Rush the Edge: A Brother’s Best Friend Hockey Romance (Blue Devils Hockey Book 3)

My fingers tingle, and my legs ache. Usually, when we’re playing on the road, it’s hard for us to come together on the ice. We’re all a little disoriented, especially during the first period, but if I’m being honest, I’m more focused right now than I am at home.

I know it’s because Daisy isn’t here in that tight Blue Devil’s outfit, waving her stupid trident around, stealing everyone’s attention.

Malaki sits down and shakes out his sweaty hair like a dog, hitting both Rhodes and me in the face.

“I’m going to put you in a fucking cage if you ever do that again,” Rhodes grumbles.

He stands up quickly with his phone in hand and stalks off toward Emory while half the team chuckles behind his back.

We’re already gearing up for our last period. Lars and Crew, our new guys, are watching one of the iPads with furrowed brows while some of our veteran players are quiet and focused.

Things are tense, and with Malaki breathing down my neck, it puts me on edge.

“Back up,” I snap.

He ignores me.

Typical.

“What’s up with you and devil girl?” Malaki bends at the waist to retighten the laces on his skates. I do the same, except I start with my left, as always, because we need all the luck we can get.

“You really want to know?” I peer over at him, and the surprise is almost enough to make me feel bad for fucking with him.

Almost.

“Give me all the dirty details.” He wiggles his eyebrows up and down. If I were going to tell him anything, I would have changed my mind immediately.

I stand and push back my damp hair. Malaki has a gleam in his eye, waiting for me to spill all my secrets to him.

There’s only one person I’ve ever trusted enough to tell my secrets to, and it isn’t him.

“Alright.” I lean down and lower my voice. For dramatic effect, I pause for a few seconds and then say, “None of your fucking business.”

“Oh, come on!” Malaki stands and throws his arms up. “You’re no fun.”

“Says the guy who called a woman to come get me,” I quietly snap.

I take off toward the ice, not wanting to hear any bullshit from anyone else on the team.

They think I’m unaware of their little group chat and how they take turns keeping a watch over me if I’m ever feeling antsy and need to let some steam off. The last thing I want is for anyone else to learn that Daisy is the real gatekeeper when it comes to me.

A few laps around the ice, and Malaki is at my back.

“Listen”—he taps his stick on the ice as we wait for the game to start—“I did it for your own good. The casino is the last place you need to be at.”

My jaw aches with pressure. I skate around, pushing my blades into the ice with force.

“You just got out of the hole because of your brother’s gambling,” he says quietly as I pass by. “Don’t end up there again because of your own gambling.”

He’d be beyond pissed if he knew I was there to pay off another debt of Miles’s, and I can’t blame him. Malaki saved my ass before, and I understand why he’s concerned that I may have my own gambling addiction, but that’s far from the truth.

In fact, I’m addicted to something far worse.

Coach gives us a warning before heading to his hotel room. If you go out, don’t fuck up.

Noted.

Lars asked me to go out with him, and I know it’s because I’m the only one who never refuses. He’s out on the dance floor, wearing some girl’s cowgirl hat while swinging her around, and I’m over here, sitting at the bar with my phone in my hand.

I glance at it for the fourth time since getting my beer. I keep River’s text on unread, not wanting the notification to disappear, because it’s a silent warning not to text his sister.

Back in my pocket it goes. I glance around the bar to find someone to fill my time with.

If I can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

More like, if I can’t be with Daisy, be with someone else.

The malty beer flows down my throat as I force thoughts of her and all the texts I’ve typed so far, only to delete a moment later, out of my head.

She’s survived several years without me—something she made sure to point out when I attempted to check on her earlier in the day.

My now empty beer bottle clanks onto the bar top after I catch the eye of a blond.

There’s a pull in my chest—and not the kind that is pulling me toward her.

I stand up because there is no way I’m letting Daisy get in my head to ruin this.

Instead of being a gentleman and asking the woman to dance, I wrap my arm around her waist and drag her onto the floor. The music is some kind of twangy country song, but it has enough beat to it that she can half-grind on my dick.

“What’s your name?” Her voice reminds me of someone who’d be on one of those housewife reality shows.

“No need for names,” I say.

Her hips don’t fit right in my hands, and the smell of her perfume is too crisp.

I sigh angrily.

I know what my problem is, even if I refuse to admit it.

Little Miss Wannabe Dolly Parton moves easily when I swing her around to face me. She’s flush against my body, and I pray that a spark ignites. My fingers wrap around her cheeks, and I lose them in her hair. I slip my tongue into her mouth, hoping she has some mystical kiss that’ll sweep me off my feet.

My phone vibrates, and I eagerly pull away.

Since when am I thankful for a distraction during a make-out session?

The woman gasps for air, and I don’t wait to see if she gets any.

Daisy’s name appears on my screen, and the hottest thrill enters my blood.

I step into the parking lot to hide from Dolly and open the text in private.

Daisy

And here I thought you were done playing games.

My brow furrows.

One, I’ll never stop playing games with her because, trust me, I’ve fucking tried. And two, I’m not sure what she’s referring to.

Me

Winning gives me a high, so it’s unlikely that I’ll ever stop.

Unfortunately, she gives me a high too.

I type another text while leaning on the side of the building.

Me

What game are you referring to? The hockey game?

The thought of her all alone inside her apartment, watching me dominate the ice, shouldn’t excite me like this. Why do I want her to watch me play? I’m used to playing for myself and no one else. It’s not like my mom is tuning in to cheer me on, yet the thought of Daisy watching me has my palms itching to practice for our next game.

Daisy

The game where you take the batteries from my vibrator!

I pop up from resting against the wall.My fingers tighten around my phone with thoughts of Daisy and her vibrator.

Me

Didn’t take you long to find that out. Feeling naughty tonight, are we?

My pulse skyrockets.

Time slows as I stare down at my phone screen.

The anticipation of waiting for her to text back is slowly killing me. Little bubbles pop up when she types, but then they disappear, only for them to appear again.

Daisy

Where are they?

They’re in her thermometer—where they’d be at better use.

I didn’t steal them from her vibrator to be an asshole.

It’s not like I’m jealous of her vibrator or something…

Okay, fine. I am.

Me

Mmm. I don’t know. Guess you’ll have to get off the old-fashioned way.

Or wait until I can do it for you.

Wait, no. Do not fucking say that.

I press myself against the side of the building and duck off into the darkness of the alleyway. The city is alive and well, but tucked in this alcove is just the amount of privacy I need to continue teasing Daisy without someone daring to interrupt me.

Me

Or you can wait until I do it for you.

I couldn’t help myself. I just couldn’t.

I get antsy when she doesn’t reply, so I type another message.

Me

You didn’t answer my question. Are you feeling a little naughty tonight?

Daisy

Fuck off.

My chuckle echoes all around me.

Me

Answer me, and I’ll give you a hint on where the batteries are.

It takes her a few minutes to text back, and I can picture her now, looking for the batteries in the cabinets and under her couch cushions. It’s either that, or she’s actually touching herself.

I freeze with my fingers hovering over the call button.

She better not be.

Daisy

How do I know you’ll actually tell me the truth? I don’t trust you.

Me

You can say you don’t trust me, but deep down, you do.

Daisy texts back right away, and I’m more engaged than ever.

Daisy

You seduced me the other night just to win your stupid little game. I most definitely don’t trust you.

Me

You think I seduced you just to win?

Couldn’t she see how wrapped around her finger I was? Or how wild I became with her taste on my tongue?

Me

That isn’t the only reason I did what I did, Daisy. Now answer my question.

Time moves slowly. I swear it takes eons for her to message me back.

Daisy

I’ll answer your question if you answer mine.

I’m intrigued.

Menoveldrama

What’s your question?

I call for an Uber and text Lars that I’m leaving. He clearly doesn’t need me here anyway.

The Uber shows up before Daisy texts back.

I’m sure she’s still searching around for the batteries.

By the time my driver arrives at the hotel, my pulse is flying. Visions of Daisy alone in her apartment, doing unspeakable things to herself instead of texting me back, has me on edge.

I choose the stairs instead of the elevator, too eager to be alone in my room with Daisy on the other line, rather than be caught by a fan waiting in the elevator.

The door latches, and my phone goes off at the same time. I’m so eager for the text that I fumble with the device. I accidently click on River’s name, and it’s a swift punch to the gut. I swipe his name and delete our entire message thread.

There. Problem solved.

Daisy

You said there was another reason why you seduced me. What was it?

I flop onto my bed.

Me

Seduced? I’m not sure I like the sound of that word.

I eagerly watch the bubbles pop up on the screen while she types and try to remember a time where I felt so captivated with something as simple as texting. The last time I felt this way was probably with her.

Daisy

Lure? Corrupt? Deceive?

Corrupt. Why does that make my dick hard?

Corrupting Daisy Sullivan. God yes.

Me

Corrupting Daisy Sullivan. I like the sound of that.

My dick does too.

I blame my sudden lack of rational thinking on the buzz the beer gave me. I’ve been forcing Daisy far from my mind since the other night and focusing on where my loyalty lies. Right now, though? I can’t seem to find that steady ground I was on earlier.

Daisy

Wouldn’t be the first time.

Oh, she wants to go there?

Me: If I remember correctly, you came on to me that night. In fact, I recall you begging.

I’d bet my life that Daisy is rolling her eyes at me through the phone.

Me

Stop rolling your eyes. You know it’s true.

Daisy

How did you know I rolled my eyes?

Me

Because I know you better than you think.

Even with our time apart, I still know her like the back of my hand.

Daisy

Whatever. Answer the question.

The more we text, the more surprised I become. I would’ve thought she’d give up on the conversation by now, but maybe she’s enjoying this as much as I am.

Me

Reason number one: To win, obviously. There’s no way I was going to lose strip hockey and discuss Miles with you.

My jaw flexes with the mere thought of diving into that fuckery.

Me

Reason number two…

Fuck, I shouldn’t be texting her this.

Me

Because I still can’t resist you, Daisy.

And that’s the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Daisy

I don’t believe that even for a second. Bye.

Afraid she’ll slip right through my fingers for the night, I impulsively video chat her.

The phone rings once, and my chest grows tight.

It rings a second time, and my pulse races.

By the third ring, I’m contemplating taking an early flight back home.

But then, on the fourth ring, she picks up.