Page 76 of Rebel Secrets
“So, you’ll only be here a few hours?”
“Yes, dear.Don’t worry.I don’t plan to interrupt your day for more than that.”
There was an edge in my mom’s voice, and I could tell I’d finally pissed her off.
“I’m sorry, of course I’ll be happy to see you.I’ve just got a lot on my plate next week.The bakery is doing the lunches for the hockey camp, and we’ve got to prepare for book club, and I’ve got another event next weekend that I need to work ahead on.”
Her mom paused.“Sounds like you have your hands full.”
The snarky voice in my head wanted me to ask her what she thought I did here.Did she think I just played at being a business owner?That I didn’t bust my ass to make everything work?That I was like my brother’s revolving door of girlfriends, who played at having jobs when really, they lived off their parents’ money and constantly traveled?
Ooh, that was bitchy.But true.
“I do.But of course, I’ll have time to spend with you while you’re here.”
“I’m glad to hear it.I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
My heart leaped into my throat.When my mom said she wanted to discuss something, my anxiety spiked.I hated that she made me feel like this, but it’d been happening since I was a kid, and I hadn’t managed to control it yet.Not sure I ever would.
“Sure, Mom.I’ll see you then.”
“I’ll text you my details.Talk to you soon.Love you.”
The call disconnected, and I took a deep breath and then another one, trying to get my heart back into a natural rhythm.I opened the door and walked inside, heading for the room where Rebel had told me to meet him.
I knew my way around the arena, having been friends with Erin for years.My feet headed in the right direction, my brain still chewing over my mother’s impending visit, even though I kept trying to change my focus.My therapist had given me some tools to make sure I didn’t fall down the rabbit hole, but I still couldn’t catch my breath when I reached my destination.
Until I saw Rebel, leaning against a well-worn wooden table, scanning a sheet of paper in his hands.He hadn’t seen me yet and turned away to pick up another paper from the table.I could see his profile now, and my heart beat in a different rhythm, one that came with heat low in my body.
My mother’s call drifted out of my head, replaced by images from that night.That night I’d been dreaming about every night since.I knew I shouldn’t.I knew it’d been a moment out of time, a blip in his life that he wanted to put behind him.
Of course, I should probably want the same thing.To just move on and mark it down to too much really good alcohol.But I couldn’t.It wouldn’t be true.No, I’d had just enough.I’d had the best freaking night of my life in bed with a man who, up until a couple of weeks ago had seemed to hate me.No, that was too strong.He just really, really didn’t like me.
His head lifted and our gazes connected.And for a second, I thought I saw heat in his eyes.Heat for me.My body answered with a wave of achy longing that made me want to hug myself tight.
“Hey.Sorry.”He blinked and the heat was gone.“I didn’t see you there.”
“I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.If you’re busy, I can?—”
“No, come in.”He waved me into the room.“I’m just going over the daily schedules.”
I sat in one of the chairs at the table, trying to get comfortable and not squirm.“Looks like you’re not impressed.”
He took one of the chairs opposite me, leaning back a little, hands spread out on the table in front of him.I couldn’t help myself.I had to look, remembering where those hands had been and what they’d done to me.It was all I could do to drag my gaze away and aim it over his shoulder.
“They’re good.I want to make them better.”
Wait, what were we talking about?Oh, hockey camp.That’s why I was here.Not to stare at his hands.Or want to sink my fingers in his thick dark hair.I blinked and redirected my gaze to his shoulder.
“I’m sure the kids will love whatever you come up with.”
I absolutely believed that.Rebel was nothing if not dedicated to the game.He loved it.You could see it when he played.He put his whole heart and soul into it.
“What’s wrong?”
The question came out of the blue, leaving me scrambling to catch up.“What?Nothing.”
His gaze narrowed.“Did something happen?”
