Page 51 of Getting Lucky Number Seven

“You can’t live your entire life for someone else, though,” she said.

I let that hang in the air, trying to comfort myself with the idea. Unfortunately, it didn’t take away the guilt filling me at the thought of not taking over the company. “I’m willing to work hard, but I’m having trouble letting go of playing for the NHL. Which is probably just a dream anyway. I could give up my position in the company, work my ass off at hockey for two years, and still not make it.”

The truth slammed into me, and the spark of hope that maybe I could keep playing snuffed out. “No, I can’t risk it. What would I do for work, then? Who’d take care of Megan? Who’d make sure my family’s company runs the way my dad would’ve wanted it to?”

Lyla placed her hand over mine. “That’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself, Beck. Maybe you’ll find that you like working for the company, but I’m afraid that running it with no passion for it, or having to always wonderwhat if, is going to make you despise it. I’m sure that’s not what your dad would’ve wanted. Your sister obviously loves you and wants you to be happy, and I bet she’d want you to follow your dream as much as I do. That said, you’re more than just a hockey player, so if it doesn’t work out, it’s not like you’re not good at other things. And honestly, I think you should at least finish college either way. Give yourself more options. But maybe that’s because I’ve been preached to about getting a degree since I was five or so.”

“But your goal is to end up with a coveted spot in a company that will basically land in my lap. Even if you get promoted every few years, you’ll work your ass off and still only make a fraction of what I do. Doesn’t that make you hate me a little?”

“Now, what good would that do?” She laced her fingers with mine. “Maybe if I didn’t know you, it’d be easy to think that way. I’m sure your father worked hard, and I’m sure that whichever career you choose, you’ll throw yourself into it.”

“It’s the choosing that’s hard.”

“Duh, that’s life.”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “Duh?”

“You heard me.” She ran her fingers up my arm, and then they were drifting up, into the hair at the base of my neck—I could get lost in her touch. Just close my eyes and never deal with anything again. “When I look at you, you know what I see?”

I met her gaze, finding it suddenly hard to breathe.

“I see the guy who saw me when no one else did,” she said. “That’s what matters to me. That’s who you are. Not this house or your dad’s company, but a good guy who’s been there for me since I first met you.”

My heart expanded, pressing against my ribcage. “Anyone who doesn’t see you is an idiot, Lyla.”

I cupped her chin, tipping her face up so I had better access to her lips. Then I kissed her. It started out soft, but grew in urgency, her taking over one moment, and then me taking the lead the next. Back and forth, until she ended up on top of me, and the temperature in the car shot to sizzling.

As I peered into her eyes, at the green and the brown battling it out for control, I found myself wanting to take that next step with Lyla. If I did believe in relationships and love, Lyla would be the perfect girlfriend. Being with her like this made me want to take a risk. Make that leap of faith.

And as she slowly lowered her mouth to mine again, I decided that for her, maybe I could.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Lyla

Beck didn’t say much as we went through the rooms of the house, each of them stunning and richly decorated. Not that he seemed to notice or care. His movements were mechanical, precise, and carefully devoid of emotion. But I could feel everything he was holding back, as if it were a living, breathing entity that wanted to wrap its arms around Beck and hold him down until he cracked.

As he sorted the things he wanted to keep from the items Tessa would have movers come in and box up, I helped the best I could. Mostly by keeping the music going and chatting about classes or cats or movies or basically anything I could think of so the silence didn’t overwhelm either one of us. Twice Beck had told me he needed to go check on something, and the thickness in his voice told me he was struggling with his emotions.

When we took a late lunch break that probably was closer to dinner, I noticed the large cement court with netted goals on either end. It looked out of place compared to the flowers, shaped hedges, and large pool. “Did you play street hockey, too?”

Beck came up behind me and put his hand on my back, his gaze focused on the court through the patio doors. “When I wasn’t on the ice, I played street hockey. I knew I needed to practice as much as possible if I wanted to be good enough to compete at the college level. I think I spent more time out there than in here, actually.”

I twisted to face him. “Let’s play.”

“Hockey?”

I nodded, excitement bubbling up—this was what we both needed. “Ice hockey intimidates me—I’ve only ice skated a couple of times—but when it comes to rollerblades, I’m pretty good.” I frowned. “Of course, I didn’t think of bringing them with me.”

“I bet Megan has some in her closet. If you really want to play.”

“I think we need a break. And what better way to get that, than for me to beat you at hockey on your own court?”

Beck grinned—the first real grin I’d seen since we’d stepped foot in the house. He took my hand and led me to Megan’s room. We found a pair of skates that were a bit tight in the toes, but not so much I couldn’t make do, and then we headed down the hall.

“Ooh, I can’t believe I’m in Beckett Davenport’s bedroom,” I said as we stepped through the doorway. “If these walls could talk…” Suddenly I realized I might not want to know what they’d say.Way to go, Lyla. Make him happy and then immediately go into awkward land.

But Beck just smiled at me from his crouched position in front of his closet. “You’re the only girl I’ve ever brought in here, actually. There was a rule about no members of the opposite gender in the bedroom. My mom spent a lot of time helping run a charity for low-income families in Concord during the day, as well as plenty of time at the spa, shopping, and going to lunches, but she always made sure to be here when Megan and I got home from school. Mostly she was in her office, focused on her laptop, but she had this freaky sixth sense when it came to knowing I had a girl over and was thinking of breaking the rule.”

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