Gametime: A Moo U Hockey Romance by Jami Davenport (shoe dog free ebook txt) 📗

sulked and wisely kept his mouth shut. My dad filled the friction-laden silence by regaling everyone with stories about his playing days, but I wasn’t sure anyone was listening. Patrick slumped down in his seat, while Paxton studied the wall.

The twins wolfed down the pizza once it was delivered and bolted for the door. I followed them. All three of us were anxious to get the fuck out of there. I deserted my dad, leaving him to deal with Mr. Graham. Dad would be able to handle him better than anyone.

Patrick split off from us and jogged across the street to where some teammates had gone.

“Go ahead and join them. I’m not great company.” Paxton managed a mirthless smile.

“I’d like to buy you a drink to celebrate. You were awesome tonight.”

“But wouldn’t you rather be with Patrick?” He stopped on the sidewalk and faced me. I smiled up at him, but he regarded me suspiciously.

“I’m right where I want to be.” Tucking my arm through his, I turned toward the hotel. I tugged on him to follow me. He hung back for a moment, then fell into step beside me.

I’d made my choice. Now to convince Paxton.

22

Taking Chances

Paxton

My night so far had more ups and downs than a roller coaster, and the ride wasn’t over yet. With a combination of reluctance and anticipation, I allowed Naomi to lead me into the hotel pub.

Perhaps she was merely rescuing me from another round with my dad. I’d dodged a bullet when Mr. Smith defended me, even though he backhandedly insulted me, too. I’d show them tonight wasn’t a fluke. I was a damn good player, and I was only now beginning to realize my potential.

I tried not to read any more into this than two friends hanging out. While Naomi snagged a booth for us, I ordered two virgin margaritas at the bar. I didn’t know if the message would be lost on her or not. We’d met at our first campus party as freshmen and gotten soused together on margaritas at a fiesta-themed frat party.

I set the drinks on the table and slid onto the seat across from her. Naomi’s slow smile warmed my heart as she noted my drink of choice. Something was different about her, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Whatever I picked up on gave me hope.

“That was a good night,” she said, referring to that frat party over two years ago.

“It was.” I didn’t say more for fear of humiliating myself further when it came to her. What I felt hadn’t faded despite my efforts to squelch my emotions where she was concerned. No matter how many times she knocked me down, I kept coming back for more.

She held up her drink, and I did the same. “To many more nights like tonight.”

“Hear, hear.” Whether she was referring to my game performance or our being together, I hadn’t a fucking clue. I wished it were both. “I just hope I can do a repeat, and it wasn’t a one-off.”

“That’s your dad talking. Don’t listen to him. He has his own selfish agenda, and what’s best for his boys isn’t part of it.”

“It’s hard after years of negative programming. I’m working on it.”

“I hear you. I’ve had similar programming being the unwanted daughter who should’ve been a son and not having one ounce of athletic talent. Dad would trade me in for a different model if it were possible.”

“That’s not true, Omi. Your dad loves you. He might have an odd way of showing it, but I have no doubt that you’re important to him.”

“I know.” She ducked her head as if ashamed of her lack of faith in her father.

“My dad, on the other hand, has no such predilections. He sees dollar signs and status when he looks at Patrick and, to a lesser extent, me.”

She didn’t deny what I said. After all, my dad was who he was, and we both knew it.

“I can handle my dad being an ass. It’s Patrick’s attitude I’m struggling with.”

“It has to be hard for him. He’s always been the center of attention and pretty secure in who he is and who you are.”

“And lately I’ve been somebody else.”

“Yes, give him time. He’ll come around. He loves you.”

I nodded grimly. “Let’s change the subject,” I said. Talking about my family depressed me, but I was about to switch to another topic just as uncomfortable. Resisting Naomi and pretending I didn’t care wasn’t working all that well for me, and I had to get something straight with her. I had to know. “I saw you last night in this very bar having what appeared to be an intimate convo with my brother.”

Her head snapped up and her pretty mouth formed a perfect O. “You did?”

“Yeah, I did. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go across the street to be with him? I wouldn’t hold it against you. I don’t need your pity or anyone else’s. I’m doing this thing on my terms no matter how much grief Dad and Patrick give me.”

“I’m where I want to be.” She reached across the table and grasped my hand in both of hers.

I stared at our interlinked fingers and swallowed hard. Naomi wasn’t a cruel person, but she sure as fuck was torturing me right now whether she realized the effect she had on me or not. “Naomi, I—”

She held up her hand to stop me. “Hear me out first, okay?”

I nodded warily, reluctant to get hurt any more deeply than I’d already been. Here came the we’re just friends lecture and please don’t read any more into my fondness for you.

I braced myself, certain I was going to get my heart stomped on one more time.

“That intimate conversation you witnessed…”

“Yeah?” My voice was husky with emotion, and I cleared my throat, embarrassed I was showing too much and making myself vulnerable. Naomi squeezed my hand and smiled at me with kindness in her eyes. Other emotions shone