All the Way (Hot Jocks #2)(60)

One glimpse of my man’s wide smile and that sexy-ass dimple piercing his cheek, and my heart is ready to burst with pride. I’m proud of him for helping bring his team to victory, but more than that, I’m proud to be the one on his arm while he celebrates their big win.

“Wouldn’t you know, it’s my favorite goalie.” I reach out and snag Owen by his shirt, tugging him toward me for a deep congratulatory kiss. PDA isn’t really my thing, but the Hawks are going to the freaking playoffs, after all. I’ve got to kiss my man like the champion he is.

“Favorite goalie? Are you saying you like him better than me?” Morgan interrupts our kiss, pouting briefly before downing a glass of bubbly in one gulp.

Owen laughs, folding me tightly into his arms. “Sorry, dude. There’s only one goalie around here giving her orgasms, so my guess is you’re gonna lose out.”

“Jeez, Owen.” I scoff, swatting his bicep. “Some things are meant to be personal, you know.”

Owen shrugs, accepting a glass of champagne from Teddy, who is filling glasses with one bottle while drinking straight out of another. “My girlfriend is the hottest woman in the state of Washington. You can’t blame a guy for bragging a little.”

Elise, who is on her second glass of champagne and cozied up in Justin’s lap, shakes her head in disbelief. “It’s still so weird to hear you say that, Owen. That Becca is your girlfriend. It’s crazy.”

“I know, right? Can you believe a gorgeous woman like this would make an honest man out of me?” Owen presses a kiss onto my cheek and gives my butt a light slap at the same time. A little bit sweet, a little bit rough. I couldn’t describe him any better than that.

“My brother, the honest man.” Elise laughs, lifting her glass in the air. “Cheers to that.”

“And cheers to the motherfucking Hawks!” Teddy adds, gripping a bottle of champagne and raising it in the air.

We all follow suit, holding our glasses high in what I’m sure will be the first of many toasts tonight.

Before long, we’ve made our way through the bottles of champagne. While the bar has sent out plenty of appetizers to fuel the hungry team, we’re contemplating what to order next to keep this celebration going. Sara and Teddy peruse the menu, trying to make a decision about whether we should order bottle service or get pitchers of beer.

“Whatever you get, just no tequila!” Owen laughs over the crowd. “Not unless you want Becca to start making bad decisions.”

I elbow him in the ribs. “I will remind you that the last time I drank tequila, the stupid decision I made was agreeing to be your girlfriend.”

“And the time before that,” he says with a grin, “you put the moves on me and started this whole thing in the first place.”

I shrug, tugging flirtatiously at the hem of his shirt. “I guess those stupid decisions have benefitted you in the long run then, huh?”

He shoots me a devilish grin as his hands wander down my hips, finding the curve of my ass and giving it a squeeze.

“On second thought,” he whispers, nipping at my ear before turning his attention back to Teddy. “Actually, dude. Whatever they’ve got top shelf for tequila, let’s do bottle service of that. I’m looking to have a fucking good night.”

I chuckle and lean back against Owen’s broad chest. He rests his chin on the top of my head as we stand together, and I love the feeling of being safe in his strong arms. He really is an amazing boyfriend—loving and funny and thoughtful.

It’s surprised everyone how devoted and sweet he is, but he’s still Owen. He’s still a little adorably douchey—like when he’s traveling for an away game and sends me a dick pic because he misses me. And yeah, that actually happened. Twice.

But he makes me laugh every single day, and I was way overdue for some laughter in my life.





24




* * *





No Place Else





Owen



Several drinks later, we’re seated around a long table, reliving all the best moments of our win against Boston. My heroic save in the third period comes up, and I can’t help the smile lifting my lips as the guys do a damn fine job of stroking my ego.

There are so many things I love about playing goalie, although I used to be resistant to the idea. When I was younger, I wanted to be one of the ones out on the center ice—making plays, checking my opponents, and hearing the fans go wild when I scored.

Now I love it. Getting to play the entire game is high on the list of things I enjoy most, as is the feeling I get when my teammates each greet me at the net at the end of the game, knocking their helmet against mine, or giving me a thump on the back as if to say thank you.

“Just don’t try to stop the puck with your face next time,” Teddy says, tipping his beer in my direction.

“Eh. Whatever it takes. Am I right, bro?” Asher adds, giving me a wink from across the table.

Becca gives me a death glare and waits for me to answer.

I’m not saying anything. I may get my dick sucked tonight. Old Owen would blurt this out loud and get an eye roll. New Owen knows how to keep his trap shut. And may still get his dick sucked.

Winning!

I used to think I wasn’t boyfriend material, but now I see that I am. It just took the right girl to make me want to settle down. And that girl? She’s currently tucked into my side, resting her head on my shoulder.