Page 53 of Scores Of The Heart

“What’s your nephew’s name?” She asks before I can.

“Leon.” I smile. “He’s a cute little guy, too.”

“That’s so sweet.”

“Might keep mom off mine and Dion’s backs,” I muse. “For a little while, at least.”

“Might keep her distracted for a while.”

“You know I’m thirty-three, right?” I say. I know she’s younger than me, as from what I know she was in college at a similar time to Taylor and Ashton.

“Yes,” she replies.

“So you know I’m the geriatric of the team, and you’re okay with it?”

She laughs. It’s so sweet. Her eyes light up and I can’t take mine off her. She mesmerizes me so easily. Her beautiful pert lips, her deep eyes, and that dark mane of hair against her pale skin. I notice she doesn’t wear too much makeup, either. She’s a natural beauty. “Geriatric?” She shakes her head. “I wouldn’t say that, especially if GQ magazine is anything to go by.”

I throw my head back now and laugh. Oh shit. She’s seen that.

“Not too subtle,” I admit, sheepishly. “And anyway, how did you know that?”

I pray she’s been looking me up, trying to find out more about me. I’m not sure at this point if that’s something she would do or not. Maybe one of her friends might have shown her, I don’t know. The modeling work I’ve done is not exactly a secret, I guess.

“I stumbled up on it,” she smiles. “And the photos left little to the imagination.”

She’s right about that, but I’m not ashamed of it. The endorsements I’ve received have only added to my fortune and helped set up my family for life.

“Is that a bad thing?” I tilt my head as her eyes flick down like she’s embarrassed. She’s so goddamn cute.

“Not at all, I mean, I’m sure the underwear is excellent quality,” she jokes with a twinkle in her eyes.

I laugh. “It sure is.” I don’t mind the fact she’s practically seen me naked. I suppose the rest of the world has too, but I like that she’s taken an interest in what I’ve done outside of the ice rink. “How old are you Cindy?”

She glances up at me again. “Twenty-seven.”

I nod. “I figured it was something like that. I know you were in college around the same time as Taylor and Em.”

“Yeah, I mean, I met Em in high school when we moved. I’m younger than her, but we got along just fine. Working for the Hawks wasn’t something I’d considered back then when I was doing a business major, either. I love it, though.”

“It can’t be easy sometimes with your dad as the coach.”

“I think there’s certain expectations at times,” she agrees. “But, as far as things go, I’m pretty behind the scenes. I don’t think most people know who I am.”

“Well, more fool them,” I say. “It’s great that you love your job, though. It’s just a pity you don’t travel with the team more.”

“You’d like that?” She asks.

“Oh, I’d like it a lot. Then I’d get to see you all the time.”

She smiles, but then her face grows a little more serious. “Tyler, you could have any girl you wanted.”

“That’s not exactly true, and even if it was, I’m here with you. And this is where I want to be.”

“You’re very sweet.”

“Hardly makes me the wild child they all think, huh?”

“I am surprised by how you are in real life,” she says.

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