Page 14 of Off Season

Well, would you look at that—divine intervention.

I feel the couch dip as Blaine sits down next to me. Ernie wriggles his way onto my lap, weeding his face between my hands, and licks my face. I cuddle the bundle of fur to my chest and hide my face in his fluffy neck.

“For what it’s worth, I think it would be good for both of you.” Blaine’s voice takes on a softer tone.

“What makes you say that?” I ask, turning my head slightly to look at Blaine.

“Ethan is one of my closest friends, but he’s very…private. I’ve been playing hockey with him for six years now, and I’ve never met his mom.” He gives me a pointed look. “There’s obviously something between you, especially if he’s suggesting introducing you to his family. I don’t think any of the guys have met his mom either, except maybe Kendrick and Peyton—and probably Coach—but that’s because they’re old timers.”

“Why is that?”

“Who knows.” Blaine shrugs. “Ethan is an enigma, but maybe you can help him come out of his shell a bit more. We all feel like he’s keeping us at arm’s length on a personal level. As a captain, we’re under his wing. We can trust that he has our backs no matter what on the ice, but personally? Off the ice and away from the rink? Nobody knows him. His apartment is sparse. There’s no hint of who he is away from hockey. I think he’s lonely, but no matter what we do, he won’t let us in.”

That doesn’t surprise me at all. He is the definition of a grump, but I think it’s more of a protective shield than his actual personality. Plus, there’s got to be a reason behind his need for a fake boyfriend. What could he be hiding? Or who does he need protection from?

And why do I want to protect him from whatever it is?

Alex’s words play on repeat in my mind—about living in the moment and taking the chances I’m given with both hands. I know he wouldn’t push me to go if he didn’t think he could cope. He’s proven time and time again that he’s more than capable.

I trust him with every ounce of my being.

I’m wary because, while I would only be in England for two weeks, it would be enough time to fall for Ethan.

Being in close proximity, meeting his family, and seeing a side of Ethan Parkes that is unknown to most?

It’s my damn heart that I don’t trust.

Chapter Five

Ethan

I sneak a glance at Zach before focusing back on the road, my fingers tapping an incessant beat against the steering wheel. “Do you think it was a stupid idea to ask Jacob to come with me to England?”

It’s been a few days since I visited Jacob at the bakery and dropped the bomb of a question on him. He’s sent a few texts here and there, letting me know he’s still thinking about it and trying to finalize some things at the bakery, but the growing sense of rejection in the pit of my stomach is starting to make me feel uneasy.

Especially now that I know how his skin feels against mine, and how stunning he looks when he’s been caught red-handed.

Don’t go there.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a stupid idea, because what better way to shut down any relationship status questions thanshowing up with a boyfriend on your arm. But you’ve got that business agreement, right?” Zach asks.

I nod.

“You’ve just gotta make sure that no lines get blurred. From what I know, this loan you’ve given is vital to Jacob and Alex…” He trails off, the unspokendon’t fuck this up for themcoming across loud and clear.

“Right,” I grumble.

My hands grip the steering wheel a little tighter, not liking the underlying accusation in his tone. It’s not like I would pull the plug on my deal with Jacob if he ends up saying no. No matter what his answer is, nothing is going to change.

This is completely separate.

Plus, I would never do that.

“What are you trying to say, Zach?”

When Zach mentioned his trip to Hawaii with his childhood best friend Carter, I quickly offered to drive them to the airport, thankful for the distraction.

Zach is my voice of reason. He’s quiet, observant, and has a much more rational head on his shoulders than some of the others.

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