I chortle a laugh and quickly look around to check that nobody is taking notice of me.
I can help you later.
How courteous. ;)
Have to go teach these kids, but I’ll see you later, if that bird doesn’t get to you first…
Good luck! And if Nugget hasn’t killed me by now, then I think we’re safe.
I smile to myself and place my phone back in the bag. Violet is someone who I think, when all is said and done, after our little round of weeklong fun ends, that she could be a friend. It’s easy to talk to her, never makes me feel a need to impress, and she’s funny. The drop-dead-gorgeous factor can’t be denied either.
Only this week, I remind myself.
I don’t do relationships. Hell, I can’t even figure out what makes me happy careerwise right now, but if I ever did a relationship, then I suppose I would want the woman to be exactly like Violet. I guess her future husband will be one lucky man. The idea of her with someone else causes a sour feeling in my stomach, but I can’t think for too long.
Connor returns and sits on the bench to remove the skate guards.
“We’re going to do two lines. I need your help keeping the kids in order. After everyone has a turn, then we need to collect the pucks and do another round. I don’t want too many pucks lying around on the ice, it’s too much of a hazard with the kids,” I explain.
“Sure.”
Connor heads out onto the ice, but as I begin to move, I hear Ford call my name. I smile when I see him walking down the stairs.
“Go ahead and start, you got this,” I call out to Connor.
“Putting my son to good use?” Ford grins before leaning against the boards.
“Absolutely. What has you in a good mood?” I wonder, as he seems happy today. Then again, Ford is normally very content these days.
Ford glances out onto the ice then back to me. “I was getting my coffee from Jolly Joe’s. Remember the place where they put jellybeans in your coffee, and you never know which color you’ll get?”
I wince from the idea of it, sounds disgusting.
“Anyway, the local real estate agent mentioned that this one house is going up on the market soon. If you’re interested, then she can get you in before it hits the market.”
“Why would I do that?” I play, entertained.
He slaps a hand against my shoulder. “Because if you are serious about the Spinners training here, then the Dizzy Duck Inn just won’t do. Besides, doesn’t the idea of fresh air and a lake house sound like a nice little escape?”
My brows bounce because he isn’t wrong. “Send me the number of the agent, and I’ll consider it.”
“Great. You know Violet was a city girl until she moved here, and I think it’s been great for her. A different scene completely changed her life. I mean, I’m sure having people she knows around helps. But you know people here.”
There is something about his sentence that piques my interest. “Why did she need a change of scene?”
Ford scratches his cheek. “Everyone has a rough patch at some point. I guess I never told you about her car accident.”
Immediately, I’m invested to learn more. “No, what accident?”
Ford waves me off. “It’s a long story, but she’s fine now.” He indicates with his head to the group on the ice. “Connor may need some help. He’s outnumbered, and those eight-year-olds are circling him. Time to go awe them.”
I’m uneasy now. I want to discover what Violet never mentioned. In a feral sort of way, I feel responsible to know all her secrets, considering I am one of them.
But now isn’t the moment for me to play detective. Thankfully, I’ll see her tonight.
* * *
Violet shakesout her hair as she steps into my room. “It’s pouring out there.”
