Page 32 of Damsel in Defense
“What?No.Didn’t he just meet all these kids today?”
“Not necessarily.The charity has been active for a couple years now, and you can attend events and trainings like today until the kids age out at sixteen.Then there are other programs that can help them onward.”His face turns thoughtful as he stares in the direction Sidney left.“Really felt like he knew that mom.”
“In the biblical sense?”
That gets Mason’s attention and smile back on me.“Intrigue.I like it.But I’m not sure.I don’t think Sidney would do that, but you never know.The heart wants what the heart wants.I’ll have to ask him about it later.”
“At camp?I didn’t realize your team liked the outdoors so much.”
“You really don’t know much about hockey, do you?”
I grimace, then grin sweetly.“Nope,” I pop thep.“All I really know is the sport is played on the ice, with skates, and that goals go in the net.Oh, and it’s Canada’s national sport.I think I heard that once on the news.”
“It’s Canada’s nationalwintersport.Lacrosse is the summer,” Mason informs me as he reaches for my hand and intertwines our fingers.We head out of the arena and off to the left.He motions to where his car is parked.“Hockey is Canada’s number one pastime.Meaning the most popular sport to play, support, and watch.”
“You’re such a know-it-all.”
“It’s my sport, honey.Of course I know everything about it.”
The pet name catches me off guard.I almost trip over my own feet.Acting like the cute name didn’t shock my entire system, I give him a mischievous grin.“I’ll have to watch one of your games because I see the appeal.I’m not completely sold on the man ice aquarium, however.”
He stops dead in his tracks.With a stunned and confused look, Mason stares at me.“Ice aquarium?”
“Yeah.The rink is basically an ice aquarium.You skate around and around like fishes, and people watch from behind glass, knocking on it to get your attention.”
He blinks.Then blinks again.
“No…that’s not— Shit.No one has ever put it that way, but…yeah, we really need to get you to a game.Thank God the season starts next month.”
I shrug, totally up for giving it a try.I’m sure I’ll like it.If it involves Mason, then it’s got my support.
“And this camping trip helps with bonding or whatever before the season?”
“First, it’s a training camp.There’s no way in hell I’d willingly sleep on the ground.That’s a young man’s game.And you’re right in the sense that it does help the team bond, but it mainly focuses on preparing us mentally and physically for the upcoming season and setting some strategies in place.”
“Oh, so it’s kind of like when I do dress rehearsal sound checks for concerts.”
“Exactly.Just on ice and with more people.”
I snort, appreciating how different but alike our professions are.
Opening the passenger-side door for me, Mason helps me in and snaps my seat belt in place.His arm brushes against my chest, sending shock waves through my entire system.My breath hitches at the sensation, and our gazes lock.
“Okay?”he asks softly.
“Okay,” I say back.
The moment is full of unsaid words and heightening emotions.I want him to kiss me again.I’m desperate for it, now that I know the taste of his lips.
I should tell him the black-and-white lines of our agreement are blurring for me.That feelings are starting to bubble up on my end.
But what good would it do?We’re only a couple of weeks into our deal, and I need to pull it together so I can help him to the deadline of six months.
Even if it kills me.
Every day, we dance back and forth over the line of real and fake.And every day, I’m finding it harder and harder to distinguish which is which.
I know what side I’m on.
