Page 61 of Faking the Goal

Taylor and I have been spending more time together these past few weeks than I ever expected. Between our skating lessons, the interviews, and everything else she's been dragging me into for this feature, I've gotten used to having her around. And the more time I spend with her, the more I'm realizing the woman has a particular talent for catching me off guard, pushing my buttons, and generally being a pain in my ass.

Trouble.

The word crosses my mind as I look at that smug expression on her face.

Yeah. I think I just found a better name for her.

The guys notice her a second later.

"Hey, T!" Zach calls. "Great game, right?"

"It sure was. Congrats." Her voice carries easily through the tunnel as she walks toward us, camera still in hand.

The guys file past her with fist bumps and shoulder squeezes, and she flashes them a bright smile. "You boys were great out there. But try not to let it go to your heads, alright?"

"No promises," Liam calls, earning a laugh from the others as they continue down the hall.

Taylor hangs back.

"Delete that."

She lowers the camera. "Delete what?"

"Whatever photo you just took."

Her mouth twitches. "Oh, absolutely not."

My eyes narrow. "Lewis."

She clutches the camera against her chest. "Do you have any idea how rare that was?"

"I'm serious."

"So am I. That was the biggest smile I've ever seen on your face. Like, full teeth and everything. Honestly, if I hadn't caught it on camera, I'm not sure anyone would've believed me."

I take a step toward her, and she backs up, still wearing that infuriating smile.

"That photo's gone."

"No chance. It's actually kind of perfect. Mysterious grumpy goalie caught experiencing a human emotion after a win? That's gold."

"It's not going in your article."

"Oh, I don't know." She glances at the screen. "This might be cover-photo worthy, Sunshine. Nobody gets to see this side of you. It's exclusive. Intimate. Groundbreaking, even."

"Lewis."

"I'm just saying, the people deserve to know that under all that brooding and chronic scowling, you're capable of joy."

I stare at her.

She beams back at me.

Infuriating woman.

Except there's none of the familiar heat behind the thought anymore.

Somewhere along the way, my patience with her has gotten longer. Not that she's made it particularly easy. If anything, Taylor seems to have noticed, because she's gotten entirely too comfortable testing exactly how much shit I'll let her get away with.