“Meh, wins and losses. Inconsistent but better than last season. It comes down to Coach. He has to be firm but fair. But anyway, don’t let it deter you. It’s time for you to just get it over with. You’ll run into him at some point, so be the one who is confident and in control.”
I take a bite of a cookie and ponder her suggestion. We spend the next half-hour finishing up, and I leaveher for a few minutes to put Enzo to bed. When I return to the kitchen, Gracie is busy closing a tin filled with goodies.
Her arm darts out, and she hands me the tin with a polar bear on it. “Here.” I accept her offering. “I’ll stay in case Enzo wakes up, but Tyler is back… so go.”
My chin rises at my friend’s words. “And you were thinking I can bring him cookies?”
“Tis the season, Lainey.”
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
She steps closer to me and tugs on my off-the-shoulder t-shirt, causing me to show more skin to be a little more brazen. “There. Now go say hello.”
Gracie already has her hands on my shoulder and is turning me in the direction of the door before I can even protest. I’m basically shoved out the door, with it closing behind me.
Taking a big inhale, I pep myself up for this. She’s right. This is no big deal, plus I have cookies. Who doesn’t love cookies?
Still, I knock nervously on Tyler’s door. I hear nothing, so I knock again. I wait for a few seconds then give up and feel partly saved. Turning around, I don’t even get a chance to take a step because the door bursts open.
“I was in the shower, what do you want?”
Swirling back, I’m nearly blinded.
Oh no.
This can’t be happening.
He has a towel hanging around his waist, and I can see his clearly defined stomach with lines that lead me down because the towel is low, tucked just below his belly button. Quickly, I swing my eyes away from him.
“Sorry. I just came…” That could be taken out of context. “I mean, I just came to give you something.” I hold up the tin.
“What?” He doesn’t sound impressed. Kind of grumpy, to be honest.
I brace myself and internally warn my eyes to focus on the only safe area… his face. But his chiseled jawline seems extra defined right now, and his eyes are piercing me.
“It’s cookies, brownies, fudge, you know, that kind of thing. Happy holidays.” I offer him the tin. “Just made them today. Maybe that’s why you can smell them.”
“Yeah, it’s filling the hallway as if the building is suddenly a chocolate factory. Plus, I need to stay with my regimen.”
I’m surprised by his demeanor. He’s as cold as the weather outside.
“Okay, fine.” I hold the cookies closer to my body again. “I also came to… apologize.” I struggle to get the word out, and he doesn’t reply nor flinch. “For the other night.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” he says curtly.
My eyes flare bigger. “You’re being an ass right now. I’m trying to come with a peace offering, and you don’t even accept my cookies!”
“Maybe I don’t want your cookies!” he argues back.
I puff out my chest, and it causes the fabric on my shoulder to lower even more. “Fine. Don’t take my delicious treats. There are chocolate-covered pretzels, you know.” I point my finger at him. “Normal humans go crazy about that. Not being grateful for a gift is a shitty thing.Andyou’ll only regret it when Mrs. Dale down the hall raves about them in the elevator.”
He raises his arm above his head and leans against the door frame, giving me quite a vision of the man. “I’m just being what you would expect. The asshole, since I’m a hockey player.”
My mouth opens because it feels like he justcut the air, and instantly I see remorse on his face. He drops his arms and seems to be thinking something.
“Are you mad at me? I’m trying here…” I say softly with so much vulnerability that I feel as though I’m jumping off a cliff.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, and I’m not mad at you.” He lets out a deep sigh then steps to the side with his hand indicating to come in. “It’s just been a tough few days.”
