Never Say Never: An Enemies-to-Lovers Secret Identity New Adult Sports Romance (Western Wildcats Hockey Book 4)
Chapter 25

I tap my foot as the elevator rises to the third floor. Had I been smart, I would have taken the stairs. Then I’d already be inside the apartment with my hands on Britt.

Not to mention my mouth.

As that thought flickers through my brain, I realize just how impatient I am to see her again. The three hours I spent at the arena felt more like an eternity.

During practice, my attention kept wandering to the clock on the scoreboard.

It’s the first time I’ve been distracted at practice.

By a female.

Sharing what happened with her earlier felt right. And I’m not sorry I did it. I want Britt to have a better understanding of who I am. Why I’ve spent the past four years screwing around and not allowing anyone to get too close.

She’s the first person that I want to take a chance on.

Hopefully, now that I’ve opened up, she’ll realize how serious I am and do the same.

The more time we spend together, the more fascinated I replace myself. I want to peel back all those layers one by one and figure out who she is beneath it all.

Once the metal doors slide open, I step into the hallway. As sore and tired as I am, I hustle toward her apartment. Anticipation thrums through me until it’s all I can think about.

I’ve never come home from practice to someone waiting for me.

I like it.

More than that, I like her.

My heart skips a beat as that thought ricochets throughout my brain.

I pause in front of the door before fishing the key she gave me out of my pocket and shoving it in the lock. Just as I’m about to twist the handle, the sound of a guitar drifts from within the apartment.

I pause and press my ear to the door, straining to hear the notes.

After a handful of seconds, her voice accompanies the instrument. A shiver scampers down my spine as I flatten even more against the wood. I’m catapulted back to the Vegas flight.

My eyelids feather shut as both the guitar and her husky voice wash over me.

And here she tried to tell me that she barely played.

Little liar.

It’s obvious from the minute or so I’ve been standing here that she has natural ability.

So why downplay it?

Why not own it?

Britt has never struck me as insecure or a shrinking violet.

I almost snort.

Quite the opposite.

She has confidence in spades, and it’s sexy as hell.

It takes a few moments to realize that she’s singing the same song as before. Now that I’m not freaking out, I’m able to focus on the lyrics and melody. It’s not something I recognize.

Did Britt write it herself?

The question circles around in my brain. It only adds to the growing list where she’s concerned.

I squeeze my eyes closed and refocus on the song. I might not be able to recognize it, but there’s something familiar about her voice. Almost as if I’ve heard her sing something else with a faster beat.

With a frown, I smash myself against the door. Maybe then I’ll be able to⁠—

“Hi, Colby!”

Startled from my thoughts, I bang my head against the wood.

Fuck.

My teeth sink into my lower lip to keep the string of curse words trapped inside before straightening to my full height and pretending like I wasn’t just standing here, trying to eavesdrop.

Although, it seems much too late for that.

“Hey, Lance. What’s up? How’s everything going?”

He beams in response, the smile overtaking his expression. “You remembered my name. I wasn’t sure if you would.”

I shrug. “Of course I remembered. We hung out and had a good time.”

He glances at the apartment I’m loitering in front of. “So…are you and Britt dating now?”

Dating my wife?

Guess I am.

“Um, yeah. Something like that.”

Here’s hoping he doesn’t ask her the same question, because it’s doubtful our answers would match up.

“That’s cool.” His brows slide together as his nose twitches. “You know…Britt is a good friend of mine.”

I tilt my head, wondering where this conversation is going. “Uh huh.”

His tongue darts out to lick his lips. “And I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

I force a smile. “I have no intention of hurting her.”

He mulls over my answer for a second or two. “But it could happen anyway.”

“You’re right,” I admit. “It could. But I’ll do my best not to cause her any pain. Promise.”

“You’re the first guy I’ve seen her spend time with since she moved in.”

“Oh?” I can’t help but like that.

Even if I’m forcing her to do it.

With a nod, he steps closer and drops his voice. “I was hoping that maybe something would happen between us, but it never did.” There’s a pause. “I think we’re probably better off as friends. You know?”

“Sorry it didn’t work out. She’s lucky to have you in her life, watching out for her.”

His chest puffs up at the compliment. “Nah, I’m the lucky one. There are a lot of girls around here who won’t even give me the time of day, but Britt isn’t like that. She’s cool and down to earth.”

“Yeah,” I agree. “She is.”

His eyes turn serious as they bore into mine. “Which is why you’ll answer to me if you hurt her.” He cracks the knuckles of both hands. “I hope you understand.”

My brows skyrocket. It’s tempting to ask if he’s playing around, but I can see by his stony expression that he’s as serious as a heart attack.

“You have my word,” I say solemnly.

He nods before clapping me on the arm as his face transforms back into a smile. “Good. I’m glad we could have this little chat.”

Ahhh…

“Yeah, me too.”

Just as I’m about to turn the key, he nods toward the apartment. “She’s pretty talented, isn’t she?”

“She really is.” The question shoots out of my mouth before I can stop it. “You’ve heard her play before?”

“A couple times after we finish studying. She’s been working on a new song. I told her that after she finishes it, we should video it so people can take a listen. Who knows, maybe she’d get famous.” He shrugs. “Or, at the very least, replace a few followers.”

Curiosity eats at me. “What was her response?”

“That she wasn’t interested in replaceing followers. She just wanted to focus on creating music.”

Huh.

Interesting.

Most people would do just about anything to replace a little fame. Especially if they have a talent that can be exploited on social media. It’s just another example of how different this girl is. Sometimes it feels like the more I learn, the less I understand.

As tempting as it is to pump Lance for more intel, I’m impatient to see Britt.

I jerk my head toward the door. “I should probably get moving, but I’ll catch you soon, all right?”

“Yup.” He takes a few steps toward his own apartment before swinging around with a cheery smile. “Remember what I said.”

He’s joking, right?

It’s not every day that someone threatens me with bodily harm.

“It would be hard to forget,” I mutter, twisting the key and stepping inside the entryway. The fragrant aroma of lasagna still hangs heavy in the air.

If I closed my eyes, it would feel like home.

Mom would be proud.

It’s only when I step farther into the beautifully decorated space that I realize Britt is curled up on the couch with a textbook splayed open on her lap. Her guitar is propped against the wall in a corner.

“Hi,” she says.

“Hey.” I nod toward the well-loved instrument that looks as if it’s seen better days. “Were you just playing?”

Her gaze flickers away for a second or two as she shakes her head. “Nope.”

Caught off guard by the lie, disappointment flares inside me before I stomp it down.

“Huh. That’s weird. Pretty sure I heard music coming from inside.”

Instead of responding, she sets the book on the coffee table and jumps to her feet. “Do you want something to eat?”

Before I can respond, she slips past me and swings into the tiny kitchen. Unable to help myself, I drop my bag in the living room and gravitate toward her. It’s like there’s an invisible string connecting us.

I’m beginning to wonder if there’s anywhere she could lead that I won’t follow.

She opens a cabinet door and pulls out a plate before beelining to the stove where the pan sits. I peek over her shoulder and notice that one slice is missing.

When she spins around, nearly crashing into my chest, our gazes catch and hold. Every muscle tightens, going on high alert. I’m waiting for the smallest sign that she wants to finish what we started before I took off earlier. It’s all I’ve been able to think about.

Maybe I shouldn’t have left her hanging…

Or maybe I just want her to feel even a tenth of the need that courses through me where she’s concerned.

One agonizing heartbeat passes and then another before she clears her throat. The growing tension between us dissolves as she thrusts the plate toward my chest.

The smile she flashes looks strained around the edges. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” I glance down and realize that she’s given me two thick wedges.

“I bet you’re hungry,” she says by way of explanation.

“Starving.” My gaze remains fastened to hers. “But not for this.”

Her eyes widen and the delicate lines of her throat constrict as she swallows.

My brain trips back to the weekend in Vegas and the way she looked on her knees, staring up at me as she took my cock.

Said appendage twitches and rises in my sweatpants with growing interest.

She tucks a stray lock of caramel-colored hair behind her ear. “What are you hungry for?”

“You.”

I set the plate on the counter before eating up the distance between us. And then my hands are cupping her cheeks, and my mouth is crashing onto hers. That’s all it takes for her sweetness to flood my senses until I’m dizzy with it.

How I walked away earlier, I have no idea.

Everything about this girl consumes me.

Our tongues tangle as our teeth scrape. Arousal pumps through every cell of my being.

When we finally come up for air, she gasps, “Colby…”

“Tell me, sweet girl…did you miss me as much as I missed you?”

I nip her lower lip with my teeth before peppering kisses across her face.

“I wish I could say no.”

Satisfaction swells inside me like an overinflated balloon. I was half expecting her to tell me the same and that I’d have to fight her to admit the truth.

It’s a relief that we’ve moved past that.

“But you can’t.”

She shakes her head. “No.”

“And you hate it.”

“I really do,” she admits with a sigh.

A grin spreads across my face. “Good. It would seem like my evil plan is working.”

Her lips quirk. “Unfortunately, I think you might be right.”