Pucking Around: Chapter 11

I can hardly breathe as I watch him walk closer, his eyes on his phone. He’s still wearing his sunglasses, his dark hair hidden under a baseball cap. It’s a little bit shorter than when I saw him in Seattle, a closer fade at the nape And he’s clean-shaven.

But it’s him. There’s no doubt in my mind. Those broad shoulders are stretching his NHL tech shirt tight across his chest. His long, muscled legs are wrapped in nothing but a pair of athletic shorts. He’s wearing trainers in the Rays colors.

He’s a hockey player. Mystery Boy plays defense for the Jacksonville Rays…the team I now officially work for…as his doctor.

Oh, fuck—fucking—fuck!

I think I’m gonna pass out. But then he dares to look up from his phone and flash us both a panty-melting smile.

I’m dead. Just bury me here.

“Vicki, my goddess, my queen!” he calls out in that deep voice I’ve heard a thousand times in my dreams.

“Mmhmm,” she says, arms crossed. Clearly, she’s unimpressed. “You get it done finally?”

“Would I dare defy your direct order?” he replies, slipping his hand into the pocket of his athletic shorts to flash her his driver’s license. “All fixed. We’re good to go.”

“Bring it to my office before close of day so I can make a copy.”

As they talk, I just stand here like their own private statue. He sees me, right? He looked right at me. I don’t understand what’s happening. Why is he pretending not to know me?

“Rachel, this is Jake Compton, and he’s trouble with a capital T,” Vicki says by way of introduction.

Oh god, his name is Jake. My heart does a little flip. Jake Compton. Caleb’s best friend. He turns his gaze fully on me and I swear I can’t breathe. Those hazel eyes hook me.

“Jake, this is our new Barkley Fellow, Doctor Rachel Price.”

“Hey Doc, nice to meet you,” he says holding out his hand, apparently still oblivious.

I can’t even believe what I’m doing as I slowly reach a hand out. I’ve spent the last two months having my every dream revolve around this guy. Now I’m standing here, right in front of him, and he doesn’t even recognize me!