Page 25 of Arresting the Hockey Player
He smirks. "I don't even know your last name."
I tilt my head, thinking it over. Should I tell him? "I suppose you don't." I'd rather keep him on his toes. I like a little mystery in our relationship.
Noah pulls me tighter against his firm body. "You're not going to tell me?"
I shake my head. "What fun is that?"
His gaze tightens. "Fine. You tell me your last name, and I'll answer any question that you have."
"Oh, tit for tat," I say, my eyes lighting up. "Sounds fun and a little dangerous."
"So, last name?" he asks again.
"Grace," I say.
"Charlotte Grace," he says, repeating my full name. "I like it."
"Thanks. I mean I'm stuck with it," I say and shrug. I never really gave it much thought. "Now, my turn." I rub my hands together with a laugh, excited to ask him anything.
"What do you want to know, Grace?" he asks.
It feels strange hearing my last name on his lips, but it's not a bad feeling, just unusual, like a pet name or a secret meant only for us.
"Would you have called me after we slept together if I hadn't run into you today?"
He sucks in a sharp breath. "Honestly, no."
I press my lips together and take a small step back. I shouldn’t be surprised, but the truth stings.
"Can I explain, though?" he asks, and I let him continue, choosing not to interrupt him. "I wanted to call you, but I didn't think it was fair to drag you into the drama with Jasmine."
I wince at her name on his tongue, hoping that he doesn’t notice.
"Until I get my shit together and Jasmine out of my life, you deserve better."
"That's for me to decide, not you," I say. "And I still don't get why your ex is suddenly showing up in your life."
"Like I said, she needs help. I'm just trying to help."
"And she can't go to anyone else?" I ask. I don't want to sound like the jealous girlfriend, but I can't fathom why she's showing up unless she's after something, like his money. He's a professional NHL player. She probably got wind of his success and wants part of it.
"It's more complicated than that," he says. "And it's not my story to share."
"Okay," I say, letting it go. The first step in a relationship is trust. And I trust Noah. "Am I going to meet this elusive ex-girlfriend of yours? Does she come to your games?"
He laughs under his breath. "No, her husband was traded last year. He plays for the Island Bruisers."
Noah winces, his eyes flickering, holding something back.
She's not after Noah's money if she's married to an NHL player. That's at least a good sign. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed they weren't on the other side of the country.
"So, she attends his games." I frown. "Don't the Ice Dragons play the Bruisers later this month?"
"You've been studying my schedule?"
FOUR
Noah
