“Me too. Or maybe I can crawl into your suitcase.”
He laughs. “Coach wouldn’t like that so much.”
“That’s too bad.”
The doorbell rings again, and now Logan’s phone is buzzing.
He smiles and nods over at the counter. “Enjoy that for me.”
I look at the half-burnt casserole. “Maybe I’ll have the pizza.”
He kisses me again. “I’ll talk to you later, Riley.”
“Yeah,” I say, still in a trance. “Later.”
He grabs his jacket and the hockey bag next to the door. Giving me one last look, he smiles and leaves.
I look back at the food but all I can taste is Logan. He tastes like the best and worst decision of my life.
RILEY
“You’re sleeping in his bed? You kissed him?” Jane and I are seated in the off-campus coffee shop. Our laptops and books are spread out all over the table. It’s a nice break from the library since we can actually chat out loud. Since it’s raining, the place is fairly empty. The only other person around is a hooded student quietly working on the other side of the room.
“I couldn’t help myself. I can’t resist him! He’s literally irresistible.” I take a sip of Brazilian dark roast. The mug is so big I need both hands.
“How did this happen?”
“Well, where do I start?” I put my mug down. “He’s fun to be around. He’s got deep feelings and a good heart. He’s just…wonderful.”
“And sexy.”
“That too.”
“And have you guys, you know…?” Jane smiles devilishly. Her curious eyes watch me carefully as if any subtle expression will give her the answer she’s looking for.
My heart flutters at the thought of it. “No.”
“But you want to.” She grabs her glass of iced coffee and sips from a metal straw.
“Well, yeah. Who wouldn’t?”
“Obviously everybody who has eyes and a libido. But this is different.”
“How?”
She looks into my eyes. “You’re sleeping in his bed. You kissed him. This means you like him. You love him.”
“I—” I’m about to deny it but she’s right.
“What do you think will happen between you two?”
“I don’t know. We haven’t spoken about it. He’s been gone since it happened and it’s not really something I want to talk about over text.”
“Well, you guys ended the contract, right?”
The contract. Right. Fuck.
I bite my lip and give her an innocent shrug.
“Riley!” She puts her drink down and grabs my arm with her ice-cold hand. “You didn’t end the contract?”
“Shh.” I look around, making sure the hooded guy at the next table isn’t listening. “What do I do?”
“Talk to him about it!”
“What if he doesn’t like me that way?”
“He kissed you, didn’t he?”
“Yeah but that doesn’t mean I can upgrade to his...real girlfriend,” I whisper those last words.
“What’s the alternative? Not talk about it until the contract’s up? That’s just confusing and messy.”
“I know.” I rub my face. This was not the dilemma I needed on a day planned out for studying.
I look at my notes which are all color-coded and divided into sections based on half-hour work sessions. According to the schedule I pre-planned for myself, I’m already two sessions behind.
Damn you, Logan Drake. Quit distracting me from my schoolwork!
“Are we ready for another study session?” I ask.
“You’re not really changing the subject that fast, are you?”
“This may come as a shock for you, but I actually do need to study during my study sessions.”
Jane sighs. “Fine. But you can’t just drop a bomb like that and expect me not to talk about it! This discussion isn’t over.”
I smirk.
Jane gets up. “Do you want more coffee before we start our session?”
“Yes, please.” I hand over my massive mug.
Jane makes her way up to the counter, giving me a brief moment of privacy. Discretely grabbing my phone from my backpack, I check it under the table. I have a text from Logan. Just seeing his name makes my belly flip.
LOGAN: I’m back in town at the end of the week. Come watch me play?
My eyes drift up to my color-coded study schedule. I’m already way too behind. I type back.
RILEY: I’ve got a ton of work to do.
LOGAN: The game’s not until the end of the week. You've got plenty of time. Besides, the game won’t be the same without my lady luck.
I smile. There’s something extremely sexy about being his lady luck. There’s something extremely sexy about being his anything.
Jane is walking back over with our drinks. I type quickly.
RILEY: Well, in that case, I’ll try to get it all done in time.
Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I put it out of sight. I don’t need any more distractions from Logan and I definitely don’t need any prying from Jane.
“Here we are.” Jane places the drinks on the table. “One iced coffee and a latte.”
“Thank you, my hero.”
“And before our session begins, I need to use the ladies room.” Jane saunters away.
I look back at my notes. I manage to read two paragraphs before my mind drifts to Logan. I think about his lips, his hands around my waist, and the look in his eyes after we kissed. That wild, seductive stare that looked like he was ready to devour me right then and there.
My phone buzzes, vibrating against my thigh. I bite back a smile because I know it’s him. I fish the phone out of my pocket.
God, I have zero self-control.
I look at the message. It’s from Logan, as I expected. He sent me a happy face. I smile as I tuck my phone into my purse. Maybe I’ll be less distracted if I keep it there instead. As I place the phone somewhere safe, my hand brushes against my wallet and I feel the sharp edges of the contract poking out. My fingers settle on the edges of the paper for a moment before I look back at my notes.
Two days until I see him. Two days until I ask him about it.
As I exhale, I pull my fingers from the contract, push Logan out of my mind, and direct my focus back on my work.
LOGAN
“Last game of the regular season,” Marcus says. We’re in the locker room getting ready for the game. “We win this and we get to the playoffs. It doesn’t get crazier than this.”
“Right,” I say absently as I dig through my bag, looking for my phone.
Marcus looks at me as he wraps his stick with tape. “Are you even paying attention? Where’s your head been?”
“It’s here,” I mumble. But it’s not. I’m thinking about Riley. I’ve been away all week and I haven’t seen her since we had that kiss the night I left. I’m finally back in Seattle and I can’t stop thinking about all the things I want to do to her when I see her again.
As I fish out my phone, I notice there are no messages from Riley. It’s not a surprise. She’s been quiet all week, ever since we kissed. I still don’t even know if she’s out in the crowd watching the game tonight. Either way, being back in Seattle and so close to her is driving me crazy. I know I should be focused on the game tonight, but I can’t help being more excited to see Riley. I need her like I need my next breath.
I’m about to put my phone away when I notice a notification from my hockey app.
“Crap.”
“What is it?” Marcus looks up.
“Cooper scored three goals in today’s game. He’s leading me by a single point!”
Marcus pats me on the shoulder. “You know what to do.”
The team cheers as we walk out onto the ice for our warmup. As I skate around, I casually look up at the family and friends area. There she is. Even in the giant arena, I feel Riley’s presence like a glowing orange light. Just knowing she’s there empo
wers me. As I skate, I feel like I’m gliding on air.
The game starts and it’s an even match. We have trouble getting around their defense while they have trouble getting the puck to the net. This goes on for all three periods until all the guys are tired and frustrated and we’re forced into overtime.
Coach pulls out a small whiteboard and pulls everyone in for a huddle. Sweating like crazy, I lean in. Only five minutes left to make it into the playoffs. Only five minutes and the game will be over, and I can be with Riley again. We can finish what we started. My eyes drift up to the crowd. I can see her blond head in the distance.
“Can you do that, boys?” Coach asks.
“Yeah!”
“Logan?”
I look up at him, realizing that I’m part of his overtime plan. “Yeah.”
“Come on, let’s do it!”
I hop over the boards and join Edgar and Marcus on the ice. As I skate around the rink, I look up at Riley again. Her hand is on her necklace.
Positioning myself at center ice, I ready my stick for the play. This is it. I need one more point to be on the same level as Cooper. I need one more point to help the Blades make it to the playoffs.
The referee drops the puck, which I immediately take control of and pass to Edgar. The two of us skate around the opposing players with ease. Edgar passes it back to me as I enter their zone. An opposing player reaches around my legs for the puck but I hop over his stick and pass the puck up to Marcus, who passes it to Edgar, who passes it back to me with lightning speed. In that same instant, I look up and see an empty space between the goalie’s legs. The goalie is still looking at Edgar. Without hesitation, I push the puck through the open slot, burying it in the back of the net. The goal light goes off and the arena erupts into cheers. Throwing my stick and gloves onto the ice, I throw my hands up and jump into Marcus’ arms.
“We did it! We did it!”
“Playoffs here we come!”
The whole team is on the ice now and the adrenaline is running thick. Although all my guys are here with me, there’s only one person I want to hug—only one person I want to kiss. I look up into the stands at Riley. She’s standing and clapping. I point at her. She points back.
“We’re going to celebrate so hard tonight,” Marcus says.
With my eyes on the glowing light that is Riley, I nod. “Yes. Yes, we are.”
***
Later that night, the team is at the bar. Everyone is cheering and celebrating, singing the celebration song. Everybody is in a good mood and the drinks are flowing. It’s a rare moment of relaxation.
Looking down, I pull out my phone.
“Can you believe Edgar’s pass?” Saito says, interrupting me. “That was sick.”
“We need more of that for the playoffs,” I say, shoving my phone back in my pocket.
Someone comes up behind me and pats me on the back with a strong hand.
“Guess who’s probably winning the Corazon?” Marcus slams his mug of beer against mine, causing some to spill over.
“Let’s not count our chickens before they hatch. That overtime goal gave me the exact same number of points that Coop has. At this point, it’s all up to the journalists to determine the winner.”
“Come on, at this point, it’s practically guaranteed! What’s more dramatic than winning a playoff position in overtime on the very last game of the regular season?”
He’s right. Endorphins run through me. “God, I feel good. To the Blades!” I hold up a drink. Everyone follows my lead.
“To the Blades!”
We drink our beer. After a few more rounds of the celebration song, I finally find a quiet moment to pull out my phone to text Riley.
LOGAN: Are you around?
She reads the text but she doesn’t respond right away. I stare at my phone way more than I mean to. Finally, she texts back.
RILEY: I’m at my room back on campus.
LOGAN: You should celebrate with us.
…typing…
RILEY: I’m just doing some last-minute work.
My heart sinks. It’s completely like her to study late into the night. Still, I’m celebrating and it’s been five days since I’ve seen her. All I want are her lips against mine.
LOGAN: Studying can wait until tomorrow. Tonight we celebrate.
There’s silence on her end. I’m wondering if I’m being too selfish. Maybe her silence all week was a sign.
But I felt how much she wanted me in the way she kissed me. I start typing again.
LOGAN: I want to see your eyes. And your body.
…typing…
RILEY: You’re drunk.
LOGAN: Not yet. I can be if you want. You can take advantage of me.
RILEY: You wish.
I smirk.
LOGAN: And what if I do?
RILEY: Are you being serious right now?
LOGAN: Show up and find out.
A few minutes go by as I stare at the guys singing the celebration song again. When they get to the third verse, my phone lights up.
RILEY: Let me finish this cover letter and I’ll see.
Smiling to myself, I slip my phone in my pocket. I want to keep sending her flirty texts but I know the faster she does her work, the faster she’ll get out to the bar and be here with me.
The guys have another round of drinks. The singing turns into retellings of all our best plays of the game. When they’re close to finishing their beers, I start getting nervous. I look at my phone. It’s almost midnight.
Maybe Riley isn’t coming after all.
Damn. Maybe she regrets that kiss the other day. I know I sure as hell don’t.
“Hey, Logan…” A strange pink-haired woman in a low-cut red dress slips her hand across my leg. Her breath smells like garlic and whiskey. “I watched the game. You’re such a stud out there.”
I give her a tight smile. “Thanks.”
“My name’s Amanda.”
Another hockey groupie.
“And yes, they’re real,” she says, bending over and flashing her cleavage at me. “If you want to touch them.”
“No thanks,” I say, looking back at the door.
The woman manages to wedge herself in front of me, forcing me to look at her. She puts her arms around my neck.
“I’ll go down on you.” Her pungent breath forces me to turn my head.
“Sorry, I have better things to do.” I pull the woman’s arms off my neck and pull away from her. I disappear into the crowd knowing that my six-foot-two stature won’t make it easy. Hiding behind the other guys on the team, I check my phone again. It’s been forty minutes since Riley’s last text.
LOGAN: Are you coming?
I wonder if my text sounds too desperate but I send it anyway. Just as the text sends, the door to the bar opens and Riley steps in, looking like a light in a dark room. She’s wearing form-fitting jeans and a pale pink silky spaghetti-strap blouse. She spots me across the room and smiles, filling my heart with warmth. Without hesitation, she walks straight over to me.
“I was starting to think you wouldn’t show up,” I say when she finally gets close.
“I heard a team won an important game or something.” She smirks.
“Just a little bit important.”
She leans in, bringing in the scent of green apple shampoo. My summer goddess.
“I wouldn’t leave my boyfriend to celebrate alone, now would I?” She looks up with her gray sea-glass eyes.
“Boyfriend. I like that word.” I push her wavy hair behind her ear. “God, you’re gorgeous.”
Her smile quickly disappears.
“We need to talk about something,” she says.
“What is it?” I touch her waist.
She leans in again, lowering her voice. “The contract.”
“Oh.” I reclaim my hand. Right. The contract. “With how close we’ve been recently, it’s easy to forget.”
“That’s what I want to talk about…”
I shak
e my head. “No.”
“No?”
“No talking tonight. Just celebrating…and dancing.” I grab her hand and pull her onto the dance floor. Pulling her close, I secure her hands on my chest as I put mine around her waist.
Her gray eyes look longingly up into mine.
“This is all I’ve been wanting all week,” I say.
She smiles. “I like seeing you in a good mood.”
“You put me in a good mood.”
She looks down and I can tell she’s blushing. As she looks back up with a smirk, her hands crawl up my chest and around the back of my neck.
I lean my forehead against hers as we dance. “I really like you, Riley Jamieson.”
She smiles.
“There’s something I really want to do right now,” I say in a low, rolling voice.
She looks me in the eyes. “Do it.”
That’s all the invitation I need. I lean in and press my lips against hers. She kisses me back, holding me close so I won’t pull away. The world around us fades away. Adrenaline and endorphins run through my veins and I know for certain that this is more thrilling than a last-minute overtime goal. She puts her hands in my hair as she deepens the kiss. I hold her tight, never letting go.
RILEY
Endorphins rush through my body. He deepens the kiss and I let out an involuntary moan as I melt against him.
What the hell am I doing?
A part of me is yelling, telling me to shut up and enjoy this. But I can’t confuse my emotions like this. Jane was right about things getting messy. If he doesn’t want to talk about the contract, does that mean the contract is still on? Is this kiss fake?
I pull back, breaking the kiss. I look into his eyes and it’s enough to take my breath away. He’s insanely handsome in his blue v-neck and dark jeans. He looks and smells so good that I almost can’t resist pushing my paranoia aside and kissing him again.
Logan Page 12
