The Shots On Goal Series Box Set

by Kristen Hope Mazzola

  Quickly, my attention was taken away from the awkward situation as the door of my favorite band’s tour bus swung open.

  Deep breaths.

  Deep.

  Slow.

  Breaths.

  I had to force myself to not start fangirling as I watched the members of The Hysterics start to descend the stairs of their gigantic bus, making their way backstage.

  The drummer, Dane, was hand in hand with his wife, Fallon, and I totally melted on the spot. Their story was one for the ages, and I couldn’t help but be completely infatuated with them and how much they loved each other. Fallon Dunbar and Dane Pearson ranked up there on my celebrity couple list as high as Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness—they were just couples you rooted for to beat the odds.

  I was so stoked to be working an event where I would finally get to see The Hysterics live for the first time. It was a damn dream come true.

  “I hope they play The Lifespan of a Firefly,” Sean whispered as we both watched them walk only a few feet away from us.

  “No way!” I punched him in the shoulder.

  Taking a step back, he gave me a bewildered look. “What the hell?” he asked while rubbing the spot I’d just hit.

  “How did I not know you’re a fan too?” I started to let a little of my crazy loose as I bounced in place.

  Sean gave me a small crooked grin. “I’ve been following them since that concert where Dane broke his hand on that douche Kenneth Rhodes’ face and Fallon had to play for him.”

  I squealed a little. “That was freaking epic! I remember reading about that on Raging Underground’s site the next morning.”

  “Yeah, I was actually there that night. Gavin had a game in Chicago and the night after, we went to that show. It was pretty incredible. Fallon is a seriously talented drummer, and I couldn’t believe she outed herself like that.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek to try to stop the goofy grin that was taking over my entire face.

  “What?” Sean asked.

  “You’re just something else, Whistler. I’m really glad we’re partners.”

  He gently tapped me on the shoulder, almost like he was going to hug me, but then changed his mind. “I’m glad we’re friends.” His broad chest puffed out as he sucked in a deep breath. “Now, enough of this sappy bestie shit. We have a job to do.”

  Most of our night was spent keeping drunken concertgoers from becoming a drunk and disorderly mob. It was an exasperating job, to say the least, but I hadn’t had so much fun working in a while. Right after Three Ugly Guys played their encore, The Hysterics took the stage, opening with Sean’s and my favorite song. I swayed to the music as I sang every word of the chorus to myself.

  It’s a dull kind of pain that just sits in my heart and weighs me down

  And you’re the only one who can fix it

  It burns and erupts at the worst times

  Stinging old wounds that have already been licked clean

  Right when headway is made, the darkness crashes again

  Closing in on my starlight

  Little flicks of magic extinguished one by one

  The firefly’s lifespan gets tested over and over

  Thankfully, she is inked into existence for all eternity

  As the song came to an end, someone crashed right into me, tumbling down at my feet. As he clambered to stand, I spun around on my heels. Suddenly, I was face to chest with the same guy from the bar and the mall—Vinnie.

  “We have to stop meeting like this—and lookie there, you actually are a lady cop, prettiest one I have ever seen. Definitely no man hands there.” Vinnie’s words slurred together as he rambled, and I could see Sean going into defensive mode.

  “How much have you had to drink tonight, sir?” Sean’s chest puffed out and I could tell he was about to get in Vinnie’s face.

  Vinnie threw his hands in the air as I stepped between them. “Sean, this is Vinnie. He was one of the guys in the fight the other night at the bar, and then Myla and I ran into him at the mall a few days later.”

  Sean growled in my ear. “You can’t let punks like this think we’re their friends when they act like fucking ruffians.”

  “Ruffians? What has your panties in a twist, Whistler?” Sean getting so flustered over us running into this guy was completely out of character. Usually, he was the first one to jump in with a witty comment or perfect little jab.

  “Yeah, Whistler.” Vinnie was not helping matters, and Sean was getting ready to fly off the rails.

  “What did you say to me punk?” Sean spit out through gritted teeth as he stepped around me to get closer to Vinnie.

  Quickly, I got back in between them. I put my hand on Sean’s chest and turned to Vinnie. “Why don’t you go find your friends and enjoy the rest of the concert? Maybe we’ll run into each other another time.”

  Vinnie bowed his head as he started to walk away, heading back toward the stage. “Yeah, okay. Sorry, officer.”

  Once Vinnie was out of earshot, I glared at Sean. “What in the ever-loving fuck was that, Sean?”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “What was up with that guy? Are you trying to date criminals now?”

  I threw my hands in the air. “Wow! Now you have definitely lost your damn mind. It was questionable there for a second, and now I know for sure—you’re fucking crazy.”

  I started to walk away from Sean to be sure I counted to ten enough times to not jump completely down his throat. Before I could even make it five steps away, Sean’s hand was on my wrist, pulling me back toward him. He took a few deep breaths before making eye contact with me, his hand still firmly gripping my arm.

  “You’re right, I am crazy.” Before his words could even register in my mind, Sean’s fingers were knotting in my short curls as his lips crashed against mine.

  Chapter 10

  Whistler

  Standing in the middle of Times Square with our favorite band playing in the background and thousands of fans crammed around us, I stood holding Jessica, kissing her fiercely. Being in full uniform and on the clock was not an ideal time for that embrace to take place, but I just couldn’t stand it a second longer. If McBee was going to be with anyone, it needed to be me, and in that moment with that jerk trying to flirt with her right in front of me, I knew it was then or never.

  Jessica pulled away from me for a second. “Well, that was not what I was expecting.”

  I took a few steps back, still holding on to her wrist. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “Oh, Whistler, sometimes you have to throw the rulebook out the window and live a little.” Jessica moved her hand so our fingers could interlock. “Come on.”

  She started to drag me back toward where our car was parked. “What are we doing?” I tried to stop her, but she yanked me harder to get me to follow.

  Glancing over her shoulder, she winked. “You’re not going to just kiss me and not act on all those pent-up feelings, are you?”

  The fire that lit in her eyes ignited the ember I had been kindling deep down, lighting a blaze inside me. The wheels started turning, and all I could think about was getting Jessica into the back seat of that damn car so I could act out all the fantasies that had been plaguing my dreams for so long. I didn’t give a shit that we were supposed to be working—there were enough men and women in blue to take care of the crowd. All I cared about was making Jessica mine, completely and totally mine, right there in that moment.

  I slid into the back seat after her and we started to rip off our uniforms. “Damn this cold weather gear.” I groaned, yanking off my jacket and throwing it onto the floorboard.

  The cold air mixed with the heat that was radiating from our bodies, fogging up the windows of the car within seconds. The back seat was cramped as fuck but with a little awkward maneuvering, Jessica’s gorgeous curvy body was lying on top of mine. Our lips moved together in a soft, passionate dance as she moaned, sending electricity coursing all throughout my body.
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br />   “Are you sure you’re okay with this?” I asked softly before kissing down the nape of her neck.

  “I wouldn’t have dragged you over here if I was going to have second thoughts. Stop overthinking everything and just kiss me, dammit!” She locked her lips with mine as I muttered, “Yes, ma’am,” against her velvety Cupid’s bow.

  Her fingers trailed up and down my sides before traveling down to glide over my sensitive head.

  Jessica licked her lips as I rolled my head back a bit, letting out a deep groan as she grabbed my dick and started to stroke it firmly.

  “God, I want you so badly.” My voice was gravelly as Jessica began to send me into pure ecstasy.

  “Do you have a condom?” Her words barely broke through my daze of euphoria.

  I stuttered, “I-Inside jacket pocket, in the Altoids container.”

  Jessica grabbed the tin out of my coat, flipping open the lid to find my hidden stash. She started to giggle. “You have condom mints.” She sniggered a little harder. “Get it? Like condiments.”

  I shoved up onto one elbow, laughing with her a little. “Can’t keep ’em in my wallet, so I had to find somewhere else to hide them.”

  Ripping open the foil wrapper with her teeth, Jessica slid the condom down my shaft then positioned herself over me. With a deep breath in, she locked her deep blues with mine, letting the head of my dick glide into her slick opening. As my length started to fill her, she gasped. Tight did not do her justice—I could barely keep my composure.

  Dead puppies.

  Granny panties.

  Fuck.

  Her hips rocked in rhythm with mine as our breathing and pace quickened. It was the most intimate moment I had ever shared with someone else. It wasn’t that we were breaking every rule, it wasn’t how incredibly sexy Jessica was as her tits bounced while she rode my dick, and it wasn’t even how intoxicating her audible cries of pleasure were—it was that in that those minutes, we were the only two people on earth, completely and totally engulfed by each other.

  “Oh fuck, Sean.” Jessica cried out as her body started to tremble, sending me right into my own climax. My body started to shake as her pussy tightened and pulsed around my cock.

  “Jess, you’re perfect,” I whispered as her head fell onto my chest.

  “So, what do we tell everyone at work?” Jessica whispered into my ear as I stroked her cheek with the back of my hand.

  “Why don’t we worry about that when someone finally catches on? For now, let’s just enjoy the ride.” I kissed her soft lips, pulling her tighter into my arms.

  “I think we need to get back out there before someone realizes we’re missing.” Jess sighed into my chest before propping her chin up to look at me.

  “Ugh! Why is that a thing?” I complained, tightening my grip around her.

  “Duty calls, babe. Besides, we might be able to get off in time to make a late appearance at the Hayes’ party this evening.” Jess started to sort through the pile of clothes we had thrown onto the floorboard of the car.

  “Do you really think that’s a good idea?” I asked, not sure I would be able to hide the I-just-banged-my-hot-partner smile that was sure to be emblazoned on my face for the remainder of the evening.

  “If Myla finds out we got off of work in time and didn’t stop by, it will be both of our heads. Are you ready to deal with her feisty wrath? Because I sure as shit am not.”

  “Fine,” I reluctantly agreed. McBee did have a good point, after all.

  Chapter 11

  McBee

  “Yay! You guys made it!” Myla squealed as Sean and I walked into her and Gavin’s oversized penthouse. She was in true Myla form, bouncing over with a bottle of Moet gripped in her fist. “Gavin! Get the Tito’s!” she hollered over her shoulder before hooking her tiny arms around my middle nestling her head right in my boobs.

  “Happy we could make it.” I squeezed her back with a giggle.

  “Come in, come in.” She grabbed my hand, dragging us over to the makeshift bar where Jordan was shaking an Austin Apple for me already.

  “Got you behind the bar even on your night off, I see.” Sean went around to hug Jordan and grab a beer out of the fridge.

  Jordan shrugged, straining my drink into a tall glass. “You know how I am, Whistler—always gotta be hustlin’.” She started giggling as Will Crosby, the goalie for the Otters, made his way over, looking dapper in a dark blue sport coat and dark jeans.

  I felt completely underdressed as I scanned the room from my barstool while Jordan made goo goo eyes at her long-term crush. I was sporting neon unicorn and rainbow leggings, an enormous sweater, and hot pink Nikes—it was all I’d had in my locker down at the station. It was almost one in the morning, and there was no way in hell I was going to head all the way to my apartment to change. I was dead tired and if I’d seen my bed, I would not have been able to resist the temptation to climb into it on the spot. At least Sean was in faded jeans and an old Otters’ shirt.

  “Hey guys.” Crosby smiled at me as he shook Sean’s hand. “How’s it going on the thin blue line?”

  My entire face instantly got hot and turned red as I chewed on my lower lip. It was going to be harder to keep this a secret than I’d thought.

  “It was great tonight,” Sean answered quickly for us. “We worked the charity concert in Times Square. McBee’s first concert on the job was extremely successful and pretty entertaining, to say the least.”

  It wasn’t unlike Sean to build me up, especially around friends, but my entire body buzzed on the spot. The small reference—if that was even what it was—went right over Jordan and Will’s heads as they moved the conversation right along to The Hysterics and how well their new album was doing.

  “You know, the team got to meet all the band members and their crew not too long ago. They were at an away game we had in Chicago. Great group of guys.” Crosby’s statement just rolled off his tongue so naturally, like it wasn’t the biggest deal in the entire world.

  Internally, I was freaking out—firstly, for the secret sexcapade Sean and I just had, and then because one of the hockey players of my favorite team was sitting in a condo with me, talking about my favorite band. It was all too surreal.

  “How’s everything going with Mindie?” Sean asked coolly as he shot me a knowing glance. He could totally read my internal fangirl all over my face.

  Crosby smiled wide. “The divorce is final, thank fucking God.”

  Jordan’s face lit up instantly. “So glad that nightmare is finally ending for you.”

  It sucked, but Will Crosby’s marriage crumbling was front-page news all over the city. His wife had been cheating on him while he was on the road and had given birth to another man’s son. All the while, Will had thought everything was fine and had been so excited to become a father. He’d found out by finding paternity test papers in the nightstand in his wife’s hospital room right after her son was born. My heart broke for the guy, but I was so thrilled that he was not having to deal with a lying, cheating bitch anymore. I couldn’t imagine having my dirty laundry aired out for everyone to see, I was proud of Crosby for handing it so well and not letting it all get to him.

  “McBee!” Myla waved frantically, calling me over to the hallway that led to the master bedroom with Karla by her side.

  I hopped off the stool, glancing at Sean. “This oughta be fun.”

  He put his hand on my shoulder. “Nice knowing ya, McBee.”

  Jordan and Will were deep in conversation and had no idea I was even walking away from the group.

  “What’s up?” I asked as Myla slammed the door to her room shut.

  Her husky, Seven, was snoring on the bed, and she barely even lifted her head when we walked in. “What a lazy pup,” Karla remarked before Myla dove into her third degree.

  “Spill.” Myla stood tapping her foot with her hands planted on her hips. “Something is up and you’re going to tell us what it is.”

  I glanced at Karla, who cross
ed her arms and nodded. “Yeah, you wouldn’t normally come this late after a long shift, and Sean hasn’t even tried to talk to Gavin or Brayden yet.”

  Shit. They’re too good.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just too hyped from the amazing concert and I begged Sean to come with me so I wasn’t the only loser here not in appropriate attire.”

  Myla pointed her finger at me with narrowed eyes. “You’re full of shit and you know it. We’re not going to drop it, so you might as well just come clean now.”

  Looking from one best friend to the other, I knew they were going to beat it out of me if need be. “Fine, I did a thing…well, we did a thing.” I threw my hands over my face as it burned, my heart thumping in my ears.

  “Oh! My! Goodness!” Myla started awkwardly swaying her drunken happy dance as she kicked off her black heels.

  “I knew it!” Karla hopped on the bed, starting to pet Seven. “Details,” she demanded.

  “We kissed and then had a little too much fun in the back of our cop car.” I quickly admitted, excited to be telling someone.

  Both of them gasped in unison as I started to pace around the room.

  “This is bad. This is so bad.” Panic started to take over as the words started to reply over and over in my head. I raked my nails over my scalp, pulling at my hair as the reality of what Sean and I had just done sank in.

  “No, this is amazing.” Myla grabbed my arm, pulling me to sit between Karla and her on the bed. “The two of you are meant to be together. We all know it. We all can see it. I am so thrilled you guys finally did something about it.”

  Karla shifted a little as Seven crawled into her lap, resting her head on my thigh. “Look, Myla and I will not tell anyone until you and Sean are ready. We won’t even tell the guys.”

  Karla locked eyes with Myla as she reluctantly agreed to keep the secret. “Yeah, we won’t even tell Gavin or Brayden.”