“Sure.”
I cover her hands with mine and help guide the stick back and then forward. The blade makes contact with the puck, and it flies across the ice and into the nearby goal.
“I did it,” she bursts.
“Good, now you think you can do that while moving?”
“I can try.”
We both skate over to the middle of the rink and line up facing one another. I throw the puck into the air, and she immediately begins to fight me for possession when it lands in front of us. To my surprise, she wins out and moves past me toward her goal before I can react. Spinning around to follow her, I watch as she shoots and sends the puck into the back of the net like a goddamn pro.
What the hell was that?
Turning around, a proud, wide smile breaks across her face, and a laugh bursts out of her. “You can close your mouth,” she teases.
“How did you do that?”
“I told you. It’s notthathard.”
“You played me.”
“Like a fiddle,” she jests. “I can’t believe you thought I didn’t know how to handle a stick. I feel like earlier in the living room, I clearly proved that I do.”
A loud chuckle erupts, shaking my chest. Skating at her with my full force, she shrieks. I wrap my arms around her, and a melodic laugh escapes her as I spin her around and tickle her sides.
“Hey, you two,” Joe says,skating toward us.
“Is it that time already?” I ask, setting her down carefully.
“Almost. Claire, I didn’t know you knew how to play,” he says.
“Barely.” She laughs. “My dad is a big fan and taught me and my sister how to play when we were little. It’s been a long time, and I’m a little rusty.”
“Well, you sure gave Everett a run for his money.”
“Hiya, Claire.” Cami waves from off the side of the rink. “You ready for some wine?”
“Wine?” She glances over to me.
“Go,” I encourage her. “We can walk back to the house together when I’m done?”
“I’d like that,” she says.
“Good.” Leaning in, I place a kiss on her forehead and then take her stick. I watch as she skates to meet Cami, relieved that today seemed to turn around and still drunk off the fact that she’s falling for me too.
Chapter 34: Wine Night
Claire
The look on Everett’s face when he figured out I know a thing or two about playing hockey was priceless. This playful side of him is making me fall harder by the minute. The way he challenges me stirs something deep in my soul, and I really hope when all of this is over, these feelings don’t disappear with this town. I think that might completely break me if they did.
“Hey, stranger!” Aster yells, crossing the street with her arm linked through Lolly’s. Both women are holding a bottle of wine. “We were wondering if you’d show up.”
“I didn’t realize I was imposing on your get together,” I whisper to Cami, suddenly very unsure of agreeing to join her.
“What are you talking about, hun?”
Panic sets in. Fuck. My mind fumbles through possible excuses I could give for my out-of-character response, but I don’t have any ideas. I wish Everett was here.
