page18 (1/2)

"Are you going to be able to go to any of the play-off ga that subject and starting another

The play-offs will begin in teeks, in et all kinds of crazy At least the travel schedule is more stable, since it follows best-of-seven series in a to, one, one, one fore alternates two gaain Thus we know the travel schedule is set, but that doesn't lessen the treiving our all physically to every ga our ele professional hockey player I know lives and breathes for only one thing, and that's to raise the Stanley Cup above their head It's within my reach and I can almost taste it

"I' to work out so rounds while the other watches all the kids," Jules tells her

My neck twists to look in through the s off the back deck and through the living roo curls Looks like she hasn't made it to the bathroom because she's been waylaid by Cash

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Cash is heavily flirting with her He's leaning in close, and the expression on his face is carnal I know he's probably feeding her corny lines that would never work on a woman like Stephanie, but what I don't like is the fact that she seehs at hi her hair over her shoulders She also leans in toward him as he tells her an anihs at him a second time, she playfully touches his forearm for a second

What the fuck? Is she into this kid?

I push up fro the bathroom and make my way across the back deck and into the house By the ti, they're both gone

Simone walks by and I ask her, "Have you seen Stephanie?"

She indicates with a thumb over her shoulder, "Yeah She just went into the bathroom"

"Alone?" I demand

Simone's eyebrows rise but she quickly answers, "Of course alone Why wouldn't she be alone?"

I shake my head as I brush past my sister toward the bathroo physical with each other in Garrett's guest bathroom, and even as I appreciate the relief, I know that was stupid to even think that would happen If it did, though, I do believe I'd have to kill Cash

Leaning up against the wall, I wait for Stephanie to coivessmile "Hey, you"

"What's up with all the flirting?" I ask, then I iret the words I absolutely did not need to confront her with that because I have no right to

Stephanie's expression darkens "What do you mean?"

"It just seeether," I tell her with a nonchalant shrug

"We were just talking," Stephanie says with her lips quirked up, and I can tell she is thoroughly auy"

"Don't look at me like that," I snap at her

She stifles a laugh then asks me, "Look at you like what?"

"That you think I'm jealous and you find it completely hilarious," I tell her with my chin lifted

"Are you?" she asks me with mischief written all over her face

"Absolutely not," I say with a casual sht?"

"That's right," she says with a slightly teasing tone, but I can also see in her eyes that there is no room for jealousy

That sort of irritates reeht we had been pretty clear that this was exclusive

"So you mean to tell me," I ask her as I lean in and murmur, "you would not be bothered if I flirt with other women in your presence?"

Stephanie ss hard but her jaw stiffens with resolve "That's right"

"Huh?" I say, sounding genuinely interested in this concept "I'll keep that in mind"

Then I push past her into the bathroom with a satisfied smile on er on hers

Let her chew on that for a while

Chapter 10

Stephanie

"Stephanie, are you even listening to htly

I twist my neck to look at her and distractedly ask, "What?"