Page 49 of The Rookie
I shouldn’t be reacting this way. After all, Boston is my home too. Or at least it’s where I’m living so long as I’m playing for the Titans. I’ve never felt at home in that city the way I feel here and now. Whether it’s Lost Haven or Summer that’s making me feel that way, I haven’t the faintest clue.
“So, uh, what did you say?” I ask, trying and failing to sound nonchalant.
She stares down at her hands, suddenly sober as a Sunday morning. “I told him that I’m leaving tomorrow.”
My heart plummets. “Why’d you say that?”
She meets my eyes. “Because it’s true.”
Suddenly, my throat feels like it’s closing up, like I’m having an allergic reaction to the thought of her leaving. ”Tomorrow?” It comes out more as a croak than a question.
“Yeah. Les has another client lined up for me. One of the team’s personal trainers.” She smacks a hand over her mouth, her wide browneyes like two full moons. “Forget that I said that,” she mumbles through her fingers. “That should be confidential.”
“I won’t say a thing.”
At my promise, her worried expression fades into a soft smile. It’s the only relief I can get right now.
“Thank you,” she murmurs, but I can’t just leave it at that. I can’t let her slip away without giving her every reason to stay.
“Under one condition.”
The tiniest crease forms between her eyebrows. “What’s that?”
“Stay with me tonight.” The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them.
She fidgets a little, scooting a half inch away from me, and I miss her touch the second it’s gone. “You know I can’t do that, Logan.”
Her lips form a small, sad smile, her eyes brimming with pity. I don’t know if it’s for me or for herself. Maybe a little bit of both. And if I stare into those eyes too much longer, I’ll fall right in.
“Well then. At least let me walk you back to your cabin.”
I shove up to my feet, offering her a hand. She places her palm in mine, and it’s not lost on me that this is the last time I’ll get to do this.
Better make it count.
After saying a quick good-night to my brothers, we slip back into our coats and out into the biting night air. Poor Summer starts shivering instantly, but it doesn’t stop her from blabbering on about how fantastic Graham’s operation is.
“That shandy really is spectacular,” she says enthusiastically, squeezing my hand as we walk past the infamous chicken coop and toward the cabins. “And the whole barn is so beautiful. Can’t you just imagine people coming in from the city? You know, stay at the cabins, go to the brewery. People would love it.”
“People like you?” I ask.
She blushes again, toying with a loose strand of caramel-colored hair that’s blowing around her face. “I’ve certainly enjoyed my stay here, if that’s what you mean.”
What I mean iswill you come back and never, ever leave?But that seems a little aggressive. So I say instead, “We’ll be ready whenever you decide to come back.”
“We?” She pauses, assessing me with dark, inquisitive eyes. “Aren’t you headed back to Boston too?”
“Yeah, soon,” I say, because I’m not ready to discuss the idea that I might want to stick around here more permanently. “For now, I think I’m going to be splitting my time when I can. Fly out here during the off season and holidays and all that.” I pause, kicking the gravel with the side of my boot before adding, “Maybe you could join me.”
“We’re not all hockey players,” she reminds me. “Owning my own business means my paid time off is nonexistent. And last I checked, there aren’t a whole lot of athletes that need counseling in Lost Haven.”
I raise the hand that’s not laced with hers. “There’s at least one.”
She laughs, and it warms me up quicker than a beer around a bonfire.
Two weeks ago, this girl was a total stranger. An unwelcome guest in my family home. And here we are, our fingers laced so tightly together that you’d think we’d never let go. And maybe we’re not supposed to. Maybe whatever we have will transfer back to Boston.
A guy can dream, right?
