Chapter 2: The Irrational Decision

EASTON CARTER

Another round of hurrah from the boys. We had decided to have a night off before the big game. Four years of playing in the NHL, and I'm ready to go loud on the Glacier Guardians tonight.

“You know what? We might as well have a bit of fun while we're at it, Captain.” He looked at me. “You're the best player on the team, but you're lacking something.” Hale wiggled his brows, and the others followed suit.

“What?” I asked absentmindedly.

“Some ass!” they cheered.

“Keep it down, this is still a bar.”

“Oh, come on. Is the princess cranky tonight?” my best friend, Ronny, said.

“Whatever. Besides, I can get ass anytime I want. With a face like mine, it's easy to get any woman I want.”

“You sure about that, Captain?” Gregor asked with a tilted brow.

Of course I'm fucking sure. I've just been busy, that's all.

“I dare you,” Hale said. “I dare you to walk up to that girl, get her a drink, and see what happens from there.”

He pointed to a brunette who had just walked in, head down. She walked straight to the bar and ordered whiskey with shots.

“I'll even place my money on it. If the captain has enough balls to take a girl home tonight, then he still has game.” Gregor agreed, flipping a hundred onto the table.

I rolled my eyes. Amateurs. So I downed my last bottle of tequila, stood up with a grunt, and walked up to the brunette. What I didn't expect, though, was the sad story of her boyfriend cheating on her.

“Prove to me that I'm attractive. Kiss me.”

Is she…crazy? I mean, I love my women crazy, but not this crazy.

“I… think you've had a lot to drink.” I signaled to the bartender for water.

“I'm n-not even thaaaat drunk,” she said, words slurred.

“Is there anyone I could call for you? To take you home?”

She stood up from her chair, legs shaking beneath her, and trampled over, falling on top of me. Yup, she was definitely drunk.

“Just one kiss. One kiss wouldn't hurt.” She slapped both hands on my face, pulling me close with her mouth in a kissable pucker and eyes closed.

I did not envision my night turning out like this. I immediately moved my head from her grip and replaced it with a glass of water.

“Here you go,” I said as she took a gulp.

“Now… what's your name so I can call someone to take you home?”

“M-my n-name…Olly.”

She moved back and fell against the bar, hands hanging in midair. Her hair was wet from the heat, covering her forehead. She looked like she was out of it, snoring loudly, I might add.

Shit.

I signaled to Ronny, who walked over to us.

“Woah, dude. You've successfully made this one fall head over heels for you. Literally.”

“Stop joking around. She's drunk. I have to help her get home.”

“Are you fucking serious right now?” he asked. “You don't know who she is, and we have a game in less than an hour.”

“I can still make it. I can't leave her here like this.”

“You have no idea where she lives.”

“I'll take her to a hotel, book a room and come back immediately she's asleep.”

He looked at me, eyes narrowed because he didn't like the plan. “Okay, go. I'll tell the boys.”

“Thank you, man.”

I got up, threw her over my shoulders and walked out of the bar.

Ten minutes later, and I walked into the hotel room with her, placing her on top of the bed. I walked into the toilet to take a quick piss and was out in about a second. I didn't expect her to be standing in the middle of the room—naked.

“W-what are you doing?!”

She looked up at me. It seemed like she was a bit clear headed as her eyes shone. “You didn't kiss me.”

I stood agape, my eyes trailing over her large breasts and slim waist. Her nipples were pink, taut, and achingly beautiful. She was gorgeous, no doubt. I mean, how could anyone cheat on someone this perfect?

*Focus, Easton.* I had twenty minutes to get out of here and make it to the bar.

“Why won't you kiss me? Am I not beautiful? Am I ugly and fat like Elliot said?”

Elliot? I scooped her up and carried her to the bed. Carefully, I placed her head on the pillow and covered her with the sheet. I turned to leave, but she gripped my hand tight.

“Please don't leave,” she said between sobs. “Please don't leave me like he did.”

I need to go, I'm late. I looked back at her, and for some reason, I couldn't move. I can't leave her like this, all alone.

“Please stay, p-please,” she begged.

I checked the time. I had just fifteen minutes. I'd stay with her for at least nine, then leave.

I kicked off my shoes and slid under the sheets. I gently rested her head on my chest as I hummed softly, lulling her to sleep.

Just nine more minutes.

~~~

I jumped out of bed the minute my phone alarm rang. I pulled the phone from my pocket and checked the time.

Fuck, it's 7 in the morning.

I fucking missed my game! Shit, coach is going to be fucking pissed.

I rang for room service, texted my assistant to send up a change of clothes, and dashed into the bathroom. In a few minutes, I was done and stepped back out.

What I didn't expect was the woman wide awake, staring at me. It was as if she had predicted my entrance.

“You're awake. Good.”

“Who the fuck are you?!”

“Jeez, you're not as nice as you were last night.”

Her eyes shone bright, her cheeks flared red, and I could tell she was getting upset.

“Who the fuck are you, and what are you doing half-naked in my hotel room?!” She winced in pain, clutching her head.

“I ordered some painkillers. You have a hangover.”

She looked at me like I was some sort of killer and scrambled out of bed. I could tell she had noticed her naked state. She quickly pulled on her clothes without saying a word.

I walked to where I'd dropped my wallet, pulled out some cash, and was about to set it on the bed when she spoke.

“Don’t you even dare! Look, anything we had last night should stay between us. I'm not a whore you should pay. It's men like you who still walk around on the streets, making the world an insufferable place to live in.”

“I wasn't—”

“Keep your money. I do not need it!” she shouted and dashed out of the room.