Page 18 of The Flight Risk

“I’m pretty sure it is.” He squints his eyes teasingly.

“Regardless.” I shove his shoulder teasingly and the air between us feels heavy. Like it did on that couch in Telluride. “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved them. They are fragile and beautiful, like a perfect little world inside a protected dome. Yes, there’s a chance of shattering, but that doesn’t stop them from bringing a delicate beauty into this hardened world. It’s like whatever is going on in the outside world doesn’t affect the integrity of what’s underneath the glass.”

He nods pensively. “Wow, that’s really deep. I’ve never thought of snowglobes in that way before. Okay, do you have a favorite snowglobe?”

“I actually did. I had this beautiful snowglobe that had a tiny, gold Eiffel Tower inside. I have always wanted to go to Paris. I loved the Madeline books. Do you remember those?” He shakes his head while looking deep into my eyes, like he’s genuinely invested in every word coming out of my mouth. “Anyway, one night my sister and I were fighting, like typical siblings do, and Tara took that snowglobe and dropped it right on the floor. Glass. Glitter. Everywhere.”

“Why did she shatter something that meant so much to you?” Oakley is visibly upset, concern written all over his face.

“She was upset that she wasn’t getting all the attention. She loved to act out and I was the one who took most of the punishment. I’m not saying I was the perfect sister, but…”

“From what I’ve seen, you are pretty damn near perfect to me. You took in your niece without hesitation, knowing that it would change your whole routine and your whole life. I’m sorry you lost something that meant so much to you.”

“It’s okay. It was just a snowglobe.” Tears slide down my cheeks. I wipe them away at once. I hate that I’m crying in front of Oakley. This is not attractive by any means. Not that he wants me. He’s on the other side of the couch, for goodness sake. Any other guy would have found an excuse to sit right next to me and distract my movie watching with a hot make-out session. But not Oakley. I am repulsing him by the minute with my messy pizza eating, my lack of cooking skills and my emotional word vomit. “I’m sure with all the moving we were doing, it would’ve gotten shattered at some point. I didn’t realize how much I miss seeing that snowglobe on my bookshelves. It happened so long ago, but damn what I wouldn’t give to have it back.”

“I like seeing you like this.”

“Like what? Crying over frivolous things like snow globes?”

“An open book. You like to hide behind your cover.”

“I don’t let a lot of people read me.” I wipe away the final tear from my little cry fest.

“I know. But just because your sister has a habit of shattering beautiful things in her life, doesn’t mean you have to pick up the pieces every time. You don’t have to be her keeper and this is coming from a man who values the sanctity of familial relationships. I’m really close to my family, and they were always my biggest protectors. I also believe that in the same vein, if there is toxicity in your life, you need to eradicate it. Even if they are family. You don’t deserve that, Tess. You are too good of a person to deserve that.”

I sniffle and wipe my nose with my sleeve. “Thanks for saying all of that, Oakley. It’s very nice of you.”

“It’s the truth.”

The air shifts into uncharted territory. He is getting an all-access pass to my life and it’s scary as hell. I deflect from myself. “Okay, it’s your turn. Tell me something about you, Adam Oakley.”

“I don’t dance.”

“What? That’s a lie. I’ve seen you dance on the ice before.”

“Okay, let me clarify. I dance when I’m on the ice, but I don’t dance anywhere else.”

“Why do you think that is?”

He shrugs. “The ice is my safe space. It’s easy to be goofy and uninhibited with a mask on.”

“Hmm.” I nod. “What’s your favorite song to dance to? Like you hear it on the speakers in the arena and it really pumps you up for the game?”

“Good Vibrations by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.”

I guffaw and then cover my mouth. “You’re joking.”

“Wish I was. There’s just something about it that gets me motivated and in a good mood. It takes me out of my own head. It removes every disgruntled fan’s commentary, every sports newscaster’s hot take on my career, every intimidating opponent disappears. The world is a little less scary when that song comes on.”

My laughter is snuffed out by his rationale so I move on. “So doesn’t like to dance in public, got it.” I take a beat and then ask something that may or may not be off-limits. “You mentioned your family. Tell me more about them. Have they always supported your dreams of being a hockey player?”

“Yes. I was a die-hard fan when I was a kid. I mean, that was really the only option growing up in Chicago. There was this goalie that played for the team. His name was Corey Crawford and I just wanted to be him. I always dreamed of playing for Chicago. I fell in love with hockey the moment my skates hit the ice when I was three years old.” He smirks as he reminisces, “My dad was great about it. He would take me to games all the time.”

“Do you miss your family?” I ask.

He rests his elbows on his very cut thighs. He clasps his hands together. Even that small movement draws attention to the veins on his forearms. Damn, I’m a sucker for those. “Yeah, I do miss them,” he says. “My contract is up at the end of this season and my parents really want me to move back to Chicago if the opportunity presents itself.”

My heart drops and the air is knocked out of me. I barely know Oakley, but I also feel this veil is finally being lifted between us and selfishly, I want to pull back the curtain all the way. That will only happen if he stays here in Dallas.