Destiny on Ice (Boys of Winter #1)(42)

Let’s just say, like they do in this gambling town, that if that ever happens, all bets on us not touching each other again are off.





The Season Starts Off with a Bang, Though Not the Kind I’d Like





Who knew Thor from the party would turn out to be one of Brent’s teammates?

When I return to my bedroom I take out the file the team provided on Benjamin Perry. Just as I remembered, and like in Brent’s folder, there are no pictures.

What do they think, that everyone on the planet loves hockey and knows these guys?

Well, you’re starting to do both.

“Good point.”

I want nothing more than to call my sister and share with her all the events of late. First off, I’d tell her about Benjamin Perry. She’d die if she knew Thor—ah, I mean Benny—is my client’s friend. But then again, maybe it’s for the best that Lainey not be involved. Though Benny is supposedly clean and sober, his manwhoring ways are well-documented in the file. I seriously doubt that behavior was addressed in rehab. He’s probably still a player.

Crap, I feel bad thinking about him like that. He’s actually a really nice, likable guy. That’s also going to make it hard to keep in mind that I need to watch Brent around him. One of the things the team wants reined in is Brent’s womanizing. Not a problem thus far, but hanging with Benny could lead to that kind of bad behavior starting back up.

I’m thankful I haven’t seen that side of Brent. I would’ve simply been annoyed early on, but with my burgeoning feelings for him now in play, I’d be livid if he started whoring around. I’d also be insanely jealous. Eye-gouging might occur, and maybe even some hair-pulling. Not that I’d have any right, as I have no claim on the guy. But damn it all to hell! I do have feelings for him, strong feelings.

That’s why what happened in my room can never happen again. No matter how much I want it to. My job isn’t to seduce the guy, though how much fun would that be? My job is to keep him on track. And that means keeping my own damn self under control when it comes to the lust department.

That becomes supremely difficult when a couple weeks later I attend the home opener, a game kicking off the new season.

Sweet baby Jesus!

Who knew Brent Oliver would be so breathtakingly beautiful on the ice? Not only is he a pretty skater, all fluid-like and graceful, but he’s fast as hell and his skills are off the charts.

I ask you, what’s more appealing than a man who’s good at what he does?

Nothing, I say.

Hell, I should’ve gotten into hockey sooner. I’m into it now thanks in large part to Benny. He’s still diligently continuing with my hockey lessons, and there’s been a lot more of them since that night in Brent’s living room.

Benjamin Perry’s commitment to teach me all I need to know about hockey, so I’ll be ready for the regular season, is paying off. When I say it’s with a whole new appreciation that I watch Brent play, I’m not kidding.

And he is nothing short of mesmerizing.

In the stands, I watch the home opener with rapt attention. When Brent makes a spot-on drop pass to Nolan, resulting in a goal within the first five minutes of play, I go nuts. The crowd goes crazy right along with me. It’s like we’re all in this together.

“I love hockey!” I yell out as I’m caught up in the moment.

In the second period, just as an opponent is blatantly hooking him, Brent scores a beautiful goal of his own, making the score 2-0. I’m excited he scored, but I’m mad at the refs for not calling an obvious penalty. What if that player’s stick had hit Brent in the face?

Perish the thought!

Rising to my feet, I scream, “Hey, Ref, are you blind? That was a hooking infraction.”

The official doesn’t hear me. No one does. People are too busy celebrating that we scored. They’re all chanting, “OPS, OPS,” in recognition of Brent’s line.

I cheer too when I give up on having the penalty get called. Some even more enthusiastic fans than me are pounding on the Plexiglas, celebrating the goal. We’re all in the front row, so when Brent looks over I give him a thumbs-up that makes him smile.

God, his smile. I am so putting Brent 51 to use tonight. I may have vowed not to get physical with the real man, but that doesn’t mean I can’t think about him in that way. I do all the time anyway, and it makes my moments spent with his namesake that much more fun.

The next couple of games are just as amazing as the first. I attend both and cheer like the lunatic fan I’m fast becoming. When we finish up with our home stint I’m called in for a progress meeting with Coach Townsend and Mr. Dolby.

Everyone is pleased I’m keeping Brent sober, away from women, and fully focused on hockey.

“Whatever you’re doing,” Mr. Dolby says to me with a rare smile, “keep it up.”

“My being in Brent’s life is definitely making a difference,” I candidly agree. “He’s been a wonderful client, so far. And I’m happy to report we’ve really clicked.”

Oh, if they only knew to what extent those words ring true.

“Well, if that’s the case,” the coach chimes in, “maybe we should think about extending your contract beyond December.”

“Uh…”

I’m torn, so I do my best to hide my emotion. They can’t know my real thoughts. Extending the contract guarantees I’ll spend more time with Brent—and that would be great—but the no-fraternization clause would remain in full effect. If I’m done with Brent in December, as originally planned, then he and I would be free to explore our feelings. And I’d definitely like to do that.