AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, you are.” He takes a bite of toast and shrugs.
Swishing my hand in front of me, I say, “I guess my face is red because it’s kind of hot in here.”
Pausing, toast poised in his hand, he looks over at me.
Wow, though it wasn’t all that warm before, when our eyes lock, it does indeed go up a few degrees.
I guess he feels the heat, too, since Nils says, “You got that right.”
Before I say something I’ll regret, like “Freaking kiss me now or I may die,” I drop my gaze to my plate and pretend like it takes all my concentration to scoop up some scrambled eggs with my fork.
We eat in silence, which is exactly what we need, so the fire between us can cool to its usual mild simmer.
Now if we can just keep it this way for the next few days that I’m off.
Then we’ll be in the clear.
The rest of the week passes, and we do a pretty good job of keeping our usual flirtation under control.
Nils’s ankle is doing much better—no more crutches or limping around—but the doctor does tell him not to skate yet, which leaves him feeling bummed.
I feel bad for him, so I take a couple of extra days off. I’m having so much fun having Nils all to myself that it’s an easy decision.
Since the Thunder are out of town on a short two-game road trip, Nils and I watch both games on the big-screen TV in the entertainment room.
Man, I can tell he can’t wait to get back on the ice.
During the game we watched last night, the guy from the minors who got called up to replace him on his line was beaten really badly on a play, and the other team scored.
“I could have prevented that,” he muttered dejectedly.
“I bet you would have,” I replied, hoping to cheer him up. “Look at it this way: at least your job’s not in jeopardy.”
That got a laugh, but also a resigned sigh.
I wanted so much to scoot over and place my arm around him to comfort him, but I didn’t dare do that. We’re being extra careful now since we’re together all the time. One wrong move—or would it be a right one?—and we could very well end up ripping each other’s clothes off and going at it on the floor.
Yeah, there is that much sexual tension.
There was a time when I would have been fine with a quick romp, but I still want more. If something were to ever happen between us, I need to know it’ll mean as much to Nils as it will to me.
If it doesn’t, our whole friendship could be ruined.
I don’t want that.
Despite our best efforts, though, we’re reaching a point where something has to give. One of us needs to take a chance and make a move.
It may be me, and tonight could be my perfect opportunity.
Nils and I are going to a holiday laser show that’s out in a big farm field in the country. Though we’ll be parked in my car, as I’m going to drive my Jag, we’ve already decided we’ll have a better view if we get out of the car and lean against the bumper.
So, even though I’m planning on wearing hiking boots, jeans, a thick sweater over a turtleneck, and a jacket, I may still get cold.
And that right there could be my opportunity.
I just hope that if it presents itself, I’m brave enough to take it…and that it goes well.
Several hours later, Nils and I are parked in the farm field, watching different colored lasers blast across the sky in time to holiday music.
