Page 14 of Face Off
Brooks: Have dinner with me tomorrow night.
I send before thinking once again. Thinking with my lust before anything else. She’s my doctor and trainer. I can’t cross those lines with her. In fact, our contracts lay it out clear as day for us,no fraternization with staff members.
Well, I just shot myself in the foot, didn’t I? I’m attracted to her, and it’s dangerous waters to be treading in right now. But the thought of spending time with Hayley outside of the rink has me floored like a body check that sent me to my ass on the ice.
Hayley: Brooks. As much as I would like to have another enticing meal with you, I can’t. You know the rules.
As much as I like to believe she’s dedicated to following the rules, I have to think otherwise. I’m sure she had rules at her other job, but that didn’t stop her from dating a co-worker then.
Brooks: what are you afraid of?
Hayley: Everything.
Hayley
What am I afraid of?
Is it the fact that this man gives me butterflies like I’m back in high school crushing on a guy who is once again unattainable? Or is it the fact that I’m his physician and trainer? And let’s not forget the fact that my father owns the team and is his boss, and I signed a no fraternization clause in my contract.
Hayley: Everything.
I respond the only way I know how before powering off my phone and putting it back on the nightstand. Staring at the ceiling as sleep evades me as always.
Why am I so afraid of Brooks Miller? It’s not as if he’s going to want to date a single mom. One who has so many insecurities. But then again, maybe he’s into that sort of thing, considering that I’m one hundred percent sure he snooped in my room and stole a pair of my unmentionables.
“Mom?” Cam says, opening the door ever so slightly.
“Mhmm,” I say, moving over in bed patting the opening next to me.
He climbs into bed, snuggling close. It’s rare that he does this anymore, but when given the opportunity, I take it.
He’s silent for a moment before speaking. “Mom, are you sad?” he asks in his sweet little concerned voice.
Ever so observant he is. “Why would you think I’m sad?”
“Well, you didn’t finish your wine at dinner tonight. You always finish your wine unless you’re sad.” He sighs before continuing, “Does it have to do with my dad?”
Yes. No. Okay, well maybe just a little. Seeing Tucker with that woman the other night has brought back the harsh memories of Boyce. How he immediately flaunted other girls in front of me after I told him I was pregnant. We weren’t even broken up technically, but that didn’t stop him. Then there’s Brooks, the man I thought was a certified fuck boy. Living the bachelor life for all eternity, yet he had shown me kindness, asked me out on dates, and stole my panties from the bedroom floor. It’s all so confusing, but I won’t tell Camden any of that.
“It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with,” I say, pulling him closer to me, placing a gentle kiss on the back of his head. “So, tomorrow, you’re gonna come to the rink and help me whip Brooks into shape. How does that sound?”
He shakes his head in agreement. “I’m excited. He’s one of my favorite players. He’s pretty awesome too. He’s been teaching me how to draw the goalie out before I take my shot.”
I smile to myself as I listen to him gush over Brooks. It’s what he used to do with Boyce when he first started watching hockey. I remember sitting there listening to him talk over and over about Boyce’s stats. I cringed every time, with both annoyance and guilt that Camden doesn’t know the truth. It eventually fizzled out as he became more involved with myfather and the Skipjacks. I just hope this fascination with Brooks doesn’t end up in disappointment.
???
Camden goes head to head with Brooks in both the gym for warmup and on the ice. I watch as he prepares for another round of one on one, meeting Brooks at center ice. His mouth guard hanging out the side of his mouth as he gives Brooks his best stare down.
I blow the whistle as I drop the puck, Cam putting up a fight as if he’s playing his debut of an NHL game. Winning the faceoff, skating toward Brooks’ goal as fast as he can. Brooks, however, is quick on defense, forcing Camden out toward the boards, stealing the puck as soon as he sends it, giving Brooks the chance to score.
“You’re good, kid,” he says, ruffling Cam’s hair as they skate toward the player box.
Cam swats his hand away as he removes his mouth guard. “Thanks, Brooks. It was cool of you to let me come help today.”
“Pretty sure that was all your mom’s doing,” he mumbles underneath his breath.
“Well, that’s it for today,” I say as I skate toward them. “Same time tomorrow? If that’s okay with you?”
