Karla shoved my arm then pointed to the door. “Let the games begin,” she whispered.

  “She’s really pretty,” I remarked, eyeing the newcomer up and down. “Do we know her name?”

  In a low voice, Karla answered, “It’s some type of food—Olive, I think.”

  After they made their rounds and took seats to get ready for the faceoff, I sat down right next to Griffin and his friend. I introduced myself to her. She was in fact named Olive and was sweet and excited to be at her first hockey game.

  Even Griffin was on the tease Jordan about Crosby train. “Wearing your beau’s jersey, I see,” he said, badgering me while jabbing me lightly in the ribs. I knew he thought it was all in good fun, but I was getting sick of people remarking on my lack of romance with the one guy I truly wanted.

  “Hush, Griff. Don’t think I won’t kick your ass like I did when you were a punk kid.” I sneered.

  Griff threw his hands in the air. “I was eleven and you were sixteen—talk about an unfair fight, and you’re a girl. I held back.”

  Olive leaned over to get into our conversation. “Have all of you known each other your whole lives?”

  I jumped right into the long explanation of the tangled web of how we were all connected in this crazy group. “I went to high school with Gavin and Sean.” I pointed to Sean, who raised his mixed drink in the air at the mention of his name. “Myla is Brayden Cox’s sister and Gavin’s wife, and Karla is Brayden’s wife. Jessica is Sean’s wife, and they were actually partners on the force before their relationship blossomed into a love affair. Oh, and Simon is Myla’s boss turned GBF.”

  “GBF?” Olive questioned, looking over to Simon, who was walking over to us while holding Olive’s friend’s hand.

  “Gay best friend,” he explained.

  “Hey Shaw, you’re my GBF!” Olive smiled over at her guy friend, who was turning all shades of red.

  “They’re the best, aren’t they?” Myla asked Olive, and they both dove into a conversation as to why it is better to have a gay guy as a best friend than anything else.

  “She’s great,” I murmured to Griffin before getting up to get us a few more beers.

  His smile consumed his entire face from the second I got up to the moment I returned. “I can’t believe it, to be honest,” he admitted, taking the Coors Light bottle from my hand.

  “What’s that?”

  “How my life could change in a few days just because I met a girl.” He thumbed the label on the bottle, still grinning like a little kid with his first crush.

  “I’m happy for you, Griffin. You deserve to be with someone you truly care about and have a deep connection with.”

  “Thanks Jordan, that means a lot. How’s everything going with you?” He pointed to the number on my jersey—thirty-three, Crosby’s number.

  I chewed on the inside of my lip. “Why won’t anyone leave me alone about Will? We’re just friends.”

  Griffin leaned farther back in his seat. “Because we all see what the two of you are too scared to admit to each other, or even yourselves. We’ve all known for years. Shit, I can see it, and I am barely ever around. That must mean something.”

  “Yeah, I still don’t know.”

  The game started and within the first three minutes, Brayden was fighting with a dude from the other team and Gavin was trying to calm him down while Crosby threw his gloved hands in the air.

  “When are you going to knock some sense into your man?” Myla asked, eyeing Karla.

  “Hey, he’s your brother—why don’t you try?”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at the sisters-in-law as they playfully argued about how big of a hothead Brayden was and how quick Gavin was to defend him. It had taken those two guys a long time to even tolerate each other. Even as kids, I remembered Gideon Hayes going on and on about how much he couldn’t stand Reggie Cox, Myla and Brayden’s father. They were both players for the Otters way back in the day, and the family feud had started during their rookie seasons. Needless to say, the boys had come a long way from all the petty, nonsense bullshit.

  The rest of the game was uneventful until the last minute of the third period. The visiting team tied the game and it was down to the wire. They were on a power play, so the Otters took Crosby out of the game to get more men out on the ice fighting for the victory.

  “Gah! I can’t watch.” I hid my eyes as Crosby skated to the bench to join his teammates.

  The strategy failed and the Otters had their first loss of the season.

  “Gavin is totally going to blame this one on me, just watch,” I heard Griffin mumble to Myla as he helped her put her jacket on.

  “Oh, he’ll be fine. He’s gotten a lot better about losing over the years.”

  “He does not get that from our father.” Griffin and Olive were holding hands and my heart melted.

  “To the bar?” I asked the group.

  They all agreed and we made our way down the street to where we knew the team would be gathering to lick their wounds from the disappointing loss.

  Chapter 6

  Jordan

  It didn’t take too long for the players to all join us at the dive bar. Sitting in a far booth with Myla and Jess, I couldn’t help but stare when Crosby walked in with the rest of his team. I watched like a creepy stalker as he chugged down a beer and threw back a couple of shots. It was apparent that he was a little salty from the loss, and all I wanted to do was make him feel better.

  “Please, for all of our sakes, just go fucking talk to him.” Myla leaned over the table to give me a little push.

  “Fine. Twist my arm, why don’t you.” I smoothed out my jersey, feeling like an idiot for wearing his number. Even though I had feelings for Will, that didn’t change the fact that he was actually my favorite player on the team. Of course, I loved Gavin with all of my heart and we were practically family, but Crosby was—in my eyes, at least—the best New York Otters player.

  I sheepishly walked up next to Will where he was talking with Griffin and Olive.

  “Bates!” Crosby’s voice boomed as he scooped me up into his arms, twirling me around.

  “Hey Crosby, tough luck out there tonight.” He sat me down on the barstool next to his left and something finally clicked. It was as if we were both looking at each other the way we had wanted to for so long.

  His hand landed on my shoulder as a shit-eating grin spread across his lips. “I think I just hit the level of sloshed where I am too drunk to even give a flying rat’s ass. Everyone loses a game every once in a blue moon—we’re not fucking superheroes or some shit like that.”

  His finger started to play with my hair, brushing it behind my ear, and his touch paralyzed me. I watched as he slowly licked his lips and his gaze narrowed then before I knew what was happening, our lips connected ever so briefly. A low growl came from deep within Crosby as he slid off his seat and grabbed me to throw me against the wall that was right behind us. His fingers weaved into my short hair as he pressed me against the bricks and we finally let our hungry passion spill out.

  The years of pent-up stupid flirting between friends was finally coming to a head, bubbling up and exploding into sheer intensity. Everything else melted away—the other players, the screaming loudness of the bar, the music emanating from the jukebox—it all disappeared. All I could do was close my eyes and feel him—every movement of his hands gripping me, the way his muscles were flexing, the quickness of his breathing, the thirst behind his kiss. Goddamn it, he was such a good kisser. Crosby’s lips moved with mine in the sweet dance of desire and lust.

  Crosby

  I couldn’t believe it—I was actually lip-locked with Jordan. About damn time. I could hear everyone clapping and cheering behind us, but I didn’t give a shit. They all needed to mind their own business when it came to my love life.

  Panting, I pulled away from her. “Wow.” I searched her eyes as she let her head fall back and rest on the bricks behind us.

  “You can say that again.” She had the cutest closed-lipped smile perking up her cheeks as blush dusted over them.

  “A good wow.” I kissed the tip of her nose, tightening my grip around her waist.

  “An incredible wow.” She breathed out a sigh, resting her head on my shoulder.

  I didn’t want to let the moment end, but being in a packed bar with our entire group of friends, I knew it was going to have to end sooner rather than later.

  “Drink?” I asked before kissing the top of her head.

  She nodded into me. “Something with tequila in it.”

  “Oh trust me, I know.” Grabbing her hand, I walked back over to the bar to order us a round.

  Myla popped up next to us. “Just so you know, I am extremely happy right now.” She kissed both of us on the cheek and then scampered away to be engulfed by the hoard of people.

  “This is going to turn into a big thing, isn’t it?” I asked Jordan as she sipped her Paloma Brava.

  “Everyone is drunk, so I’ll be surprised if half of them remember they were here tonight, let alone what friends drunkenly made out in the back corner. People are self-absorbed for the most part.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I didn’t know how to take her comment. Friends drunkenly made out. Does that mean I was right this whole time—she didn’t feel the same as I did? I became even more self-conscious when she hopped off her stool and left me to go talk to Myla some more.

  Jordan

  “Holy fuck!” I yelled into Myla’s ear as she squeezed me.

  “I am so happy for you girl!” She shrilled almost spilling her water from her excitement.

  I wrapped my arm around her waist, walking with her toward the bathroom. “I just don’t know if it was a drunken make out between friends or if it’s the start of an actual thing.”

  “Kiss him,” Myla whispered as we got close to where Crosby was talking to Harding and Griffin.

  “What?” I stopped us short.

  “Kiss him on the cheek as we walk by. If he seems happy about the affection, then it isn’t just a drunken hookup.”

  I did as she told me to, just swiftly pecking his scruffy cheek as I hurried by. I was still holding Myla’s hand as Will’s eyes locked with mine and he gave me a quick wink. Flutters consumed my body as I giggled the rest of the way to the restroom.

  “See! I told you!” Myla said excitedly as she jumped up and down in the bathroom.

  I put my hand on her shoulder. “You, little momma, need to calm your tits—if not for my sake, for little baby Hayes, who is getting a rollercoaster ride in that tummy of yours.”

  “I just can’t help being excited for you guys. I mean, how long has it been?”

  I splashed water on my face while Myla peed in the stall behind me. “About ten years.”

  She exited her stall with her mouth hanging open. “You’ve had a thing for Will Crosby since he and Gavin were rookies?” I couldn’t believe that it has been that long since Gavin introduced Crosby to me when they first became Otters. It felt like a lifetime and a blink of an eye all at once. Where have the years gone?

  “Jordan! You came!” Gavin wrapped me in a bear hug as I made my way into the dimly lit bar.

  “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world! Celebrating with my best friend after his very first win! I mean, you got your very first professional goal tonight. I couldn’t be prouder of you.”

  “Come here, I want you to meet the team.” Gavin took me by the hand and started introducing me to all the Otters players I didn’t already know.

  “And lastly, this is Will Crosby. He’s a new guy too.”

  Will took my hand. “Jordan, a pleasure.”

  I was in awe from the second our skin touched. His dark green eyes, tall, broad build, all the tattoos, his crooked smile and perfect teeth—I was a goner right then and there.

  “I’ll be right back. Anyone else need a drink?” Gavin inquired, and we both asked for new beverages.

  “So, what position do you play?” I I asked trying to keep the conversation moving. I needed to get to know this guy, he was a goddamn dream boat that I wanted to take for a ride.

  “Goalie. I wanted some ice time tonight, but Fisher was on fire and I didn’t blame Coach one bit for keeping in him for that shutout tonight.”

  “It was a pretty awesome game. I got to watch most of it while I was working.”

  He leaned against the high-top table behind him. “So, Gavin and you are childhood friends?”

  I nodded. “How’d you know?”

  “Gavin was so excited for you to come hang out tonight. His girlfriend couldn’t even be bothered, so good job cheering him up.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, Marsheila can be a little self-absorbed.”

  He scoffed. “Just a little. I’ve been hanging out with Gavin since we both joined this team weeks ago and I have yet to even see her call him, let alone meet her.”

  “You know how snobby actresses are—can’t be bothered with much other than what will benefit their careers.”

  “Actually, I have no idea what A-listers are like. I’m from a small town and this is all new to me.” He twirled his finger around while flashing a killer smile at me that made my knees weak.

  “How are you liking the big city so far?”

  “My girlfriend is liking a hell of a lot more than I am.”

  Girlfriend – fucking fantastic. Why do all the hot ones always have someone?

  “I’m sure you’ll end up loving it. There is always something to do and somewhere to go.”

  “Yeah, I am slowly figuring that out.”

  “Is this guy bothering you?” Gavin teased as he us again and we went on talking about the game and the team.

  As Myla and I went back out into the bar, something felt off. We went over to where Sean and Jessica sat with Griffin and his face said it all—he was panicking about something.

  Within minutes we were closing out our tabs and piling into taxis to go to the hospital. Once Will and I were crammed into the back seat with Gavin and Myla, she explained, “Griffin’s girl, Olive, was in an accident. It was really bad.”

  That was all she had to say. We were all a big family, and family sticks together through thick and thin.

  Griffin and Gavin went straight to the nurses’ station to find out where Olive’s room was.

  “Did anyone get ahold of Shaw?” Griffin asked as we squished into the elevator to head up to her floor.

  Myla whipped out her phone. “I’ll call Simon right now.”

  Apparently, while I was intoxicated by Crosby in our love-drunk display of public affection, the two GBFs had been hitting it off back at Simon’s apartment.

  Myla left the details of the situation on Simon’s voicemail. “I hope he checks it soon.”

  “Keep trying him. Olive has a dog that needs to be taken care of.” Griffin was a wreck, and his hands were shaking quite a bit.

  After finding her room, we congregated outside, none of us too sure what we should do. We didn’t know Olive well, but she was important as hell to Griffin, and he was practically my little brother. I wasn’t going to leave his side until he told us to get the hell away from him.

  A young doctor came up to us. “You all must be Olive’s family.”

  Without even missing a beat, Jessica responded, “Yep. Can you tell us how she’s doing?”

  “She is definitely banged up from the accident. She’s kind of out of it, but you are more than welcome to wait in her room for when she wakes up.”

  We all funneled into the tiny space, most of the guys taking seats by Olive’s bedside with Griffin. Myla, Jessica, and I all huddled in the corner, trying to keep ourselves warm.

  “Why are hospitals so damn frigid?” Myla complained, pulling her jacket tighter around her middle.

  “Holy crap!” Shaw burst into the room with Simon right on his heels, and both of them were out of breath.

  Griffin got up to explain to them what had happened. I could not imagine what either of them was going through. Griffin had just found Olive, and now he had to watch helplessly as she lay in bed, bruised and broken from an accident she’d gotten in after leaving him. Shaw seemed to be as close with her as Gavin and I were, and I could totally empathize with him. If I got news that Gavin had been seriously injured, I would go fucking ballistic.

  Shaw and Griffin left the room briefly to get more information from the doctors and so Shaw could fill out some paperwork for Olive’s insurance. Once they were back with coffee for all of us, we hunkered down to wait.

  After about an hour, I heard Griffin’s soft voice coo, “You’re awake.”

  Myla’s head was resting on my shoulder as she snored softly while I continued to eavesdrop on Griffin’s conversation.

  “What happened?” Olive coughed.

  I watched as Shaw sank down on the foot of her bed to explain. “You fell asleep at the wheel and hit a tree.”

  Olive gasped and said, “Oh fuck.”

  Griffin grabbed her hand as a tear rolled down his cheek. “Other than a beat-up car and a dislocated shoulder, you’re all right. The doctor said if you had been going any faster, you might have really done some serious damage. Thank God you’re okay.”

  “Otis!” Olive was in a panic about her dog.

  Shaw patted her leg. “Rhonda has him. I called her right when Griffin got ahold of me.”

  “Thank you.” She looked at Griff, who was wiping his eyes.

  “Anything, babe. When you didn’t call, the gang sprang into action and got here as they were doing their initial tests.”

  Olive sat up as much as she could to look around the room. “You guys didn’t have to come here.”

  Myla rubbed her sleepy eyes, pulling away from my shoulder. “You’re part of the family now, Liv. You better get used to having us around. For better or for worse, you’re stuck with us.”

  Griffin kissed the back of Olive’s hand. “That is, as long as you’ll have us.”