Page 92 of Taking Sides

There’s a chorus of “yeah” and at least one “hell yes” before the guide smiles and pulls open the locker room door. The music I couldn’t locate a moment ago spills out. Grady and I share an amused look as we follow the boys inside the Moonshot Hockey team’s private haven.

I’m hit with a flutter of nerves as I step over the threshold. Someone is passing out jerseys to all the boys and the excitement notches up another level as they pull them on over their shirts and take in the massive dressing room.

Like other arenas, the locker rooms are similar in the same way. Except the guy I’m currently seeing is standing in this one.

He’s a foot away, almost like he wanted to be near the door to see me as soon as I stepped inside. My mouth pulls into a grin that I couldn’t contain if I wanted to. He’s in his skates and uniform from the waist down, but the only thing covering his upper body are his shoulder pads.

Around the room, I’m sure the other guys are in a similar state as they finish getting dressed for warm-ups, but I don’t look away from Conrad.

Grady steps to him first and extends a hand. “Conrad Shepard. Nice to see you again.”

“You too, Coach.” Conrad is holding a couple jerseys in his other hand, and as they finish their greeting, he gives one to Grady.

Grady holds it up in front of him and reads the name on the back. “Galaxy.”

“I remember you saying you were a fan,” Conrad says.

“Thank you.” Grady continues to admire it. “I appreciate it.”

Conrad gives him a nod and then glances up and around the room. “He’s with Penn if you want to say hi or get that signed.”

“I think I’ll do that.” Grady glances quickly at me, then heads farther into the chaos.

When he’s gone, Conrad’s smile turns devious, and he waves the other jersey in front of me.

“Do I get a Galaxy jersey too?”

“You think I’d waste what might be my only opportunity to see you in a Moonshot jersey?” He shakes his head, then turns the jersey so I can see that it’s his.

I take it from him and clutch it to my chest. “My family may disown me.”

“I won’t tell.” He grins a little wider, then motions for me to follow him.

The music gets louder with every step. I spot Danny and Penn with a crowd of boys around them, including Landon and Pepper. Travis and Nick are talking with Grady, and the rest of the team is doing their part to make the boys feel welcome.

Conrad stops in front of the stall with his name and number. He pulls his game jersey off a hanger and puts it on. But not before I get one more good look at the visible skin around his pads. His abs are unreal, but it’s the V at his hips that I can’t seem to pull my gaze away from.

When my stare moves back to his face, he’s smirking at me. Oops. Busted.

“I’d offer to take it back off, but it’s almost time for warm-ups.” He winks.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I scan the room, enjoying how happy my team is in this moment. This is the only opportunity that most of them will have to see a professional hockey locker room and the players are being so gracious. And I know exactly who I have to thank.

“This is the best day ever!” Pepper yells as Danny signs the back of his jersey.

“Thank you,” I say to Conrad. “Again.”

He opens his mouth like he’s going to tell me it’s no big deal or give someone else the credit, but I beat him to it.

“You’ve done a lot for them. Don’t say you haven’t.” It was his suggestion and then invitation that got the boys here. Grady and I accepted his offer, expecting cheap tickets, maybe a free hat, then Conrad delivered a box with unlimited food and a meet and greet before the game.

“Yes, but this one . . . tonight . . . this was for me.”

“For you?”

He takes the jersey in my hand and carefully drapes it over my head. I lift one arm, then the other, to let him help me into it. Once I’m wearing the oversized jersey, Conrad steps back and blatantly admires me in it.

“Yeah.” His voice is deeper and sounds like he swallowed gravel. “This was one hundred percent for my benefit.”