Goalie Interference (NHL Scorpions) by Nikki Worrell

taught me a lot. You’re a great mentor. We’ll all miss you in here.”
    “Thanks, Booker. You just make sure that you work as hard as you can to support this team. I’m not just going to disappear. If you start fucking up this team, you’ll still have me to deal with, got it?”
    Cage smiled. “Yes sir, Impaler, sir. Good luck with your surgery.”
    “Thanks.” After receiving well wishes, condolences, and a few snide remarks about hurting his hip on purpose so he could ‘bump uglies’ with the hot doctor, he took his leave.
     

     
    Zoe was waiting for Vlad by his car. She’d been standing there for over an hour, and her feet were killing her. She was also getting a bit chilly in nothing more than her skimpy shorts and top. When Vlad finally limped out, she noticed he didn’t seem too pleased to see her.
    “Hey, Zoe. Why did you wait for me? I thought Jody was taking you home.” Vlad obviously wanted to be alone. Or she thought he did anyway. She hoped seeing her standing there in her hot little shorts made him rethink that, even if he was tired as hell.
    “Are you serious? You didn’t think I’d want to be here for you after the game? Especially after you got hurt? How are you feeling?” He’d hounded her for years, and now he didn’t want her around? What the hell?
    Vlad shook his head at her, exasperated. “Christ, do you have any idea how many people have asked me that? How am I supposed to answer? I’m fine? I feel like shit? My hip hurts so fucking bad I could cry? Which one would make all of you feel better?” There he went again, being an asshole.
    Zoe walked over to him and took his keys. “I’m going to give you a slide on the attitude. I’m sure you’ve been playing nice in the locker room long enough. Go get in the car. I’m driving.”
    “Nuh uh. No one drives my baby but me. She’s a classic. No way.” Vlad tried to grab the keys back, but she wasn’t giving them up.
    “Yes, Vlad. I can recite it in my sleep. Everyone can. She’s a 1969 Camaro Z28. Supercharged. Three-point-five inch exhaust mufflers and some other stuff. Bottom line? She’s a car. Get in.” Zoe walked around to the passenger’s side and held the door open while Vlad stared at her in disbelief.
    “Not just ‘supercharged,’ Zoe. She’s got six hundred sixty supercharged horses ready to gallop under that hood.” Vlad was pointing at the hood as his voice rose. He was seriously defensive of his car. “She’s more car than you can handle. Give me the keys. Now.” He held out his hand expectantly, but Zoe just laughed at him and got into the driver’s seat.
    When she turned the key, the engine roared to life. She had to admit, it did sound incredible. It truly was an awesome piece of machinery, and by the sound of it, Vlad had finally gotten all the bugs worked out of the engine. The white racing stripes on the bright blue paint sparkled, but it was still just a car. She stepped on the gas pedal, making it roar louder. Zoe raised her voice to make herself heard over the noise. “You coming or not?”
    Vlad carefully slid into the passenger’s seat and gave her a look that would make lesser women cower. “I swear to Christ, Zoe. If you get one scratch on Louise I will throttle you—throttle you!”
    Zoe swung her head toward him. “Louise? That’s my middle name.”
    “Yeah, I know. Let’s just go, okay? I want to take the meds the doctor gave me and try to sleep. I have an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow.” He obviously wasn’t in the mood to talk, so they drove to his place in silence.
    When she pulled into the underground garage, Vlad realized that he’d need to take her home. “You should have driven to your house. Why are we here? You’re not taking my car home.”
    “I’m not going home.” She opened the door and got out, leaving Vlad still sitting in the car. Rolling her eyes, she walked around and opened his door. She bent down, giving him a fabulous view of her breasts,