“Don’t let one guy ruin the world for you.”
Her finger dances along the rim of her mug. “Trust me. I got more out of that situation than he did. But I would be lying if I said it doesn’t hurt that Enzo doesn’t have a father. I’ve been lucky that he hasn’t really asked, but I know that time is coming soon.”
“Is it that you truly believe that hockey is the reason he is a miserable son of a bitch or is it simply that it reminds you of the son of a bitch?” I swivel slightly on the stool.
She scoffs. “Maybe the latter,” she admits. “But many players put hockey first, you even said it yourself the other day.”
“Whoa, first off, having a baby is a different situation. Would I be thrilled? No. Would I take responsibility? Hell yeah.”
Lainey presses her lips together while she listens.
“But this isn’t about me. Are you scared that asshole from today will talk to your ex or say he’s seen you?”
Her head drops slightly. “Not really. A year or two ago, my brother ran into Jaime’s parents at a hockey benefit or something. They only reminded him how I ruined their son’s focus. It took everything in Seb not to punch the dad. They all have zero interest.” Her voice is shaky, and she’s attempting to keep tears from falling.
I rest my hand on her shoulder to comfort her. “Their loss. You have a great kid, and when you put your witch’s broom away, then you have some good days where you’re a bearable human.”
It earns me a little laugh. “Thanks… and thank you for being my superhero back there.”
My fingers skirt up her arm and without thought land on her cheek. “No problem.”
Her palm rises and covers my hand against her cheek. No words come to us, and instead, my thumb settles near the corner of her mouth and our eyes marvel in each other’s. The sadness in her eyes begins to diminish, but her eyes glint due to the water of her remaining tears, laced with renewed light.
Slowly we both move. I feel the strong pull, and my own body gives up to gravity. I never want to admit it, but inside my head, I’ve said the obvious; she sometimes has me in a chokehold of attraction and interest in her personality.
I feel her breath mingling with mine, and then Lainey dives forward to kiss me. It nearly knocks me off the chair.
Our mouths meld together, and we kiss.
Her lips are firm against my attempt to be soft. We don’t pull back, instead tilting the angle of our mouths. My hands move to cup her face as I kiss her, my mouth coasting hers, and her tongue sneaks past my lips.
I want to taste more of her, and the feeling of her hands snaking down my back gives me the sign that I can.
But it’s whether Ishould.
Because as much as this kiss is better than I thought it would be, it can’t be now.
Reluctantly I begin to pull away, but Lainey just attempts to kiss me more. It’s only when I guide her back gently that our kiss breaks.
“Lainey, we can’t.”
She looks at me, shocked. “W-what?”
Standing up, I need to create space between us, or I’ll just falter in my logic. I walk to the middle of the living room and begin to pace and scratch my head. “I mean, if you need a release in this moment to feel better, then fine. I can be that. But you’re in a vulnerable place right now and…”
Lainey looks mortified, but also considering what my words are, she switches to angry. “Right. Got it.” She abruptly stands and grabs her coat from the back of her chair. “I’m just a crazy mess right now, so of course, this is a mistake.”
Gently shaking my head, I’m internally struggling if I’m handling this right. “It’s not that. I just don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“This is not happening.” She seems to be talking to herself, embarrassed. “Forget that I was even here. Or any of today. Of course, this is how this would end. You’re all the same and just…”
My brows rise. “Just what?” She doesn’t answer and turns to leave but then stalls with her back still to me. “Being the hockey player who has too much respect for you and won’t take advantage of you? Because we’re not all the same,” I supply.
She doesn’t say anything, and after a moment, leaves.
I drop my face into my hands.
My chest has been left in knots.
