Shattered Ice

Locker room teasing

3 weeks later

*Caleb*

I’m in the locker room after practice. Damn a hot shower is going to be really nice. I’m pulling off my jersey, trying to catch my breath after the grueling session, when Connor and Quinn saunter over, grins plastered on their faces.

“Hey, man, what’s the plan for the weekend?” Connor asks, leaning against the row of lockers, arms crossed and eyebrows raised. “We were thinking about making the local bars happening.”

“No can’t do man,” I say, tossing my jersey into my locker. “I’m heading to Ginny’s sister’s wedding.”

Connor blink, “Ginny? Virginia Harrington,

The team lawyer?”

“Yup, that Ginny,” I say with a nod.

Quinn bursts out laughing. “What? You’re going to a family wedding? With the team’s legal babysitter?”

“Shut up,” I shoot back, rolling my eyes. “She’s not a babysitter. She’s a Harvard grad, you know.”

“Right, she is a smart cookie. And you’re just her ‘plus-one,’” Connor teases, wiggling his eyebrows like a cartoon character. “What’s the deal, man? Are you dating her or something?”

“Not dating. Just helping her out, we are friends,” I insist, trying to maintain a facade of nonchalance. But the truth is, the thought of being her ‘date’ makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. “She needed someone to support her, that’s all.”

Quinn snorts. “Support? Is that what you kids are calling it these days? Sounds like you’re signing up for more than just a dance or two, buddy.”

“Shut up,” I say again, but it’s more playful this time. “You guys are ridiculous. She needed someone who wouldn’t freak out about family pressures. Someone to keep Them of her back about being single. I’m not trying to get anything out of it.”

“Sure, sure,” Connor chuckles, leaning closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “But you can’t tell me you’re not thinking about the potential ‘payback’ for your services. I mean, she’s all hot and stuff, right?”

I feel my cheeks heat up, and I instinctively reach for my water bottle to take a swig. “Dude, seriously? It’s not like that. You guys need to show some respect.”

“Respect?” Quinn raises his eyebrows, clearly unconvinced. “Bro, we’re talking about a wedding. There’s food, music, maybe some wine. Romance happening. You two are going to be dancing, and you know she’s going to be looking at you like you’re her knight in shining armor. You really think you’re just going to watch her aunt’s terrible dance moves and not get any ideas? You are sooo sneaking into her room.”

I can’t help but laugh. “I’m just there to support her and help her avoid awkward questions from her family. It’s not like I’m trying to sweep her off her feet. If anything, I’m just trying to keep my head down and not make a fool of myself in front of her relatives.”

“Good luck with that,” Connor smirks. “You know how weddings go. One minute you're just a ‘friend’ and the next, you’re the guy who’s going to be asked why you aren’t married yet. Prepare to catch those flowers.”

“Yeah, I’ll be the one dodging those questions,” I say, running a hand through my damp hair. “But honestly, I think Virginia is just as nervous about it all. It’s not easy for her either. Her family is old money and politics, they wanted her to be a southern belle, not a career woman.”

“Aw, look at you, Mr. Sensitive.” Quinn pretends to wipe away a fake tear. “Are you going to bring her flowers or something? Maybe serenade her during the ‘slow dance’? Tell mommy that Ginny got her looks from her?”

“Shut up!” I shoot back, laughing despite myself. “I’m not going to serenade her. That’s not my style. I’m just going to show up, be there for her, and try not to embarrass us both.”

“Sure, whatever you say, Romeo,” Connor chimes in with a grin. “But mark my words, once you step into that wedding, all bets are off. The lovebirds will be flocking to you two.”

I shake my head, trying to suppress a smile. “You guys are impossible. Just wait until I come back with some crazy wedding story. Then we’ll see who’s laughing.”

“Deal,” Quinn says, holding out his hand for a shake. “But if you get caught up in the family drama, don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I say, slapping his hand away playfully. “I’ll be fine. I’m just there to support Virginia. Nothing more.”

Conner grins, “wanna bet a hundred bucks he is gonna get laid this weekend.”

“Nope, I do not make bets I can’t win,” Quinn laughs. “He is so gonna nail her.”

I just flip them off, and they finally leave me alone to finish up.

But as I finish undressing and head into the shower, I can’t shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, this wedding could turn out to be more than I bargained for. And honestly? I’m kind of looking forward to it.