Page 34 of Hooking Up with the Hockey Player

“I can’t believe you’ve never even watched a game,” Nick says, a mixture of wonder and something almost like hurt in his voice. He’s finally sitting back in his chair, sipping a beer while the kids run around, finding sticks and pine cones to toss in the fire, both of them running off their sugar high from multiple s’mores and marshmallows. Noah only had one s’more, preferring just the marshmallows. Shelby had two, which I think was more to be like the adults than anything, but then had a few more roasted marshmallows. Both kids also just ate plain marshmallows, their little fingers sneaking into the bag and popping marshmallows into their mouths, giggling with delight when a parent would say, “Hey! Another one?”

But Tina’s put the marshmallows away, closing up the bags and returning them to the deck. The sun has set, the sky a little lighter in the west still, but the sparks from the fire flow up, mingling with the light of the stars and sliver of moon.

I shake my head. “Nope. My parents were sports fans, but more football and baseball.” I shrug. “Hockey was never part of the rotation, sorry.”

Nick gives me an appraising look. “We might just have to rectify that situation.” He points at Troy. “Make this guy take you to an Emeralds game next season.”

I glance at Troy in his chair next to me. He’s leaning back, also sipping a beer, looking at me with an expression I can’t read on his face. Or maybe it’s just that the flickering firelight makes it hard to read. “I’d be open to that idea,” he says quietly.

The statement makes my breath catch, my lips parting to say something, but I’m not sure what.

Tina stands, distracting everyone from that brief moment, wine glass in one hand and the bottle in the other. “Want me to top you off?” she says to me, indicating my mostly empty glass.

But I shake my head. “No, thanks. I’m good.” I’ve only had the one that Tina got me after I finished roasting my brat, but it was plenty big and I don’t want to get too sleepy from wine before I have to drive home.

She smiles. “I’m so glad you came out tonight. It was nice getting to know you. It’s getting late, though, and we’ve gotta get the munchkins cleaned up and into bed.”

“Awww! Whyyy?” comes the immediate protests from said munchkins.

Nick drains the rest of his beer and stands too, sighing. “Because if you don’t go to bed, how will you have enough energy for Uncle Troy to toss you into the lake tomorrow?”

“You definitely need good sleep for that,” Troy chimes in. “I’ll throw you as far as I can, and then you’ll have to swim all the way back. Can’t do that if you’re too tired.”

“Will you tuck me in tonight, Uncle Troy?” Shelby asks.

But her dad scoops her up and tosses her over his shoulder, making her squeal. “It’s Daddy’s turn to tuck you in tonight. Let’s get you a quick bath. You smell like a campfire!”

I scoot to the front of my chair, readying myself to get up, but Troy puts out a hand to stop me. “You don’t have to go anywhere,” he murmurs. “Unless you’re ready to go?”

Checking my phone, I see that it’s a little after nine thirty. But the only thing on my agenda tomorrow is crepes with Brit, so there’s no reason to go home already. Besides, I’m enjoying myself too much. I’m not ready to go yet. “I can stay a little longer.”

He gives me a pleased smile, resting his hand palm up on the arm of my chair. Sitting back, I place my hand on top of his.

Tina, Noah planted on her hip, glances at us with a knowing smile before chirping, “Goodnight!” and heading up the stairs.

“Goodnight, you guys,” Troy answers.

“Night!” I chime in, feeling like I need to say something.

We sit in silence, holding hands while they troop up the stairs, not speaking or moving until after the door to the house closes behind them.

Leaning closer, Troy lifts my hand and brings it to his lips, kissing the backs of my fingers. “Congratulations,” he says.

Giggling, I raise my eyebrows. “For?”

He’s still holding my hand in front of his mouth, mostly covering his grin. “Surviving.”

I laugh at that. “Was my survival in doubt?”

He shrugs, still smiling. “Well, no. I knew you’d be fine. But you seemed nervous when you got here.”

Biting my lip, I dip my chin. “That’s true. I was.” Glancing around, I lift one shoulder in a half shrug, highly conscious of the fact that Troy’s still holding my hand, his thumb making soft sweeps across the back of my hand. “This is …” I pause, tilting my head back and forth as I search for the right words. “Outside of my comfort zone,” I finish at last, looking at him.

His eyebrows jump. “Which part?”

I wave my free hand around. “All of it?”

He takes that in, staring at me for a moment, but doesn’t push for me to elaborate. Instead, he tugs on my hand. “C’mere,” he commands softly. “You’re too far away.”

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