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“If Carson here says you can go all the way, then I believe him.”
I glanced over at Carson, and he smirked. “Don’t look so surprised, Dumfries. You know you’re good. The Lakers haven’t seen a center with your skill and playmaking on the ice since… well, my era.” His smirk turned smug.
“You were okay, I guess.”
Mr. Benson whistled through his teeth. “You were good, Carson, son; I’ll give you that. Would have shined in the pros too, but I think Aiden has something extra.”
“Something extra, huh?”
The two of them stared at me like I didn’t want the ground to open up and swallow me whole. I knew I was good, but there was still one season ahead of me—the most important season of my life.
“Yeah, but…”
“But nothing,” Carson said. “You just need to keep your nose out of trouble and keep your eye on the prize.”
“The Stanley Cup,” Mr. Benson added.
“He’s right, you know. The world is your oyster, Dumfries.” Carson pinned me with a hard look. One that said he wouldn’t go easy on me this season. “You just have to want it enough.”
“Yeah, yeah, save me the speech, old man.”
Mr. and Mrs. Benson laughed, but I saw the shadows in their eyes.
They matched the ones in their daughter’s.
CHAPTER6
AIDEN
Dayna didn’t return.Mrs. Benson went to check on her and came back five minutes later with a grim expression and a whispered word for her husband.
Carson didn’t ask, and neither did I.
“So, how are you enjoying Dupont Beach so far, Aiden?” Mr. Benson asked as we sat around the fire pit. It was summer, but the air turned cooler as soon as the sun sank beneath the horizon.
“I haven’t really had time to explore yet.”
“Well, if you need a tour guide. I’m sure Dayna would be willing to show you all the local hotspots.”
“I’m sure she’s got better things to do than—”
“Nonsense.” He waved me off. “I’ll ask her tomorrow.”
I murmured a non-committal response. Dayna wouldn’t want to show me around any more than I wanted her to.
“Who wants some homemade fudge?” Mrs. Benson and Carson appeared with more drinks and food. I was going to roll back to Carson’s at this rate, and I wasn’t here to relax and enjoy the summer break. I was here to lay low and work on my fitness, getting ready for the new season.
“Actually, I’m good, thanks,” I said, standing. “Can I use your bathroom before we leave?”
“Leave, but it’s still early.” Mrs. Benson protested.
“Aiden’s right, Judy. I have an early start again, and the last thing Aiden needs is to become a couch potato over the summer.”
“I suppose you’re right. Sure, you go on in, sweetheart. It’s the last door down the hall.”
“Thanks.”
I made my way up to the house, my eyes flicking to the first-floor windows. Dayna was in one of those rooms, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she was hiding.
