Hooking - Kristine Allen Page 0,84

McGregor!”

He held up a hand in agreement and pulled out of the lot.

Right before I shut my door, I heard my name called out. I stood up and looked back toward the stadium. Halvorson was walking toward me.

“Yeah?” He’d been acting weird, so I braced for any dickishness he might want to throw my way.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

“About?”

He shoved his hands in his pants and looked uncomfortable. “I owe you an apology.”

Stunned speechless, I stared.

“It wasn’t your fault they picked you up instead of Andre. I was a dick to say you didn’t deserve the spot, but I was pissed and had a chip on my shoulder. I think you’re a smart and skilled player, and I’m proud to call you my teammate. I just wanted you to know.” It was evident that his speech had taken a lot of balls. He’d essentially stood in front of me eating crow.

“Damn. Thanks. And for what it’s worth, you’re a badass on the ice yourself. It’s too bad you’re suck a dick off the ice.” His eyes widened, but I couldn’t hold my grin back to fully appreciate fucking with him. “I’m fucking with you. But seriously, thanks man. I’m damn proud to be a part of this team, and you’re a kickass captain when you weren’t riding my ass for no reason.”

I held my hand out and he gave me a lopsided grin before he took my hand in his. He shook his head. “Good game tonight.”

“You too,” I agreed.

With one last nod, he got in his car and drove off.

Disbelief had me standing there like a dipshit while the rest of the guys came out and got in their vehicles. When they called out goodbye, I shook myself out of my shocked stupor and got back in my car. I needed to get going anyway.

No, I didn’t really have a stop to make, per se. But I did make a detour on the way home.

Stopping in front of the apartment complex, I sat in my car as it idled. My eyes counted over to her windows, and I stared like a lovesick sap.

It dawned on me that the description fit. In less than two months, she’d wrapped me up around her little finger so tight, I didn’t know how to get loose.

Then I realized something that shook me to my core—I didn’t really want to get loose.

“Sydney, we’re not done. I just gotta get some shit straight.”

I drove toward home with new determination.

“Ride”—SoMo

Monday morning, I opened my office door and shrieked. I wasn’t expecting anyone in there. Especially since I was early. I’d planned to use the time to get caught up on my work. Katie and I had been sick off and on the past week and a half or so. I was pretty sure we were passing it back and forth.

Furtively looking down the hall both ways to be sure I hadn’t brought the cavalry running, I stepped inside and quickly shut the door.

“What are you doing here?” I asked in an outraged whisper. I locked the door so no one would know I was there.

“Well, good morning to you too,” Alex said with a grin from my chair. His hands were linked behind his head, causing his shirt to ride up a bit. The tiny peek of abs I saw was enough to send my pulse racing.

I dropped all of my shit in the chair by my door. The office didn’t leave a lot of room to move around. I was pretty sure it was actually a supply closet at one time.

“Alex,” I groaned in frustration. He dropped his arms.

“Come here, Sydney,” he said in a tone that should be way too sultry for my office.

“Fuck off, Alex.”

“Don’t be like that.” His eyes flickered uncertainly, and my anger ignited.

“Don’t be like what? Upset that you cancelled on me at the last minute? Don’t be pissed that you ghosted me for a fucking week? Don’t be blown away by your nerve to show up in my office like some king of creepers after all of that, acting like nothing happened? What, Alex? What exactly should I not be like?” My hands fisted and I clenched my jaw.

He swallowed hard and briefly closed his eyes. Then he blasted those blue eyes full of sincerity at me. “I’m sorry. I was a dick. But I promise you, I thought I was doing what was best for you. The problem is, no matter how many times I tell