Gauging the Player: A One-Night-Stand Sports Romance (The Playmakers Series Hockey Romance Book 3), стр. 25

“So,” Natalie interrupted Lily’s ping-ponging emotions, “have you been keeping busy with the band?”

Lily took in the sight of T.J. cuddling his wife from behind, his expectant eyebrows raised, matching his wife’s expression. Two people in sync, behaving like one unit.

She coughed, giving herself a moment to recover. “No, your wedding was the first time I’d appeared in ages, and I haven’t been onstage since then. That was my life full-time long ago, but things change.” So long ago. “Now I freelance as a social media consultant.”

Their befuddled faces spurred her to continue. “Oh, you’re probably wondering about … Gage and I ran into each other about a week ago and spent time talking. He decided to up his social media game and hired me to help him out.”

As a matter of fact, they’d ironed out the details during the first ten minutes of the car ride over. He’d been very agreeable to her terms. It occurred to Lily the man was just downright agreeable. So much so, she’d overlooked the fact the Millers did not live in a gated community and Gage hadn’t needed to pick her up. Yeah, she was content to let that one slide.

Lily rushed on. “That’s the reason he brought me today. To give me a peek at his world and to meet his hockey family, so to speak.”

Natalie nodded. “I assume you’ll attend a few games too?”

Before she could answer that they hadn’t discussed it, Gage stepped beside her, handing her the wineglass. “Yeah, she’s definitely coming to some games.” He glanced down at her, his expression devoid of any guile. “How about Tuesday night? I can get you a seat. More, if you want to bring your sister and her husband.”

“And they can sit with us in the family section,” Natalie added with glee.

By now, the man in the wheelchair had rolled over, the pretty blond riding in his lap. They both beamed at Lily. The woman extended her hand. “So you’re Lily? Gage was just filling us in. I’m Carla, and this is my husband, Mark.”

Mark’s hand shot out. “Nice to meet you, Lily.” He jerked his chin at Gage. “Dude, I’m not gonna lie. I was beginning to worry about you. I mean, being the best fucking center on the planet isn’t all there is to life. Glad to see you’re turning to the dark side and shedding your Shaolin monk lifestyle. Plus, she’s really hot and makes a nice addition to our club. Good job, bro. You can stay.” Looking directly at Lily, he gave Gage a few pats on the stomach that had Gage flinching. “Love this guy,” Mark added.

The women seemed to stifle snorts. Gage scrubbed a hand down his face, his chiseled cheekbones burning red. “Filter, jackass?” he croaked.

T.J. burst out with a laugh. “He has no filters, Nelsy. Mark, you’ve been watching waaaay too much Deadpool. You are not Wade Wilson.”

“True,” Mark agreed. “I’m much better looking than Wade or Ryan Reynolds.” He turned to his wife and puckered. “Right, babe?”

Carla offered Lily an apologetic smile. “Mark’s an acquired taste.”

“And I taste really fucking good! Just like—”

Carla covered his mouth. “I never know what’s going to come out of this thing. Sometimes I swear it has a life of its own.” She moved her hand away. “Are you going to behave?”

“Not a chance! But that’s why you love me.” He tilted his head and puckered again. “C’mon, gorgeous. Give us a kiss, or you’ll hurt my feeling.”

“Your one feeling,” Gage chuffed.

Carla pecked her husband’s lips and turned to Gage. “Will I see you in class tomorrow? Maybe you could bring Lily?” Her gaze slid to Lily.

“Carla teaches yoga,” Gage explained.

“You do yoga?” Lily blurted.

“I have lots of athletes in my classes,” Carla answered for him. “Ever tried yoga?”

Lily took an extra-large sip of her wine. “Um, yes. Love it, when I have the time.”

“Lily’s a social media consultant,” Natalie interjected. “She’s working for Gage.”

A woman with dark hair and red-rimmed glasses approached the group, her big brown eyes focused on Lily. “Did I hear something about social media? Are you looking for new clients?” She offered Lily her hand. “I’m Katie, by the way. I work for Anderson Homes—which is really Paige—and so does Natalie.”

“And social media is a job neither of us handles. Not well anyway,” Natalie added with an apologetic shrug.

“No, we all suck at it, but Paige keeps saying we need to get it going. Maybe you and she should talk?” Before Lily could open her mouth, Katie called out, “Paige? I think we found your girl. Lily’s a social media expert.”

An unmistakable “Oooooh” drifted from the kitchen. “Be right there.”

In the car hours later, Gage side-eyed her and seemed to wince. “I hope you had a good time. Some of those folks can be overly—”

Lily let out a laugh. “I enjoyed meeting them all. Even Mark.”

“Really?” No mistaking the disbelief—or relief—in his voice.

“Really. They all seem nice, down-to-earth.” And she meant it.

Lily gazed out the window, replaying the day. She’d gone to the party to gain insight into the intriguing mystery that was Gage Nelson. Along the way, she’d picked up a new social media client, a yoga class, and seats to a hockey game. Gage had opened up his world to her, and his “inner sanctum” had wholly embraced her.

She’d also come away with a new PR angle to play up: the sled hockey team Mark belonged to and that Gage, T.J., and Beckett coached in their spare time. It turned out R-rated comments weren’t the only bits of his conversation Mark didn’t rein in. He also didn’t hold back when it came to singing the praises of the three guys who made the sled team a thriving endeavor.

Everything about Gage seemed straightforward, out in the open. No romantic entanglements or baby mamas lurking in the recesses of his celebrity, waiting to strike at the most inopportune times. What you see is