Coach pinches the bridge of his nose between his fingers and sighs. “Either way, I’m proud of you, honey. Just not that mouth of yours. Stop talking like that in front of people.”
“Okay, I’ll just wait until you’re not around.”
She winks at him, and I can’t help but smile.
Jamie almost chokes on his pizza from laughing.
Bex is doing my head in big-time. Her feistiness is such a turn-on.
I shove the last bite of pizza down my throat, needing to get out of here. The longer I sit next to Bex, the more I want to touch her again. Her bare legs are close to mine, her black shorts riding up her thighs. She’s tall, built like a basketball player, and now because of her comment, I keep stealing glances down her top, wondering how her tits would look in my jersey.
“You guys ready?” I ask my friends.
Drake licks the grease from the corner of his mouth and slides off the bench, giving Tucker some space to get up. Jamie follows suit, lifting our plates from the table. He’s a neat freak, and the only reason our house isn’t a total wreck.
“It’s been real, Coach.” Tucker waves. “Nice meeting you, Bex.”
“You, too.” She looks as though she wants to say more, pausing for a second. “Sorry, but which one are you? I get you guys confused.”
Tuck frowns.
Coach points at Tucker and Trent, followed by Jamie and Drake, introducing them. He must have assumed she already knew us.
Coach refocuses his gaze on his daughter. “You’re coming on Friday, honey. Once you see them play, I’m sure you won’t forget their names.”
She tips her head to me. “I already know this one.”
“That’s because I’m hard to forget,” I quip, provoking a slight smile from her lips. “Later, Coach.”
“Practice bright and early tomorrow,” he says.
I nod. “Bex, it’s been a pleasure.”
She smiles, a real one this time.
Progress, I think.
I leave Gio’s with the same stupid smile on my face, all because of the tomboy with no filter. At least now I have her number… and a date.
Chapter Three
Preston
I’m in the exercise room, halfway into my routine, minding my own business when Jamie approaches my bench. He shoves a hand through his hair, tugging at the ends, and glances down at me.
“Want some company?” He sits on the open bench next to me and plays with the seam of his mesh shorts. “We could take turns spotting each other.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I push the bar above my body once more, feeling the burn. “Think you can keep up? You looked like some washed up has-been on the ice earlier.”
Jamie rolls his eyes at me, and then helps me set the bar on the rack. “I just need to focus.”
“It’s all the drinking you’ve been doing with Tuck and Trent over at Delta Sig. They can get away with having a few beers, but you’re not like them. Stay away from that shit during the week. If you guys spent as much time practicing as you do chasing around sorority chicks, you’d be giving me a run for my money at MVP this year.”
He leans forward, balancing himself on his elbows. “I’ll be fine by the game on Friday. Stop worrying. You sound like my dad.”
I shrug. “I’m the captain of the team for a reason. Someone has to keep your ass in line.”
He holds out his hand to silence me. “Whatever. Don’t start with me. I’m not in the mood. I had two hours of sleep last night, before I had to get up for practice.”
After I wipe my face with my towel, I sling it around my neck. “I’m only looking out for your career. We can’t make it pro together if you’re too busy drinking and running around campus trying to get your dick wet.”
“Says that guy who has a crush on Coach Bryant’s daughter.”
I shake my head. “That’s never gonna happen.”
“She looked pretty into you last night. You could be tapping Bex right now. That eye-fucking I saw in Gio’s went both ways.”
Jamie follows me to a leg press machine. I stop next to one, waiting for one of our forwards to finish up with his workout.
Jamie stands beside me with his hands on his hips. “We should go watch Bex play sometime, maybe scout some of her teammates.” He winks at me. “We can always use new recruits.”
I fold my arms across my chest and smirk. “I was kind of hoping you would help me with Bex. I need you and the guys to make nice with some of her teammates, or better yet, her roommate. She said something to Coach about him having rules. I want to know what she means by that. It seemed like she was referring to his players and that being around us was somehow breaking them.”
“Why don’t you stalk her online like a normal person?”
I laugh at his ridiculous comment. “I looked last night. I couldn’t find her anywhere. I checked them all—Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It’s like she doesn’t exist.”
“Maybe she’s an Android,” Jamie jokes.
“You’re such a nerd.”
He shrugs, unaffected, a silly expression on his face.
I never knew much about Coach’s daughter, other than he had one. He kept her under his thumb, never letting any of us near her. Until last night.
Jamie shoves his hands into his shorts pockets. “I can take one for the team. I’m sure Tuck, Trent, and Drake will, too. What do you want to know about her?”
I consider his question. “Find out if she has a boyfriend. Where she hangs out. Who she’s friends with, other than her roommate. Whatever you can get out of her teammates.”
“I don’t think she has a boyfriend. I’ve seen her on campus before but never with any guys. She always hangs out with the same girl.”
“Coach probably doesn’t let her date.”
“Nah, Bex didn’t act like she’d just seen her first naked man. She seemed uncomfortable walking through the locker room, but she wasn’t terrified of all the dicks hanging out. And you heard her. Nothing she hadn’t seen before.”
“I think that comment was meant for me.”
He laughs. “Maybe. She doesn’t seem to like you very much. What did you do to get under skin already?”
“Nothing. She’s been like that with me from the second she crashed into me in the locker room.”
“Yeah. But she’s meeting your mom. She loosened up a lot after you offered to take her with you on Saturday. You forgot to mention the games last all day.” He chuckles. “Wait until she finds out she’s spending the entire day with your mom… and my dad.”
“You should come, too.” I lean over to steal a paper cup from the holder on the wall next to the water fountain and pour some for myself. “It’s going to be a long day. Bex will need someone to talk to when I’m busy helping out with the kids.”
I down the cup and fill it again, before Jamie is at my side, helping himself.
“Depends on how drunk I get on Friday night after the game.”
I frown at his comment. “Dude, we just talked about this. For a smart guy, sometimes you’re so dense. Stay in and play video games with me instead. Your dad’s new game is pretty sick.”
“Oh, I know. Right? I was playing Mage Wars last night, drunk off my ass. The graphics were insane and even better with a good buzz going.”
Jamie’s father is a video game developer. His company, Foxy Industries, is one of the largest tech companies in the world. He named the company Foxy, after the nickname he calls Jamie’s mom. His parents have weird names for each other.
Once the leg machine is free, Jamie plops down on the seat before I have the chance. But he needs it more, so I let it slide. He removes the towel hanging from his pocket and wipes down the equipment.
“We should play later,” I say, and he peeks up at me with a wicked grin.
“Think you can keep up with me?”
I throw my hand out at him and laugh. “Please. More like can you keep up with me. Seriously, though, you should stay in with me after the
game, kill off a few levels with me, and come to the games on Saturday. If you’re there, Bex might lower her guard more. She’s probably thinking it’s a date or some shit.”
“I guess,” Jamie says after a long pause. “But I’m not leaving the house at the ass crack of dawn with you. I’ll meet you and Bex for the second half of the games. Maybe Bex has some hot friends she can bring along for me. And I’ll warm up to her… do some recon for you.”
I slap him on the back, and he groans. “I knew I could count on my wingman.”
He huffs. “You know, you could just ask Bex whatever you want to know. Stop acting like such a pussy.”
I let out a frustrated groan. “Whatever. I’m going to go hit the showers. I’ll catch you later.”
“I’m making dinner later,” he says, out of breath from lifting the bar. “Make sure you’re home.”
I narrow my eyes at him, confused as fuck. “You’re making dinner? In the microwave? You don’t know how to cook.”
“One of the girls I met last week is coming over after she’s done work. Since she’s making dinner for me, by extension, she’s now cooking for the entire house.”
“Sounds good. Don’t do anything stupid. I don’t want my food poisoned.”
He laughs. “Nah, Shannon is cool. You should see the body on this chick. She’s a dancer.”
“Explains a lot. So, you’re paying a stripper to make us dinner? I think I’ll take my chances with the cafeteria.”
Jamie snorts. “I’m not pathetic. Give me some credit, Prez. She’s in some dance contest this weekend at The Sixth Floor. There’s a cash prize for the best female dance group. You should come.”
I raise a curious eyebrow at him. “I don’t know. A dance competition? Sounds kind of lame.”
“It’s at a nightclub.”
“I’ve been to The Sixth Floor before.”
He grunts after his last rep, straining himself to lift the bar. “Oh, right. We went there last year for a Thirsty Thursday special. Anyway, the contest is open to the public. Don’t tell me you’re going to turn down the chance to look at a bunch of half-naked girls working their way through college.”
“Anyone we know going?”
He sets the weights down with a loud grunt. “Some of the girls from Kappa will be there. It’s a sorority thing. I think.”
“Are Drake, Tuck, and Trent going?”
He shoots me a look, as if I’m crazy. “Are you kidding? They’re all over it. You should be, too. A club full of drunk, horny girls? Who would want to miss that?”
“Why are you going with this chick who’s cooking us dinner? She’s going to cockblock the shit out of you, and probably us, too.”
“Whatever,” he growls. “Shan’s pretty cool. You’ll like her. Her friends are hot.”
“Are they stripping? What kind of contest are we talking here?”
“Nope, I wish.” He licks his lips. “I’d pay good money to see that. There’s a five-hundred-dollar prize for the best group.”
“And it’s all girls?”
“Yeah, it’s kind of like Coyote Ugly, you know how they dance on bars in the movie? Shan said they have to dress up. Sounds hot. You should take out your tampon and come with us.”
I make a fist and tap his arm, not enough for it to hurt, but for his stupid remark.
He laughs and shakes it off.
“Hot chicks and beer.” I wink at him, slinging my towel over my shoulder. “That was your sales pitch right there, and I’m sold. See ya at home.”
Jamie counts out a few reps. “Later.”
I walk toward the locker room wondering if I can convince Bex to come out with us on Saturday night. I have to find a way. Because Jamie is right about one thing—I have it bad for my coach’s daughter. And I can’t get her out of my head.
Chapter Four
Bex
“I still can’t believe you had dinner with Preston Parker,” Taylor shouts, her voice far too loud for those passing by us. “My ovaries would have exploded sitting next to him.”
“Would you keep it down?” I lower my voice to a more audible level, my feet moving faster to get away from any lingering ears. “I don’t think everyone heard you across campus.”
She fixes the strap of the gym bag slung over her shoulder, matching my pace. “Shit. Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. But this is kind of a big deal for you. After obsessing over his mom for like ever, how are you not as excited as I am about this? He talked to you. Preston sat next you.” She fans herself with her hand, with a dreamy look on her face. “I would die if he even breathed in the same airspace as me.”
“Okay, that’s a bit dramatic, even for you. Don’t you think?”
“He’s just a hockey player. Stop acting like a girl.”
“Must I remind you I am a girl,” she counters. “And he’s the hottest guy on campus. Preston is taking you to meet his mom. Hello, that’s major. Wake up, Bex. You have a date with Preston Parker this weekend. I’m so jealous right now I almost hate you.”
I nudge her in the arm with my elbow and laugh. “You’re not allowed to hate me over boys. It’s in the roommate agreement.”
Dodging my second elbow, she snorts. “Roommate agreement?”
“Yeah, it’s like our unspoken rules we both have to follow. No fighting over boys is one of them.”
I became friends with Taylor during freshman orientation. We were paired together, became fast friends, and even made the basketball team together. Sophomore year, we became roommates and have been inseparable ever since.
“But he’s Preston Parker.”
“Will you stop saying his name like he’s a big deal?”
She gives me a perplexed look. “He is a big deal, silly. Did you fall down and bump your head? Just because you have more of a crush on his mom than him doesn’t make him any less yummy. Hey, if you don’t want him, I’d be more than happy to be your substitute.”
On this campus, athletics reign supreme. Even my teammates and me are treated differently because of it. If anyone is deserving of godlike praise, it’s Preston Parker. There’s no debating that he’s the most athletically gifted player on the men’s ice hockey team. He’s broken most of the records set in previous years, putting other players to shame. My dad talks about him all the time. I never saw him so excited to coach a player until Preston.
“Does all your fangirling have a point?”
She scoffs. “Of course, it does. You have a shot with Preston. Take it, girl. This is your one chance. Girls like us don’t get these kinds of opportunities to date guys like him. They usually go for cheerleaders or sorority girls.”
“My dad has rules about his team. You know them well.”
“How can I forget? No talking to his players. No hanging out with his players. No dating his players.”
“Technically, I already broke one of them when I talked to Preston in the locker room.”
“Your dad broke his own rule by introducing you to his players. He shouldn’t have done that if he was going to be such a hard ass.”
She’s right. The pizza shop was the first time in all these years that my dad had allowed me to communicate more than a hello or goodbye. His team was always off-limits to me. And for good reason.
“It’s not just his rules,” I admit. “After what happened with Kellan, I had no interest in dating, let alone his players. I still don’t. Kellan left a lasting effect on my life, one I never want to repeat.”
She frowns. “Yeah. I still can’t believe you have to deal with everything that happened with him. It’s been four years.”
“Some mistakes can’t be undone.” I push back the tears that are fighting to escape.
I allowed Kellan to win for too long. He’s not allowed to keep controlling my life, when he’s no longer in it.
She touches my shoulder to comfort me. “I’m sorry, babe.”
I sigh at the thought of the boy who ruined my life in high school. The piece of shit who still somehow manages to fu
ck everything up for me.
“Kellan was—”
“An ass,” Taylor finishes for me.
Once we reach the parking garage, I remove my dad’s spare set of keys from my bag and click the remote to open his car. He’d called me after my last class and asked me to bring his wallet to the rink across campus. He must have been in a rush, because he left it in the center console, right where anyone can see it.
I retrieve my wallet and hold it up for her to see. “I have to run this over to my dad. It won’t take long. Do you want to tag along? We can grab something to eat from the cafeteria afterward.”
Her nose wrinkles in disgust. “No to cafeteria food. A definite hell yeah to sneaking a peek at the men’s ice hockey practice.”
“Awesome.” I shut the door and lock the car. “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to face the guys alone, especially not Preston.”
“Are you kidding me? As if you even had to ask.”
I chuckle. “Don’t act like this around the guys. Their egos are big enough.”
“Gotcha,” she says. “Don’t feed the players. Duly noted.”
I shake my head, entertained by her stupidity.
Five minutes later, we reach the ice rink on the other side of campus. Taylor glows with delight. She fixes her black hair with her fingers and adds a thin layer of pink gloss to her lips, smacking them together loudly.
Taylor turns to me. “How do I look?”
“Fine. Stop worrying about your appearance. A guy should like you on your worse day. Otherwise, he’s not worth your time.”
“I wish I could be more like you, Bex. You never care what anyone thinks of you.”
I shrug. “It’s simple. People will either like you the way you are or hate you for it. You know what my dad says about opinions and assholes.”
She laughs, as I pull open the door to where my dad holds practice. “I’ll try to find my inner Bex. Be like Bex,” she chants a few times under her breath, joking. “You’re the only girl I know who would show her face around a bunch of guys with a bloody lip and no makeup.”
Pucking Parker (Face-Off Legacy Book 1) Page 3
