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

I throw another glance over my shoulder and stare at the girl who just shot me down in a blaze of glory. She and Carina have resumed their convo. Ford’s girlfriend looks as if she’s doing her best not to burst out laughing.

My guess is that she’s enjoying this.

It goes without saying that I’ll never hear the end of it.

Unable to help myself, my attention returns to the gorgeous girl with caramel colored hair as I silently will her to turn and meet my gaze.

She doesn’t.

Her disinterest is palpable.

I nod toward the bar and fire off the question before I can think better of it. “Who’s the girl?”

“Her name is Britt.” Fallyn’s dark brows draw together. “She transferred to Western last semester.”

My gaze slices to the chick who just trampled my ego without a second thought. “Hmmm. I don’t think I’ve seen her around. Pretty sure I’d remember if I had.”

There’s no two ways about it.

I would definitely remember.

Even though Fallyn is carrying a tray loaded down with shots, she twists around and pokes me in the chest with her finger. “Do me a favor and stay away from Britt. She’s not one of your puck bunnies.”

I flash a grin before nipping one of the glasses off her tray and lifting it to my lips. “Sorry, can’t make any promises.”

I send a little wink her way before belting back the shot. The smooth, cinnamon flavored liquor burns a fiery trail down the back of my throat. Before I can return the glass to her tray, two girls slide beneath my arms and stare up at me like I’m their long-lost god.

“Hey, Colby!” one chirps.

“We missed you!” the other adds in an equally cheerful voice.

Both shift close enough for their soft titties to press against my chest. I snake my arms around them and attempt to forget about the little firecracker who just annihilated me with one icy glare.

If there are girls who can perform just such a feat, it would be Tanya and Lindy. Not only are they sorority sisters, but they’re besties who do everything together.

And I do mean everything.

They were both gymnasts and then cheerleaders in high school. They’re bendy in ways I never dreamed possible and can always be depended on to put on a spectacular show. Their fawning is exactly the balm needed after my encounter with Fallyn and Carina’s prickly friend.

Give these two honeys ten minutes and I won’t even remember the previous convo. Hell, five minutes will be more than enough to forget about her light brown hair and golden colored eyes. Even in the dimness of the bar, they flashed and sparked with challenge.

Yeah…those particular thoughts aren’t helping the situation at all.

When Tanya strokes nimble hands over my chest, I realize I’m staring across the bar and force my attention back to the blonde tucked against me.

She flashes a toothy grin when our gazes collide.

At least, I think it’s Tanya.

It could be Lindy.

My brow furrows as I try to figure it out. I can never keep them straight.

Although, it’s not like there’s a reason. We’re not going out. The only time we spend together takes place between the sheets. I have zero interest in getting caught up in a relationship.

Not after the crap that went down my senior year of high school. It took months to get my head on straight. Four years later, the only girls I fuck are the ones who are out for a good time and nothing more.

It keeps things easy.

Uncomplicated.

Just the way I like it.

I’m knocked from the tangle of my thoughts when one of them murmurs, “Let’s get out of here.” She bats her long lashes before whispering, “Lindy and I have something special planned for you tonight.”

Instead of focusing on the throaty promise and the acrobatics that are sure to accompany it, my attention gets snagged by her lashes. There’s no damn way they’re real. They’re thick and clumpy.

If I squint, they kind of remind me of hairy spiders.

Especially when she bats them.

I’m not gonna lie…it’s creeping me out.

It’s a definite mood killer.

Unable to stare at them a second longer without a shiver skating down my spine, I refocus on her lips. They’re ridiculously plump.

It’s tempting to ask if she’s having an allergic reaction and in need of an EpiPen. But I’d bet my athletic scholarship they’re just injected with filler.

I glance at Lindy, only to find that she’s a mirror image of her bestie.

Their shirts are so low cut and tight that it wouldn’t surprise me if one of their nips popped out to play peek-a-boo. And their skirts are so short that there’s no way they could bend over unless they want to flash their panties.

If they’re wearing any.

My gaze is reluctantly drawn to the girl on the other side of the bar. There’s nothing fake about her. In fact, it’s doubtful she’s wearing makeup. Her outfit is basic. A simple sweater and jeans. The dark wash denim hugs her curves like a glove and the thin black sweater hints at what’s hidden beneath the soft looking material. Although…one wouldn’t know for certain unless they were able to get their greedy hands on her.

Fuck.

“Colby?” Lindy prompts when I remain silent. “Are we heading back to our place?”

“Sorry, ladies,” I blurt. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not feeling it tonight.”

Their eyes flare as they thrust out their lower lips in matching expressions of disappointment.

“Are you sure?” Tanya cajoles. “We know exactly what you like.”

It’s true.

They know exactly what I like in the bedroom.

Under normal circumstances, that not-so-gentle reminder would be more than enough to hustle my ass out the door.

But that’s not the case tonight.

I shake my head, confused as to why I’m so intent on a girl who refuses to give me the time of day.

Wait a minute…

Oh, I get it.

A relieved smile quirks the corners of my lips.

Damn, I should have realized it sooner.

This girl is playing hard to get.

I mean, duh…of course she is.

Girls don’t say no to me.

This is nothing more than a chess game.

She wants me to chase her. Make her feel special. Like she’s different from all the other puck bunnies and groupies.

Of course you are, firecracker.

I almost laugh as understanding slams into me with the force of a two by four. Never in my life have I worked to secure female attention. Even when I was a kid, women fussed and fawned over my big blue eyes and dimples. They melted in elementary school and wanted to be my ‘girlfriend.’ Sometimes I had five at the same time. One for each day of the week. I’d grin at my jealous friends while the girls buzzed around me like drunken bees.

Hey, don’t hate the player.

Hate the game.

For a handful of seconds, I’d almost thought I’d lost my touch.

In an unprecedented move, I untangle myself from Lindy and Tanya. “I’ll catch you two later.”

The first thing I’m going to do is a bit of recon. My gaze lands on Juliette, Stella, and Viola, who are talking at one of the tables.

Perfect.

Just the people I was looking for.

Over the past fifteen minutes, I’ve seen all three of them give Britt a hug. So, they’re obviously chummy.

A little intel will help me nail her down.

Or, more accurately, nail her.

I settle on the other side of the table across from Juliette and Viola. Riggs and Stella are chilling to my left.

My teammate lifts his chin in greeting. “Hey man. Heard you got your ass handed to you.” A smug smile curls its way around his lips. “Wish someone had caught it on video. I would have loved to see it.” He cranes his head and pretends to look around. “Where is she? I need to shake her hand and buy her a beer.”

I give him the finger and refocus my attention on the girls. “So…your friend over there.” I jerk my head toward the bar. “What’s her deal?”

Juliette’s brows slant together. “I assume you’re talking about Britt?”

I drum my fingers against the sticky tabletop, only wanting to hasten this convo along. “Yup. That would be the one.”

Just as she opens her mouth, Ryder McAdams tugs her from the chair and drops down onto it before pulling her onto his lap. This must be an everyday occurrence because she doesn’t even blink at his manhandling.

This guy is so whipped.

I give Riggs a bit of side eye. He’s busy nibbling away at Stella’s neck. Any moment, he’s going to devour her in one tasty gulp.

It’s tempting to drag a hand down my face.

What the hell is going on with these guys?

They’re all getting wifed up.

There must be something in the water around here.

I glance at Wolf Westerville, who’s lounging at the far end of the table. His attention is locked on his newly minted girlfriend, Fallyn. Can’t say I saw that one coming. It’s like one day, he was all moody and surly and the next, he’s in a full-on relationship with Fallyn DiMarco and totally domesticated.

A few weeks ago, I couldn’t have told you a damn thing about the girl.

Even though she’s seriously hot, she wasn’t on my radar. Although, I’d never say either of those things to Wolf. He’s liable to take me out. He’s more of a strike first and ask questions later kind of dude.

It’s just one of the reasons I enjoy him in goal.

I’ll miss the hell out of the guy next year. He’ll sign his contract with Boston, and if all goes according to plan, I’ll be in Milwaukee. A couple times a year, I’ll get a chance to fuck with him, but that’s about it.

Juliette presses her lips together before shaking her head. “She’s not your type, Colby. Sorry.”

I cock a brow.

I have a type?

That’s news to me.

“Oh?”

She rolls her eyes. “You know exactly what I mean.”

“Nope, not a clue.” I pick up my bottle of beer from earlier and bring it to my lips before waving my other hand around. “Please, enlighten me.”

I take a swig.

Fuck. Talk about warm…

“Is that really necessary?” she asks with a heavy sigh.

Damn right it is.

“I’d like to hear more about my type.”

This should be good.

She glances at her boyfriend. The asshole’s shoulders are shaking. Barely is he able to keep a straight face. “Tell him what he wants to know, babe.”

I narrow my eyes at my teammate. “Yeah…tell me, Little McKinnon.”

“You know that I’m the older sibling, right?”

“I meant in stature.”

She straightens on Ryder’s lap. “Well, you like girls who have an interest in hockey.”

When I lift a brow, ready to negate that factoid, she tacks on, “Players.”

I don’t technically have an interest in chicks who like hockey players. It just makes getting laid easier.

But I keep that little tidbit to myself.

I shrug. “Maybe.”

“You especially like ones who understand you’re not looking for anything long term. And, from what I’ve seen, more than two hours would be considered long term.”

The girl’s got me there.

She cocks her head. “Have you ever had a girlfriend? Maybe you’d actually enjoy it.”

Ryder snorts.

When an image of Anna sneaks into my brain, I quickly shove it away.

“I’m happy being single.” I take another swig of the warm beer to cover my discomfort with this line of questioning.

I’ve never told any of my teammates about what happened in high school, and I don’t plan on rehashing it now. The lingering anxiety and anger that will sometimes wrap its icy fingers around my chest and squeeze until breathing becomes impossible is the only reminder from that time in my life. Otherwise, I try like hell not to think about it.

It’s over with and I’ve moved on.

“Which is exactly why it won’t work with Britt. She’s not interested in athletes, let alone hockey players who like to hit it and quit it before moving on to the next warm body.”

“It sounds suspiciously like you’re trying to slut shame me. FYI—that’s totally not cool. Is it really such a problem that I like to spread the love around so everyone’s happy?”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, you’re a real goodwill ambassador for Western.”

“Exactly. It’s important work. And someone needs to do it.”

For the umpteenth time, I glance at the girl in question. I hate to admit it, but the more I hear about her, the more intrigued I become.

It’s only when slender hands slide around me from behind, and a pair of soft breasts are pressed against my shoulder blades that I snap back to the convo with Juliette.

“Just the man I was looking for,” a husky voice whispers in my ear.

Larsa Middleton.

I’d recognize her cloying scent anywhere.

“I was just talking to Lindy and Tanya. They said you weren’t interested in having a little fun tonight. I told them that I bet a foursome would change your mind.”

Fuck.

Have I jumped into bed with three girls before?

Guilty.

And I was pretty sure my dick was going to fall off afterward.

Let’s just say a lot of balm was needed.

Unconsciously, my gaze meanders to the pretty girl on the other side of the bar. It feels like I’m having an out-of-body experience. Am I really going to turn down a foursome with Lara, Lindy, and Tanya?

When my gaze collides with Juliette’s dark one, she raises a brow as if to say exactly my point.

I clear my throat and rise to my feet. “Sorry, Larsa. Tanya and Lindy were right. Not tonight.”

I’m on the move before she can attempt to detain me.

The only girl I’m interested in taking home is the one with caramel-colored hair and a smartass mouth that’ll look good wrapped around my dick.

Said appendage twitches at the idea.

As I cut a path in her direction, she swings away and heads toward the hallway where the restrooms are located. I watch for a moment before switching course and following from a safe distance. Culling her from the crowd and talking to her in semi-private can only work to my advantage.

Already I feel my luck with this chick changing.

When she slips into the bathroom, I park myself outside the door before leaning against the opposite wall and folding my arms across my chest as I settle in to wait.

A couple minutes later, the thick wood swings open and a few girls trickle out. They stumble to a drunken halt before their hungry gazes slide up and down my length like I’m a piece of meat.

I get the feeling the one on the left would lick me if it were socially acceptable.

“Hey, Colby,” one of them says. “Can’t wait to watch your next game.”

“Thanks.”

“We’re your biggest fans!” the second one adds.

“The biggest,” the third girl echoes with a slur.

“We appreciate your support.” When I say nothing more, they stagger down the hallway, giggling to one another.

My attention returns to the door just as it opens for a second time. Britt’s eyes widen as she stutters to a stop.

Yup…her eyes are just as mesmerizing as I remember. It wasn’t a trick of the light or my imagination.

I flash a charming smile. The blinding one that makes my dimples pop in tandem. The very same one that’s been known to drop panties in five seconds flat.

When she remains silent, I say, “I wanted to apologize for earlier.” This is the part where I up the wattage to near dazzling. “I think we got off on the wrong foot.”

Instead of melting into a puddle of goo at my feet the way I expect, her eyes narrow as she shakes her head. “Actually, I don’t think we did.”

There’s not even a flicker of interest in her expression.

When she steps closer, swallowing up the distance between us, my breath hitches as anticipation leaps to life in my veins before flooding my system.

What the actual fuck is that about?

My breath has never hitched once in my life.

Not even before stepping onto the ice for a championship game.

I glance at her lips. They’re plump and shiny. But not oversized like the blonde sorority chicks who were trying to have their wicked way with me.

It takes effort to force my gaze back to hers, where it stays fastened. There’s an intensity within her golden depths that makes me feel like I’m drowning.

It’s the strangest sensation.

One I don’t understand.

She tilts her chin to maintain eye contact. “Spoiler alert—I’m not going to sleep with you.”

That’s unfortunate.

“You sure about that?” I rasp.

She presses close enough for me to feel the softness of her breasts through the thin sweater she’s wearing. I can’t help but flex my chest, desperate for more contact.

“Yeah, I am. I will never sleep with you.” Seconds tick by as she carefully searches my gaze. “The girls that were just hanging all over you are the ones you should take home.”

The edges of my lips quirk upwards. “Ahhh…so you were watching. Good to know.”

She snorts. “My point is that they would be easy. More your speed. You should stick with that.”

“Maybe I don’t want easy,” I blurt.

The throaty chuckle that escapes from her breaks the thick tension building between us.

“Of course you do. You like the thrill of the chase.”

Her smile is like a gut punch.

When I remain silent, unsure what to say, she continues. “Please. Easy is what you’re used to.”

“Interesting. I didn’t realize we knew each other so well.”

“I don’t have to know you personally to know your type. I’ve seen it a million times before. Trust me when I say that I’m not what you’re looking for.”

Before I can fire back another response, she says, “I was just about to take off. But it was nice not meeting you.” She cocks her head. “Let’s keep it that way, shall we?”

I…

Have no words.

I’m pretty sure that my mouth is gaping wide like a smallmouth bass.

With that, she takes a step in retreat. Air rushes between us, making me miss the warmth of her smaller body pressed against mine.

It’s only when she swings away and is no longer staring at me that I find my tongue. “Never say never, firecracker.”

She throws a glance over her shoulder. Our eyes lock for a heartbeat before she walks away, leaving me alone in the dark hallway with only my chaotic thoughts for company.