Page 36 of Sticking Out

“Why?” He keeps his voice low so Zoe, in the back seat, can’t hear. “Didn’t you all call him a womanizer? Why would she want to be with a guy like that? Don’t get me wrong. I love the guy. He’s just not ready to settle down and I’m pretty sure he’s terrified of Zoe. Did you see the way he backed up?”

“I know, it’s hilarious, really. A big defenseman like him, a guy who takes down two-hundred-pound men, looking like he was about to run for the hills when she offered him a bit of her cinnamon roll. But to answer your question, he’s really good looking and is in great shape.” He frowns like he might be jealous, but I’m sure he’s just kidding. “Besides, who says she wants anything more? From what I know about Gina, she is not looking for a man in her life. Maybe her bed, but not her life.”

I glance into the back seat to make sure Zoe hadn’t heard anything over the show she’s watching on her children’s tablet, and she begins to sing along, very badly. But good for her for having the confidence to belt out lyrics. I glance at Conner, and he winces. I chuckle, and join in. No, I can’t carry a tune either, but I love everything about this. I love that I can be my goofy self with Conner, and I love how he makes me feel comfortable inside the bedroom and out.

I put my hand on my stomach, desperately wanting a child and family of my own. As I glance at Conner, I can’t help but think he wants that too. There’s something there, though, something holding him back and I’m not exactly sure what it is. Is it the fact that I was married to his brother, or maybe it’s just the fact that we’re friends and he doesn’t feel anything more?

But when we’re in bed, and he’s taking such good care of my body, it makes me question everything. What do I know though, really? I’ve only been with one man, and Conner has been with lots of women. He probably worships them all between the sheets.

The song ends and Zoe yells, “Are we there yet?”

“Just about,” Conner answers and flicks on his signal.

“Yay!” Zoe squeals and starts bouncing in her seat. “Can I get that drink with the umbrella in it?”

“I’m sure you can,” I tell her, thinking I might need something a bit stronger to give me liquid courage.

Conner eases into the parking spot, and when I open my door, music and laughter from the rooftop pool reaches my ears. I open the back door and Zoe unbuckles herself, getting out of her booster seat. I take her hand in the busy parking lot as Conner grabs her backpack as well as our bag.

“Do you need to get changed?” I ask as she jumps from one foot to the other, so excited.

“I already have my suit on.” She lifts her shirt to show me her pretty pink bathing suit. Conner follows behind with the bags as I lead her to the stairs. We hurry up them and when we reach the top, we’re greeted with hugs.

“Zoe, come in,” Camryn yells from the pool.

She starts stripping off her clothes, and I help when she gets her shirt all twisted up in the excitement. “You need your water wings first,” I say.

“Are you getting in too?” Melanie asks me as she comes over to greet us. Conner pulls Zoe’s water wings from the bag and blows them up.

A couple of the guys at the bar call Conner over.

“I am. Can you watch her so I can get changed?”

“I can get in with her,” Conner tells me.

“Yeah, but go have a drink with the guys first. They seem eager to tell you something. I’m going to get changed and get in. I’m hot.”

He leans in and kisses me. “Yeah, you are,” he murmurs and everything in the way he’s looking at me makes me feel a little bit less self-conscious.

“I got her,” Melanie assures me as Zoe holds her arms out. Once Zoe has her wings on, Melanie calls her over, and Zoe jumps into her arms. I take my bag and make my way to the change room. I undress, pull on my swimsuit, and wrap myself in my coverup. Knox, who’s the new rookie on the team, has his head down as he exits the men’s change room and bumps into me.

“Sorry,” he says quickly and puts his hands on my arms to stabilize me before I fall over.

“I’m good.”

He smiles as his eyes meet mine. I don’t know Knox very well. I only know that he played hockey at the university level here in Boston. He seems nice enough, and a bit quiet. I guess he’s still finding his place amongst the guys.

“Want to cannon ball?” he asks me, and I laugh.

“I’m going to pass.”

He looks around his gaze settling on Conner, who is watching us carefully. “You and Wood, huh?”

“Yeah, me and Wood.” I scan the rooftop. “Are you here with anyone?”

“Yeah, she just ran back to the car. She forgot her sunglasses.”

“I look forward to meeting her.”

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