Twin Babies for my Pucking Defenders (Chicago Icebreakers #2)

10. Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Axel

We’re stepping off the ice, and I’m still running the drills in my head when Finn says, “Hey, guys, guess what? My reservation at The Haven just opened up.”

The Haven is a fancy-ass hotel in Chicago. It might be the fanciest.

Declan raises an eyebrow. “When?”

“Tonight.” Finn grins, like he’s just won the damn lottery.

Declan frowns. “Shit, man, I can’t go. Millie and I were supposed to do that painting thing with Chase.”

Millie. Their girl. The one they share with Chase—the guy who showed up once during that whole adorable puppies-for-publicity thing.

I don’t know what the hell I’m thinking, but I say, “I’ll take the reservation.”

Finn’s eyes widen. “You sure?”

“Yeah,” I nod, not even hesitating. “I’ve wanted to go there for years. Maybe when my reservation comes up, you can take it.”

Finn chuckles, “Deal, man.” He pulls out his phone. “I’ll send you the details.”

I’m about to head out when Coach Nate’s voice booms across the rink. “Axel, in my office.”

Shit. I shoot a quick wave at Finn and Declan. “Later, boys.”

“Don’t forget to check your phone,” Finn calls after me as I make my way to Coach’s office.

The door clicks shut behind me. Coach doesn’t even look up from his paperwork. “Spit out the gum.”

I roll my eyes but do it. “Sorry, Coach.”

“How’s physical therapy going?”

“It’s okay.”

“Okay isn’t good enough,” he snaps, finally looking up. “You’re the bruiser of the team, Axel. I need you in tip-top shape.”

I nod, trying not to look like a guilty fucking puppy. “I know, Coach.”

“And that means you’re going to need some one-on-one practice with Carter.”

I scoff before I can stop myself. “Carter’s an insufferable asshole.”

Coach narrows his eyes. “It’s your job as a player to show him the ropes. You think you can manage that, or do I need to find someone who can?”

“Fine,” I mutter, feeling like a kid being sent to the principal’s office. “I’ll deal with it.”

Coach gives me a curt nod. “Good. I’ll have a talk with Carter tomorrow and I expect you to be there.”

“Got it.” I turn to leave, but his voice stops me.

“Get your shit together, Axel.”

I walk out with a mix of irritation and anticipation buzzing in my veins. Coach is right; I do need to get my shit together. But there’s something else. The place I’m heading to tonight—it’s the reason I’m wearing these boxers. I know she’d never admit it, but I caught her staring at me last time.

I make my way to Jade’s office, my heart pounding—not that I’d ever say that out loud. Her door swings open, and there she is, looking fucking perfect in that tight skirt and blouse that hugs her in all the right places. Those green eyes meet mine, and I swear there’s a flicker of something there.

“Hey, Axel.”

“Hey, Jade.” I let her take me in, let her see I’m not just another player—I’m the one she’s been checking out.

“Have a seat,” she says, gesturing to the chair. I settle in, the anticipation thick in the air.

“Take off your pants,” she says, like it’s no big deal. But I see her glance away, and then—yeah, there it is—she’s checking me out from the corner of her eye. I make sure to drag the process out, peeling off my pants nice and slow.

Her breath catches, and for a second, she looks like she’s about to say something, but she just bites her lip instead. My eyes lock onto hers, daring her to admit what we both know she’s thinking.

“Enjoying the view?” I ask, my voice low, teasing.

She rolls her eyes but doesn’t answer, instead focusing on the paperwork in front of her. But I see it. The way her hands tremble just slightly as she writes.

I lean back, enjoying the tension between us. “So, what’s next?”

Jade’s eyes flick up to mine, and there’s that spark again. “Just try to relax,” she mutters, clearly struggling to keep up her professional facade.

I let out a low chuckle. “Relax? With you looking at me like that? Not gonna happen.”

She blushes, and damn, it’s hot as hell. I know I’m getting to her, pushing all the right buttons.

“This is ridiculous,” she finally says, her voice a little breathless. She’s been hovering over my knee, hands pressing and massaging around my ACL like she’s scared to hurt me. I watch her, the way she bites her lip and concentrates, and for a second, I almost forget I’m supposed to be the patient here.

“Is this about Jared?” I ask, breaking the silence.

She laughs, shaking her head. “Let’s just focus on your ACL.”

I nod, but my eyes stay on her, tracing the curve of her neck, the little bit of skin exposed where her shirt collar slips down. Damn. She has this whole no-nonsense look going on, but I swear I catch her eyes flicking to my abs when she thinks I’m not looking. I bite back a grin.

I clear my throat, pulling myself back. “So, I’ve got this thing tonight,” I say, leaning back a little. “You can say no, but I’d like to thank you for all the help with the therapy.”

She snorts. “Axel, it’s literally my job.”

I step closer, cupping her jaw, and I swear her breath catches. I can feel it. I lean in a bit, my voice low. “I’ve got reservations at The Haven. We could go…you know, as friends.”

“Axel, what?” Her eyes widen a bit, but she’s curious now. “You know Marilyn Manson’s goddaughter ate there once, right?”

I laugh. “Why the hell is that the first thing you think of?”

She gives me that sly smile of hers. “Because I’ve been dreaming of going there for years.”

I nod. “Then this is your chance.”

Jade hesitates, chewing on her lip again. “But what if someone sees us there? Photographs us?”

I shake my head. “It’s completely exclusive. No photography. And we’d be going with friends.”

She’s still hesitating, the wheels turning in her head. I’m about to lay on more charm, but then I see an opening. “Tell you what. You come with me, and I’ll finally tell you why I stopped going to Thanksgiving with you guys.”

That gets to her. Curiosity flares in her eyes, and she fights it for a minute before finally sighing. “Fine. What time do I need to get there?”

“I’ll pick you up.”

She shakes her head. “I have to drop off my dog at the vet’s office first.”

I blink. “When did you get a dog?”

“His name’s Shadow. Chase and Millie got him for me.” she says, and it takes me a second to process that.

“Declan and Finn’s Millie?”

She nods. “Yeah, she’s my best friend.”

“I had no idea.”

“I was here a lot last year for the games.”

I nod. “I guess I never thought to check. Never had any family in the stands, you know?”

Her lips curl up. “So what changed?”

I look her straight in the eye. “Now I check the stands for you.”

She flushes. “Are you flirting with me, Axel?”

“Nah,” I say, grinning. “Just telling you the truth.”

She laughs, but there’s a softness to it.

“The reservation’s for nine p.m. Will that be too late?”

She thinks for a minute. “I’ll ask Millie if she can check on Shadow, and then…we can go.”

“Great.” I pull out my phone. “Let me get your number. You know, in case something changes.”

She rolls her eyes but gives it to me anyway. I put it in, feeling stupidly giddy. “All right, Jade,” I say, just before she turns to leave. “I hope you can make it.”

She pauses at the door, a slight smile playing on her lips. “Me too.”

And with that, she’s gone, leaving me with a stupid grin on my face.

As I gather myself to leave her office, I am left to think. I swear, if tonight goes how I think it will, I might just tell her more than why I bailed on Thanksgiving.

I might tell her that this little crush I have on her is a lot harder to contain than I thought.