Warm hands grasp the tops of my arms, and when I look up and see who’s holding me, I suck in a sharp breath.
Niko’s eyes meet mine before working their way down my body. “Shit, Sadie. I’m sorry. You okay?” He scans me from head to toe once more, assessing me for injury.
I stand, unmoving. My skin tingling beneath the heat of his gaze.
Words, Sadie. Speak words.
“I’m fine.” The two words come out breathy. Way too obvious that his proximity is having some sort of wild effect on me.
We stay locked in a stare as the energy charges between us. Afraid that if I break first, I may never feel this way again. What a tragedy that would be.
Jefferson clears his throat behind me. “Hey, Cap. Didn’t know you were scheduled for treatment this morning too. Your old age causing your knees to give out on you again?”
Niko shoots daggers over my shoulder at Jefferson. The break in eye contact gives me the opportunity to take a step to the side, creating some much needed distance.
“You wanna come closer and try saying that again, Rookie?” Niko crosses his arms over his chest and straightens his back. Jefferson is easily six inches taller than me. But he still looks tiny standing in front of Niko like this.
Jefferson doesn’t miss a beat as he glides past Niko into the training room. “I’m just saying. You’re like a decade older than me. Those knees have been through it.” He plops down on the edge of a training table and rests his hands behind him.
Niko shakes his head but then shrugs his shoulders. “I’m actually eleven years older than you. But I can still out skate your teenage ass.”
The ribbing between these two makes me laugh, and Jefferson flashes me a boyish grin. “I’ll be twenty next week, thank you very much. And I can skate laps around you, Cap.”
I’m actually shocked to hear Jefferson is as old as he says. Before I can think better of it, I interrupt the guys’ chirping with my own. “Wait, you’re going to be twenty? You don’t look a day over sixteen.”
Niko throws his head back and laughs. I’m not sure what I like more, the sound he just made or the look of shock on Jefferson’s face.
“Do I really look that young?” He juts out his bottom lip, giving a whole new meaning to the term “baby face.” Niko walks toward Jefferson and clasps a hand onto his shoulder.
“Sorry, kid. But Sadie is right. You barely look old enough to drive. It’s not a bad thing. I’m sure the ladies love squeezing your dimpled cheeks, don’t they?” At the comment, Niko grabs Jefferson’s cheek before speaking in a baby voice. “You’re a little cutie-pie, aren’t ya?”
Jefferson swats Niko’s hand away but they’re both laughing now.
This is another side of Niko I’ve never seen. I’ve seen him as the overprotective dad, the burly hockey player, and last night, the relaxed, handsome guy at the bar, but I’m reallyenjoying this playful side to him. Probably a little too much, if I’m being honest.
Jefferson pulls his phone out of his gym shorts and chuckles under his breath. “Hey, Cap, Mack said he’s on his way. I think he was hoping to get a session in with Sadie before practice too.”
There’s a shift in Niko’s expression. The playfulness is replaced by a look I can’t quite pinpoint. Not exactly anger, maybe annoyance?
The two of them are now in a stare down, having some type of silent conversation I’m not privy to.
“Tell Mack she’s busy and not to bother.”
This comment has me quirking an eyebrow and taking a step closer to the two of them.
“Oh, I’m busy? Care to tell me what I’m busy doing? Seeing as I have nothing planned until after your morning skate.”
Jefferson sits up, leaning over to rest his elbows on his knees. “Yeah, Niko. Care to tell Sadie what she’s busy doing?” That boyish grin is back on his face, telling me he’s up to no good.
We both wait silently for Niko to respond, Jefferson’s grin stretching wider and wider by the second.
Niko reaches up and rubs the back of his neck with his hand, clearly uncomfortable by the situation he’s put himself in. “Uh, well. I was hoping we could talk about meditation. I was reading up on it a little bit last night when I couldn’t sleep. I guess it’s supposed to help with sleep quality? Lord knows I can use all the help I can get.”
There’s a hint of defeat to his voice. I think Jefferson detects it too by the way his mouth turns from a grin to a straight line. Not wanting Niko to feel embarrassed by reaching out for help, I gently squeeze his arm.
“Now, that is definitely something I can help you with.Let’s go sit down in my office.” I tilt my head to the side, gesturing toward the hallway where some of the offices are located.
Niko gives me a small smile and nods. I look to Jefferson and give him a small wave before following Niko out of the training room.
