Page 59 of King

“I’ll amend my statement. You’reseriousrelationship averse.”

“That’s true,” she admits with a laugh but then drops her voice. “However, I think it’s obvious I can’t quite keep it casual with you.”

Another thrill… this time a bolt of happiness at such an admission. “Oh yeah? Tell me more.”

“Let’s just say you’ve managed to knock some walls down in a very short time.”

“Came in like a wrecking ball, huh?” I ask.

There’s a moment of silence before she asks incredulously, “You didn’t just quote Miley Cyrus, did you?”

“I did, but rest assured, that’s about the only line I can quote to you. The rest of the song doesn’t apply to us.”

Willa laughs again. “That’s good to know.”

“What are you doing right now?” I ask, glancing around at the empty lobby. I’m sure some of the guys went out tonight while others probably just got room service. I consider heading to my room but I’m too comfortable right here.

“I’m lying in my bed.”

That piques my interest. “What are you wearing?”

“Hold on a second,” she says, and my heart speeds up as I sit straighter in my chair. My phone chimes with an incoming text and I pull it from my ear, knowing she’s sent a picture.

I laugh when I see it, studying it for a moment before bringing the phone back up. “You’re adorable. I particularly like the green mud mask and the ratty Guns N’ Roses T-shirt.”

“Not the sexiest I could come up with but it’s comfy and my face will glow after.”

“You always glow,” I say.

Willa sighs. “And that’s why the walls are coming down.”

“Glad to hear it.”

I end up staying in the lobby talking to her for another twenty minutes, about everything and nothing important. It’s only after I hang up, grab my room key at the lobby desk and head into the elevator that I realize she didn’t ask me what I did for dinner tonight and I didn’t volunteer that I went out with Emily.

It honestly didn’t cross my mind while we were talking but it’s weighing on me now. I consider calling her, telling her everything because she should know. But it’s also late and after I parted ways with Emily tonight, I doubt we’ll ever talk again. We spent the majority of our meal speaking as only friends and I felt the distance in our hug goodbye. She wasn’t trying to hold on at all.

I decide not to bother Willa with this but resolve that if my ex calls again, I’ll let her know what’s going on. Hell, if Em continues to reach out, I’m probably going to need Willa’s advice on how to handle it but that’s a problem I won’t go looking for. I’m going to assume it’s over.

CHAPTER 16

Willa

Inever quiteunderstood the phenomenon but I swear the ice smells fresher and crisper just after the Zamboni finishes its job. The chatter of excited children and parents surrounds us, and rather than my normal dread over screwing things up, I’m enjoying the anticipation of today’s game. Obviously, that has everything to do with King helping me out and nothing to do with my increasing knowledge and skills.

Today, our fierce Ice Pups will face off against tiny rivals, the Little Lightning, and I’d like to meet whoever came up with these names because they’re freaking adorable.

I’ve learned to have my skates on in case I have to hit the ice for a downed player or a potential meltdown. It’s far safer than me trying to waddle across on tennis shoes. While I’m waiting for all the kids to arrive—most sitting on benches as parents lace up skates—I step out onto the ice for a few turns on the smooth sheet. My heart thrums as I glide across the glassy surface, feeling the edge of my skates dig in and leaving behind a trail to show my journey.

Eventually, each player wobbles out onto the ice and I warm up with them, enjoying the swoosh and scrape of their tiny skates. I run a few fun warm-up drills King taught them and in between, I scan the crowd for the man who makes my heart want to skip out of my chest.

And there he is, walking toward us with his tall frame and easy smile. He’s been away for two days on a road trip to Chicago and Dallas, making his return feel like a ray of sunshine after acloudy day. His presence alone calms my nerves and if that isn’t proof that King is a different sort of man, I don’t know what is. I thought my past had so clouded my judgment with dating that I’d be looking for all kinds of faults and warning flags to raise their ugly heads. Instead, his steady confidence, genuine spirit and willingness to communicate openly to dispel my fears has slowly built a trust that I’m not sure I’ve ever felt with another person outside of Brittany. It boggles me how fast this has happened.

King’s sporting a Pittsburgh Titans jacket over a simple gray hoodie, jeans and a backward cap, and I love his youthful, laid-back style. It doesn’t even make me think he’s too young—only that he’s too hot. Meanwhile, I’m wearing my go-to Saturday outfit—comfy jeans and my favorite Ice Pups hoodie with my hair up in a ponytail.

I skate to the edge of the boards to greet him.

“Hey there, Coach Willa,” King murmurs, engulfing me in a warm hug. His embrace is strong and reassuring, just as I expected it would be.

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