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What I’m most afraid of is that he’s telling the truth. I’m terrified that they’ve been lying to me all these years, and I’m nowhere near ready to go there. Our family has been put through the wringer. It’s doubtful we could take much more before splintering apart. I’m not sure there would be a way to repair that kind of damage.
Confirmation of what he said would also change the way I feel about him. And I’m nowhere near ready for that, either.
Somehow, my life has become even more complicated.
When I left for work ten minutes ago, I’d hoped he wouldn’t be waiting outside. What I need is space to work through my thoughts and feelings. I can’t do that when he’s around. He clouds them, turning everything hazy.
It wasn’t a surprise to find him waiting at the curb. Now that he’s forced himself back into my life, he continues to press in at the edges, refusing to give me the time I need.
On the drive to Slap Shotz, he asked a few questions to break up the silence, and I reluctantly responded.
Relief spirals through me when he swings into the back lot. The moment he shifts into neutral, my fingers wrap around the handle to pop open the door. Just as I’m about to slide from the Mustang, Wolf’s palm settles on my thigh. Even though his grip isn’t tight, his fingers burn a hole through the denim, scorching the flesh beneath. I glance at it before forcing my gaze to his.
“I’ll be back after the game.”
I search his eyes, shocked by the intensity that brews like an impending storm within the green depths. It’s as if all hell will break loose any second. I’m reluctant to admit that it’s been building between us ever since he pulled me onto his lap after our first driving lesson. I get the feeling that he’s trying to do the right thing and control himself but it’s growing more difficult with the passing of each day.
The need for distance thrums through me as I shove open the door.
His fingers tighten around my thigh, halting my escape. “Aren’t you going to wish me luck?”
“You don’t need luck,” I force myself to say in a voice that doesn’t betray how unnerved I am by his presence. “You have talent.”
Ever since he was a kid, Wolf’s natural ability on the ice stood out and got him noticed by both coaches and scouts.
His gaze continues to burn into mine. That alone is enough to have my breath hitching. When he sucks the corner of his lip into his mouth, my attention drops to the movement, and it’s like a punch of desire straight to my core.
“I need to go,” I whisper.
With that, I slip from the vehicle. As the frigid air hits my lungs, I inhale a big breath, hoping it’ll be enough to clear my thoughts. My brain feels foggy, and that has everything to do with the guy in the car who continues to watch my every move. I don’t have to glance at him to know that his eyes are pinned to me.
I can feel the heat of them.
With my purse clutched against my chest, I take a hasty step in retreat. “Good luck.”
He cocks his head, eyes glinting. “Thought I didn’t need it.”
I take another step. It’s the only thing capable of settling my racing heart. With the hungry look that fills his eyes, he reminds me of an animal on the prowl. “You don’t, but I’m sending all my good vibes your way.”
His expression softens until he looks more like the boy I grew up with. Not the handsome man he’s become. “Thanks. I’ll catch you in a couple of hours.”
A shiver slides through me at the promise that fills his voice.
With a quick jerk of my head, I swing around and hightail it toward the back of the brick building before pushing through the metal door. I say a quick hello to the bouncer. Gerry is a mountain of a man with no neck to speak of and biceps that border on massive. There’s no way I could wrap both hands around them. I know this because, much to his amusement, I attempted it the other night. He claims to be au natural, but I don’t know how that’s possible.
I wave to Sully, who’s behind the bar, and Nathan, one of the barbacks. There’s only a handful of people dotted around the space. As the night wears on, it’ll only grow more crowded. Once the game is over, people will flood in, packing the place to the gills, waiting for the team to arrive.
So, I’ll enjoy the peace and quiet while I can.
The last time I worked, it was so busy that I didn’t realize the night was over until Sully flicked on the lights.
The tips have been surprisingly good. I didn’t expect that from the number of college students that frequent the joint.
Will it pay my tuition bill?
Nope, not even close.
I’m using it to pay for rent and groceries so that my parents can’t come back and tell me there’s no longer room in the budget. Or that they want to sell Miles’ car to help me out. As far as I’m concerned, that’s off the table.
