Page 85 of Famous Last Words
“My son, the worrier.” Victoria rubs Robbie’s hand, and the look in her eyes as she gazes up at him is both endearing and heartbreaking; she’s looking at Robbie like she’s trying to memorize every detail, almost like she’s scared she might never see him again.
“I have my rink-side seat right here.” She pats the arm of her chair, grinning up at me.
I consider myself a moment. And I’m not sure what comes over me, but I find myself talking without even thinking. “You know what?” I look at Robbie, “I might stay in, too. That is if you don’t mind, Victoria?”
“Oh, I would love the company.” She beams, her eyes lighting up. “But only if you call me Vicky.”
“I can do that,” I smile.
She begins rustling around in the basket on the side table next to her chair, pulling out a remote and aiming it at the TV.
Robbie moves in closer to me, brow quirked, voice a little lower. “You sure?”
“Yeah. You don’t mind?”
A small smile ghosts his lips as he looks at me for a long moment, and I’m not sure what it is, but there’s an emotion in his eyes I’ve never seen before. “Thank you,” he whispers, reaching out and gently squeezing my hand.
“Okay, well, I’m gonna go,” he says a little louder. “Rhonda will be here soon.” His gaze flits to me. “Rhonda’s Ma’s night nurse.”
I nod.
Robbie leans down and kisses Vicky’s cheek once more. “Alright, Ma, no parties, okay?”
Vicky rolls her eyes, and I laugh.
“Walk me out?” Robbie murmurs, leading the way.
I follow him to the mud room where he pops his cap back on and turns it backwards, shrugging on his coat.
Since I’m staying in, I remove my jacket and hang it up, but as I do, Robbie pulls me in, hands at my waist, holding me flush against him. I peer up at him, suddenly breathless, staring into his eyes as they bore down into mine. We’re so close and out of Vicky’s view; there’s no one here to see this. I clamp my bottom lip between my teeth before I say something I know I’ll probably regret.
“Thank you,” he says after a minute.
A sliver of disappointment settles low in my belly because he’s just thanking me for staying home with his mom. I force a smile. “No problem.” I shrug, looking down. “I’m actually pretty tired.”
An unexpected jolt surges through me when Robbie’s hands slide up under the hem of his jersey I’m wearing, calloused fingers grazing my skin. I snap my head up to find his eyes darker than they were seconds ago, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. And again, the simple task of breathing evades me.
Slowly, Robbie lowers his head, and I’m almost certain he’s going to kiss me. But then he fakes left,lips brushing against the shell of my ear as he whispers, “I’ll see you later.”
I swear to God, I shiver at the feel of his breath, at the words which are so innocuous but spoken with such a raw, unabashed heat. When he pulls back, I see nothing but wanton need in his gaze, and I feel it straight in my core.
I swallow hard, taking a step back, desperate for some space between us because otherwise I’m scared I’ll jump his bones right here by the front door.
He flashes me a slow wink, that cocky smile lifting the corner of his mouth as he turns and walks out the door. I’m forced to stand here for a moment, in the hope that I can at least pull myself together enough to go back inside and not completely give everything away to the woman who knows Robbie better than anyone.
Two minutes into overtime and the Thunder scored a goal, making the final score 2-1 at the end of a grueling and exciting game.
I’d been surprised at how passionate Vicky was, shouting at the TV, cheering and clapping, even making idle threats to the Boston player who checked Dallas from behind, causing a four on two brawl the refs were forced to break up. Robbie and Logan had been sent to the box together, but while they were in there, they just sat grinning at one another as the diehard Boston fans booed them through the glass. At one point, Robbie stood, antagonizing them with a ‘bring it on’ motion, and not gonna lie… it was all kinds of sexy.
Robbie: See the fight?
I roll my eyes, but I can’t hide my smile because this has become our thing. Nohello, orhow’s it going, justsee the fight. I shake my head.
Me: I did.
Robbie: Did it make you wet?
Oh. My. God.
