This pitching clinic is turning my arm to Jell-O. I walk into the therapy room in my sports bra and yoga pants and head over to the table, hopping up to wait for the team’s doctor. As I wait, I roll my shoulder. It’s tender but nothing major. I’m going into my Senior year, gotta make it last just one more season.

The noise around me increases into excited chatter. This is a common space for the Fulton University athletes. With only one area for all of us, whether we need just a soak in an ice bath, a stretch, or more extensive therapy, this is the place for everyone. Being coed, the things that go on in this one area of the Athletic Department are legit insanity. I’ve seen break ups and makeups, hook ups and fights. All you have to do is wait and you won’t be disappointed.

Like right now. Levi Sexton, the captain of the hockey team, is walking through with who I’m guessing is not a student from here or anywhere else the way the guys are acting. The other girls in the room must have picked up on it because there is way too much hair fluffing and tata readjusting going on right now for him to just be another student. He’s hot. That’s no lie, but I have no time for anything more than a hook up and that isn’t gonna happen. I’m on track to graduate early and ain’t no man alive worth messing with that. I’ve got plans and they don’t include this guy or anyone else.

Before I can talk myself out of my vow of celibacy the department’s doctor comes over.

“Stella, how’s the arm?” He’s straightforward. Literally, the worst bedside manner of any doctor on the planet, but he’s good and that’s all that matters. After my shoulder injury Sophomore year, I’m careful and do exactly what he tells me to.

“Good, Dr. Grayson. Little sore, but I’m training hard.”

He just nods, makes some notes in the chart, ignoring the noise around him. “Let’s get it rubbed out and iced.”

“Sounds good. “

“I’ll see who has time. Sit tight, one of the therapists will be right over.”

I thank him but he’s already moving on to go get one of the three physical therapists always on. “Nice to see you again, Dr. Grayson.” I mumble.

I’m just about to pop my earbuds in when Levi and his friend come back out of the weight room. I don’t even have to look, I can tell by the shift in the air. I’m probably the only girl on the softball team that hasn’t hooked up with Levi. Hell maybe on campus. They don’t call him “Sexy” Sexton for nothing.

I watch in appreciation as the two men make their way toward me. His friend is wearing a Chicago hockey hat, I recognize it as the same one Levi wears all the time, his jeans and Henley might as well be a suit in this room. It’s kind of nice to see a guy in something other than sweats, not that that’s not hot as hell. This is just a different hot. Adult hot. The way is mouth is set, I can’t tell if he’s a pissed or in pain. Levi catches me watching them and winks. All I can do is shrug. I have no shame. That man just got the eye fucking of his life and he doesn’t even know it.

When they don’t stop until they’re next to me, I can feel my pulse start to race. Damn it. I’m not the kind of girl who gets a racing heart over a guy.

“Hey Cruz. How’ve you been? I haven’t seen you around much.”

“Sexy.” I greet. After catching me checking out his friend, I do my best to ignore his knowing smirk. “I’ve been taking a few extra classes. Not much time for anything other than studying and ball.”

I can feel the warmth of his friends gaze roaming over my not nearly covered enough body without even seeing him do it. I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to look at him, the way my body is reacting to his nearness. He makes the decision for me when he clears his throat.

“Oh, my bad. Stella Cruz, this is Jason Dagger. Jason, Stella. She’s the Fire’s starting pitcher. Chick’s a beast.” Levi says, his voice dropped to an exaggerated octave, making me laugh.

Jason offers his hand. The rational side of my brain is screaming for me to not touch him, while the rest of me is urging me to touch all of him. Or let him touch all of me. Slowly I slip my hand into his and will myself not to close my eyes at the contact. There’s something about this man that has me acting a fool. He oozes confidence in a way that’s just as cocky as Levi, but more controlled. I feel a little zing of excitement rip through me. Damn.

“Stella.” I detect the hint of Boston in his tone. “Nice to meet you.”

“Jason.”

When I take the hand he offers, he smiles at me with what looks like expectation, but I’m not sure what he’s expecting. My brow raised in question, I wait for him to enlighten me. When he doesn’t, I drop his hand. He looks a little surprised when I pull my hand from his.

My guess is he’s not used to women not throwing themselves at him. I can’t blame them. I kinda want to throw myself at him. But it has nothing to do with who he may be, because I honestly don’t know, and everything to do with how he looks, the way he carries himself and the reaction my body is having to him. Like someone flipped a switch on my girl bits. They’re all lit up for Jason Dagger.

“Shoulder acting up again?” Levi asks, allowing me to swing my attention his way.

“Little bit. Nothing a little massage won’t fix. This is my last year on the mound, I’ll survive until graduation.”

Out of the corner of my eye I see Jason smile, if you can call it that, at something I said. Curious, I look over at him but that hint of a smirk is already gone and he has that pissed off in pain look again. Maybe he is in pain.

Doing some digging I ask Levi, “What are you guys doing down here?”

“We had to come down and talk to Coach Kiehn about some ice time. Figured we’d hit the weights a little too.” Levi says, glancing around the room, probably looking for whatever chick he’s gonna let come back to his place with him. The guy gets more ass than a subway seat. It’s incredible really. “You going to the award dinner tonight?”

“Yep. Your dad will have my ass if I’m not there.” Levi’s dad is my coach and the man doesn’t play when it comes to his team and his rules.

“Be right back you guys. I gotta go see a chick about…something.” Levi laughs when I roll my eyes at his lame ass attempt to hide the fact he’s penciling in a hook up. I don’t even think he heard what I said.

“Is Charlie still a PT here?” Jason asks the moment Levi walks away, startling me.

“He is.”

“Have him rub you down. He’s the best.”

“Oh, you went to school here?”

“It’s been awhile, but yeah.”

“So, are you a coach now or what?” I ask, curious. I half expect him not to answer.

“Not a hockey fan, huh?” A sexy smirk slides over his full lips.

“Nope. I mean I like hockey, try to go to as many FU games as I can.”

“How about NHL games?” His stance widens like he’s getting comfortable, settling in for a chat.

“I’ve been to a few. My brother is a Bruins fan.”

“Your brother has okay taste. How does he feel about Chicago?”

“About the same as most people who aren’t them do.”

A quiet laugh fills the space between us, “Can’t even argue with that.”

I can’t help but smile at his amusement. “So, I take it you’re a Chicago fan?” I feel like I’m missing something. Before I can ask any more questions, Charlie the therapist with the magic hands comes over.

“Dagger, that you? How you been man?”

The two shake hands and do that man hug thing. “Can’t complain, Charlie.”

“Sure can’t. I saw that game the other night. I had my money on you boys to win the Cup this season. Bought me a new TV with the money I won.” Charlie beams like a proud uncle and finally all the pieces fall into place.

Jason Dagger plays for the NHL and here I was worried that I would have to shut him down. I’m a college student and he just won the Stanley Cup. Hell would freeze over before we hooked up.