For once, the Bedlam's assistant athletic trainer wasn't wearing workout gear or the team-issued attire for the training staff. A loose yellow sweater hung off one shoulder, giving him a peek at the white T-shirt she wore underneath. It covered to the middle of her thighs, and dark gray leggings showcased toned legs. "I've heard stories of what happens at your family hockey games. There's no way you won't end up checking each other. And you're not even wearing a helmet."
"It's a driveway pickup game." But he saw her point. He didn't need to take any risks that might delay his return to the game. "We should stop, guys. The food will be ready soon anyway."
"Two minutes," Rod called from the grill.
"Come on, can we please just play for a minute?" Jacob's earnest voice whined from behind Dylan.
Blair's lips curved. She pivoted on black patterned casual sneakers and moved to the lawn. "I don't want to break up the fun. Just be careful."
They shared a smile and warmth washed into Dylan's chest as it had every time since the first time he'd seen her three years earlier. He could feel five stares boring into his back. His siblings had subtly prodded about his feelings for Blair for months. He'd kept everything to himself, but if they kept staring, they were going to figure it out.
Clearing his throat, he walked back to the group. "Let's play. But since Rod's still manning the grill, we'll stick with one goalie."
He motioned for Kelsey, Leo, and Ben to lean in and lowered his voice. "Whoever ends up with the ball, everyone else will scatter or fall until one of us is left for a breakaway. And that person will let Jacob get the big save."
Kelsey glanced at Blair. "Since she's here, you better be the one to get the breakaway. I'm not risking any of us banging into you."
"Deal." He lined up against his sister for the face off. She won and knocked the ball to Leo. Ben checked him and fired the ball to Dylan. Aware of Blair's gaze, he spun around his sister and ran down the driveway, and then sent the ball to the left side of the goal crease. Jacob dived on top of it to make the save.
Ben cheered and lifted his son onto his shoulders. Jacob raised his stick into the air and accepted high-fives from everyone.
The group passed Blair on their way back to the deck. She greeted Kelsey and Leo and Ben, and gave Jacob her own congratulations, but she stood to the side and waited for Dylan. "Thanks for inviting me to dinner."
Warmth curled into his body. He pushed up his sleeves, blaming the heat on the exertion and not on her presence. "I'm glad you could come."
She laid her soft hand on his forearm. "And you're feeling okay? From this and from today's practice?"
His thoughts scrambled. He couldn't think past anything except how good her cool fingers felt on his skin. "I'm feeling pretty good right now."
She was so close, he could see the gold threaded through the green in her eyes and smell a hint of her sultry perfume. Her smile widened. "I'm glad."
He hadn't really dated anyone else once he'd gotten to know her because no one could compare to Blair. But he'd held back there because she'd mentioned early on that relationships needed to take a backseat while she worked to establish herself as the only female on the training staff, working for her first professional team. He respected the hell out of her position and was proud to see her success.
But ever since his first concussion, she'd been softer and more open, and the little touches like the hand on his arm had increased. Their friendship had blended into a mixture of caring and flirtation.
Maybe the fact that nearly three years had passed since she'd joined the team had led to a relaxation of her rules.
Only one way to find out.
His hand itched to curl the silky strands of her hair around his hand to test their softness. He settled for cupping his hand over hers, holding her to his forearm. "But then again, I always feel good around you."
Blair's eyes darkened, and then her gaze jumped to their joined hands. Her small chest rose and fell. Her tongue darted out to lick her lips, and her gaze took a slow journey up his torso and over his face. "You do?"
Too many pairs of eyes watched them from the deck. Tonight wasn't the time or place to pursue this further. Rod and his fiancée Arielle lived with him, and Jacob and Ben were staying overnight.
But soon...
He needed to get through the full-contact practice and then get back to playing the game he loved. Once he got to the point where he knew his head and body wouldn't betray him, he would talk to Blair. Lay out his feelings. See if she felt anywhere close to the same.
For now, he'd hide his attraction a little longer. Relinquishing his hold, he stepped back and nodded to the group waiting on the deck. "We should eat."
Ignoring the smiles and smirks and raised brows, he climbed the steps with Blair at his side.
He had to win a Cup for his hometown, his teammates, and himself. But he didn't see any reason why he couldn't make a play for Blair at the same time.
CHAPTER TWO
THE SOUND OF SKATES gliding over ice and sticks hitting pucks filled the Bedlam's practice facility. Blair sat on the bench next to Peter, the team's head trainer, watching as Dylan pivoted on his skates, shot the puck to Leo, and then joined the rush. Nerves tingled in her stomach as he moved through different
