Page 21 of Romancing the Grump
“You’re making things up,” I say to Nathan as I stretch my arms over my head. “I’ve had a twin sister my entire life, and we always shared a room. She would definitely have let me know if I snored. Where are we? Are we eating?” I look out the window and see several restaurants, including a Chipotle and a Panera, all within walking distance of where the bus is parked at the back edge of a parking lot.
“Looks like it,” Nathan says. “And you can tell yourself whatever you want, but I’m telling you, today, here, you were snoring.”
“Hey, Summer.” I turn and see Malik standing at the front of the bus. “Grab a bite with me? I’ve got a few things I’d like to discuss.”
I quickly nod, pretending I’m not disappointed. “Of course. I’ll be right out.”
Nathan steps out of the row and backs up, motioning me forward. “After you.”
If it were up to me, I’d eat dinner with Nathan, spend some time with him while wearen’tsleeping, and see if I can coax out an actual smile. But this is work, and wanting to get to know Nathan better is not a reason to ignore the Appies’ general manager.
I grab my bag and hold up my finger, pointing it at Nathan. “We aren’t done discussing my lack of snoring,” I say.
And finally,finally,Nathan smiles. It’s small. Definitely not a real smile, but it’s something, and the sight of it makes my heart flop around in my chest.
“I look forward to it,” he says, and the lightness in his tone makes me think he actually means it.
CHAPTER 6
NATHAN
Summer is alreadyon the bus when I climb back on with my food, Felix and Alec right behind me. This doesn’t surprise me—I saw her in line ahead of me, talking to Malik the entire time—but I’m still disappointed to see her sitting at the small table in the back, looking over a folder of paperwork with Malik, a half-eaten burrito sitting beside her.
We used to eat inside, an effort to keep the bus from smelling like whatever it is we’re eating, but with the Appies’ growing fame, hiding out on the bus has become a lot easier. Especially when we’re traveling, and we don’t really feel like dealing with people and attention.
Admittedly, that’s pretty much how I feel all the time, but even the guys like Eli—who has the biggest online following and thrives in the spotlight—need a break sometimes.
Last I heard, Malik was trying to convince Larry, the Appies’ owner, to approve a new standard of travel for the team, using chartered flights instead of the buses we’vebeen using for years. Private charters are how teams get around in the NHL, so it’s not unheard of, and with how much the Appies are making, between sold-out games, a huge uptick in merch, and bigger corporate sponsors, it seems like a logical next step. Not because we deserve the luxury any more than we did before, but because of things like this—because of how hard it’s getting to travel normally.
We’re recognized almost everywhere we go.
With Summer back with Malik and the coaching staff, I drop into the seat where I originally started the trip, across the aisle from Felix and right beside Alec.
“Your guard dog shift ended?” Alec asks through an enormous bite of burrito.
I motion toward the back of the bus. “She’s occupied.”
It’s as much of an explanation as I’m going to give, though it seems to appease him well enough. I realize how I made it look when I planted myself in Summer’s row and wouldn’t let the team continue the joke they’d planned. But I wasn’t about to let Dominik get within ten feet of her. So what if it means the rest of the guys think I’m staking a claim?
She’s too good for all of us anyway—me included—so she’s better off if they all keep their distance.
“You know what everyone’s saying now, right?” Alec says, confirming my suspicions. “Pretty sure the rookies have bets going on how long it’ll take you to ask her out.”
“Let them bet,” I grumble in between bites of food. “It’s none of their business, so they’ll never know one way or the other.”
“True,” Felix says. “But we’re your friends, man. If you ever want to talk about anything, you can make it our business.”
“What are we talking about?” Eli says as he drops into the seat just in front of Felix.
“Nathan’s love life,” Alec says. “Or at least his effort to have one.”
“Sweet. Somebody catch me up,” Eli says.
“We’re not talking about anything because there’s nothing to talk about. I just don’t want Dominik anywhere near her.” I look over at Alec. “Or you.”
Not sure why I feel compelled to suddenly include Alec in my warning, except that he’s staying for the Flex meeting so he’ll be around her as much as I will be. He’s also the only other single one present, and he’s real competition. The man looks more like an actor pretending to be a hockey player than one of the best defensemen in the AHL.
Alec chuckles and holds up his hands. “Dude, I know better. You’ve made your intentions clear. I’m not about to interfere.”
