Power Play (Nashville Assassins: Next Generation Book 2) Read online

  “What is your favorite color?”

  I shut the door behind me as he walks backward, bringing me with him. The last guy I touched this much was Maxim, but he never looked at me the way Boon does. “This goes against everything I’ve ever been taught, but it’s green.”

  He laughs. “I thought you Adlers bled purple?”

  I grin. “Exactly, but I love green. Especially green-flavored candy. Though, I can’t eat much candy.”

  “Why?” he asks as he turns so that he can walk normally.

  He brings me into his side as I say, “I have a thyroid thing, and sugar makes it angry. I’m not supposed to eat gluten or too many carbs either, but I’m at the point where I feel I need to live my best life.”

  “Wes has a gluten allergy. He eats it and pisses out his ass for hours on end.”

  “That’s unfortunate. On many levels.”

  “It is,” he agrees. “I feel for the dude because I love me a sandwich.”

  “Right? A meatball one is bomb.”

  He waggles his brows. “You like balls, huh?”

  I smack his chest, laughing as we head inside and to a booth. When he sits beside me, I’m giddy at how close he is. He wraps an arm around me as we look over the sushi list. Once we have our rolls picked, we order some sake to go with them and then settle into the booth together. He picks up my legs, draping them over his as our eyes meet. “Favorite color?” I ask, and he nods.

  “Blue,” he says simply. “Like the color of your eyes.”

  “Nice line,” I tease, and he grins.

  “I felt so,” he teases back with a wink. “You have three brothers and Shelli, right?”

  “Yes, huge family. I have two real cousins and then two friend cousins. Holidays are insane at my house. You?”

  “Just me and my mom.”

  “No siblings?”

  “Nope. I mean, Wes and Aiden are like my brothers, but no blood. Just me and Mom.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Tina. She’s the best. She raised me all by herself. No help at all. When she got pregnant by my father, whom I’ve never met, her parents put her out.”

  I widen my eyes. “I couldn’t imagine. My mom’s family is awful. I think I’ve met my grandma like twice, but my grandpa is great. My dad’s family are the best people in the world. There are seven of us, but we all feel like we’re the favorite. They’re awesome—” I pause when I realize I might be bragging. Shit. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be—”

  “Shouldn’t be what? Sharing your family with me? That’s bullshit. I’m glad you have that. I wish I did, but my mom loves me enough for a billion people. I’m okay, I promise. I want to know this stuff about you.”

  “Do you want to meet your father?”

  He shakes his head. “No. He didn’t want me. I don’t want him. Really, my mom is amazing.”

  “She sounds incredibly strong.”

  “Hell yeah, she is. She’d give you the shirt off her back. Just a damn good woman.”

  I smile. “My mom is amazing, and my dad is too.”

  “I know. You got some legendary parents.”

  “Yeah, it’s hard to live up to their legacy sometimes.”

  “Really?”

  “I always worry that I’m not doing them proud. Like, Shelli is Shelli. She was successful before she was sixteen. Owen and Evan were drafted first round at eighteen. Quinn is already promised to a premed program. And then there is me. I feel like I’m the sucky Adler.”

  He’s squinting at me.

  “What?” I laugh, and he shakes his head.

  “You are the youngest power play coach we’ve ever had, and you’re a female. Most hockey folks don’t think females are good enough to be in our sport, but all they gotta do is listen to you on the ice to know you own that shit. You’re amazing, Posey. Just as successful and legendary as your whole family.”

  My heart jumps into my throat. “You think so?”

  “I know so.”

  I let out a relieved breath. “Maybe I am.”

  He kisses my cheek. “You are.”

  I lean my face into his lips, and he kisses me once more as I ask, “Did you always want to be a hockey player?”

  “No. Actually, I wanted to be an astronaut, but I’m scared of heights.”

  I press my lips together, trying not to laugh. “I feel that could pose a problem.”

  “A bit. So I decided to skate like everyone else. I was good growing up, which is why I was able to do it. No one made my mom pay because they wanted me on their team.”

  “That’s amazing. You went third in the draft?”

  “Yes, my beautiful stalker—”

  I snort. “Shut up. I follow that stuff. I like knowing who’s up-and-coming. You went to Boston, right?”

  “I’m so flattered that you stalk me,” he teases, his eyes playful. “Give me your love flower—”

  “Love flower?” I snort, but he ignores me.

  “And stalk me. You’re making me feel all kinds of special.”

  “I hate you,” I say, and he laughs. “Is that where you met your ex?”

  The mention of her makes his grin fall. “Yeah, freshman orientation.”

  I lean on my hand, watching him.

  “We were just friends in college. I was drafted before I graduated, and we hooked up when I went back to campus for my coach’s retirement celebration a couple years later, right before I left the Devils. We got engaged about a year later.”

  “She said you don’t show emotion? Which is why she cheated?”

  He nods. “Yeah, that’s her excuse. But Wes thinks it’s the fact that this life isn’t for her.”

  I press my lips together, nodding in agreement. “It takes a special woman, that’s for sure. I’ve seen wives come and go, being around this sport. Not too many can handle being without their spouse up to ten months out of the year.”

  “Yeah, she hated it. She tried to make me choose between my career and her.”

  “What the hell?” I said, my brows touching. “That’s shitty. I really don’t understand that. Both of the guys my cousins dated wanted them to give up everything for them, and it drives me wild. We all work so hard for what we want, and then to just completely throw it away for someone is beyond me. I would never ask someone to give up their dreams for me.”

  “Agreed,” he says with a long sigh. “It is what it is. I’m happier now.”

  I press my nose into his jaw. “It’s because of me.”

  He laughs, trapping my head with his arm. “Maybe.” He kisses my nose and then the side of my cheek. “Anyone special, other than fuckface?”

  I scoff as he lets me go. “Nope. I’m not joking when I tell you everyone I dated wanted my sister.”

  He makes a face. “I don’t understand that. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Shelli is awesome. But if I were attracted to her, I wouldn’t go after her sister. Shelli doesn’t seem like the type to date someone you’d date.”

  “She isn’t,” I agree before taking a sip of my sake. “I guess they were dumb.”

  “So dumb to want her over you.”

  I give him a side-eye. “It’s okay. I know she’s prettier than me.”

  He actually whips his head around to me. He looks like a meme, his jaw hanging open and his eyes wide, the whites of his eyes showing. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes,” I laugh. “Stop looking at me like that.”

  “You seriously think that?”

  “I don’t think. I know.”

  “That’s the biggest bullshit I’ve ever heard.”

  I shrug. “What? It’s true. Shelli is the stunning, curvy one with really pretty eyes. She is insanely talented and so hockey-smart. She’s a showstopper. Everyone loves Shelli.”

  He doesn’t say anything at first; he just looks into my eyes. Then he looks away, shaking his head. “I’m speechless.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because it’s not true.”

  “Yes, it i