Page 29 of Never Pucking Ending

I can’t help but laugh at the easygoing sarcasm in his tone. “How could anyone be bored hearing about how decks are built? I had no idea footings or joists were a thing. Rafters though…”

He chuckles. “Fair enough. I’ve been told I talk too much about work. So tell me more about you. I know you have a degree and a mind for business opportunities. I’m assuming you like to read if you’re opening a bookstore. What other hobbies do you have?”

It’s a simply first date question, but I’m not sure I have an answer. Outside of work and reading, there isn’t much else I enjoy doing. “I guess going to games,” I admit sheepishly. “I’ve liked sports for a long time. I follow along with hockey the most for obvious reasons.”

We haven’t spoken about Jesse since he stalked out of the store earlier. Dane asked about my mother and stepfather but didn’t broach on my stepbrother. I’m not sure whose benefit that’s for, or if I’m grateful for it.

“My mom and I used to go to local games at the high school. All different sports. She used to coach the girls’ basketball team for years and loved anything competitive. Her favorite sport was hockey, though, so she’d drag me along to those games the most. That’s how she met Frank.”

An easy smile blooms on my face thinking back to that time. Jesse and I had gone to the same school, but he was a grade above me. I’d see him around and knew he was popular, but never truly realized his status until seeing him on the ice. He’s a natural out there. Mom clocked it the second she saw him. It’s because of her that I learned everything I know about the sport, and why I like going to the games and experiencing them firsthand. Her and I have been season passholders ever since Jesse joined the national league, no matter which team he played for.

The crush I’d had, okay have, on Jesse became tenfold in high school after seeing him play. I thought my infatuation with him in middle school study hall had to do with him being cute. But seeing him on the ice made me understand why he had God status in the halls. Everyone knew he was going big places when he graduated.

“I’ve never been big in athletics,” he says with a shrug. “But I think it’s cool you’re supportive of your stepbrother. Can’t say I’ve ever seen him in action, but a few of my buddies follow the season.”

Hockey isn’t for everybody, and I can appreciate him not pretending like he’s into it. I tell him as much. “It’s refreshing not to be around somebody engrossed in it. I hang out with a lot of Jesse’s teammates when I go to games, and it can be…a lot.”

I could go on about the people who fall all over themselves in front of the players, or the women who will slip their numbers or show their tits to them even if they know they’re taken. It’s not worth spending time on, though. At least not on a date.

“What about you?” I return, hoping to switch to topic away from me. “What are you doing when you aren’t building something or bossing people around to build something?”

He blows out a breath. “Would it be lame if I admitted cooking? Well, grilling. I like spending time outside with a cold beer and my grill. Otherwise, I run. But I’m usually pretty swamped with work, so my hobbies are limited.”

I know exactly what he means. “The only time I run is if I’m about to miss a plane or something deadly is chasing me.”

His head tilts inquisitively. “Hopefully only one of those things is common.”

The snort that escapes me is pig-like and wholeheartedly unattractive. “I’ve definitely ran across an airport a time or two in my day thanks to delayed layovers. But the only time I’ve ever ran for my life thinking something was chasing me turned out to be a plastic bag. I thought it was a black bear.”

He laughs. “How do you mistake the two?”

My sigh is heavy. “I was walking in a field at my friend’s house, and we’d heard there were bear sightings a week before in the area. Then we heard a weird noise in the woods and looked back to see something moving toward us in the distance. We both freaked out and started running. I don’t know how far we sprinted before realizing that there was no bear. The bag caught up to us soon after. Blew right by like a tumbleweed.”

Amusement brightens his face. “I like that you stopped running to check.”

I cringe. “Yeah, we decided neither of us has great survival instincts. Everybody thinks they won’t be the first to die in a horror movie, but I’m pretty sure I would.”

Those lips curve higher. “This is the part where I’m supposed to say I’d save you before anything happens. But that would be cheesy.”

I nod. “It really would.”

“So I won’t say that,” he assures.

“Wow. You’d let me die?” I ask in mock offense, hand flying to my chest. “And here I thought you were a gentleman.”

He leans forward with a smirk on his face. “I can be, you just have to let me prove it to you.”

The sultry promise isn’t lost on me, but I don’t know how to feel about it. My body doesn’t react the same way it does when Jesse says something in that low voice of his. I don’t get goosebumps when we lock eyes and I see his dip to my mouth. When Dane does it, there’s…nothing.

I swallow, offering a shaky smile and little laugh that sounds as forced as it feels.

We’re quiet for a few seconds before I finish off my wine. “Dinner was good. I’m stuffed though, so I think I’ll skip dessert if that’s okay.”

We talked about splitting a cheesecake when we saw it on the menu, but I’m not sure my stomach can handle it.

If he’s disappointed, he doesn’t say. “That’s fine. I’ll get our check and walk you to your car.”

I’m too deep in my head as he flags our waiter down and passes him his credit card, then signs the receipt when the time comes. He does exactly what he says, walking me to my car and setting his hand on my lower back as we near the driver’s side.