Page 12 of One Steamy Pucking Meet Cute

“Picture me,” I muse, almost to myself. “Married and raising someone else’s kid.” I chuckle. “It might be a miracle if anyone buys this.”

Caroline’s expression falls.

“It’ll be alright,” I say, assuming she’s doubting the plan now. “I’ll come up with a way to explain it to the team staff. And I doubt Peter needs to actually believe it’s legit. So long as we sign the papers and do the ceremony, we’ll be golden on your end.” I smile as reassuringly as I can. “We’re good, Caroline. I got this.”

She smiles back, but something is clearly off with her.

I lean back in my seat as the plane accelerates for takeoff. What the hell did I say wrong this time?

5

CAROLINE

Even though my big brother has played in the NHL for years, I’ve never flown on the team’s private jet before. By the time we’ve landed, I feel properly spoiled. I got a glass of non-alcoholic champagne once we were at cruising altitude. The drink was followed by a hot meal and even an in-flight mani-pedi. I asked Jake if the guys had taken advantage of that service, but he just laughed and said he had arranged that one for me.

Conflicted would be a good word to describe how I feel as I get Walker set up in the car at the airport. Jake apparently hired a driver for us, so I won’t have to keep messing with car seats every time we get a new car.

“Thanks,” I say. “You’ve been really thoughtful about all the baby stuff.”

Jake nods. He looks distracted as he’s scrolling something on his phone. It looks like Liam’s social media page at first glance. It’s full of poetry and quotes from famous people, but his page still gets flooded with thirsty women trying to get between his sheets.

“Something wrong?” I ask after a few more moments.

“Liam officially announced he’s retiring later this year. That pretty much completes the picture. Every one of the starters I came up with will be gone soon.”

“Oh,” I say softly. “He didn’t tell you?”

Jake puts the phone away abruptly. “He hinted at it. I probably didn’t want to hear it, so he dropped the topic. I’m sure he’ll tell me next time he sees me.”

I wait for him to say more because I can feel he wants to say more. The driver gets in, gives us a look, and starts driving. He must already know where to go. I’m vaguely impressed he’s not using a GPS, but I guess not everybody is directionally challenged like I am.

“What are you going to do?” I ask.

“I’m going to keep playing until I can’t anymore,” Jake says.

There’s so much tension in him I almost want to reach out and take his hand. I want to comfort him because I can see how much he’s hurting. But I know he’s not the kind of guy who would ever ask for help or comfort. He might even pull away if I try to offer it.

I wait, picking my words carefully. “Jesse used to live for hockey,” I say slowly. “Like, back in high school, he usually didn’t even notice when girls liked him because all he wanted to do was be on the ice. Then it only got worse in college and then the pros. I used to think he’d just skate himself to death one day, alone and single. But then he met Andi. And I think he realized there was something to look forward to after hockey. Now he’s got his family, and it makes him so happy. I know you’ve seen it.”

When Jake lifts his blue eyes to mine, they’re so intense I almost have to look away. Cold needles prick up and down my spine, and I wonder if this is how his opponents in the rink feel when he stares them down before the face-off. I’m tempted to apologize and drop the subject, but I’ve never been one to back down, so I hold his gaze.

“I’m not Jesse,” he says. Despite the intensity in his expression, I can tell he’s trying to soften his words for me. He’s always gentle with me. “I only ever dreamed about this, Caroline. Being on the ice. Leading the guys. I don’t know if anybody has ever been happier to get drafted in the NHL than I was. And I’ve never lost that. Not for a single day. I f–...” He trails off, eyes on Walker’s car seat. “I love showing up for my coaches and my team. I love the game.”

“But you can’t play forever,” I say as carefully as I can.

“I know,” he sighs. “I know,” he adds more quietly. “But I thought we all had a little more time. More than this, at least. Even if I get re-signed by the Vandals, it will be different without all the guys around me.”

“Maybe,” I agree. “But even Nolan was obsessed with hockey, too. He found cooking. And then he found Mia. Who knows, though? Maybe a family isn’t for you,” I say, even though the thought twists my insides. It shouldn’t twist my insides because I’ve been long-resolved to raising Walker alone. Some stupid part of my unconscious must still hope things will work out differently. “I’m just trying to say that people grow and change. Things probably feel like they’re falling apart on you, but I think you’ll surprise yourself. You’ll find something new to put your energy into. You’re too talented not to.”

He pulls his attention from the window back to me. The hardness in his eyes has softened just a touch. The corner of his mouth pulls up, and he gives my thigh a soft squeeze. “I don’t think people realize how good you are at what you do.”

I tilt my head, confused. “What?”

“Frosty Harbor. I don’t think people realize what having you there does for that town. You just kind of get people. How to make them feel better. It’s a skill, and you managed to put yourself in a position where you can use it on as many people as possible.” He pauses, then nods slightly, almost to himself. “I know this arrangement is helping me, too, but I’m glad it worked out this way. I’m enjoying screwing up that Peter asshole’s plans, but I’m also glad I can help you keep the bed and breakfast. You do a lot of good for people there.”

I feel like an idiot because my eyes are going misty. I wipe at them and look away, hoping he won’t notice.

Jake chuckles, puts his big arm around me, and pulls me into his shoulder. “Since when were you such a softie?”

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