Page 28 of Offside Possession

“Because if she doesn’t go on the road with you, it’ll change the outcome?” he asked without judgment.

“Fuck, no. Because she’s my priority.” He whistled again and shook his head.

“Who would have thought? Scott Chance has something in his life more important than hockey.”

I sure as shit never saw it coming, but then again, the best things in life took you by surprise.

CHAPTER 12

STELLA

Adrenaline still pumped in my blood along with anticipation for tonight.

Watching him play, skate and go up against other giant guys had been… breathtaking. I had attended hockey games before, but I hadn’t lied to my sister when I told her that I went for the food and vibes. I’d never really paid attention to the beauty and ferocity of the game, the clear primal savageness of the men who skated and fought for the puck and one another.

I’d especially never watched a man the way I’d watched Scott.

Mine, that thing inside of me, the one I knew without a doubt was never wrong, said confidently.

After a package arrived at my place with a sweet note and his jersey, I’d decided I wasn’t going to question this. I was going to dive in completely, no matter how crazy it sounded. It might mean trying long distance. I might have tried it in the past, but that had been in high school and had ended with me losing my best friend. But this wasn’t going to end.

My gut yelled it, and I was going to listen.

I might not like the idea of waiting around for him to come home, but it wasn’t like I had ever been the type of girl who waited around by the phone waiting for her guy to call. I had a life, and technology was different now. We could video chat and text. We could make it work while getting to know one another while he traveled and got back home.

Home? Is Houston home for him? When simple questions like this popped up, it reminded me of just how little I knew him. How the hell was I so damn attached to this man without even knowing where he actually called home? Athletes usually lived in the city they played for during the season, but did they consider it that? Did Scott live elsewhere off season? He’d been back to our hometown Forge Creek to visit his parents and siblings, but from what I remember Sam saying, he didn’t live there. Or what I remember from the little I’d paid attention to, if I was being honest.

Sam. My annoying older brother. If this went anywhere, how would he take the news of his baby sister dating his buddy? He would definitely lose his crap.

“There you are.” Scott’s deep voice sounded behind me, and I looked over my shoulder. “You’re a tough girl to find, troublemaker.” I felt my face heat up as I stared at him. His words felt deeper, fuller of meaning than just him looking for me today.

I couldn’t help but stare and appreciate the sight of him.

His short dark hair was damp, sticking together slightly here and there like he’d hurried after a shower to get to me. It made me think about taking a shower with him. Steamy heat surrounding us as our hands explored. I shook the thought away. Later! I focused on him and what he was wearing. He was in a deep plum henley with the top button undone, paired with black jeans and tanned boots.

“You played… incredible.” I found my voice and complimented him. His cheeks turned pink, and I couldn’t help but think he looked adorable. He moved and took the seat next to me.

“Seats okay?” he asked, and I nodded as the two of us looked out at the ice.

The Houston Lonestars had played hard for their season opener and had won. I rested my head on his broad shoulder.

“Best seat in the house,” I said softly and felt his body shake slightly with quiet laughter. “How are you feeling?” I raised my head to get a better look at him. “Those punches you took looked pretty hard.” I winced, remembering the fight he’d had with the opposing team’s right wing.

“You should see the other guy.” He winked, and I rolled my eyes.

“You wanna come back to my place?” I wanted to see him in my space next. The thought of him just dropping me off or not seeing him again for another couple of weeks felt… wrong.

“I’d like that,” he said. I nodded and looked away.

“And maybe when you come back for your next home games, you can come over and⁠—“

“No,” he cut me off. I blinked. In a split second, everything inside of me went icy. No, that was wrong, not icy. Everything just stilled.

“No?” I repeated. “What do you mean, no?” My brows furrowed with clear confusion.

“No.” He swallowed and took my hand. “I wasn’t planning on doing this here, but I don’t want to pause this conversation.”

“Okay.” I sat up, straightening my back. “What’s up?”