Page 15 of Romancing the Grump
Alec pushes two more cups into position. “Over here, we have Eli, who isn’t here because he’s married now and can’t be bothered to show up, but he plays right wing. And over here, there’s Logan, who is left wing. The wings can do pretty much anything, offense or defense, depending on what the game needs.”
I should leave. I’m not a part of the conversation, and I want to try to call Blake. But now I’m curious to know what Alec will say about me. And I’m more curious to know how Summer will respond.
“Back here is where you have your defensemen,” Alec continues. “That’s where you’ll find Nathan and me. Our primary job is to cover Felix—the goalie—and keep the puck away from the net.”
Summer’s eyes lift to mine for the briefest moment, then she looks back at the six-man team Alec organized. “Honestly, when I was watching practice today, it mostly seemed like a free-for-all. Everyone was skating everywhere.”
“It only looks like that because the game moves so fast,” I say, drawing the attention of everyone at the table. I don’t know why I’m jumping in, and my teammates seem surprised that I’ve opened my mouth at all, but I keep talking anyway. “There’s always a little room to shift positions when play demands it, but we rely on each other. We have to beable to trust that our man will be there when we need him to be.”
“Hear, hear,” Felix says. “Defenders who stick to their positions make my job a lot easier.”
Summer is watching me intently, sending a prickle of unease up the back of my neck. But unease isn’t exactly the right word. She doesn’t make me uncomfortable, just…hyperaware. Her gaze is more like a touch, sending a wave of sensation skating across my skin. Makes me wonder what would happen if she touched me for real—a thought that sparks an unexpected craving deep in my gut.
“Hmm. I can see how Nathan would be good at that,” Summer says. “Hockey positions. Parking spaces. He takes his territory very seriously.”
I look up—I can’t help it—and catch the teasing glint in her eye. I want to smile. Ialmostsmile.
Almost.
“Well now I can’t wait to watch another game just to see if I’ve learned anything,” Summer says.
“I’ll answer your questions anytime,” Alec says smoothly, and a sharp pulse of jealousy pushes through me. Astupidpulse of jealousy, because I’m not interested in dating Summer. I knew this would happen—that eventually, someone would try to win her over. Better Alec than anyone else on the team.
I move over to the table and gather up the guys’ empty bowls while Alec and Van start what looks like an actual hockey game using their utensils and the top of the saltshaker. “Come on, Nathan. Wanna play?” Van says, scooting his chair over to make room.
“I’ll take care of the dishes,” I say. “Maybe don’t hit Summer in the face with your puck?”
“Or…I could just move over to the bar,” Summer says, lifting her bowl just as the saltshaker lid sails past her head and lands on the floor.
“Probably a good idea,” Felix says. “If you idiots break anything, you’re paying for it,” he says to the rest of the guys.
Summer settles onto the barstool across from the sink, and Gracie sits down beside her. I don’t want to read anything into the fact that she abandoned Alec and moved closer to me, but I find myself moving slower anyway, taking an extra-long time to rinse each dish.
“So, guess who texted me after work today?” Summer asks, her attention fully on Gracie now.
My ears perk up, and my movements slow even further.
These spoons seem particularly dirty; probably they need to be scrubbed by hand three, maybe even four times.
“Oh, no. Please tell me he didn’t,” Gracie says.
“He totally did. But it’s fine. I deleted and blocked his number. I mean, one text was just about work, but the second message was…less about work.”
There’s a strain in Summer’s voice that I don’t like, but I don’t know what I’m supposed to do about it from here.
Nothing, that’s what. Because she isn’t talking to me. She’s clearly speaking quietly on purpose. With the water running, she probably thinks I can’t hear, which is all the more reason for me to stop listening.
“I just can’t believe that after everything, he still thinks he has any right to text me,” she says.
“He’s gross, Summer,” Gracie says. “And he’s the freaking district attorney. Isn’t he supposed to be an upstanding citizen or whatever?”
“Elected by his peers,” Summer says with annoyance. “I’m just glad I don’t work there anymore.”
“Me too,” Gracie says. “Especially because it means you’re here.”
That’s right.Summer worked for the DA. A DA who clearly mistreated her.
I drop a bowl, and it clatters into the bottom of the sink, splashing water all over the front of my sweatshirt. Both of the women look up, but it’s Felix who moves in beside me.
