Never Say Never: An Enemies-to-Lovers Secret Identity New Adult Sports Romance (Western Wildcats Hockey Book 4)
Chapter 19

I slick on some pit sauce and slam my locker door shut before shoving my feet into my shoes. Then I plow my hands through my damp strands, pushing them away from my face.

“Why the hell are you in such a rush, McNichols? You gotta couple of bunnies who are gonna help you celebrate our W tonight?”

My gaze flickers to Hayes as I avoid answering the question. “I’m in no more of a hurry than usual.”

The way his eyes narrow tells me that he’s not buying what I’m attempting to sell.

He whips off the towel from around his waist and uses it to dry his face and then chest. The guy is buck-ass naked and couldn’t care less.

I tap my foot, anxious to get the hell out of here and replace⁠—

“Would this have anything to do with the hot little honey you shared a room with last weekend?”

Sometimes I forget just how perceptive Hayes can be. He gives off this casual, I-don’t-give-a-crap vibe, but I’ve discovered that there’s more to him buried beneath the surface.

It’s like calm waters and all that shit.

“What makes you say that?”

“The fact that you’re answering a question with a question.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. It might have something to do with her.”

A smug grin slides across his lips. “I suspected as much.” He grabs his boxers and hauls them up his thighs before snapping the waistband against his abdomen. “You’re fucking interested.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to deny the accusation.

Because that’s exactly what it is.

Instead, I drop my voice and do the unthinkable. “What if I am?”

He glances around the rowdy locker room with an expression of wonderment. “What world am I living in where Colby McNichols is actually interested in a chick?”

Ford swings around and stares at Hayes. “I’m sorry, what did you just say?”

Our center grins gleefully. “Turns out the baby-faced assassin over here has a little crushy-crushy on a girl.”

Ford’s wide eyes slice to mine before he shakes his head. “No way. I don’t believe it. Not even for a second.”

“Well, believe it because it’s true,” Hayes continues.

Heat slams into my cheeks as more people turn and stare like I’m a circus oddity.

Christ.

I knew this was a bad idea. I should have denied everything.

Hayes better watch it at our next practice because I’m going to lay him out flat.

Maybe a few times.

I groan when Wolf chimes in.

“I thought as much after the weekend.” He jerks a thumb in my direction. “You should have seen how butthurt he was after she took off Sunday morning. Reminded me of a kicked puppy. Then he pouted the entire flight and made me switch seats and hold his hand.”

“You offered,” I ground out.

“My guess is that she got a good look at the size of his pecker and decided it wasn’t worth her time,” Bridger adds with a grin like the asshole he is.

Screw this.

With a wave of my hand, I stalk toward the heavy metal door. “All right, I’m out. See you dickheads later.”

They all laugh and boo that I’m not sticking around to take their abuse. Just as I escape into the hallway, a wad of white tape almost nails me in the head.

Fuckers.

I give them the finger.

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Even though there’s no way I’d admit it after that, most of these guys are like brothers to me. Sure, maybe we like to harass each other but you don’t bother doing that unless your friendship runs deep.

As I swing into the lobby where everyone has congregated, I search the crowd for Britt. It was a relief to catch sight of her in the stands during warmups. I might have strongarmed her into getting together later with the promise of discussing our marriage, but I wasn’t certain she’d show.

My steps falter.

It’s going to take some time to wrap my brain around the fact that I’m actually married.

Married.

By the time I do, we’ll be on our way to a divorce. Sadness and disappointment crash over me at that thought.

My brows pinch together and my heart hitches when I don’t replace her. As my gaze scans the group for a second time, I catch sight of my parents. I had no idea they’d be here tonight. Most of the time, they’ll call or shoot me a text and give me a heads up. As soon as our gazes collide, Mom grins and Dad waves as they make their way over.

Under normal circumstances, I’m always happy to have them in the stands.

At the moment, though?

Not so much.

All I want to do is replace Britt.

So I can get my hands on her.

It’s been way too long.

The kiss we shared at The Roasted Bean has in no way quenched the hunger running rampant through my body. If anything, it only whetted my appetite for more. That’s all it takes for memories of what it felt like to sink deep inside the welcoming heat of her body to bombard me.

My cock stirs with interest.

Down, boy.

This is definitely not the time for that.

Mom is the first one to pull me in for an embrace.

Then Dad gives me a hearty hug with a clap on the back. “You played a solid game!”

“Thanks.”

His praise has always meant the most to me. How could it not when I feel the need to live up to his level of talent on the ice? It’s no easy feat when your father played in the NHL for a decade and helped bring home two Stanley Cups. Most kids worship athletes that they’ve never met in real life or know on a personal level.

The same can’t be said for me.

Dad has always been my hero. As a kid, I spent hours studying his game film, wanting to play just like him.

“We thought if you weren’t busy, we could grab something to eat,” Mom says.

Fuck.

Again…under normal circumstances, I’d be more than happy to skip the bar and chill with my parents, but not when I’ve been anticipating spending a little alone time with Britt.

That’s the moment I spot her standing off to the side and everything inside me settles. Now that I know she stuck around and didn’t take off, I can finally breathe again.

Although, by her pantomiming efforts, she’s gonna give it her best shot.

Like hell will I allow that to happen.

“Colby?”

Mom’s voice breaks through the chaotic whirl of my thoughts.

I rip my gaze away from Britt long enough to say, “Umm…give me a moment. Okay?”

I’m on the move before either of them can ask any questions. Once Britt realizes that I’m headed in her direction, she gives her head a little shake as her eyes widen.

As if that’s going to deter me.

Ha!

When her mouth pops open, I slip my arm around her waist and steer her toward my parents.

“What the hell are you doing?” she whispers between clenched teeth.

“Introducing you to your new in-laws. What’d you think was happening?”

With a sputter, her body stiffens. It wouldn’t surprise me if she dug her heels into the floor in an attempt to halt our progress.

Britt isn’t the only one with wide, disbelieving eyes.

My parents look stunned by the sudden turn of events.

I certainly can’t blame them for that. It’s been over four years since I’ve mentioned any interest in a girl.

“Mom and Dad, this is Britt. Would you mind if she joined us for dinner?” I keep my arm wrapped around her so she can’t make a run for it.

“Of course not,” Mom says, still looking surprised. “We’d love that.”

“Thanks.” I shoot her a smile, appreciative that she’s always so friendly and welcoming.

Dad reaches out to shake Britt’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

I might not know Britt well, but I recognize a forced smile when I see it.

“It’s great to meet both of you as well.” There’s an awkward pause before she clears her throat. “I totally understand if you two would prefer to spend some time alone with⁠—”

“Nonsense,” Mom says with a wave of her hand as she glances at my father. “Gray and I would enjoy the opportunity to get to know you. If you’re important to Colby, then you’re important to us. And please, call me Whitney.”

Have I mentioned how much I love my mom?

She’s seriously the best.

Enough tension drains from Britt’s body for her to unbend just a little bit. “Thank you.”

“Should we get moving?” Dad asks, shoving his hands into his pants pockets and rocking back on his heels.

“Yup.” I give Britt a bit of side eye to gauge her reaction. “Want to meet at the bar and grill downtown?”

They nod before we all head toward the exit.

I keep my arm locked around Britt, steering her toward the double set of glass doors.

She leans close enough for her warm breath to ghost across my ear. “Just so you know, if I weren’t already divorcing you, this would definitely do the trick.”