Page 15 of Wake Me Up
Aviana went with my parents to my nephew’s swim meet. Cane is sitting with some of his friends, and I try my best not to look over every few minutes to see if they are all behaving, though it’s hard. In my eyes, he’s still a little boy, but I know that isn’t true anymore, and I need to give him a little more independence than I do.
“Looks like he’s a natural, standing down there,” a deep voice says from behind me, forcing my head to whip around.
My eyes lock with none other than Tripp Talmage as he stands next to me with his hat pulled low, wearing a simple gray sweatshirt. The corner of his lip turns up the slightest bit, exposing a set of dimples that I’m guessing don’t come out to play often because he’s always so serious.
He jerks his chin toward the spot beside me. “Is this seat taken?”
For a moment, I just stare at him because out of all the people I thought I might see tonight, he’s certainly not one of them. I don’t know if I should be creeped out or flattered that he’s here, but I can’t get past the shock enough to figure out which it is.
“Uh … no. It’s … not,” I say, wondering what Cane might think if he sees Tripp sitting next to me. Even with his hat pulled low, I know my son would recognize him.
“Don’t sound so excited at the idea of sitting beside me,” he mutters teasingly before taking a seat. “I can put one seat between us, if it makes you feel better.”
My body tenses as my heart speeds up when his shoulder brushesagainst mine, and even though I try to ignore the yummy scent of him, it’s hard.
“No, no,” I say, trying to give a relaxed smile before settling into my seat again. “You’re fine here.” I frown, biting my bottom lip. “Though I am curious … whyareyou here? And how did you know to come here anyway?” I stop, my eyes widening. “Not that you’re here to see me or Cash. I just meant, you know, how’d you know there was this game tonight?”
Tell me you are a widow who hasn’t talked to an attractive man in five years without telling me you’re a widow who hasn’t talked to an attractive man in five years.
Lord, I’m a mess.
My heart is beating so loudly that I’m afraid he may actually hear it. He makes me nervous, which isn’t something I’m used to. The only person who has ever had the ability to do this was my husband when we were teenagers. And now, he’s obviously gone.
“When I worked with him at that clinic, he was telling me about his team, so I looked it up and saw his schedule. He’s a good kid. I wanted to see him play.” There’s a short pause. “I hope that’s okay. I understand if you think I’m a creep, but I swear, I’m not a stalker.”
I get the feeling this is the most he’s talked … maybe ever, and I glance at him from the corner of my eye. It’s so bizarre that the goalie for the New England Bay Sharks just came to my son’s game. I mean, I’ve always known that Cash is a helluva athlete. As his mom, it’s my job to think he’s amazing; still, I knew he was great. But I didn’t expect him, at this young of an age, to snag the interest of someone like Tripp.
I guess that goes to show that I should never underestimate my son.
Realizing that I’m not responding and probably coming off as a bitch, I turn my body toward him slightly. “Cash will be over the moon that you came to watch him.” I smile. “Thank you, Tripp. I’m sure you are so busy with your own hockey schedule, but this is really kind of you.” Suddenly, an article I saw online comes to mind, and I can’t stop the chuckle that escapes my lips. “Sorry.” I cringe.
“What’s so funny?” he asks dryly.
“Nothing,” I say, trying to fight back laughter. “Well, it’s just … sort of funny to me that the one Bay Shark I thought was a jerk turned out to likely be the nicest.”
He simply stares at me. “You thought I was an asshole?”
“I said jerk,” I answer. “And … kind of. I read an article about you that basically said you’re cold.” I shrug. “If it makes you feel any better, I read a similar one about Kolt Kolburne. And he looks even more unapproachable than you do.”
“I’m a ray of sunshine,” he deadpans. “Just gotta get to know me better, darlin’.”
I think I almost choke on my own tongue, and then I feel like my face my melt off from blushing. But I inhale quickly and smile at him. “Game’s starting.”
Swallowing, I turn my attention to the rink and begin chewing my bottom lip. I don’t know what’s making me more nervous—the fact that it’s my son’s very first time playing goalie in an actual game or the man sitting beside me, invading my space, who just called medarlin’.
All I know is, I can hardly breathe right now.
This kid has major talent.
Cash has so much potential, and the craziest thing is, this is his first time ever playing goalie in an actual game. The only reason I know that though is because he told me the other day. I sensed the hesitation from him to play the position, and when he glanced at his older brother, I knew it had something to do with him. But if he truly wants to be a goalie, I’d love to help him to become the best one he can be.
And … maybe I want to see more of his mother too.
Probably in more ways than one.
Cane came over to us to get money from his mom for the concessions a bit ago, but I made him promise to stay cool and not tell his friends I was here. With my ball cap pulled low on my head, I’ve been lucky enough to not be recognized, and I’m thankful there’s hardly anyone at this game right now because if there was, I would have been seen right when I walked in. I don’t want to sound like a prick, but being a Shark sometimes comes with alot of fans. And in times like this, I don’t want to have that happen. This is Cash’s day, not mine.
Leaning in a little closer, I murmur to Freya, “You can relax, you know.” When I inhale, a sweet smell hits my nose, and I think my mouth waters.
