Page 35 of Shootout
He frowned and studied me closely. “You’re thinking of him.”
“No.” I didn’t dare admit that I was thinking of Banks.
“That guy doesn’t deserve you. Not one fucking damn bit.” He spoke so vehemently I was taken by surprise.
“That’s what everyone says.” My feeble attempt at a joke fell flat.
“And everyone is right. You’re beautiful, talented, funny, kind, loyal, everything a guy could hope for in a woman.”
“And I’m one hell of a good hockey player. Don’t forget that.”
“I never forget that. I’ve watched game highlights, especially the gold medal game. You’re incredible.”
“You think so?” I’d been told the same by others, but coming from someone considered a league superstar, the compliment carried more meaning.
“Positive. Someday we’ll play a little one-on-one, and I’ll pray you don’t kick my ass.”
I laughed. “Where’s my overconfident and brash fake boyfriend?”
“I’m still here, but being humble has its uses at times, though not a tool I use often. How long is your family in town?”
“Counting the days until they leave?” I joked and drew a crooked smile from him. My heart did a little skip at the sexiness of that smile.
“No, I can handle them.”
He’d handled them pretty well from what I’d witnessed. The men in my family weren’t eating out of his hand, but they weren’t beating the crap out of him either. I considered that a win.
“They leave after the first preseason game tomorrow night. Everyone will return to their home bases, and you won’t be forced to spend so much time with me.”
“I’m not being forced. I enjoy your company.” His dark eyes drilled into mine, sloshing through the protective layers to the messy, confused person underneath. I looked away first, fearing he’d seen too much, though I wasn’t sure what.
If I hadn’t been protecting my broken heart, I’d probably be interested in Banks as more than a friend. Undeniable chemistry lingered between us. In a different frame of mind, I’d be interested in exploring that chemistry. We’d come close once and both realized a sexual relationship would get too messy.
The patio door slid open, and we both turned. Brenda joined us at the railing holding a wineglass in one hand and a wine bottle in the other. She filled my wine and set the bottle on a patio table.
“Sorry, gorgeous, you’ll have to get your own beer.” She raised her full glass in a mock salute to Banks, and he beamed in a way that lit up the darkening sky. My sister was a flirt and good for a guy’s ego. I’d never mastered the fine art of flirting, never had to. I’d been with Rick so long flirting hadn’t been necessary. Perhaps if I’d done more flirting and playing to his ego, he wouldn’t have gotten bored with me. Or perhaps we’d been maintaining a relationship long after the spark had faded, along with our interest.
A cloud must’ve crossed my face because Banks’s smile disappeared and his brow furrowed as he studied me. I forced a smile for my sister’s benefit and sipped my wine while keeping my eye on that incredible sunset over the Olympic Mountains.
“Looks like the party’s out here.” My mom walked onto the patio and settled into a plush chair. Soon the entire family was outside enjoying the evening. Jason lit a propane heater to stave off the slight chill as the sun disappeared from view.
As usual, the talk centered on hockey. Uncle Ray recounted stories of the “good ol’ days” when guys did more hitting and fighting and didn’t wear helmets. Banks leaned forward and listened with interest, asking questions and teasing Uncle Ray when appropriate. Uncle Ray gave shit right back to him. I’d never seen Uncle Ray like this. He’d tolerated Rick but had never warmed up to him in all the years we’d been together. I wouldn’t say he was on Team Banks, but Banks had weaseled his way in further than Rick. Even my dad was more relaxed around Banks.
Of course, none of that mattered. In fact, it complicated things. We weren’t really a couple, I reminded myself. I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I didn’t need an added complication of a real boyfriend. Nor was it fair to seriously date someone I couldn’t give one hundred percent of my heart to.
Not that I had to worry about Banks, which was why he was the perfect fake boyfriend. I served a purpose for him just as he served a purpose for me. No hearts involved, merely a business proposition that was mutually acceptable to both. Banks was a playboy. He didn’t want anything serious. We were made for each other, though not in the way Rick had been made for me, but in a temporary, no-one-will-get-hurt way.
ChapterTwelve
LESS THAN A WEEK
~~Banks~~
The next night we played our first preseason game. I had minimal playing time, but I made the most of my minutes. I could tell the coaches were impressed and my linemates Alexander “Rush” Markov and Jasper “Caveman” Flint grudgingly accepted my presence. I wasn’t a puck hog, and I had a knack for finding open shooting and passing lanes and being in the right place at the right time. We had instant on-ice chemistry even with limited minutes. Preseason was more for evaluating up-and-coming talent and helping veterans get their legs back, so top lines didn’t play a lot.
Our assistant coach was Cooper Black. He didn’t know it, but he was my personal idol growing up. I didn’t tell him because he might not appreciate being reminded of our age difference. When Coop spoke, I was all ears, drinking in everything he had to say. I was already a top-tier center in the league, but Coop had been an echelon above that.
My Realtor called. She’d found a sublease on a condo in the Parker building, the same one Jessie and Wild lived in. Having them that close was both a blessing and a curse.
