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“The fuck, man?” I say to him. “You just got here a few hours ago. Don’t you want to sleep?”
The only ginger on our team shakes his head in response. “I can’t sleep. My schedule’s all fucked up. Figured I might as well get in a run.”
“Well…run somewhere else.”
He laughs and narrows his eyes in confusion. “You don’t want me running with you?”
“You’re too slow,” I bark.
Silas laughs louder at that. “Coming from a fucking Clydesdale, that’s rich. If you want to be alone, just say so.”
“I want to be alone.”
He puts his hands up in surrender and turns to go. I feel a stab of guilt. Silas just flew in last night. He plays defense with me, and I consider him a friend. He said he’s looking forward to us hanging out on this trip.
“It’s not you,” I tell Silas.
“You don’t have to explain; I know you’re a moody bitch.”
“I went for a run yesterday morning and I met someone. I’m hoping to see her again.”
Silas’s expression brightens. “Hey, nice. And you don’t want me to meet her?”
“Three’s a crowd.”
“You guys gonna get it on at, what, 7:00 a.m.?” he asks, looking down at his watch.
I grin, not displeased at all by the prospect. “You never know, man.”
“I’ll catch you later, then.” He turns away, calling over his shoulder. “And don’t blow off our volcano hike tomorrow. Bros before hos.”
He jogs off and I start running again. I don’t run often, but with all the food and beer I’m enjoying here, I need to get in a few miles a day. I don’t want to be one of those guys who lets himself go in the offseason and comes back playing like the Pillsbury Doughboy on ice.
Also, it seems a shame to be inside when you’re in a place like this. Before Luca and Abby bought their place here, I’d only been to Hawaii once, as a kid on a family vacation. I’m still as awestruck by its beauty as an adult.
I pick up my pace a bit, eager to see if Reese is at the beach this morning. I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind since meeting her yesterday.
From the moment I swam out to her, I could see she was beautiful. With long, light brown hair, pretty green eyes and a bright smile, she immediately caught my attention. But I was completely drawn in by her when she told me what her douchebag fiancé did. I could hear the warring melancholy and optimism in her tone. She’s badly hurt, but trying hard to push through.
I admire that, and also her vulnerability in admitting what happened. She’s still fresh off the experience, if this was supposed to be her honeymoon.
It doesn’t take me long to round the corner that opens to the area of beach where Reese left her clothes yesterday. Squinting as I look around for her, I smile as I remember her modesty when I swam out to her.
Most of the single women I’m used to being around are the opposite. They throw themselves at hockey players, wearing clothes that leave nothing to the imagination. I’m not saying I’ve never gone home with a puck bunny for a night, but I’ve never invited one to my home or seen them a second time.
There’s an older guy walking on the beach, but I don’t see anyone else. My hope deflates, but I keep running, hoping maybe she’ll still show up.
After another half mile or so, I turn around and head back in the direction I came. I can’t believe my luck when I see that Reese is there now, her sandals in hand as she walks along the shoreline. A breeze blows her long hair off to the side as she looks out at the water.
I jog up to her, calling out a greeting as I get closer.
“You still looking for that bikini top?”
She turns to me and grins. “I think it’s gone for good. I bought a one-piece yesterday. Losing my top yesterday scared me away from bikinis.”
“Everything turned out okay in the end.”
Her eyes sparkle as she laughs. “But if you hadn’t come by, it would’ve been worse.”
“I’m glad I was able to help.”
I fall into step near her, keeping my feet on dry sand as she slowly wades through a couple inches of water lapping at the shore.
“Is this your first time in Kauai?” I ask her.
“It is. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before, though. I live in California, so not that far away.” She glances at me. “How about you?”
“I’ve been a couple times. One of my teammates owns a place here and he hosts a big get together every summer.”
“Teammates?”
“I’m a hockey player.”
Reese’s smile widens. “Really? A professional one?”
“Depends on the day.”
When she laughs at my quip, I feel an urge to pick her up around the waist and pull her close to me. But I know I’d better keep my hands to myself. For now, anyway.
