PARKER

For some insane reason, I thought Michigan would be warmer than Wisconsin.

I was very, very wrong.

Luckily, the sun came out while I was in class so I shed my puffer as I walk outside. Just as I finish undressing, my phone starts buzzing in my pocket and I pull it out to see my mom calling.

"Hey ma, how are you?"

"Parker Elliot Cadell, I have not heard from you in three days. Your father and I thought you were in the hospital." She sounds upset.

I roll my eyes, "you and dad?"

"Well maybe just me, but still." I can tell she's just giving me shit now.

"You know I'd call if something happened, I'm fine." I let out a slight chuckle, "but we do actually need to talk about your trip up next month," I change the subject.

"Oh yes, please!" She quickly forgets about my few days of silence. "Your father and I were thinking we'd come up the night before the game Thursday, and then we can all fly back here the Saturday afternoon."

"Sounds perfect, I'll make sure the boys are free the morning of the game so you can meet them." As I glance to the outdoor study area on my left, I do a double-take, seeing the honey brown hair I'd know anywhere.

"Sorry, mom, but I just got a text from Coach, I have to run into the rink for a meeting. I'll text you later, okay?" I lie, not feeling too bad about it.

"Okay, hun. Don't overwork yourself, I love you!"

"I won't, I love you too mom." I hang up the phone as I duck into the small coffee shop to my right.

As I'm waiting for my hot chocolates, I'm trying to figure out a way to make it seem like I just happened to "bump" into Dakota without looking like a stalker. I don't figure it out, though, as I grab our drinks and make my way over to her table.

It's officially been one month since I left my cave of a room and finally met the girls, and every time I see Dakota I mentally kick myself for not coming out sooner. For robbing her and I of extra time together.

I quietly walk up behind her before placing the cups down and bracing my hands on either side of her, caging her in. She jumps before turning around, eyes wide and a hand against her chest.

"Holy shit Parker," her laugh is unreal. "I thought I was getting kidnapped for a second."

"Don't tempt me," I smirk, leaning down and placing a light kiss on her lips.

She gives me a bright smile before glancing at the cups, "is this for me?" I nod in response, "did you know I was here?"

"Nope, they accidentally made an extra, and then I saw you when I was walking by." I can tell by the look on her face that she sees right through my bluff. "You look beautiful today, by the way. It's hurting my eyes," I try to change the subject.

She just laughs at me again, and gestures to the table, "do you want to join me for a little? Or are you busy?"

I don't hesitate, moving to the other side of the table and sitting in the chair directly across from her. "I've always got time for you, Lowen."

Her face heats up at my words, and I can't lie, it feels good to know I have that kind of effect on her.

"Are you ready for the Halloween party this weekend?" She questions, sipping her hot chocolate.

"Of course, the boys and I got our costumes yesterday. We're going to be firemen, I hope you like suspenders," I wink.

We're still undecided on the final outfit, Brooks votes no shirt just a jacket, and Connor says white t-shirt no jacket. I'm the tie-breaking vote, but something tells me I'm going to side with Brooks on this one to appease the girl sitting across from me.

"Haven't been a fan in the past, but something tells me I may change my mind very soon," she gives me a knowing look.

We spend the next twenty minutes talking about random stuff before I finally work up the courage to ask her the question that's been on my mind all week.

"Kota, would you like to go on a date with me next Monday?" I sound like a desperate fuck.

"I don't know Parker," her voice trails off.

Fuck. "Oh no, don't worry about it. It's all good," my words come out rushed and embarrassed. I scoot my chair back and go to stand up, right as she lets out a quiet laugh and reaches over, placing her small hand on mine. I pause, looking at her, confusion written all over my face.

"I'm kidding, I'm sorry I thought you'd see right through it. I'd love to go on another date with you, Coach." She smiles happily.

I let out a sigh of relief, the tension rolling off of my shoulders. "That was just cruel," I huff.

She goes to laugh, but instead, her stomach growls loudly. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry," she wraps her arms around her stomach. "I got so caught up in studying earlier I forgot to eat lunch, I should head home."

I stand with her, reaching a hand out. "No, let's go to mine. I'll cook."

Her jaw drops, "you cook?"

"I do. Now take my damn hand so I can take you home and prove it," my words are serious, but I can't help but smile at her shock.

~

Dakota sits on the counter watching me cook, and it may just be my new favorite sight.

She sits right next to the stovetop, both of us wanting to be near each other, and my hand keeps "accidentally" brushing against her leggings. The only time we speak is when she offers to help, and I immediately decline. She's always bringing us new desserts to try, so it's only fair that I treat her for once.

As I stir the pasta, it hits me. "Shit, wait I forgot," I rush to the fridge and pull out a Dunkin refresher, having stocked up on them for when she comes over.

She takes the drink from my hand but grips my t-shirt, stopping me from stepping away. "Are you trying to wine and dine me, Park?" The smile on her face sends a jolt of electricity through my body.

I stand between her legs, placing my hands on her thighs and lightly squeezing. "If I was, would you say it's working?"

"Maybe just a little," she says, fisting my shirt and bringing her soft lips to mine.

Her free hand moves to the back of my head, tugging at my hair, while mine slide up to her waist. I pull her body forward, pressing our bodies together while slipping my tongue into her mouth.

The universe seems to hate me, though. The second she wraps her legs around my waist and rolls her hips into mine, a sizzling sound causes us to break apart, heads whipping over to the pasta that is now boiling over.

Dakota drops her legs from around my waist as I rush over to turn down the heat. "I've never had this happen before, I blame it on you," I send her a joking smirk.

"I'll accept it, but only because you seem to be hoarding my favorite drink," she tips her up in my direction, "but I thought pasta wasn't on your hockey diets."

"It's not," I admit, "but, it's only one meal and I heard that spicy vodka pasta was your favorite." I shrug my shoulders, not thinking too much of it.

She gives me a look I can't fully decipher, but I think it's somewhere between shock and appreciation.

~

I dish out our dinner as Dakota settles at the barstools on the island. I set her bowl in front of her, kissing the top of her head, before scooting my chair as close to hers as possible. Our sides lightly press together as we start eating, elbows occasionally brushing.

I've never been big on physical touch, it pissed off all of my ex-girlfriends, but I can't seem to keep my hands off of Dakota when she's around. I want more than anything to put a label on this, make her mine, officially. I'm just nervous that she'll think I'm rushing our relationship for reasons similar to Lincoln's.

A soft nudge pulls me out of my thoughts, "you good, Coach? I lost you for a second there." A smile pulls at her soft pink lips.

I lightly tug at a strand of her hair, "never been better, baby."

She smiles at the nickname, squeezing my leg before turning back to her meal.

"Honey I'm home!" Brooks and Connor suddenly enter the kitchen, pausing when they notice the pasta in front of us.

"Fuck yes, Cadell." Connor moans, "extras in the fridge?" He's opening the door before I can even get a word out, rummaging around with Brooks right behind him.

"Actually," I mumble, "I only made enough for two."

Both of them turn, giving me a glare. "Is it because we don't have tits?" Brooks' question makes me choke on my water.

Dakota breaks her silence, laughing so hard that tears form in her eyes. "I told you they come in handy," she winks at Brooks while lightly lifting her chest, and my eyes drift down.

I must've been staring for a second too long, hearing Brooks laugh, "Kota, you've turned our boy into a horny 12-year-old again."