Page 49 of Skating and Fake Dating
“It took me a full three hundred and sixty-five days to earn back my pancake privileges. You’re not allowed to bring in outside syrup, but mine is pure. The good stuff. Trust me.”
After cautiously looking around, he drizzles it over the contents of his plate. “A full year, huh? Your cravings must’ve been out of control.”
Sensing his eyes on me, I flick my gaze toward him and quickly away. “You have no idea.” My voice comes out breathier than I intend.
Two bites in and the man is practically moaning in public. “Wow. Thesearethe best pancakes in the world.” He takes another bite and then shakes his head. “No, actually, I think it’s the maple syrup that makes the pancakes so good.” He goes on to give a mock scientific assessment of the pancake, fruit, butter, and whipped cream, to syrup ratios, then isolating each flavor. He practically has me snort-laughing at how seriously he’s taking it.
I can’t deny how much I like Carson’s humor, appearance, and personality. All of him.
Eating breakfast together like a real couple is a morning treat I didn’t expect to have here at Shirley May’s—today or ever.
When I catch my breath, I say, “Speaking of experiments, we went way off script last night. Maybe took things a little too far. I’m sorry if?—”
His expression shifts, darkens. “Please don’t apologize,Bailey. I took it upon myself to step in and—we had an agreement, right?”
Fear strikes the very roots of my soul. “Did you pity me? I know my family can be a bit much.”
“Yeah. No. I mean, no. I didn’t pity you. I provided an assist, like in hockey.”
I tell myself to get my head together. “Right. Of course.”
The waitress comes over and I quickly stuff my jar of liquid amber back in my purse, making sure the lid is on tight. “How are you kids doing? Good? Let me know if I can get you anything else. Extra butter, whipped cream, napkins.” She refills our coffees and waters, then slides the paper slip with our bill onto the table.
Having devoured his meal, Carson looks up at me with a spark in his eye and a playful expression on his lips. “I think I’m addicted.”
Me too. To his touch, the way he looks at me, his lips. I said I’d keep feelings out of it, but they’re coming in undeniably swift and strong like a sugar rush.
I find myself wondering if this is what it feels like when the game changes and nobody’s bothered to tell me the new rules.
CHAPTER 21
CARSON
The locker room at Maple Falls Arena smells like fresh paint and new beginnings.
I’m early—a habit my very first coach drilled into me as one of the only kids on the team without a dad hollering at him from behind the boards. Coach Sumner would say,If you’re on time, you’re late.
Old habits and all that.
The pristine, lacquered hardwood lockers with the Ice Breakers logo gleaming in blue, gray, and white make this expansion team feel real in a way contract signatures didn’t.
I’m here. This is real. It’s go time.
I run my fingers over the nameplate: CRANE #49. A fresh start. I need one after the slow implosion of last spring.
A few guys mill around in various stages of prep for practice. The door swings open, and Jamie Hayes walks in like he owns the place. As captain and our center, he kind of does. “Crane, good to have you on board.”
“Glad to be here.” We shake hands and there’s no mistaking his firm grip from years of expert stick handling.
Jamie’s reputation precedes him—fifteen years in the league,a Stanley Cup win with New York. The kind of veteran leadership that will serve us well.
“Heads up. Coach Hauser’s putting us on the same line. We’ve got speed. We’ve got vision.” He eyes me knowingly as he sets down his gear bag.
Nodding as I get my bearings, I say, “Sounds like a good combination.”
The locker room door bangs open again, and Cade Lennox swaggers in, designer sunglasses perched on the top of his head despite the Pacific Northwest cloud cover. “The party has arrived,” he announces, arms wide.
I suppress an eye roll and meet him with a friendly chuckle. Lennox’s highlight reels are matched only by his social media gossip post appearances.
