Page 24 of Unraveling Rain
I smile back. “I wouldn’t mind a couple of firsts with you.”
“Damn. He’s taking his shot,” she says, and we laugh at the same time.
I love how she makes light of the situation without making me feel bad or shutting me down completely.
“So tell me, Xander,” she says, propping her elbow on the armrest and turning toward me, “what’s your story?”
I take a swig of my beer before answering. “My story is thirty-four years long. Do you really want to know?”
She pauses.
“Let’s start with the easy stuff. Why hockey?”
Her eyes lock onto mine, and right now, I feel like I’m the most important person in the world.
“It’s kinda my family’s thing. My grandpa on my mom’s side played in the league for Boston his entire career. My uncle did too. Everyone was expecting Mom to get married to a hockey guy—she’s practically hockey royalty.”
I chuckle, picturing my parents. Two people from completely different upbringings.
“I take it your dad doesn’t play hockey?” Rain asks, completely invested in the story.
“You’re correct. My dad is Colombian and came to the US on a baseball scholarship.”
She lets out a low whistle. “That’s amazing. Where did he go to school?” she asks before taking another swig of her beer.
“Harvard,” I reply simply.
She whistles again. “Damn. So you have the looksandpotentially the brains too? You’re the whole package, Hotshot.”
She flashes an easy smile, her gray eyes seeming liquid with the firelight dancing in them.
I laugh at her assessment, because from where I’m sitting,she’sthe whole package—beautiful, funny, adventurous—and I’m dying to get to know her more.
“Yeah, my dad’s got a bachelor’s in finance, and after he retired from the baseball league, he got his MBA and runs his own business now.”
“That’s cool. I think it’s awesome your dad never pushed you into baseball since it looks like that was his sport.”
“Yeah, growing up, we used to play ball in the summer in our backyard. But the moment I got my first pair of skates, I knew that was going to be my entire life. The rush of adrenaline every time I fight for control of the puck. The elation after hearing the horn blow when I score. It’s something I don’t think I can ever tire of.”
I pause, surprised by how easily that came out. This injury had me doubting my career and my future, but I guess Ijust needed to remember where my love for the sport comes from.
When I glance back at Rain, coming back from my thoughts, I realize her face is close to mine.
Does she want me to kiss her? Or did she get tipsy after only one beer?
Before I can lean in or even think too hard about it, we both hear footsteps nearby.
Is it an animal?
Rain’s up in a flash, quickly pulling a knife from her boot.
Damn, that’s hot.
“Is everything okay here?” a deep voice asks from the dark.
Rain immediately sits back down, at ease.
“Gee, I don’t know. Two people enjoying each other’s company while roasting marshmallows. Why wouldn’t it be okay?” she replies, a hint of frustration in her tone.
