“Emma, I can go back in and grab my shirt. I’ll drive you home.”
She whipped around and held out her hand. He was closer than she thought. “Can you even safely drive or should Fly call you an Uber?”
Tyler frowned. “You’ve had more to drink than I have.”
“Because you know how much I had to drink?”
Tyler’s jaw flexed. “Yeah. I do.”
“How much, then?” Emma planted her hands on her hips.
“One shot with Jess.”
Her cheeks flushed as she scoffed, “And you had less than that?”
“I haven’t had a drink tonight. I don’t drink. Haven’t since my first year at Toronto.” His voice was low, and Emma took a step back.
“What?” His words didn’t compute.
Goosebumps covered his skin, and he rubbed his hands on his arms. “My coach didn’t allow any substance use. After a couple of years, I got used to it. One night I went to the bar and felt like shit the next day, so I stopped. Never went back.”
Emma pursed her lips. “So you did all that sober?” Her chest felt like it was filled with baking soda and vinegar.Why was she so angry?She needed sleep, and she needed to not be looking at Tyler’s abs.
She turned a third time, but Tyler caught her elbow. She yanked her hand away, but he held onto her coat.
“Can you wait ten seconds and I’ll drive you home?”
“Why did you really want me to come to dinner tonight?” she asked. He blinked, confused. “Your answer on Saturday morning, it wasn't a good one. That display on the bar in there says you clearly don’t care about impressing your dad.” Tyler’s throat worked, but he didn’t answer. “You helped me out, and I helped you. We’re even.”
Something flashed in Tyler’s eyes as he dropped his hold on her puffy coat. “My dad has cancer, Emma.”
The words hung in the air like an icy fog.
“Emma, you coming?” Jess called.
Tyler ran a hand over his face. “I’m sorry, I should’ve said something sooner.”
Emma swallowed hard. She turned and waved at Jess and Fly. “Tyler’s going to take me home!” Jess gave her a thumbs-up and jumped into the car. She turned back to Tyler.
“I’ll go get my shirt.” Tyler turned and jogged back toward the front door.
Emma hated that she watched.
ChapterThirteen
Tyler stepped onto the ice.The atmosphere at practice was palpably tense, a lingering residue from last week’s fight. Soothed by last night’s antics at the bar, but Sean hadn’t been there. He was the sheep that needed to be brought back into the fold, and they didn’t have loud music or Jell-O shots to facilitate that now.
Country and André were green around the gills. He didn’t miss that feeling. He didn’t miss worrying about what he had or hadn’t done the night before, either. He remembered his conversation with Emma perfectly.
“Should I come inside?” he asked.
“Nope. We can talk here.” Emma had pressed herself up against the passenger door.
“You look terrified. And cold.”
Emma reached out and turned up the heat. “I’m not terrified.”
Tyler leaned onto the console. “Then why—”
