Page 35 of Before We Came

“Congratulations on your goal and win! I loved watching you out there!”

“Thanks.” He continues to search my eyes, then leans down so I can hear him over the loud sports bar and says, “You only feel scared because you’re doing something really brave. It’s going to be okay. If you ever need anything, just ask.”

I avert my eyes, concentrating on my hands to avoid his intense gaze. Moving to a new place and trying to live an old forgotten life is, well, it’s fucking nuts. Putting all my trust into people I have no reason to is irresponsible. So far, all my decisions have been made by following my gut instinct. I hope like hell it’s not leading me down the wrong path.

I can’t deal with these thoughts right now. My hands shake, and my anxiety rises to the surface, but I swallow it back down and paste on a smile—time to have a drink or twelve.

“Are you thirsty? I ordered a beer for you,” I tell him as I slide back into the booth across from my parents.

“Sounds good.” He drops the subject but gives me a hard look that says we’re not done talking about this. It’s been a busy day, now isn’t the time to hash through my emotions.

We enjoy another round of beers and talk about the game. Hearing Lonan’s passion for hockey is fascinating to witness firsthand, especially after watching him play tonight.

The bar is much louder now and my parents drop cues they are about to head out. I reach for my purse and coat, but Lonan rests his hand on my thigh, stopping me, his handprint brands me, the warmth seeping into my jeans and spreading across my skin.

“If you want, I can take her home afterward,” he offers.

Shit.

“Sure, if Birdie’s okay with that?” They look to me for an answer.

“Yeah, it would be nice to catch up a little.”

“Okay, we’ll see you at home.” Ken nods and then focuses on Lonan. “Take care of her.”

“Yes, sir.”

We share a curious glance, and I wonder if he’s thinking about the night we met in the hotel bar. I sure am.

LONAN

We’ve joined the other players in the team’s usual spot, a sizable high-back sectional with lower drink tables in front. For a hockey bar, it’s a bit unusual. Our seating is more reminiscent of a nightclub VIP area, and I’m pretty sure they set it up this way so it’s easier for us to entertain women and get drinks. Whatever gets us to show up. I’ve officially introduced her to the team as Gray. They remember her from the hotel bar and know she moved from Vancouver. That’s it. They don’t know there’s a whole fuck ton more to that story. So far, we’ve been able to keep her return under wraps from the press while we try to navigate getting her set up in Minnesota. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before the media gets ahold of the story.

I’m acutely aware of her closeness along my side. My thighs open to touch hers. Again, she doesn’t move away. It’s comforting and helps me come down from all the adrenaline during the game.

I don’t know what we are, but after staying up late and talking with her on Christmas night, I want more. She’s easy to talk to, funny, intelligent, and has the kindest heart. Despite everything, she remains bubbly and cheerful with everyone she meets. The nurturing manner in which she plays with Maddie makes me want things I’ve never considered before. Those are the parts of her I remember. But she also has a darkness about her—I can see it in her eyes. It’s something I see reflected in myself, and that part is new.

She’s been through a lot, and it could be that we’ve both experienced the effects of neglect, or it may be the shared trauma in her disappearance. She brushed off my comment about being brave awfully quickly tonight, and I’d like to know what that’s about. Our lives changed after she went missing, but I can’t dwell on the past tonight. I shake off the bad memories and focus on her sitting beside me.

The only thing that matters now is that she’s here and establishing her life in Minnesota. Near me. We have so much time to make up for, and I plan on doing just that. I peer down at her while she laughs at one of Sully’s jokes. She has one of those infectious, genuine laughs.

Jonesy orders a round of shots. Then Conway buys another round. She’s taken each one, and the servers make sure our drinks are never empty. Did she have drinks before I got here too? I’m more aware of how close she is. But instead of feeling like I want to pull away, I want to lean in. It’s the first time a woman’s touch feels like giving instead of taking.

There are a few bunnies hanging on some of the guys’ arms. They’re pretty, but none could ever compare to how stunning this girl is, especially when she’s wearing my number. My chin drops to my chest to hide my sly smile, imagining her wearing nothing else. Except maybe my fingers wrapped around her throat like a collar. I already know she looks great on all fours.

I blink away the memory and try to concentrate on the current conversation happening at the table. As reality comes into focus, I notice the way Banks is looking at her, and I don’t like it.

“So, Gray, you have a boyfriend back in Vancouver?”This fucking guy.

“No, I didn’t have much time for boyfriends last year.”

I bore my gaze into him and slowly shake my head, signaling to back down. It’s an unspoken rule, you don’t hit on a teammate’s date. Granted, she’s not technically my date, but I’ve prefaced her as a close friend—that should be enough for him to get the message.

“Good news for me, then, huh?” He winks at her. His cheap comment drags Sully’s gaze away from one of the bunnies; he’s picking up on this bullshit too. I put my arm around her and sit up, ready to tell him to get fucked.

She chuckles and nods to the women trying to get Banks’ attention from a few tables away. “Looks like you have your hands full as it is.” Then she meets my gaze. “Hey, I haven’t had anything to eat since the plane, what do you think about getting some food?”

Hell yes.

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