Page 39 of Hot Shot
We’re better off as friends, right?
My life is a complicated mess at the moment. I swore when I left Nashville that I’d figure myself out first before getting into a relationship.
But what happens when the perfect guy falls into your lap?I shake my head.Now’s not the time for that.
I scrub a hand over my face and push all the complicated thoughts out of my head. I use the toilet, wash my hands and face, and brush my teeth.
Opening the door, I see Hunter still lying in bed.Damn him and his gorgeous body.
“Are you going to get dressed or just lay there like that?” I ask.
“Wasn’t sure if you were done taking in the view, but if you are, yeah, I’m gonna get dressed.”
When the door to the bathroom clicks shut, I let out the breath that I was holding and quickly change into a pair of jeans and a maroon T-shirt.
“After you take care of your car, we’re going ice-skating. That is if you still want to hang out.”
“Ice-skating?” I furrow my brow at him. “In the light of day, I’m regretting agreeing to that.”
Hunter chuckles. “Come on now, it’ll be fun. You grew up in Colorado. Didn’t you go ice-skating?”
“Fun.” I raise an eyebrow. “Maybe for you, Mr. Hockey Player, but not me. I can ski, but ice-skate, no way. How about some coffee while we figure out what we’re going to do today?”
“Sounds good, but it’ll be fun. I promise not to let you fall.” He follows me out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, where I start the coffee machine.
Our conversation is interrupted by a knock on the front door. Opening it I find my aunt on the other side.
Oh.
“Dearie, sorry to bother you so early. I wasn’t sure whose truck that was.” Her eyes get wide as she glances over my shoulder, and I know she’s spotted Hunter.
“Hi.” He reaches around me to put his hand out. “You must be Madison’s aunt. I’m Hunter. Nice to meet you. That’s my truck. If it’s in your way I can move it, ma’am.”
“Nice to meet you, too. Judy, dear, none of that ma’am stuff. Your truck is fine where it is.” She shakes his hand. “Well, since that mystery is solved, did you want to come up to the house for breakfast?” She points over her shoulder at her house. “I have fresh bagels from the deli.”
“No thanks, Judy. We’re going to have something quick here and then go deal with my car. It wouldn’t start. Again. Hunter came rescue me last night.”
“Bagels sound good,” Hunter pipes up.
I raise my eyebrows at him in a silent “what are you doing” before turning back to my aunt. “We have to deal with my car,” I repeat.
“Well how about I fix some for you to take with you? Do you like cream cheese?” Judy directs her question at Hunter.
“I’m good with that. If it’s not too much trouble.” His eyes flicker toward me.
“It’s no trouble at all. Plus, any friend of Madison’s is welcome here. Especially the kind that stay the night.” She lowers her voice and leans closer to Hunter. “Not that there have been any of those since she moved here. Thank goodness she’s finally over everything that EJ put her through.”
“Aunt Judy,” I scold, putting a hand over my face. “We’ll come over to get the bagels in a few minutes.” I all but shut the door on her, but not before I hear her laughing on the other side.
“Who’s EJ?”
Here we go.“My ex–best friend in Nashville,” I answer as stroll back into the kitchen and switch off the coffee pot, pouring us each a mug. “How do you like your coffee? I have almond milk and sugar. Judy probably has other creamer.”
“Black is fine,” he says, taking the mug from me.
I fix my coffee and take a sip before continuing with the story. “EJ was my best friend. We’ve known each other our whole lives. Well, practically our whole lives.”
“The friend you said is a hockey player?” Hunter frowns as if he’s putting the pieces together.
