CHAPTER 1
TYLER
Don’t take the chocolate one with nuts. Don’t do it, kid.
I watch as two little hands dig into the bowl of candy that I’m holding. Of all the options in the bowl, his little claws grab onto the bar that I want. But then my eyes draw up from my loss of candy straight to a little seven-year-old boy with a wide grin and a robot hat on his head, covering his brown mop of hair. Ah, give the boy two. I dip my hand in the bowl and grab another one for him. I peer around his shoulder to his mother.
I shouldn’t find her cute as fuck, with her dark red scarf shaping around the bottom of her face, nearly breathtakingly beautiful. Autumn suits her. Her brown hair and dark green sweaters bring out her brown eyes.
Fuck it. She. Can. Not. Make. Me. A. Sappy. Human.
Her scowl is in full force today, so I ceremonially dump the entire bowl of candy into the boy’s pillowcase sack knowing very well his mom will hate having an extra month’s worth of Halloween candy for him to nag her about.
Most people think I’m a total asshole. They could beright, but it gets the job done when I’m out on the ice, eager to reach the puck before an opponent. Off the ice, Imighthave a few days which are not exemplar, either. It makes zero sense to most as to why I am this way, as I come from a loving family.
My dad owns a big marketing firm in Chicago, and my mom is a graphic designer. Humor has always been front and center in our family. Hell, they even named my big sister Luna after a psychic who once read them their apparent future. I mean, the psychic wasn’t half wrong, but still. Our family is supportive of one another, and I’m close with my parents. They support my hockey career even though they still don’t even understand the game’s rules.
I should be a good guy. Doesn’t mean I am. And right now? Am I being a total jerk for the sake of pissing off my neighbor? Maybe.
The woman in question clears her throat, snapping my gaze from the little robot to her tight jawline. “Enzo, what do you say?”
“Whoa, this is super cool. Thanks, Tyler.” My seven-year-old neighbor is in his Halloween glory. He already has half a pillowcase of candy. But he also always looks at me with admiring eyes. I’m Tyler Ives, the hockey player. That means something to him.
“What manners you teach your son, Lainey.” I smile contritely at the woman of my contempt.
Her lips twitch, eyes spearing into me, and her arms are crossed, pushing up her tits. Because, yeah, I notice.
“Imagine that. Politeness and a happy face. It goes a long way, you know,” she volleys back.
I lean against the pane of my front door in our apartment building while Enzo skates his gaze between his mom and me.
“Ah yes, Lainey reminding me that I’m a grumpy, insufferable human. Makes my day complete.” I place my large hand against my heart. She annoys me to the max because she points out what my mother constantly repeats… don’t be so cranky, smile, lighten up. I don’t need constant reminders.
She touches her son’s shoulder and sighs. “Enzo, why don’t you head on inside.” She quickly takes a few steps back to unlock their front door with her key. Then she points her finger at him with a warm smile that is admittedly good to see. “And don’t you dare steal a piece of candy yet,” she warns him sternly, with her smile not evaporating a single bit.
Enzo groans while he treads across the hall into the apartment. When he closes the door behind him, Lainey zips her sharp look to me.
We have a few seconds of a face-off as we normally do. It was like this from moment one. Lainey moved in a few months ago, taking over the apartment from her brother when he got traded to Anaheim. Seb and I were civil for the sake of the team, but if given the choice, then we probably would’ve dropped the gloves a time or two. We both, however, could agree on one thing, which is that the small-town life is more our thing, which explains how we both ended up in Everhope in Lake Spark country, where I’m a forward for the Spinners that train one town over. Just so happens there are only so many apartments renovated warehouse-style designed to choose from.
His sister? She’s hated me from day one purely by my association to hockey. I know enough about her since she’s been to a few team functions. I quickly learned that she’s been a single mom basically since Enzo was born. Seb stepped in as a male role model, and that I admire. But he’s no longer here. Still, Enzo seems happy, and I’ll give that creditto Lainey.
And right now? I’ll give credit to my in-season workout regimen as to why she is nibbling her bottom lip while her eyes appraise me.
Licking her lips, she snaps out of her state that makes me a little cocky. “Nice play the other night. Might want to learn how to win.”
My eyes nearly pop out at this woman’s audacity. “Whoa. Hitting below the belt right away?” Thanks for the reminder of our not-so-stellar start to the season. She’s an absolute Jezebel.
She can’t help but smirk to herself. “The truth hurts.”
I propel myself away from the door, quickly setting the empty bowl on the side table before I take a few strides toward her, causing her body to straighten and breath to hitch. It shouldn’t excite me to see her this way, but I could make this a hobby that I enjoy.
“Why don’t we just focus on the fact that Halloween is now thankfully over, and I swear if you put anything remotely wreathy near my front door then I will burn it in the fireplace. Your holiday cheer is fucking annoying.”
I can tell she’s desperately attempting to hold in a laugh. “You know we have Thanksgiving first, but Christmas wreathes will make an appearance. Maybe tinsel is more your style. Or does that give the impression you’re too fluffy and soft for your latest conquests.”
I swipe my hand through my hair and blow out a breath. She’s really testing me today. How do I reply to that? I could highlight that I don’t bring conquests home, but then it might highlight that I haven’t slept with anyone in a long time.
“Believe anything you want.” I decide to change our tone. “Listen, I’m away for a game tomorrow. So, you just celebrate that little fact of my absence, and maybe when I return…” I take one step closer and lean down until my mouth is near her ear. I choose to ignore the smell of candy in her hair, but the heat of her skin meeting my breath, that I notice. “You can play nice,” I whisper firmly.
