Page 19 of Forbidden Forward

“I used to work summer camps. At first they were hockey camps because my dad was a coach, and it was easier on my parents if Donovan and I both went to the same place.”

“Did you enjoy that?”

I circle the rim of my cup with the tip of my finger. “Not particularly. The boys were out of control, and their gear smelled awful.”

“Some things don’t change,” he chuckles.

“When Donovan started attending the more advanced hockey camps, I finally got a job at the regular kind of summer camp, where kids do crafts, have relay races, and learn stuff like archery.”

“Did you enjoy working with those kids?”

“I did. They were a fun age. A little squirrelly but always excited about everything, and they hadn’t learned to sass back yet. How did you know I used to work with kids?”

His steely grays fix on his cup. “You seemed really comfortable with them. You knew how to handle them, like when we first went out and Ruby was scared. You rubbed her back, and she calmed down.”

I’m taken aback that he noticed, but I hide my surprise. “She probably thought we were in danger.”

“She freaks out a little every time, although I’ve told her and Peggy’s told her I never leave the protected waters.” I must scrunch my brows because he explains, “The water’s calmer there, easier on the kids. Ruby always settles and gets into it, or I wouldn’t take her sailing. By the time we’re done, she’s begging to stay out longer.” He shakes his head. “Aren’t they a hoot?”

I cross my arms. “They are.” And so are you, I think to myself. “You really love this, don’t you?”

He dips his head, and his eyes fly to mine and hold. “Yeah, I do. I love hockey too, but sometimes I wish the schedule wasn’t so nuts and I could do this on a regular basis.”

I lean back, away from his intense gaze. “It seems like you’ve been doing this for a while. What motivated you to work with these kids?”

And just like that, his eyes shutter. He leans back and looks around as if he’d rather be anywhere else than sitting across a table from me.

What just happened?

Chapter 11

Brain Freeze

Colby

Jackie asks a simple question, yet I freeze. What got me started? Now there’s a loaded question. The answer’s too long, too complicated, and I don’t know her well enough to share it. I’m not sure I know anyone well enough to divulge that secret—except Peggy, but I had to tell her. And of course Lindsey, who’s the reason I do what I do. Even our parents don’t know.

“D-did I say something wrong?” Jackie’s eyes are wide, and I swing my gaze to hers and lock in. The distress my abruptness has caused is easy to read there, and bands of guilt compress my chest.

I study her irises, buying myself time while thoughts stream across my mind like water over the Gail Force’s hull. The moments march on, and I don’t come up with an answer besides that I’m an idiot. I shake my head. Thank fuck her shoulders—which were up around her ears—relax. She probably thinks that head shake was an answer to her question, and I’m not about to set her straight.

Standing, I grab my mug and drain it. “Sorry, long day. More tea?”

Mug in hand, she also stands and scoots around the settee. “No, I’m good. I should be getting home.” She deposits her mug into the galley sink, and it’s half-full of the tawny liquid.

I’m disappointed. Not because she didn’t finish her tea but because she’s leaving, and deep down, I don’t want her to. I also don’t want her to stay. Pushes and pulls like this one are probably why I should never have a steady girlfriend.

Being with the kids is always fun, but today was more of a blast than usual. Having Jackie there had to be the difference. I loved seeing the joy on her face when the Gail really got going. It’s the same joy I feel, but Jackie’s radiated through a smile that was infectious.

“Sure you don’t want to finish that before you go?” I point at her mug.

She shakes her head and tugs on the hem of her hoodie, her movements a little jerky. My cabin’s small, and we’re close enough for me to catch a whiff of her fragrance. I fight the urge to close my eyes and fill my lungs.

“I should go,” she says at the same time I ask, “Want to stay—”

We both let out nervous laughs. “I was about to offer you lunch. It’s the least I can do after your hard work as my first mate.” My mouth kicks up on one side.

A coy look comes into those pretty green eyes, and it’s sexy as hell. “What’s on the menu?”