I scratch my jaw and attempt to figure out the best way to approach this. “You’re smart. You are aware that we’ve grown closer.”
“No shit. Now tell me this isn’t for fun.”
“It’s not. I mean, at first your sister and I got off on the wrong foot, but then there was Halloween and something shifted. Thanksgiving came and we gravitated to one another. Then there was Jaime’s friend?—”
Seb’s hand darts out to touch my shoulder and stop me. “What?” His tone is sharp.
Ah fuck. She never told him.
I sigh, and his hand drops. “Shit. I thought she would have told you. She ran into her asshole ex’s friend who shares the same characteristics.”
Fury fills his entire body. “What did he say to her?”
“Nothing. I got him to leave.”
Seb stands taller and adjusts his neck and seems to appreciate it, but his face is still cold and contemplating murder. “Good.”
I search the hallway and see that there are only a few people packing away equipment at the end. Other than two guys on the team, nobody is aware that Seb’s sister and I are together.
“Look, I just wanted to say that I’m serious about Lainey.”
“It’s not just Lainey.”
“Enzo is part of the equation, and I’m on board with that. He’s a great kid.”
Seb continues to drill his gaze into me. He’s completely unreadable. “If you fuck things up, then holy shit there will be hell for you to pay.”
I nod gently in agreement. I get it, I do.
“So, what? You came here to ask for my approval?” Now I see the hint of humor laced in his facial expression.
“I’m going to give her one of my jerseys.”
“Awww, how cute. Tyler wants to give a girl his jersey,” he mocks like I am a child, but then his demeanor changes. “But that traditional BS is a big step.” Can this dude give me any indication of what he is feeling?
Rolling my shoulders back, I decide to take control of the situation. “Like it or not, it’s happening. I just thought I would give you a heads-up.”
He tips his nose a little higher as if he is sniffing out the situation. “Don’t get cocky. As much as I fucking hate it, Lainey is Lainey, and although you are a grumpy fucker, you are a stand-up guy. So, fine. But this is my warning that I have no problem with murder.”
His icy gaze is in full force when he bumps into my shoulder as he walks away.
At least I can check this conversation off the list.
Drying my hair with a towel,I watch the hockey highlights on the television mounted on the wall. We just got back from our away game, and tomorrow we will head into another practice before our home game the day after. January to February is killer on the hockey schedule.
The adrenaline is on full blast because our team is one spot away in the standing to hopefully get a wildcardspot for the cup. We still have a lot of games to play, but for now, we are in a good place.
But the adrenaline? It’s actually because of Lainey in this very moment.
I said I would see her and Enzo for dinner.
Tossing my towel to the side, I slide my cell out of my jeans pocket and swipe the screen to order pizza. It’s the easiest. Enzo can be picky, and Lainey shouldn’t have to cook after a long day. I choose classic cheese for Enzo and opt for the veggie for Lainey and meat overload for me. After, I check my calendar because I have a call with my agent scheduled for tomorrow.
Something else catches my eye on the calendar. It happens right during all-star week, actually. I’ve never once taken notice of this particular day except hearing from the guys what they do every year.
February 14th.
Valentine’s Day.
