Page 75 of Just One Season
I open the door and call to him with his new name. Immediately,a flash of white and brown darts toward me and jumps on my legs, barking.
“I guess you like it?” I laugh and make the mistake of not shutting the door behind me right away. Mister Barky McBarkface zips through my legs and down the hall, his purple and yellow Blizzard shirt acting like a superdog cape.
“Shit! Hey!” His new name immediately flies from my brain. “Bear! Taco! Waffles!!”
I dart out the door and turn to follow him toward the arena, but Kellen is standing at the end of the hall holding my dog. He’s wearing a tight Blizzard t-shirt and athletic shorts, and Mister Barky McBarkface is snuggling into his chest.
Kellen strolls toward me, cradling my dog, who stares up at him adoringly.
I can relate to the feeling. I’m as frozen as the ice in the arena. He stops a few feet away but makes no move to hand over the dog.
“I feel like we’ve done this before. Me capturing your escaped dog.”
“Thank you for that. And for his new shirt. Also, his new name is Mister Barky McBarkface, courtesy of your daughter.”
Kellen bursts out laughing, and I love the sound of it. I want to run my hand over the stubble on his chin. Feel that mouth on mine again. His laugh relieves some of the tension in the air, and I grin as his chuckles taper off.
“Of course she did. You know you don’t have to actually call him that?”
“That’s what Bri said.” I shrug. Maybe my friends are right.DoI need to sleep with a hot hockey player? Specifically this one? “We’ll see how he likes it.”
Kellen’s staring at me with a slight smile lingering on his face.
“How’s it going? Did you enjoy the game?” His eyes dart down to my lips and back up. Tingles run up my spine and a single, intense beat of desire pulses in the bottom of my stomach.
“It was a good game. Congrats on the hat trick. And thank you for the jersey. And the shirt. And the hoodie. And the decal? It was a bit over the top.”
Kellen’s mouth quirks into a smile. He steps forward. So many things zip through my mind, the most prominent one being a wish that he’d grab me by the waist and kiss me.
“I wanted to apologize about what happened at the photo shoot,” he says in a low voice. “In person. I know we’ve been texting since then, but I really feel like I crossed a line.”
“You don’t have to apologize.” I curl my toes.
“I do. I wasn’t in my right mind that afternoon. And I don’t often feel comfortable talking about Ava’s past issues.”
Did he forget that I’m the one who kissed him?
“No worries. I’ve barely thought about it.” But I can’t help the stupid grin that’s on my face. Damn, I am not subtle.
“Yeah, me neither.” He presses his lips together and holds out Mister Barky McBarkface. “Here’s your dog. I have to get to the post-game yoga session, or I’ll catch a lot of shit.”
“Of course.” I accept the squirming canine bundle. “Have fun with your downward facing dog.”
I imagine the Blizzard doing yoga together. It’s a delightfully wholesome picture.
“My favorite is the cobra.”
I tilt my head in question.
“You know, lay on your belly and press down on the ground with your hands and arch up off the floor. Stretches your back.” Kellen lifts his chin up and curves his back to demonstrate. “Just picture the rattlesnake we saw on our hike.”
I laugh. “I got it now.”
“See you around, Lucy.” Kellen’s gaze lingers for a second more, then he turns and walks away.
“Bye.”
I watch Kellen retreat and wish I wasn’t so focused on howbroad his shoulders are, so strong and capable. I wish I wasn’t thinking about how kind he is and observant to how I’m feeling, like a big, sweet, gooey cinnamon roll that I could sink my teeth into.
