Page 9 of The Flight Risk

“Yup.” When they come up for air, I say, “Good game, Lawson. But, I’m with Brooke, I’m kind of disappointed you didn’t get a hat trick for Lottie’s first game here.” I give her a side squeeze and I see the slightest blush appear on her cheeks. Tristan is definitely one of the hottest players on this team, so I don’t blame a teenage girl for swooning at the sight of him.

Tristan reaches out his hand to Lottie. “So this is the famous Lottie. It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Brooke’s fiancé and better half, Tristan.” Brooke hits Tristan’s chest playfully as he laughs.

Lottie slowly shakes his hand, noticeably a little star struck. “Nice to meet you, too.” I guess these guys don’t have that effect on me anymore. I have been around them enough that most of them are like big brothers or, hell, even younger brothers to me. Except for one player.

The locker room door swings open and out comes the one player who makes my cheeks flush.

Oakley’s hair is floppy and damp from his shower and he is wearing every woman’s primary weakness–gray joggers. That’s second to a backwards hat. Actually those two looks on a guy is an assured way to bring me to my knees. He’s hot in all his goalie gear and it’s super attractive how he is able to move so quickly in all that protective equipment. But, I love this look better. The unprotected Oakley.

I want to snuggle up in the large Storm sweatshirt he’s wearing. He has earbuds in and is distracted by whatever is on his phone–probably a puck bunny waiting for him at his house. Brooke told me that one time she went to Tristan’s house to check on him and one of the former ice girls showed up in nothing but a jersey.

“Hey, Oakley!” Tristan shouts to get Oakley’s attention. His eyebrows raise and he takes out one earbud. “Great game, man.” They give each other a hug.

“Thanks. You too,” Oakley says, as if a shut-out isn’t a gigantic deal. One thing I have learned about him is that he downplays his success and is way too humble. He gives more credit to players like Tristan and Bradley than he does to himself, which only contributes to his overall hotness.

His eyes finally meet mine. They linger just enough to elevate my heart rate even more than it already is. I’m convinced I have hearts bulging out of my eye sockets like a fricken cartoon character and now everyone will know how obsessed I am with this man who has zero interest in me.

“Hey, Tess.” His voice is warm and welcoming and makes me tingly all over.

“Hey.” My voice cracks because apparently the universe is conspiring against me. He doesn’t notice what his presence does to my being because his attention turns to Lottie. “Oh, this is my niece, Lottie. Well, Charlotte, but everyone calls her Lottie. Lottie, this is Adam Oakley.”

“Oh, Oakley, hmm?” Lottie’s eyes dart back and forth between me and Oakley, as if she is privy to my innermost secret I have yet to expose to anyone except Brooke. “Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you. My aunt is your number-one fan.”

“I am not!” I nearly screech. All eyes are on me now. Even some of the other players walking past us look at me like I’m crazy. “I mean. I am just a general Storm fan. Don’t have a favorite player or anything.” My eyes widen as I stare down my traitorous niece.

“Good to know.” He removes his other earbud and places both of them in the case, giving his full attention to us.

I press my lips together and nod, striving for full chill mode after my heightened reaction. Play it cool, Tess. “Great game. A shutout is a big deal. Congratulations. I’m glad Lottie was able to see a win for her first hockey game ever.”

“Really? Your first game, huh? What do you think of hockey, Lottie?”

“It’s pretty cool. I’m used to just watching football because I’m in marching band and so that’s really the only sport I have paid attention to.”

“Marching band? What instrument do you play?”

“Clarinet.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal, which is unfathomable to me because the closest I’ve ever come to playing an instrument was when we were all forced to learn how to play the recorder in elementary school. Even then, I was terrible.

“That’s great. Well, I’m happy hockey has left an impression on you. Maybe your Aunt Tess will bring you to more games in the future.” His green eyes dart over to mine and he renders me breathless.

“Maybe.” I flash a smile, trying to hide all notions of attraction to him.

“I need to get going, but it was so nice to meet you, Lottie.” He nods in my direction. “Tess.” And just like that, he walks away. This man is an enigma. We have these amazing moments of connection and then he severs them so quickly, I get whiplash.

Everything about him is embedded into my mind and yet, there is so much left of him to discover. I hope that we get close enough in our friendship for me to do so.

7

“Damn it, Lawson. How are you so good at this?” Bradley throws the controller on the couch and hangs his head.

Tristan sets the controller down on my coffee table with a smug smile. “What can I say, Bradley, I’m really good with my hands.” Tristan wiggles his eyebrows.

Absolute disgust paints Bradley’s face. “Ew. Don’t say that shit to me. You are about to marry my little sister.”

“I didn’t say anything about Brooke. You crossed that line all on your own. Maybe you’re a little off your game and sleep deprived because of the baby.”

Bradley groans into his hands. “I thought I knew what tired was. I was an idiot. I have never been so tired in my life.” He looks at both me and Tristan with sad eyes. “Is my game really that bad?”

“No, bro. I’m just fucking with you. You’ll be fine and you will get sleep…eventually. How about it boys? Another round of Smash Bros?” Tristan suggests.