A puck slams against the boards, snapping my head back to the ice. “Why don’t you take a breather, Steven? Grab some water, and we’ll pick back up in ten.”
I glance back up at the bleachers again to see Becca staring at her phone, a grin lining her face, and my stomach drops. Not for the first time since getting here, I wonder if she’s avoiding me. I also want to know who she’s talking to that’s causing her to light up like that.
Duncan’s elbow taps my arm. “Tell me the story behind you and Becca Bennett?”
Blowing out a breath, I drag my face back to the ice and watch Steven grab his water, then skate over to Scarlett, who’s standing against the board.
“Don’t even try to say ‘Nothing’,” Duncan grumbles.
“How do you feel about your niece and Becca’s son?” I ask, pushing my chin out toward the two of them in the hopes of diverting from having to answer his question.
“Steven is a good kid. I wouldn’t have asked you to help him if I didn’t like him. It’s her father he’ll actually have to worry about.” He watches the two of them with me before saying, “That’s if they ever actually acknowledge how they feel, not to mention who knows where they’ll be in the next few years with all the changes coming up. Especially if Steven gets drafted.”
“Yeah, that can definitely put a monkey wrench in anyone’s plans.” Chewing the corner of my lip, I think of two other teenagers who admitted their feelings only to have things not work out.
“Is that what happened with you and Becca?” My head twists in his direction so hard, I’m surprised I don’t give myself whiplash. I find him nodding. “That’s what I thought.”
“It’s a bit more complicated—”
“Best friend’s younger sister, drafted across the country, brother concerned that everything will be too big for her and asks you not to call…”
My brows fly past my hairline, jaw hinged.
“That’s it?” Duncan laughs, and my mouth hangs open even more. “Don’t look at me like that! Ava gets a ton of scripts to read, and those tropes are usually in them one way or another.”
When I don’t stop staring, Duncan’s grin turns into a scowl, and I can’t help from laughing.
“You left out the most important part…I was madly in love with her.”And think I still am.
“Aren’t we always?” Duncan murmurs.
“Steven,” I shout, waving my hand to bring him back. “Let’s get set up for the Four-dots.” I watch Steven’s head drop, and my lips twitch.
“You got this, Bennett,” Scarlett yells out.
Steven looks over at her and gives a brave smile before turning his face back toward us with a determined, yet tired look.
“Maybe there’s something to this coaching thing.” A sense of excitement moves through me, knowing that these lessons are what’s going to give Steven an edge.
“Yup,” Duncan pats me on the back. “And it has nothing to do with the woman sitting in the bleachers.”
Glancing up where Becca is, my gaze slams into a pair of hazel eyes and a zip moves through me, making my stomach knot. She only holds my stare for a moment before turning to focus on her son.
Yeah, definitely her too.
Chapter Eight
Becca
Swallowinghard,I’mdeterminedto keep my focus on what my son is doing and not the man coaching him. I don’t need to look at Jacob to know he’s watching me. Every time he glances up, I feel heat prick against my skin like little sparks of energy buzzing through every inch of me.
What made me think touching him at the coffee shop was a good idea? The moment my palm made contact with his arm, there was an immediate reaction that shot straight to my chest. It wasn’t smart, but when his eyes filled with fear at the mention of the fundraiser, I felt compelled to comfort him.
I thought bringing up a neutral topic would settle my nerves, not to mention distract me from the emotions his being back has brought to the surface. Instead, I opened a Pandora’s box, one that I want to explore deeper.
Slowly inhaling, I run a hand through my hair before blowing out a huff of breath. My phone buzzes, and I see a text from Wyatt.
Wyatt:
