Page 37 of Hot for the Hockey Player
Like an idiot, I turned around and looked behind me, then faced forward again.“Who?Me?”
Raina and Naomi both snorted.“I think that’s who he meant,” Raina said.
I glared at her.
“Or not.Whatever,” Maverick said casually.“Don’t sweat it.”He hummed and smiled as he used his bread to mop up the leftover ragu on his plate.“Damn, this is good sauce.Is there anything you’renotgood at, Gabrielle?Amazing cook, great mom, killer lawyer, savvy businesswoman.”
I could feel my cousins’ heated, curious stares on my forehead, but refused to look up from my plate at any of them.My face was already an inferno, and I’m sure the color wasn’t just in my cheeks, but my neck and into my hairline as well.
What was Maverick’s angle here?
Was he deliberately trying to embarrass me?I couldn’t remember him being this complimentary before.
I cleared my throat and took a sip of my wine.Only, my glass was empty—of course—and I made an obnoxious slurping sound which echoed into an empty glass.
Ground, please open up and swallow me whole.
“Here we go, Gabs,” Raina said, pouring me more wine.“I gotcha.”
I sucked in a deep breath, which did nothing to settle my frayed nerves.My hand shook as I brought the glass to my lips for a sip, nearly spilling wine all over myself.
“You okay, Mom?”Laurel asked.
“I’m fine.”I set the wineglass down on the table and stood up.“I just … too much time in the kitchen.I’m a little warm.Just … I’ll be right back.”I bolted to the entryway, slid into my practical black loafers, didn’t grab a coat, and was out of there.
My chest burned as I sucked in deep lungfuls of chilly evening air, standing there on the front porch.It was still winter, and the sky was clear, indicating that it would probably freeze tonight.But even with the icicles forming on the back of my throat, the change in temperature and solitude was more than welcome.Goosebumps raced down my arms and I rubbed them with the opposite hands.
What the hell was going on with me?
I’d never felt this way or behaved this way in my entire life.It had to be a hormonal thing.Perimenopause, or maybe my blood sugar was low?I needed to book an appointment with Justine and get some bloodwork done.There was no other explanation for this.I was clearly unwell.
The door opened, and I prayed to the gods I didn’t believe in that it was anybody but Maverick.
“You okay?”Raina asked.
I exhaled in all-consuming relief and faced her.“I think I’m sick.”
She lifted a brow.“With what?”
I hugged my arms around myself tighter and shook my head.“I don’t know.”
The icy winter wind whipped Raina’s dark-red hair around her face and she gathered it in her fist and held it over her shoulder.“Maybe you’re just attracted to Maverick?”
I shook my head again.“No.Attraction doesn’t make you feel likethis.I’m sick.I need to see Justine.”
She made a face like she was looking to argue with me, but instead of saying a word, she just pressed her lips together.
If anything, that was more irritating.I’d rather she disagree with me.At least then I could distract myself by forming a rebuttal.
“Did I cause a scene?”
Her eyes betrayed her shrug and headshake.
I buried my face in my hands.“Crap.”
“Take another minute to collect yourself.I’ll make up some excuse, then just come inside and go to your bedroom.I’ll tell them you’re not feeling well or something.”She rubbed the side of my arm affectionately.“Okay?”
I nodded.“Thanks.”
