Page 29 of Hot Shot
“Cole, I’m fine,” she says, swatting his hand away. “I want to thank this fabulous woman who made the best cake I have ever had.” She pauses, glancing around. “Aleksi seems like he needs help at the grill. Maybe you should go help him.” She waves a hand in the direction of the guy, who seems like he’s managing just fine, and I can’t help but laugh.
Cole grumbles something but I don’t hear what because Hannah has slipped her arm through mine and is guiding me away from the group. When we’re out of earshot she says, “So you and Hunter?”
“What? No.” I shake my head but when I glance over my shoulder, I see Hunter watching me.
She raises an eyebrow at me as she steers me over to two other women, sitting under a massive umbrella near the edge of the pool.
“Ladies. We have a new friend. This is Madison. She made my gender reveal cake. Madison, this is Abby, Winston’s wife.” Hannah gestures to the first woman, a redhead. I’m not sure who Winston is, I assume he’s another player, but I couldn’t pick him out of a lineup.
I don’t say that though. I simply nod. Abby grins at me and says hello.
“This is Savannah, Jenna’s sister.” Hannah gestures to the blonde woman reclining in one of the loungers who takes her sunglasses off and greets me when Hannah says her name.
I offer a quick wave before turning on my heel, hoping to make a quick getaway. I feel like I’m intruding on a very private event. In fact, I know I am.
“Oh no you don’t.” Jenna comes up behind me and takes a seat. “Sit.” She points at the only free chair. “Tell us how you know Hunter. Is something going on between the two of you? Because I saw the way he was looking at you.”
I swallow, sitting down. “There’s nothing to tell.”
Jenna leans forward. “But you want there to be something.”
“It’s complicated,” I answer, glancing around, my eyes pausing on Jake, who is deep in conversation with some players. He glances my way and gives me a small smile.
And that’s why I can’t do this with Hunter. How would it look if it came out that the coach’s daughter was dating one of his players?
I’m grateful that Jake didn’t say that we knew each other earlier, because that would have been a disaster.
“And here he comes,” Jenna whispers, leaning closer to me. “Only took him two minutes. About what it would have taken Caleb if the situation was different. He has it bad.”
I open my mouth to respond but before I can get the words out, I feel Hunter’s presence behind me.
“Can I borrow Madison for a minute, ladies?” Hunter’s deep voice booms behind me, and a shiver races down my spine at the delicious way he says my name.
Yep, I’m screwed.I peek over my shoulder. He beckons for me to follow him. I get to my feet and follow him back to the house. He pulls me around the corner of the house, out of sight of the party.
“What’s going on, Hunter?” I lean against the house, crossing my arms.
“I just—“ He runs a hand through his hair while pacing in circles.
“Hunter, you’re making me dizzy. What’s going on?” I place a hand on his arm. He comes to a halt, staring at my hand for a beat.
“Do you know Coach?” Hunter asks.
“No. Not really.”
“What do you mean not really?”
“I mean I know he’s your head coach and that he used to play hockey before he retired. That’s all.” I hate that I’m lying to him, but this is not the time nor the place to get into it.
“Did you look us up?” Hunter asks with a cocky grin.
“Maybe.” I grin and shrug in a way I hope comes off as nonchalant and cool.
Because, yes, I did, but not in the way he thinks. After I talked to my aunt and then had coffee with Jake I couldn’t help it.
“Hunter, I overreacted the other day. It all took me by surprise. I don’t know if I can offer you anything more than friendship right now, or maybe even ever. If that’s not what you want, I understand.” I stare down at the grass unable to meet his gaze, afraid of what I might find there—disappointment, hurt, or something else.
After a few seconds of silence Hunter says, “I could use another friend. Plus it’ll be nice to talk about something that isn’t hockey all the damn time.”
