“Okay, then. Go jump hot stuff’s bones, then dump him, hard. You’ll get a great release and it’ll be nice payback. But hey, first we should go to a game. I love hockey. Can you introduce me to some of the players?”
“Why? Do you want to ruin one or two of them, leaving them well satisfied but crying in your wake?”
Stella laughed. “Maybe.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Good. Since they’re in town, send hot stuff a text message. We can go party with them after the game.”
“Uh, it’s a little late, don’t you think?”
“It’s Friday night. What else are you going to do?”
“I was going to work tomorrow.”
“You can start a little later. Let’s have some fun tonight.”
She narrowed her gaze at Stella. “You’re a very bad influence.”
Stella laughed. “No, honey. I’m the best friend you’ve got. The one who’s going to prevent you from turning into a sweater-wearing cat lady who owns a rocking chair. Now send the text. They’re deep into the third period now and up by two goals, and I’d wager your guy is going to be ready to party after the game.”
Carolina could not believe she was doing this, but she grabbed her phone and sent the text.
“You’re going to make me regret this.”
“No regrets. Just fun.”
Carolina didn’t know about the fun part. But the message had been sent.
And she already regretted sending it.
TEN
AFTER A GRUELING GAME THAT ENDED WITH A three–to-one win, Drew was ready to let off some steam. So were some of the other guys.
He was shocked when, after showering and getting dressed, he grabbed his phone and found a text message from Carolina.
My friend Stella and I want to meet up with you after the game for drinks. Are you and your teammates heading somewhere?
Huh.
He wondered who Stella was. A fan, maybe? Either way, he was happy to hear from Carolina. He texted her back the name and location of the bar he and a few of the guys were headed to, and told her to meet them there.
McGill’s Bar was dark and packed, a typical hangout for the before, during, and after-the-game crowd. Drew always felt comfortable coming here because the fans were respectful and didn’t give them a hard time. They could hang out, drink a few beers, play some pool, and unwind. The big-screen TVs to watch the games didn’t hurt any, either. Since it was mostly guys, he didn’t have to deal with the hockey groupies.
So when Carolina walked in, looking cool and sexy in a brown leather jacket and dark jeans that hugged her slender legs, she definitely got the once-over from all the guys in the bar. And the tall blonde with her was gorgeous. Drew moved from the back of the bar to meet them.
“Hey,” he said, winding his arm around Carolina. “Glad you could make it.”
“Drew, this is Stella Slovinski. Stella, Drew Hogan.”
Drew shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Stella.”
“Same here. Good game tonight.”
He arched a brow. “You’re a fan?”
“I love hockey. Carolina and I watched the game at her place.”
He shifted his gaze to Carolina’s. “You watched my game, huh?”
She shrugged. “It was on while I was eating. Then Stella dropped by, and she likes hockey.”
Drew grinned. “I love a hockey fan. Come on back. We’re playing pool.”
He led them to where the guys were in the middle of a game. He introduced Carolina and Stella to the six other guys who’d come with him to the bar.
“Nice saves at goalie tonight,” Stella said, striking up a conversation with Avery.
“Thanks.”
“Can’t believe you let that one in the third period slide by you, though. Were you napping back there?”
“Oh, tough critic,” Trick, Drew’s fellow forward said with a wide grin. He signaled the waitress. “Beer, Stella?”
“Definitely. And you have room to talk, Trick. You missed an easy pass from Drew while you were an inch from the goal.”
Trick laughed. “I like her. She has balls.”
“Well, no, I don’t, but I don’t mind busting yours.”
Drew laughed, then turned to Carolina. “What can I get you to drink?”
She grabbed a chair. “I’ll have a glass of wine. Something red, if they have it.”
“Coming right up.” He went up to the bar and ordered a glass of cabernet for Carolina, watching as Stella engaged the players. Deep in conversation with them, Stella seemed right at home while Carolina observed.
Actually, her gaze tracked back to him at the bar. But as soon as she saw he was looking at her, she slipped off her chair and joined Stella in conversation with the other guys.
Okay, he liked that she didn’t want him to know she was watching him.
She liked him. He knew it, and he understood the history between them and why she was wary.
His fault, really, but he was the one who was going to have to do something to change that.
He handed her the glass of wine.
“I was just telling your friend Trick here that he’d better get his ass in gear if he wants his stats to be as good as yours before the season starts,” Stella said.
“Oh, a statistician in our midst,” Drew said.
“Yeah, but I think she has her math wrong, because I’ve outshot you three to one.”
“My math is never wrong, Trick. Just ask Carolina.”
“I’m afraid Stella is right on that,” Carolina said.
“Yeah? How would you know?”
“She’s a hard-core hockey fan, and follows every player on the Travelers. She probably knows your stats better than you do.”
Trick leaned back to observe Stella. “No shit. Are you some kind of mathematician?”
Stella laughed. “No. I’m a dancer. But I’m very good at math.”
“So, you’re smart and beautiful. Score two for you, Stella.”
Avery moved over and pulled up a chair next to Carolina. “And you’re some kind of . . . designer, right?”
Carolina smiled at Avery, surprised he remembered her at all from their brief meeting at the mission on Thanksgiving. “That’s right.”
“What kind of designer was it again?”
“Clothing.”
“Oh. So you’re big into fashion and stuff.”
Carolina smiled. “Yes. You could say that.”
“And you’re friends with a hockey stats geek.”
“Hey,” Stella said, giving Avery a glare.
Avery laughed. “Touchy, touchy. Sorry. A beautiful, dancing, hockey stats genius.”
Stella nodded. “Better. And now you owe me a beer for the insult.”
“Consider it done. But how good are you at pool?”
Stella slid off the stool. “I’ll kick your ass at pool. Especially after that geek comment.”
Carolina shook her head and watched Avery rack the balls. Stella shrugged off her jacket, much to the admiration of all the guys.
“Get over here, Carolina,” Stella said. “You’re going to play, too.”
“I haven’t played pool since college.”
Drew came up next to her. “So? Afraid you’ll get beat?”
“Not a chance.” She took off her jacket and went to pick out a cue. “Stella, let’s show these boys how it’s done.”
Two hours later, she had won two games and lost two. All in all, not bad. Stella, of course, was kicking major butt, not surprising considering how good she was at pool.
“Your friend is a hit with my friends,” Drew said as they stood and watched Stella line up her shot.
Carolina grinned. “Men love Stella. And she’s a natural with them, always so comfortable around guys.”
“And you’re not?”
She shrugged. “Men don’t naturally gravitate toward me.”
He laughed. “You must be blind, babe, because every set of male eyes in this place has been on you since you walked in the door.”