Breaking Away

Elli had offered her box to them, but Claire was very adamant on sitting in her seats. It was sort of cute but when Reese fell into the seat beside Claire, she understood why. The seats were spectacular, right behind the home bench. Reese had a perfect view of both goals and if there wasn’t glass in her way, she could reach out and touch the guys. It was probably a good thing that the glass was there though because, lately, she couldn’t keep her hands off Phillip if she tried.

They had been… well… seeing—no, no that wasn’t it… definitely not dating… but… well, hanging out, for three months now. It had been great. Not only was the sex so hot it could melt the ice in Luther Arena, but they had fun. They went bowling with Claire, dinner, movies, and damn, was she happy. Yes, it scared the living shit out of Reese. She was becoming comfortable, and it worried her that at any time Phillip could become bored and want to move on. Because of this, she enjoyed the living hell out of him. Absorbed every second she had with him and Claire because it was becoming natural to her. So natural that a couple of weeks ago, when Phillip went away, instead of Claire going to Harper’s, she came and stayed with Reese.

She knew it was crazy, and she really wasn’t thinking when she asked Phillip if it was okay. She mainly didn’t want to be alone. She missed him when he was gone and having Claire was second best to having him. Of course, Harper gave her a look and questioned her motives, but all Reese could say was that she didn’t want to be alone. She had no clue what that meant, but it was the truth. Thankfully, Phillip was okay with it, and Claire was all about it. It worked out for all of them, so why analyze it? Phillip sure wasn’t, neither was Claire, so she wouldn’t either.

Leaning back in her seat, she threw a handful of popcorn in her mouth as they watched the boys warm up. Phillip skated with ease, doing wide circles around the goal, his hair moving in the wind he was causing, and Reese was finding it hard to remember how to chew popcorn. He was just too damn sexy. Heart stopping even, all decked out in his Assassins’ gear. He looked bigger, stronger, all padded up and on his skates. Reese found herself only watching him. Man, he was a sight to watch.

“God, he is sexy,” Claire said before sucking in a breath.

“Yeah, he is,” Reese agreed but then stopped and looked over at her. “Whoa, who are you talking about?”

Claire shot her a grin. “Number 59, Patrick Franklin.”

Reese found him quickly and couldn’t help but agree with Claire’s assessment. The boy was pretty, but he was a boy. Young and fresh with dark features and even darker eyes. “Yeah, he is cute.”

“I know, I almost slept with him a while back, but Phillip walked in on us and ruined my whole night.”

Reese paused mid-chew and glanced over at him. “How old is he?”

“Nineteen. I lied and said I was nineteen too, not my finest move. I was hell bent on ruining Phillip’s life back then. I still find him sexy, but I wouldn’t mess with him anymore. Hell, I don’t even mess with Brian except maybe a kiss here and there. I guess I grew out of all that junk.”

Reese reached out and squeezed Claire’s hand. “I’m proud of who you are growing into, Claire. I don’t know if I’ve told you that lately.”

Claire smiled as she shrugged shyly. “No, but thanks. I’m proud of who I am too.”

“Good,” Reese said with a nod. When she looked up, the guys were gone. “Hey, where did they go?”

“They are done warming up. Now we wait for the game to start,” Claire said, sipping her coke.

“Well, let’s hope for a win.”

“Oh, they’ll win. Then they’ll go into the playoffs with a great record and they’ll bring the cup home to Nashville again. Auntie Elli said after everything she’s been through with this team since she took over, they better deliver.”

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