Page 94 of Lucky Shot
“You don’t seem like the type to do anything halfway.”
A small smile lifts one side of his mouth.
“I think you’d be a good boyfriend, though, for the record. Who knew beyond all that grump you were such a nice, considerate guy?”
He lets out a hearty guffaw that lightens the mood between us.
“Ruby-Doo!” Travis calls, voice booming around the tall, echo-y ceilings.
I glance at him as he skates up. He smirks as he comes to a hard stop that sprays ice in front of me. I startle, which makes me wobble. Nick’s hands are lightning fast, gripping my waist and steadying me.
“Dude. She’s still learning. Take it easy,” Nick admonishes him without any real bite in his tone.
“Sorry, Rube.”
“Can you teach me to do that?”
“Absolutely,” Travis says at the same time as Nick says, “No.”
I am a safety hazard, but that looked fun. I side-eye Nick and then turn my attention to Travis. “What’s up?”
“Question for you.”
“Sure.”
His smirk should be the indication that he’s about to ask me something ludicrous, but I’m too distracted by Nick’s hands still circling my waist and my pulse racing for the same reason.
“When you said I was the most handsome hockey player you knew, were you trying to ease the pain after breaking my heart or do you really think I’m a ten?”
“Fucking hell,” Nick mutters, then chuckles softly under his breath.
“I said you were hot and charming,” I correct him.
“Suuuuperhot.” He beams and then winks at the guy next to me.
“And you wonder why we’re all single,” Nick says to me.
“You are hot and charming,” I assure Travis. “I didn’t say you were the hottest or most charming.”
“Fine. Fine. But if Nick fucks this up, then I might have a chance?”
I’m ninety-nine percent sure he’s fucking with Nick and not at all interested in me that way, but I’m not going to lie, my ego still appreciates him shooting his shot.
“All right. Back to your side of the rink.” Nick shoos him, then pulls me after him as he skates away.
For the rest of the afternoon, I alternate between trying not to fall on the ice and trying not to be distracted by Nick while I write. I fail on both accounts.
When we get back to the house, I’m hoping to lure him into the cabin for more making out, but Aidan comes running out the front door as soon as we arrive.
“Hey, there he is.” Nick hops out of the truck and walks quickly to his son, pulling him into a hug.
I get out of the vehicle but hang back, watching them and thinking about how good of a dad Nick is and how fortunate Aidan is to have him, and missing Olivia and Greer and the rest of my family terribly.
“Thanks for your help today,” I call to Nick as I take a step toward the cabin. I lift a hand to Aidan. “Hi.”
Aidan waves back. “I learned a new song while I was gone!”
“Really?” I ask.
