Heartless Player by R.C. Stephens
Epilogue
Wolfe
“We are the champions,” the team sings as we hang out in the locker room after winning the Frozen Four here in Buffalo.
“Tonight, we celebrate,” Dec says.
A bunch of fuck yeahs ring across the locker room.
“Even I’m up for partying tonight,” I admit. The game against Havenshire wasn’t easy. Berlin was playing dirty, as usual, but we beat their asses and secured our spot in the Four. Playing against the other three best teams in the country was a test of our skill and determination, but it’s all paid off and I’m in preliminary talks with the Rangers, so life couldn’t get any better.
After showering and suiting up, I head out of the locker room. Rebel walks straight into my arms and places her hot lips on mine. “I’m so damn proud of you.”
I slip her the tongue and she swats me on the chest. “Not now.”
“Hi, Wolfe,” Holland says. “Congrats on your win.”
“Thanks, Holland.”
The guys start pouring out of the locker room. “We got two limos waiting outside. Whoever makes it in first has a ride,” Cole shouts.
I cock my brow and look at Rebel. “Are you up for some celebrating?”
She looks at Holland who shrugs her shoulder. “Why the heck not. I deserve a celebration.”
“Yeah? What happened?” I ask her.
“I got accepted for an internship program this summer at Westfall General Hopsital. It’s a competitive program that will look really good on my med school application,” she explains.
“Wow, that’s huge. Congrats.” I lean in and give her a hug because we’ve grown close these last months, even though she refuses to come over to our house citing that Cole hits on her too much and she doesn’t want to break down and give in to his charms.
“Thanks,” she replies. “I’m super stoked.”
Cole walks over. “You did comprehend what I just said. Limos outside. Now.” He points to the exit. We walk swiftly toward the door and head out.
The guys pile into the limo. Some of them have girlfriends, others are entertaining the bunnies that followed us here.
“This is crazy, right?” Holland asks Rebel.
Rebel nods. “I don’t know when our life became so wild.”
“The minute you guys became friends with me,” Cole answers.
“We aren’t friends,” Holland says to Cole.
“You keep telling yourself that, gorgeous.” Cole winks.
We drive a good twenty minutes through town until we reach a club. We all climb out of the limo and head into the building. There is a fancy restaurant out front and so we all sit and order food. After a game, we’re all ravenous. After dinner, we head to the back of the club where EDM pounds and laser lights flash. The guys head to the bar to do shots and Holland lines up right with them along with Rebel.
She usually doesn’t drink, so I’m not sure what’s happening, but I don’t say a word and go with the flow. After she downs two shots of tequila, she turns to me. “If you’re wondering, I decided that it’s okay for me to drink a little and let loose on occasion. Everyone always seems to be having fun and I want to have that experience. I used to associate alcohol and drugs with my parents, but I want to break those ties. I want to experience life on my own terms. Do you know what I mean?” she asks.
“I do, baby.” I lean in and give her a kiss. “I want you to have all the experiences,” I say and give her ass a little squeeze.
“You guys are overkill.” Holland laughs.
“Sorry,” Rebel says.
“It’s fine.” Holland shrugs her off, then turns to the bar and orders another shot.
“I’ll take another too,” Cole says from beside her.
The bartender lines up the shots and they clink glasses and then throw them back.
“This doesn’t mean we’re friends,” Holland says to Cole.
“Exactly,” he agrees. “Because I want to get in your pants, and friends don’t think that way of each other.”
Holland groans. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Rightfully so,” Cole says and then he takes her out to the dance floor.
I refocus on Rebel. “Do you think those two will ever hook up?”
“Eventually,” she says.
“Did I tell you how hot you look tonight?” I ask her.
She taps her pointer finger to her lips. “I don’t think so.” She giggles.
“You’re feeling the tequila.” I smirk and move in close to her.
“I’m feeling you,” she says, placing her hand between our bodies and cupping my hard-on.
“If you want to stay and enjoy the club, I suggest you move that hand, otherwise I am dragging you back to our hotel room and having my way with you,” I warn.
“Maybe I want you to have your way with me.” Her right brow arches.
“Fuck me.” I take her by the hand and we start to head out of the club.
“Wait,” she shouts over the music. “I forgot. I can’t leave Holland.”
We both turn to see Holland doing some grinding moves on Cole.
“She’s busy,” I say on a laugh.
“It would make me the world’s worst friend,” she says.
“Fine. Come dance.” I try to erase all the naughty thoughts I was having because I love this woman more than I love air.
“Thank you for understanding,” she says.
I kiss her. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she says. “Always.”
I enter the draft in a month, but the Rangers have already made me an offer I can’t refuse. Rebel has another year at Westfall before she applies to graduate school. Westfall and New York aren’t that far away, but with a hectic NHL schedule, our relationship will be tricky. Still, I’m all in and so is she. Before I met Rebel, I was lost. She helped me mend my flaws, and we complement each other like the sun to a flower or stars in the sky.
We look into each other’s eyes and there is deep understanding between us; a feeling that rises in my heart, telling me she’s my soul mate. I take an easy breath, knowing that wherever life takes us, we will never be alone because we’ll always have each other.
Do you want to read an excerpt from Ruthless Player? The next book in the Westfall U series. Get a sneak peek of Holland and Cole. You won’t regret it. These two are a hot mess. Turn the page. . . Unedited Scene: