Body Checking (Men of Havoc #3)

12

I SIT in my office looking at some type of paper with some type of writing and lines, but none of it computes. The only thing on my mind is Maren. Maren on her knees. Maren on her back. Maren moaning. Maren screaming. Maren begging for more, more, more.

Our first night turned into our first morning, that turned into a second night at my place, followed by a sleepover and breakfast. I was proud of myself for making pancakes and bacon and coffee for Maren. It wasn’t quite the fluffy scrambled eggs with chives layered on top of bacon, resting on a toasted buttered bagel covered with sharp cheddar cheese and presented with a bowl of fresh fruit that Maren served, but it was good enough.

We parted ways after finishing up, and I’ve been in a funk ever since. I’m staring at the clock and counting down the minutes until I can see her again at the game tonight. After tonight we’ll separate for five days when we head out of town again. And even though I’ve had but a taste, I’m already addicted to her.

“Knock, knock Coach.” I look up from my daze and see Santos standing there with his pregame sweats and t-shirt.

“Come in,” I tell him and point to my chair. “Whatchu need, Santos?”

He sits down slowly like a kid sitting in the principal’s office, and it worries me that he’s done something to behave that way.

“Nothin’ really. I just…I want to apologize for how I acted when we first found out about Sw-Maren. It was disrespectful and I would’ve lost my goddamn mind if anyone did that to Jolie. It was wrong and I’m really sorry.” His head hangs low and his fingers fidget in his lap.

I sit up straighter and stare at him. He’s a leader on this team, on and off the ice, despite his young age. And this right here, this apology when one isn’t really warranted, proves that I’ve made the right decision in putting my trust in him when it comes to this team.

“You’re a good man, Santos, and I appreciate your apology. It isn’t necessary, but I’ll take it just the same.” He looks up with a grin as if surprised to hear my reaction was anything but yelling. “Don’t look so surprised.”

His mouth does the fish open and close a few times before speaking. “I mean, do you blame me? ”

I sigh. “I guess you’re right about that.”

He gives me almost a shy smile. “You know, Maren is good for you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile and I’ve seen you do it at least three times since you started speaking with her.”

I furrow my brow and deepen my voice. “Don’t tell anyone or you’re doing extra sprints.”

His boyish crooked grin returns and he tells me, “You got it, Hammer.”

I growl and he jumps up, probably remembering the last time he was in my office and a stack of sticky notes almost caught him in the face.

The game ended in a hard loss and it has the entire team down. It was tied one-to-one in the third with only minutes left. While the other team had control, Bicknelle –my center– left his position to put pressure on the puck. My wings got to work as they moved into five on a die. Bicknelle moved to take away the high slot on a high screen while Karlsen –my D1– watched the guy on the weak side and Jarvis –my D2– watched the strong side. My defense put good pressure and the right wing was forced to dump the puck.

Bicknelle moved in, made eye contact with Jarvis and they both read the play. Bicknelle positioned himself to pick the puck up and wheel behind the net to make some space. He checked over his shoulder to see defense on him, and looked in front of him to see the weak side player just waiting to take that puck from him. He checked his right side and saw Ludwig open and waiting to take the puck on the swing. But right as Bicknelle was about to pass, something caught his attention away from the play and his pass ended up in the hands of the opponents F3 who was positioned in the high zone and was able to slap it in for a goal and light the lamps.

Now I drag myself back to my office to grab my bag and get the hell out of here. I’m in need of some cheering up and only one person can do that for me. I sit down at my desk for just a few moments to make some notes when Golden peeks his head inside my door.

“Hey Coach,” he calls, drawing my attention. “Just want to say sorry about the loss. We’ll get them next time.”

“We will,” I assure him.

“Oh, and there are a couple of pretty ladies out here waiting for you.” My face instantly changes from grouchy and irritated to happy. “What the fuck is that? ”

“What’s what?” I ask.

“That thing on your face? It looks like–like a smile. But that can’t be right. Got indigestion maybe?”

“Get out of here you shit.” He laughs and jogs off and I toss my bag over my shoulder and walk out.

Just as I shut the door behind me and turn around, Maren waits there, her beautiful face with a small smile glowing. Her friend Sasha stands right beside her but she doesn’t look at me. She watches Golden as he disappears down the hall.

“Hey gorgeous. What a wonderful sight you are.” I pull her into my arms and kiss her, finally feeling like I can breathe without the weight of the world on my shoulders.

We separate and she touches my scruffy face. “Sorry about the loss, Hammer. Good try.”

I shrug and play it off like it’s not a big deal. “Can’t win ‘em all.”

Her nails rake through my short beard and the sparkle in her eye tells me she’s feeling more than just lukewarm feelings, too. I feel like my life is moving as fast as the game I love, changing from one second to the next, but this isn’t a game and I don’t think I can lose. Not with Maren.

“Okey dokey. I’m ready to go. Why don’t you two sickening lovesick kids have a good night. I’m heading home.” Sasha joins us, having lost sight of Golden .

“Don’t you want me to go with you? I hate to have you driving alone.” Maren, being the good person she is, says with worry lacing her voice.

Sasha bats her hand in front of her with a “Psssh. I’m fine. I brought my mace and stun gun. No one’s gonna mess with me. And if they do, they’re in for a shock of a lifetime. Get it?” She cracks up and I admit, I chuckle too.

“Lord, you’re crazy. Let us drive you to your car?”

“Maren,” Sasha chastises.”I. Am. Fine. Go with your man and I’ll walk. I’m from the tough streets of H-Town. I can do this.” She flexes her arm and the smallest muscle bulges in her thin arm.

“Sasha. You grew up in Bel-Air Heights. That is hardly the tough streets. The toughest thing about that neighborhood was a pothole in the street.” Maren smacks her arm and rolls her eyes.

“Yeah, Sasha. We can drive you. You’re not walking by yourself. It would make us both feel better,” I add.

Just then, Bram comes sauntering down the hall and his eyes focus on the ladies. He eyes them like a hungry predator and when he looks up to see me glaring at him, I clench my jaw and slowly shake my head.

This fucker has been a pain in my ass all season and I’m on the verge of begging the owners to trade him. Let him try anything and I’ll sack his sorry ass right here .

“Hey Coach. Shitty game, right? If Bicknelle wouldn’t have fucked up that pass I could’ve scored.” His cocky grin has me wringing my hands with anger.

“It was a team loss, Ludwig. Nothing is one person’s mistake. That’s something you should learn real quick if you want to be on my team.” His nostrils flare and his eyes darken.

“Sorry Coach. You’re right.” My head cocks back like it’s been punched, very surprised by his remark. “I heard you talking about escorting someone to their car.”

Sasha suddenly arches a brow with a sultry smile. “Yeah. Me. These two are running off and leaving me to walk all by myself to my car.”

Maren’s mouth falls open and I bite my tongue, trying not to laugh.

“Well that isn’t very nice. Why don’t I drive you there. I’ve got nowhere to be and nothing to do right now, and I would hate for something to happen to such a beautiful young lady.”

Maren gives Sasha another dramatic eye roll and this time I do laugh.

“Thank you….” Sasha lets her words trail as if to wait for Ludwig to introduce himself.

I don’t know for a fact, but I’m pretty certain she knows exactly who he is .

“Bram. Bram Ludwig. Superstar left wing.” He holds his hand out for her and she slides hers in. “And you would be?”

“Sasha Carroll. Best friend extraordinaire.” They smile at each other and then Sasha says, without taking her eyes off Bram, “Okay. I’ll call you tomorrow Mare. Bye, love you.”

Bram holds his elbow out, Sasha grabs it and they walk off without a second look at either of us.

“He better be on his best behavior with her,” I mumble.

Maren flips her head to look at me and scoffs, “Oh I think Bram is the one who should be worried. Sasha’s a country girl who can shoot a gun and gut a fish. She has no problem doing the same to a man. I’ve been meaning to get her a sign to hang from her neck that reads Caution. Wild Animal will bite. ”

I laugh and watch her face light up, her cheeks tinging pink and her lips glossy and plump. I know where we are. I know I should refrain, but all of my good sense is nowhere to be found when Maren is near. My hand cups her jaw and I pull her face to mine. I kiss her hard, my mouth swallowing her moans, and I grow hard remembering what her face looked like when I made her moan while I ate her as she was spread out on my kitchen countertop .

“Let’s get out of here before the people remaining in this arena get a show I don’t want them to see.” My hand slides from her face, tracing over her curves, and my hand comes to rest with hers.

I lace her fingers with mine and lead us out of the arena. Our eyes stay zoned in on one another the entire way to my truck, and I’m shocked that neither of us runs into a wall with how focused we are on the other. But I remember that Maren is the light, guiding me and all I have to do is follow.