Page 32 of Fierce Storm
Luke laughs, not at all perturbed by my put-down. He thrives on banter like this. “That works,” he says, proving my point. “Get out more and I wouldn’t have to stick my nose into your business.”
“Why do you care?”
“Why do I care?” He scoffs as though I’ve offended him, and a little part of me feels bad until the hint of a smirk shines through. “I love messing with you, Keeley. You know I think highly of someone when I annoy the hell out of them. It’s my thing. Just ask Amelia. And Lainey. And Hayley. And?—”
“Thanks, Luke.” I smile genuinely, my chest warming. Because deep down I know what he’s trying to say. He cares. That’s Luke. He’s like an annoying brother, sure, but he genuinely cares. And since I would go to bat for any of these guys and their partners, like they’re my own family, I get it. “You’re a good guy. Despite what everyone says.”
“What? Who’s saying something?”
I bite my tongue until his face drops and I burst out laughing. “I can tease with the best of them.”
“Okay. Okay. I get it. You can do it on your own.”
“I can. And I will. When I’m ready.”
“Okay, Keeley. Have a good night.”
“You too.”
He backs out into the hallway, laughing before he walks away, and I follow to close my office door behind him, my eyes flashing to Sal’s office before I do. It’s seven p.m. on a Friday night during the offseason. Maybe we both need a life.
I’m not sure why, but Luke’s words are still running through my mind when I arrive at the salon the next morning, and I hate to admit, he got to me.
“You’re never going to meet someone if all you do is work.”
He’s right. Only there’s no part of me that wants to change. I love my job. It stimulates and challenges me on a daily basis. And I love the Storm football team. I love keeping busy. It’s my thing. I’d be lost without it. But…at some point I am going to be ready to settle down, and if I have no life outside of work, that’s going to make finding someone difficult.
A future-Keeley problem.
Matt, my hairstylist, settles behind me, pulling me from my thoughts as he plays with my hair. “How’s my favorite boss of the babes?” He smiles, grabbing his cart before sitting on the stool beside me.
“I’m good, thanks.” I return his smile.
“And…”
“The ‘babes’ are good too.”
“I miss them. Why aren’t any of them in the news right now?”
“It’s the offseason.” I shrug as though that’s an answer.
“So? Shouldn’t that mean more time to get into trouble?”
“Definitely.”Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.“Though it seems like the hockey men are stealing the focus.”
“They sure are. Did you hear about the drama with the San Francisco Power?”
“I did, and I’m almost tempted to call their media team to find out what the fuck they are doing over there. He’s a rookie. He shouldn’t…” I trail off when Matt’s eyes widen like he’s aboutto get some insider information. And that right there is why the media are having a field day with that story. “Moving on. What are we doing with my hair?”
Matt huffs dramatically as though I’ve ruined his fun before recovering with a beaming grin. “I’ve got an idea for something different.”
“Different?” I’ve kept my auburn hair the same length since college. I was joking when I asked what we were doing. I like consistency in my life, and my hair is something I can control. “I don’t know about?—”
“Hang on. I want to show you a photo.”
He walks away without letting me argue, and I playfully roll my eyes as my phone buzzes with a text in the girls’ group chat. He can show me what he wants, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to like it.
AMELIA: Oh. My. God. I am so sorry, Keeley. Luke just told me about your conversation last night
