Falling for the Backup (Novella): The Assassins Series Read Online Free PDF Page A

gorgeous!”
    Aynslee looked up at her friend, confused.  
    “Not only do I have no clue what you are talking about but I had no idea you loved hockey so much.”
    Sadie laughed.
    “Oh yes, hockey is a part of life.”
    Aynslee shook her head.
    “I always thought hockey was a violent sport, for violent people.”
    Sadie put her hand on her chest, obviously offended by Aynslee’s words.  
    “Hockey is violent but no more so than football and besides the guys are amazing. The Assassins are very involved with our community. They came to the school last year and did things with the kids and they hold events for disadvantaged children too. They are awesome guys, I mean look at Aiden Brooks?”
    “Yeah?” she said knowing that Sadie was talking about one of Aynslee’s third graders.  
    “His dad is a forward for the Assassins, he is a hockey player.”
    Aynslee was completely shocked.  
    “Really?! He is such a sweet guy. Nice to look at   and he has all his teeth too.”
    “Right! Told you! Jeez, Ayns, I am totally offended that you are so clueless about this.”
    Aynslee laughed as she said, “My mom never let the girls watch many sports, she said it was too much for our sweet minds.”
    “This is the very first time I do not agree with your momma, hockey is amazing and the men are hot to boot. I think I need to give you a hockeymacation .”
    Aynslee couldn’t stop laughing.
    “Hockeymacation?”
    “Yes, I am going to educate you in the art of hockey and you are in luck. Phil can’t go to the game tonight. I was going to take my sister but this is an emergency, we are going together.”
    “What?! Seriously?”
    “Yes, you need to be educated.”

    Later that night, Aynslee found herself in a hand me down Jordan Ryan jersey in the middle of Luther Arena. In her hands, she had the hockey fan essentials, according to Sadie anyway.  
    Beer and bacon on a stick.  
    It was completely mind blowing to her that she’d spent three bucks on bacon on a stick, but Aynslee had to admit, it was pretty damn good. Sadie had the same snack, but she drank water and wore an Adler jersey with a number six painted on her face and a foam sword that said Nashville Assassins on it. She looked like a complete dork waving her sword in the air, screaming at the players as they warmed up on the ice, but then again, Aynslee probably looked crazy just sitting there inhaling a piece of bacon. On a stick.  
    Once the players were back on the ice after the opening ceremony, Sadie finally sat in her seat and looked over at Aynslee.
    “Ready for some hockey?!”
    Aynslee threw one hand in the air.  
    “Whoo!”
    “That’s the spirit.”
    “Where is Jordan?” Aynslee asked searching the ice. He wasn’t in the goal thingy, and she didn’t see him on the bench.  
    “He’s right there,” Sadie said pointing right in front of them.  
    When Aynslee found him sitting in the entranceway at the end of the bench her heart skipped a beat. He looked so freaking good in a dark purple jersey, all padded up, making him much larger than she remembered. He didn’t have his helmet on, only an Assassins ball cap that hid his eyes. His mouth was set in a straight line while his eyes, presumably, were on the ice. Beautiful.
    Sadie nudged Aynslee’s thigh, bringing her attention back to her.  
    “Now listen up. We have five on five hockey here unless there is a penalty, then it would be four on five. The only way there is a penalty is if someone does something wrong and if that happens, those guys in the white and black will call it and then the player will go into the box….”
    Aynslee felt like she was listening to the teacher on the Peanuts cartoons, ‘wa wa wa wa wa’. She didn’t understand what Sadie was talking about, but surprisingly enough, she was enjoying the game. She had no clue what the hell icing was or why Adler got a penalty for tapping some guy with his stick, but apparently it pissed Sadie off. She was usually such a