“Us?” His face is puzzled.
“I mean the whole mourning someone close to you thing,” I correct, and although true, it’s not what I meant, and Holden isn’t blind, nor will he press.
Holden drops the pen onto this desk and brings his hands behind his head to lean back into the chair. “You know Lake Spark Academy is looking for a new hockey coach, maybe that’s something for you.”
I laugh instantly. “Coaching teenagers?”
Holden doesn’t change his demeanor. “You do realize that most of them end up on great college teams or even straight to major and minor teams when they’re eighteen, just like you did, right?”
Throwing the puck his way, he catches it with one hand. “Why would you suggest it if I’m only supposed to be here six weeks?” Possibly because it’s obvious that I will be staying longer.
He chuckles under his breath. “Sure.” He doubts me, which means he’s well aware of my current situation.
“See ya.” I decide leaving is the best option, and it causes him to smirk.
I head straight to the lobby, even though I know that Summer is probably already on her way home for Bo.
The lobby is quiet, one of the joys of having a boutique hotel that caters to adults. Everything is always tranquil.
“Hi, Nash, fresh cookie?” Stuart offers from the basket behind the counter with his signature wide smile, as a guest in a suit with their back to me is busy signing a paper.
“Is it ghost-shaped?” I ask in passing as I continue my pace.
“Yes.”
“Then fuck no,” I call out my response.
I’m nearly one foot out the door when I’m interrupted.
“Aren’t you going to say hi, Nash?” I hear.
Oh shit, I know that voice.
I reluctantly turn to see our new Dizzy Duck guest setting the pen down on the counter then grab a cookie from the basket. He turns, clearly happy that he caught me off guard. By the look on his face, he still seems to have me low on his list of favorite people.
“Keats,” I greet Summer’s brother.
He casually takes a bite of his cookie. “Yep. Thought I would surprise my little sister and see that she’s hanging in there.”
I rub my forehead, feeling a headache coming on strong. My mind is already contriving how his presence will freak out Summer even more considering our current predicament.
15
NASH
“It’s been a while,” I say as I drag my thumb across my jaw, unsure of what else to say.
Keats has a smirk laced with confidence that makes even me uneasy, and I’ve had my fair share of rumbles on the ice. “It has, since you vanished as fast as a breeze after the funeral. Not sure you even spoke to anybody, including my grieving sister.”
I take a sharp breath, tamping down the urge to snap back. “Summer didn’t mention that you would be in town.”
He hasn’t blinked once due to his unwavering thoughts. “She isn’t aware that I’m here. I thought I would visit to check up on her and my nephew. If I told her my plans, then she would just protest and say she’s fine,” he explains, and it feels as though we are already in a stare-off.
“I’m sure she’ll…”
“A word.” Keats indicates with his head to follow him as he brushes past me. Dread hits me, as nothing about Keats feels promising when it comes to me. He turns when we are out on the veranda with rocking chairs. “She mentioned that you moved in temporarily.”
“I did. It was Zac’s request.”
