Breakout (A Dallas Demons Hockey Romance)

by Ellis, Aven

His eyes light up again, and I feel a tingling sensation sweep through me.

  “What do you edit?”

  Since odds are zero that Niko would be interested in the redhead with messy hair and no makeup, I might as well reveal my inner nerd to him.

  “I edit little features of the Demons. I try to make it whenever they have a Saturday practice at home so I can shoot. Then I edit the video and add music and effects, just to see what I can do with it.”

  Niko’s eyes remain locked on mine. “Why the Demons?”

  “Because I’m a Puck Slut.”

  Niko’s eyes widen in surprise, and I flash him a smile.

  “I’m kidding. I’m not a Puck Slut,” I say. “I love hockey. I have ever since I went to my first game as a little girl.”

  A slow, sexy grin passes over his face. “I don’t know, Puck Sluts love hockey, too.”

  I laugh. “Love hockey or the players?”

  “Touché.”

  We both share a laugh.

  “Still, editing is an interesting hobby to have,” Niko says.

  “I wish it were more than a hobby,” I admit, picking at the edge of my notebook. “I would love to edit sports. That’s what I studied in school. TV and editing.”

  “Me, too.”

  I jerk my head toward him. “Are you serious?”

  Niko grins. “Yeah, I majored in Electronic Media and Film at Townson University. That’s north of Baltimore.”

  I feel my jaw drop. “I can’t believe it. I was in the Film-TV-Digital Media program at TCU.”

  “So you really do know how to edit,” Niko says.

  I nod enthusiastically. “I do, and I love it.”

  “I can tell.”

  “You can?”

  “Your eyes reflect it,” Niko says softly.

  My breath catches in my throat. He noticed that? Nobody has ever noticed that before.

  “You can see that?” I ask, surprised.

  “Yeah. Your eyes lit up when you mentioned the program at TCU.”

  Oh I really hope he can’t read my eyes right now because they would scream how interested I am in him.

  “So what do you do?” I ask, trying to refocus my brain. “Are you with the media?”

  “I am,” Niko says. “But I’m new to Dallas. I recently moved here, actually.”

  “Really?” I ask, curious. “Where from? Baltimore?”

  “No, Seattle.”

  I furrow my brow. Somewhere in the back of my brain I remember Amanda talking to me and Kenley about someone she knew moving here from Seat—

  I’m trying to pull it out of my memory when I hear a familiar voice call Niko’s name.

  “Hey, Niko, are you ready for our meeting?”

  I turn around and see Ryan approach us. I wrinkle my brow in confusion.

  “Ryan?” I know Amanda’s husband had filled in on the Demons package while they were searching for a new producer, as they abruptly had to fire theirs a month ago. But now that they had hired one, I didn’t expect to see Ryan at the rink anymore.

  “Hey, Lexi, I didn’t know you knew Niko,” Ryan said, flashing me a smile.

  Suddenly I remember who Amanda said was moving from Seattle.

  The new Dallas Demons TV producer.

  And with a shock I realize who that is.

  Niko.

  Chapter 3

  The One Online Dating Service Profile Question: How much do you like to reveal to a potential match on a first meeting?

  My write-in answer: Did I tell the sexy new Dallas Demons producer what a hockey fan, editing nerd I am?

  Oh.my.God.

  Niko is the Dallas Demons producer?

  The one I just revealed I like to do edits on my phone to?

  Ack! This is mortifying. Niko is a professional producer. I’m the geek editing videos on her freaking iPhone.

  I debate taking the bleachers two at a time in an effort to escape. This is humiliating. He must think I’m a total hockey nerd.

  Or worse, a Puck Slut, because I had to bring that up. What if he thinks I am, in the back of his mind?

  And I’m beginning to hate the fact that my life is worse than that stupid Kevin Bacon game, and I hate this with the intensity of a thousand burning suns.

  “Do you know each other from practices?” Niko asks, shifting his gaze from me to Ryan.

  Oh no. What if he thinks I’m a groupie? Shooting video because I think the players are hot?

  And now I know my face is flaming with the intensity of a thousand burning suns.

  Ryan laughs. “No. Lexi is like my kid sister. I’ve known her since college.”

  Kid sister. Perfect add on. Now I’m known as the nerd editing, groupie, Puck Slut, kid sister girl.

  This can’t get any worse.

  “Really?” Niko asks, his brows shooting up.

  “Yeah, Lexi is best friends with my wife’s sister. She’s also dating Johansson.”

  Niko turns to me. “You’re dating Nate Johansson?”

  Somebody please run a Zamboni over me. Now.

  “No,” I say, trying to control the blush I feel creeping up my neck. “My best friend is. Kenley. She’s Ryan’s sister-in-law.”

  Ryan slings an arm about my shoulders. “Which makes Lexi my other sister-in-law,” he says affectionately. “Right, kiddo?”

  Okay, Ryan can stop making me sound like I’m sixteen anytime now.

  “Right,” I say, forcing a smile on my face.

  “Wow, small world,” Niko says.

  “Very Kevin Bacon,” I quip. “With me playing the part of Kevin Bacon.”

  “What?” Ryan asks, a lost expression passing over his face, “What on earth are you talking about, Lexi?”

  “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon,” Niko says easily.

  Holy shit, Niko knows what I’m talking about?

  And despite this entire mortifying interaction, butterflies shift in my stomach again.

  “Um, still lost,” Ryan says, interrupting my thoughts, “but we have a meeting to go to.”

  “Right.” Niko turns to me. “Final planning for me to take over the broadcast on Monday night.”

  “Good luck,” I say. “And congrats on the new job.”

  “Thank you,” Niko says, his blue eyes on mine. “I’m glad to be here.”

  Yeah, I’m glad you’re here, too.

  “So I’ll see you around?” Niko asks.

  I swallow nervously. I’ve obviously lost my mind, or really do have a concussion, because I hope Niko means that and isn’t just saying that as a closing expression.

  “You totally will.” Ryan playfully punches me on the arm like an annoying big brother. “Lexi is always here shooting players. Especially Harrison Flynn.”

  Shit! My face burns hot, and if I didn’t love Ryan so much I’d kill him.

  “Right,” I say, embarrassed beyond belief.

  Because now Niko thinks I’m a hockey stalker.

  “Well, nice meeting you,” Niko says, nodding at me.

  “Thank you again for the rescue,” I say.

  “Next time I’ll try not to spill your coffee,” Niko says, flashing me a smile.

  I smile back as he heads off with Ryan, no doubt explaining how he saved me from a head injury.

  As soon as they are out of sight, I sink back down on the bleacher, still in shock about what just happened. Niko is the most interesting and hottest man I’ve ever met. But despite that, I hope I never see him again.

  It’s too humiliating. After that whole exchange, why on earth would he have any interest in me? Niko would not be interested in the nerd girl taping hockey practices in a pathetic attempt to keep any form of sport
s editing dreams alive. Not to date, anyway.

  He’s sexy. Gorgeous. He would date a hot girl, not the editing girl.

  Besides, we only talked briefly. Not enough to make an impression on a guy like him. Except for one I’d like to erase, as me being the editing groupie who is apparently no more mature than a teenager and is obsessed with Harrison Flynn.

  It’s doubtful Niko will even remember this exchange, with all he has going on with the Dallas Demons and his new job.

  But I will.

  I open the door to my apartment in Uptown and step inside. After that disaster of an introduction to Niko, I wasn’t in the mood to shoot anymore. So I left way earlier than usual, got another gingerbread latte, and decided to break into Kenley’s chocolate stash as consolation.

  “You’re back early,” Kenley says, glancing up from her Mac.

  I study her for a moment. She’s sitting cross-legged on our sofa, her wavy blond hair cascading over her plaid flannel shirt and oversized cream cardigan.

  Kenley is truly one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen, but the thing I love about my best friend is her inside is even more beautiful than her outside.

  I drop my bag down on the breakfast bar countertop and slip out of my shoes.

  “I wasn’t feeling creative today,” I say, not willing to re-hash the Niko incident yet. “Do you have some chocolate I can break into?”

  Kenley lifts an eyebrow at me. “Asking me if I have chocolate is like asking if Whole Foods has organics. Of course I do.”

  I laugh. Being that Kenley is a confection consultant, we have an amazing stash of gourmet chocolate in the apartment at all times.

  I go to the cabinet where Kenley keeps her chocolates and rummage through it.

  “I highly recommend the Vosges Mo’s Cinnamon & Sugar Bacon Bar,” Kenley says.

  “Mmmm, you can’t go wrong with chocolate and bacon,” I say, searching for it.

  Kenley laughs. “Tell that to Nate, please. He’s revolted by that concept.”

  I smile as I locate the bar. While Kenley was all about unexpected flavors and combinations, Nate recoils from them. It’s cute, actually.

  “Found it,” I say, grabbing the bar and shutting the cabinet. I head into the living room and sink down on the sofa next to Kenley. “Are you working on your concepts for Casino Night?”

  Kenley nods excitedly. “Yes. I need to knock this one out of the park. It’s a huge event, and I’m not only representing myself, but Nate, too, you know?”

  “I do,” I say, agreeing with her. “And you’ll nail it like you always do.”

  “Thanks.” Kenley shifts her eyes back to her screen and resumes keying on her computer. “I’m still surprised you’re back. You never leave practices early.”

  I open the candy bar box and slide the bar out so I can un-wrap the foil. “I wasn’t feeling it today.”

  Then I will her to let it go so I can eat some chocolate and pretend I never met Niko.

  “Hmmm,” Kenley says, her brow furrowed as she reads her screen.

  I pop a piece of the candy into my mouth and notice my sweater has coffee splatters down the sleeve. Oh, brilliant. The whole time I’m revealing my inner nerd to the hottest man ever, I have coffee all over my sweater.

  Fantastic.

  He’s so never going to acknowledge me again.

  Kenley stops typing and I can tell she’s reading something. I savor my chocolate, which is crazy good, and reach for the remote to turn the volume up on the Food Network.

  “So nothing happened at practice today?” she asks me again.

  “No,” I say, stuffing another piece of chocolate into my mouth.

  “Are you sure?”

  I stop eating and glance at her. Kenley is staring at me with a cocked eyebrow, as if she doesn’t believe me.

  “What?”

  “I don’t know,” Kenley says breezily. “According to Amanda, practice was quite eventful for you today.”

  Ugh.

  “It’s too embarrassing to rehash,” I declare miserably.

  “Fight through it.”

  I close my eyes. “Abridged version. A smoking-hot guy named Niko fell on me to protect me from getting hit in the head with a puck. I reveal I love taping practices and have dreams of editing. Ryan shows up, makes me sound like a Puck Slut who has the maturity of a sixteen-year-old. Hot guy turns out to be brand new Dallas Demons producer. Mortification ensues. He goes to a meeting. I come home and stuff myself with chocolate. The end.”

  “I feel another chapter here. Not ‘The End,’” Kenley declares.

  I snort and break off another piece of chocolate. “No.”

  “Well, you might be ready to write ‘The End,’” she says, “but Niko isn’t.”

  I jerk my head toward her. “What?”

  “He just asked Ryan for your cell number.”

  Chapter 4

  The One Online Dating Service Profile Question: What is your ideal first date? A romantic dinner for two with wine and candlelight? An adventure, like zip-lining, or taking a ride in a hot air balloon? Catching a scary movie and sharing popcorn?

  My write-in answer: I’d be happier if it simply involved conversation and a gingerbread latte from Starbucks . . .

  I feel my heart stop beating for a moment.

  Niko asked Ryan for my number?

  “What?” I ask, shocked. “He did?”

  Kenley’s face lights up. “Yes! That’s what Amanda messaged me. Ryan said as they were leaving the Demons facility Niko asked for it. Do you realize what this means? He’s interested.”

  “No,” I say, firmly shaking my head. I ignore how my heart is now jumping against my ribcage as I continue. “He can’t be. Not after everything I told you. Niko should be certified insane if he was interested after all of that.”

  “Would you stop? He’d be crazy not to ask you for your number, Lexi.”

  “Right.”

  Kenley’s eyes flicker. I can tell she’s annoyed with me. She puts her laptop aside and faces me.

  “When are you going to see yourself for who you really are?”

  “A lunatic?” I quip. “Don’t worry, I’m already there.”

  Kenley lets out an exasperated sigh. “Yes, I’m sure he’s asking for your number because you’re a flake. It’s high on the list of things guys want in a girl. It has nothing to do with the fact that you are a gorgeous redhead, I’m sure he never noticed that.”

  My face starts to burn. I hate when Kenley does this, it’s so embarrassing.

  “And I’m sure Niko didn’t notice your sense of humor, hockey knowledge, or intelligence when you talked to him.”

  “Okay, stop.”

  “Someday I’m going to get you to see yourself for the amazing woman that is Lexi Stewart,” Kenley declares. “And you will love yourself like I do. Or maybe Niko is the man for that job.”

  “He is not,” I protest.

  “Tell me one other reason why he’d call you other than interest.”

  I pause for a moment.

  And my pulse jumps when I realize there’s no other reason for him to call me.

  “Ah-ha!” Kenley declares. “Niko’s interested.”

  For once, I allow myself to feel hopeful. That maybe, just maybe, a guy I find interesting and attractive could be interested in me just like I’m interested in him?

  “So tell me about him,” Kenley says eagerly.

  I grab a throw pillow and hug it to my chest. “Okay,” I say, tucking my legs up underneath me so I’m in position to dish. “You know when you meet someone and you’re instantly attracted to them? That’s what it was like. He’s gorgeous, Kenley.”

  “Details. Full report. Leave nothing out.”
<
br />   I laugh. “Okay. I’ll start with his looks. Niko is hot. Dangerous, smoking, sexy, super-hot. He’s got this whole dark Mediterranean thing going on: jet-black hair, olive skin, five o’clock shadow. But his eyes are surprisingly blue. Like an ocean.”

  Kenley is silent for a moment as she absorbs my words. Then a huge smile passes over her face.

  “I’ve never heard you talk about a guy in swoony detail.”

  My face grows hot. “I’m not swooning,” I protest. “I’m using descriptive detail like you demanded.”

  Of course, we both know that’s a lie.

  I’m totally swooning over Niko.

  Kenley raises her eyebrows, and I know she’s not buying that for a second.

  “Oh, right. Go on. With descriptive detail,” she teases.

  I can’t help but smile at that. But I proceed to tell my best friend about him, at least as much as I know, right down to the Kevin Bacon game connection.

  “I felt this chemistry with him right off the bat,” I admit. “I didn’t want to stop talking to him.” I pause for a moment. It’s always scary for me to be vulnerable, even with my closest friend. “I think he’s someone I could like if given the chance.”

  “I can tell he is,” Kenley says softly. “So don’t be afraid to open yourself up to the opportunity. It might lead to something you never expected to find.”

  I’m about to respond when my phone rings.

  We both freeze.

  “Check it!” Kenley cries.

  My heart leaps in response. Okay, am I going to be sixteen every time my cell rings now? Waiting to see if he is going to call?

  Why yes. Yes I am.

  And I make no apologies for it.

  I reach for my phone off the coffee table and flip it over.

  “I don’t know this area code,” I say, my pulse picking up.

  “It could be him. Answer it!”

  “It could be telemarketing.’

  “Lexi!”

  I draw a breath of air and answer my phone, hoping this isn’t a call offering me a free cruise. Or a new low-interest credit card.