for a hug.

“Thanks again for your help.”

I smiled up at him. “Anytime.” Before I could talk myself out of it, I pushed up on my toes and kissed his cheek.

I opened the door and slipped out just as a wave of ‘oohs’ started. I laughed as I went back to the elevators. The doors opened and Nikolay stepped out, nearly knocking me over.

His eyes ran over me. “What are you doing here?”

I pointed over my shoulder. “I picked up the food for Derrek and brought it over.”

He stared down. “Why?”

His Russian accent made everything he said sound like a threat. Most of the time it didn’t scare me, but I suddenly felt like I was being interrogated. “He didn’t have time to pick it up and get things ready here.”

“Why didn’t he ask one of us?”

A valid question. I couldn’t tell him Derrek thought of me first. Nikolay was a tad protective, and I didn’t want to put Derrek on his radar. “I’m not sure.” I stepped around him. “Have fun.”

I pressed the close button on the elevator panel repeatedly but the stupid thing wasn’t listening. Nikolay stared at me with his hands on his hips until the doors finally shut.

I sighed and fell against the walls. Eventually I’d have to tell him about me and Derrek becoming close...friends, but not until I really knew what was going on between us.

* * *

Madi was waiting at the front desk when I walked into work. I checked my watch, but I was early so I wasn’t in trouble for being late. I ran through the clients I worked with the day before but nothing stood out. Why did she look like she had bad news for me?

“Hey.” I approached cautiously.

She nodded in the direction of her office. “Come with me.”

Okay, that was the same as saying we need to talk. Something was definitely going on. I followed behind and took one of the empty seats in front of her desk while she shut the door behind us.

Once she was in front of me, I broke the silence. “What’s going on?”

Was I being fired already?

“I got a call this morning.” Her eyes never wavered. I felt like she was assessing me but I couldn’t tell if I was failing. “The Cougars want you.”

Of the thousand possible things she was going to say, that hadn’t crossed my mind. The basketball team wanted me?