I guess it’s a new sick game I’ve started.
“Really.” I give him my knuckles and he bumps his to mine but that quickly turns into another hug. “Maybe next time you can ask my mom out on a date too—”
“Emett!” Aurora snaps, breaking her son’s whispering into my ear and he pouts.
“I swear to God, Mom, you’ll never get a boyfriend,” Emett casually throws out as Aurora plucks him off the ground in all of his gear. “I’m free every day for hockey, Mr. Brick.”
“Sure, you are. Let’s get your skates off. Say, ‘bye, Mr. Severin.’”
“Bye, Mr. Brick,” Emett says, making Aurora sigh once more as she carries him.
Exton is behind us, rolling on the ground, laughing. I can hear Electra chuckling softly as well, but it’s the smartest kid on the planet and his mom who have my full attention.
I watch as she opens the back door of that tin can and deposits him on the seat, carefully taking off his skates before she puts his boots back on while Emett is talking her eat off the whole time. And it isn’t until she tucks him into the car seat that she notices her purse is still by the camping chair she was in earlier.
Moving fast, she goes to pick it up and I’m aware I need to stop looking. I am. But I can’t. Aurora must feel my heated gaze on her because she stops right in front of me once more.
“I’m sorry again about Emett. He’s a great kid but can be relentless when he gets an idea in his head.” She finishes with a small smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
“No need to apologize. Heisa great kid.”
“Yeah.” She looks over her shoulder where he’s jumping up and down in his car seat and that smile turns genuine. But it’s gone as soon as her eyes meet mine again as if a cloud drops in front of them. “Well, thank you for going on the ice with him. I know this will go down as his favorite day in history,” she says and turns around to leave.
“No need to thank me.” She gives me another tight-lipped smile and starts walking away.
She’s walking away. Good. Good. This is finally over.
Fuck. Damn it.
“You know, it’s not safe to drive that,” I shout after her, and she pauses, glancing over her shoulder as her blonde hair sways against her back.
Aurora’s cheeks pinken for a split second, giving her the ethereal look of porcelain angels before she clears her throat. “It might look beat up, but it drives just fine.”
“I highly doubt that. Especially on the icy roads.”
Her jaw clenches. “Thank you for your concern but I’m capable of determining its safety myself. Have a good day, Severin,” Aurora dismisses me, striding to her car but clearly my mind is too fucked today because I open my mouth again.
“He needs to be in professional training. Like yesterday. You’re wasting his talent,” I bark out and she stops. It’s so fast, I’d miss the way her body went all tense if I wasn’t already watching her perfectly round ass like a fucking creep.
Fucking hell, Severin, get a damn grip.
Aurora turns her head, and I know I’ll deserve the lashing I’m about to get for sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong but…she simply gives me yet another small tight smile and says, “Yep. Bye now,” before opening her door and getting inside. Leaving me gaping after them with a clenched jaw and a storm of emotions inside.
“The fuck was that about?” Exton says behind me, immediately touching my forehead with his hand. I didn’t even notice him come up.
“Nothing,” I snap back, pushing his hand away. “The kid is talented. He’s got a big future if he trains right. The fuck areyoudoing?” I ask when he attempts to touch me again.
“We’re all well aware Emett is talented, hence why I’m training him. Can you stop moving? I’m trying to save your life over here.”
“Did you hit your head today?”
“No, but I think you did. Let me check for a fever. Where is the nice Sava? What’s with the asshole routine?”
I don’t have the energy to wear the mask. I can’t keep it on when she’s around it seems.
“I guess you’re finally rubbing off on me.”
“Ha-ha, hilarious. Whatever, I’m gonna go disassemble the net. You’re off to Boston?”
