Sin Bin (D.C. Stars, #5)

Sin Bin (D.C. Stars, #5) — Chapter no 16

SIXTEEN

BRODY

Puck Kings (+ their savior, BS)

MILLER

Thanksgiving dinner starts at 4. You’re allowed over any time after 2.

Hudson is on dessert duty. Mitchy is bringing salads. Sully has the cheese board covered.

EVERETT I’m bringing the mashed potatoes! I’ve been peeling all morning.

MILLER

Great. Richardson, you have the stuffing?

RICHARDSON I wish I was doing the stuffing, if you know what I mean 😉

MITCHELL Ethan. Not on Thanksgiving.

Why did I get added to a group chat? Hearing about Richardson’s off-ice extracurricular activities is not how I wanted to start my day.

Remove me, or morning skate will be hell tomorrow.

MILLER

Come on, Coach. It’s a holiday where we talk about what we’re thankful for! And we’re all thankful for you.

RICHARDSON

I’m also thankful for sundresses. I can’t believe we have to wait until May before we see those again.

HAYES

You’re coming to dinner, right Coach?

MILLER I stuck my hand up a turkey’s ass to get this food ready. He better be coming.

EVERETT

Who? Coach or the turkey?

RICHARDSON I just gagged.

*Liam Sullivan has left the chat* *Ethan Richardson has added Liam Sullivan to the chat*

RICHARDSON

Nice try, Goalie Daddy.

EVERETT

Is everyone bringing their better halves? I told Hannah to come, and I don’t want her to feel like she has to stand in a corner with no one to talk to.

RICHARDSON

I’ll keep her company, G-Money.

MITCHELL

Lexi will be there.

MILLER

Emmy girl too, obviously. But she’s confined to the couch.

EVERETT

K, good!

RICHARDSON

You don’t have anything to say about me keeping your sister company, G?

EVERETT

Nope. She’d never go for someone as conceited as you, so I’m not worried.

RICHARDSON Challenge accepted.

Every single one of you are on my shit list.

LIV Happy Thanksgiving, Dad!

Happy Thanksgiving, kiddo. Are you having fun at your mom’s?

LIV

We’re making pumpkin pie!

Sounds fun. Bring a slice back with you tomorrow.

LIV Will do! Love you!

Love you too, Livvy.

KALI

I hope you’re not spending the holiday alone.

I was invited to Maverick Miller’s house for dinner.

KALI

You should go!

I might. Just don’t want it to be weird.

KALI

It wouldn’t be! They’ll be happy to see you!

We’ll see.

KALI

What’s Hannah doing today?

How would I know?

KALI

Maybe you asked her when you picked Liv up from her lesson earlier this week.

It would be a shame if she had to spend the day alone.

ME We’re friends, but I don’t know the details of her holiday plans.

KALI Friends, huh?

I’m not saying anything else. Happy Thanksgiving, Kal.

KALI

Happy Thanksgiving, Brody. Hope you have a chance to see your friend!

H.E.

Happy Thanksgiving, GC!

Happy Thanksgiving, IQ.

H.E.

IQ?

Ice Queen.

H.E.

Oh, I like that.

Figured you might.

H.E.

Is your ass doing okay after that fall last week?

I’ve had much worse. Does Monday still work for our lesson?

H.E.

Sounds great. Have a good day, Brody! Hope you have a lot of things you’re thankful for.

You too.

I STAND outside Maverick and Emmy’s house with a bouquet of camellias wrapped in brown paper. I adjust the twine holding them together and wonder if I should knock or just walk in.

There are loud noises on the other side of the door. Laughter too, and now I’m worried I’m overstepping. Invading a safe space they’ve created

without me, because they aren’t professional athletes today. There aren’t team rules they need to follow or workouts they have to complete. They’re regular guys spending time with their friends, and I don’t want to ruin that.

“Are you contemplating the meaning of life?” someone asks, and after hearing that voice moan my name, I’d recognize it anywhere.

Hannah.

I turn my head. She’s sauntering toward me with a wide smile, blonde hair pulled out of her face and tossed over one of her shoulders. My grip on the flowers tightens as my eyes rake down her body, hoping my gawking isn’t too obvious.

A short, pleated skirt that hits the tops of her thighs. The white sweater she paired it with that makes her skin look soft and smooth. Brown boots coming up to her knees and a long coat keeping her warm.

My tongue is heavy in my mouth. My palms are sweaty. It feels like my first day existing on this fucking planet, like the sight of her is a punch to my gut, and I have to remind myself to breathe.

The closer she gets, the more details I notice. Bright red lipstick, just like the night I kissed her the first time. Diamond earrings. A necklace clasped around her throat, and a possessive, unhinged part of my brain is smug with satisfaction in knowing my hand looked better around her neck than the simple silver chain.

She’s still so goddamn beautiful, and I’m still so fucking attracted to her.

“Always,” I draw, shoving my hand in my pocket. It’s safer than letting my fingers roam free. “Hello, Tiny Everett.”

Casual, easy. Friendly, just like we decided.

“Hi there, Coach.” She stops at my side, the scent of her perfume swirling around me. Vanilla, with the touch of strawberries. The same smell I licked off her when she was spread out on her bed. “Those flowers are beautiful. I didn’t know you were a florist in your free time.”

“I’m not. Some guy in Florida recommended them.”

“So fragrant.” Hannah leans forward, bringing her nose close to the petals. Her hair grazes my forearm and I freeze, not daring to move. “I wish I had a big backyard where I could grow flowers and vegetables. Since I don’t, I collect keychains instead.”

“Keychains?” I exhale when she takes a step back. “What do you mean?”

“It’s a silly tradition I started when I traveled for competitions. I wanted to bring something home from each city I stayed in, and I’ve made it my mission to track down the funkiest, weirdest ones. Like, I have this one from Lake Placid that says square dancers do it with seven other people.

Makes for a good conversation starter.”

I bark out a laugh. “You have my attention.”

“It’s fun, right? If you ever find an absolutely bizarre keychains on your travels around the country, please send me a photo. They make me indescribably happy.” Her elbow lands in my ribs with a gentle nudge. “Are you planning on going inside?”

“Debating on it. Might stay out here the rest of the afternoon.”

“Wow. And here I thought Brody Saunders wasn’t afraid of anything.”

“I’m not afraid. Just…” I lift a shoulder in a shrug. “Sometimes I don’t know how to act around them. My coaching style changed after Riley’s accident. I never used to text my players. I didn’t spend Thanksgiving with them. There was a clear separation. But now—”

“Now you know life is short, so you want to make an effort. You realize there’s no harm in hanging out with them, but you’re not used to not acting like their coach.” Hannah cocks her hip to the side. “Did I get that right?”

“Yeah, and it’s freaking me out.” I mess with the twine wrapped around the flower stems. “I don’t like people knowing all my secrets.”

“Your secret is safe with me. Step one is going inside and knowing they’ll be happy to see you. Step two is eating so much food, you have to unbutton your pants. Step three is walking it off so you can have another slice of pie when you get home.” She rests her palm on my shoulder. “Here.

I’ll go first.”

Hannah opens the door and steps inside. I follow her, lingering in the foyer while she takes off her coat and hangs it on the wall with a collection of other clothing. Warmth surrounds me. So does the smell of food and something sweet, and I relax when the door shuts behind me.

“Step one is complete,” I mumble.

“You’re doing great, BB,” she tells me.

Looking down at her is a mistake. Her palm is flat on the wall. She’s lifting her leg, unzipping her boot. I see those strong thighs. White socks that give me heart palpitations, and I wonder, fleetingly, if she’ll ever be out of my system, even though I know the answer.

“What does BB mean?” There’s chalk in my throat. I cough twice to try and clear it. “That’s new.”

“Broody Brody. I just thought of it.” She pinches my cheek, the spot where my smile would be if I wasn’t so mesmerized by the sight of her knees. “Have fun!”

“Who’s here?” Ethan comes bounding around the corner, stopping in his tracks when he sees me hovering in the doorway like an unwanted guest.

“No fucking way. Boys,” he practically screams. “Get your asses in here!”

“I swear to god, someone better be dead, Easy E.” Maverick appears with an apron tied around his neck, scowling Ethan’s way. “Why are you— Coach?”

“Wait. Coach is here?” Grant stands on his toes, shoving past the other two. “He came,” he whispers. “It’s a miracle.”

“Happy Thanksgiving.” I hold out the flowers. “These are for your wife.”

“She’s going to love them. Thanks, man.” Maverick beams and gestures for me to take off my shoes. “Come on in.”

I follow them to the kitchen where I accept a water from Maverick. A quick lap around the house has me finding the rest of the guys and the significant others they brought. They all greet me with a hug. A hand on my shoulder and an excited whoop. By the time I reach a very pregnant Emmy sitting on the couch, I’ve finally relaxed.

“Emerson Hartwell.” I shake my head when she tries to stand up.

“Don’t you dare. Not on my account.”

“Brody Saunders.” She grins. “I’ve lost a little bit of my speed.”

“For good reason. How are you feeling?”

“I’m ready for this baby to get here. If Miller asks whether I need my pillow fluffed one more time, I’m going to induce labor myself.”

I chuckle. “He’s come a long way, hasn’t he?”

“Yeah.” Emmy’s smile softens. She plays with the wedding ring on her finger and puts her hand on her stomach. “He has.”

“Can I get you anything? A drink? Another pillow that needs to be fluffed?” I catch a glimpse of Hannah standing across the living room socializing with Piper, Liam’s wife and the Stars’ color commentator. I avert my eyes back to the redhead on the couch. “Something else?”

“I’m fine, thanks.” She cranes her neck, finding the source of my lapse in attention, but doesn’t call me out. “Maverick spent all morning

wondering if you were going to stop by. He owes me fifty bucks.”

“Betting on me? Not sure how I feel about that.”

“More like believing in you.”

“Thanks, Hartwell. You sure you don’t need anything?”

“I promise I’m good. Thanks for coming, Coach.”

Liam acknowledges me with a grunt I return with a nod. Ethan forces me to take a photo with him for social media. He uploads it, and within three minutes, it already has thousands of likes. Hudson brings me by to say hello to Madeline, his girlfriend. Lucy, her daughter, looks at the friendship bracelets on my wrist, and when I give her one to keep, she signs thank you with a giggle.

“She loves bracelets,” Hudson tells me. “Doubt we’re ever going to get her to take it off.”

“So does my daughter. She makes me a new one every game. I keep most of them in my office, but I always wear a few so she knows I appreciate them.”

“Dinner is ready,” Maverick announces, and Lexi gives my arm a pat as she slips past with a stack of plates. “Ladies and kids first, then the heathens can be let loose. Easy E. What the hell are you doing? Get to the back of the line.”

“God dammit,” Ethan mutters, pouting. “I’m hungry.”

“You’re going to be fine. G-Money. Can’t you put your notebook away for two seconds? I swear you’re attached to that thing.”

“Sorry, Cap.” Grant grins and tucks a small black leather notebook in his back pocket along with his phone. “Important things require my attention.”

“Coach.” Riley slides up next to me. “Guess what?”

“What’s up, Mitchell?” I ask.

“Marcus called,” he says, mentioning his agent. “The Comets’ coaching staff is proud of my progression at practice. They’re eyeing a game in December for me to make my debut.”

“Holy shit.” I grab him by the shirt and pull him into a hug. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

“Me too.” He laughs and takes off his glasses, wiping his eyes. “Don’t say anything to the guys. It’s not a sure thing yet, and I don’t want them to know until I’m positive it’s going to happen.”

“My lips are sealed. I promise.”

“Thanks.” He waves at Lexi, color invading his cheeks. “Glad you’re

here today.”

“Me too,” I say, meaning it.

Everything around me is chaotic and loud. I let the guys grab food first, hanging back and waiting my turn. After I fill my plate, I scan the long table in the center of the living room, looking for a place to sit.

There aren’t many empty spots, but I see an open chair next to Hannah.

Her body is turned, deep in conversation with Ryan Fitzpatrick’s wife, and I make my way over to her.

“Need anything, Coach?” Maverick asks, and I shake my head.

“No. Everything looks delicious.”

“It was a group effort.”

He grins, focusing his attention on Emmy. I remember the days I’d find him stumbling into the hotel lobby at away games with two girls under his arms, but now he’s looking at his wife like there’s no one else in the room.

I guess when someone’s the center of your universe, everyone else ceases to exist.

“Grant cried when he saw you,” Hannah says when I squeeze myself into the chair next to her. My knees barely fit under the table, and I accidentally bump her leg. “Like, actual tears.”

“I don’t know why. I’m not worthy.”

“He’s always been a sensitive guy. Where’s Liv today?”

“With her mom and stepdad.” I scoop a bite of mashed potatoes onto my fork. “I’m picking her up in the morning.”

“I’m sorry you don’t get to spend the day with her.”

“Kali and I alternate holidays every year. I’ll have Liv for Christmas.

She already has the movie marathon planned out.”

“That’s cute.” Her thigh hasn’t moved away from mine. Heat radiates off her, and I adjust my position in the seat. “You and your ex are close. It’s nice to see a healthy co-parenting relationship.”

“No reason for us not to get along. I’m glad we realized early on we didn’t work as partners. Better than dragging it out for Livvy’s sake and resenting each other.”

“A man who communicates. I like that.” Hannah scoots back in her chair and crosses her legs. Her skirt inches up her thighs with the movement, and I jab a green bean like it personally offended me. “Anything you’re thankful for this year?”

“A healthy team. A job I enjoy.” I dare myself to look her way. When I do, I find a smirk on her lips. Fingers playing with the hem of her skirt.

Maybe someone spiked my drink, because I swear she drags her thumb across her skin, right where I’m staring. “New friends.”

“We work well as friends, don’t we?” Her voice is low, husky.

Amusement behind the question. “Training together has been fun.”

“So much fun. Your edge work has gotten better. Your control too.”

“I have a good teacher. Best coach in the league.” Hannah reaches for her wine, taking a long sip. “I want to make you proud.”

“Your drill performance isn’t indicative of my level of pride in you,” I say, not wanting her to think my support is contingent on how well she skates. My hand inadvertently falls to her leg, covering the curve of her knee. I don’t realize I’m doing it until her sharp inhale makes me pull back, grabbing my fork. “You know that, right?”

“Right. But I like seeing you smile.” Her eyes meet mine. “You don’t do it enough.”

“I could do it more.” I wish I had grabbed a beer when it was offered to me. I could use one to get through this conversation. “If you wanted.”

“I want a lot of things, Brody. But that would be a good start.”

Flirting.

She’s flirting with me.

There’s the same hitch in her breath as that night in June. The undercut of teasing, and every part of me wonders why the hell I’ve tried to stay away from her when this is way more fun.

Fun.

Something I still need more of.

“I’ll see if I can make that happen.” There’s a drop of wine on her lips. I want to lick it off, but I cut a piece of my turkey instead. “Just for you.”

“I’m a lucky—”

“Two of my favorite people.” Grant interrupts us, wedging his way between our chairs and kneeling on the rug. He drapes an arm over Hannah’s shoulders, grinning at me. “Are you having a good time, Coach?”

“Can’t complain.” My eyes flick to the blush crawling up Hannah’s neck. From the wine? Or from me? “Your sister makes excellent company.”

“She does, doesn’t she? Easy E hasn’t hit on you, has he, Han?” Grant asks.

“Please.” Hannah laughs. “Even if he did, I’m not interested.”

“Good. Tell me if that changes. Locker room code says no player is allowed to touch another player’s sister.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Can’t you all just keep your dicks in your pants?”

“I can, but I can’t say the same for everyone else.” He flips off Ethan from across the room. “I need to make my rounds, but I wanted to say hi.”

“Bring me a slice of pumpkin pie,” Hannah calls out when he pops to his feet and meanders to the kitchen. “Is there really a code?”

“Mhm. First person to the showers turns them on for everyone else.

Don’t mess with the stuff someone keeps in their stall. You don’t touch another team’s goalie, and if someone touches yours, you have permission to kick their ass. Similarly, you don’t touch a teammate’s sister, mom, wife, or girlfriend. If you do, expect hell to break loose.”

“Wonder if that applies to coaches too,” Hannah says with the flip of her

hair over her shoulder.

“Brat,” I mumble.

“But that never happened, so it’s purely hypothetical.”

“Hey.” I touch her wrist when she sets down her wine glass. “I know I said some things that night, but I don’t regret it happening. You’re not a mistake, Hannah.”

“I know I’m not. I’m a goddamn prize,” she tells me with the confidence that made me follow her back to her apartment in the first place.

“I’m going to see if they need any help cleaning up.”

“You never mentioned what you were thankful for,” I say, watching her stand and smooth out her skirt.

“New friends. Hockey coaches.” Hannah looks at my hands, a coy smile taking over her mouth. “And all the fun we’re going to have the next few months.”

Trouble, I think, when she leans in front of me to take my plate.

I’m in so much fucking trouble.