“Your favorite candy?”
“The one I can never get enough of.”
My fingers momentarily latch onto his linen shirt like it’s second nature rather than totally insane. “You can’t say shit like that to me…”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not used to it.” There’s no fighting the urge to tug him a little closer. “Because I don’t know how to get used to it.”
“Pracky, Gillybean.” His face leans a little closer. “That’s the only way we get better at anything.”
His particular word choice – that I’m somehow gonna blame the country music for me not noticing when we first met – drags me back to my senses. “My brother is your coach-”
“Oneof my coaches. I’m a tendy. I’ve got at least two.”
“And dating hockey players –especially one of his players– isn’t something he’d want me to do.”
To my surprise, he nods.
Hums.
Demonstrates what I believe is at least, belongs on a toothbrush bristle amount of understanding until he counters with, “What doyouwant, Gillian?”
My mouth mistakenly cracks open.
“I told you whatIwant. You told me whatCoachwants.” The hand on the door relocates itself to gently cup my cheek. “So, tell me what you want, and that’s what we’ll do.”
Chapter 4
Thayne
There’s being a tendy, and there’s beingtended.
I prefer the former.
We’re talkin’ “Always and Forever” Heatwave style.
We’re talkin’ a “Now and Forever” Richard Marx level.
We’re talkin’ “Forever and For Always” Shania Twain shit.
Iloathebeing blocked.
Especially when it comes to having my first official date with the woman, I’m gonna marry someday.
“Suspenders?” Dubs unexpectedly investigates the instant I open one of my front double doors. “You’ve got a date?”
An impish comeback slides to the front of my tongue yet is immediately line swapped when another unanticipated visitor comes into view. “And you’ve got my baby bro.”
Bronson Groff – or Bronny – does his best to continue to avoid eye contact.
“On my front porch in Texas.”
His six-foot built frame hunches guiltily forward.
“At seven thirty on a Wednesday night.”
He gives the back of his thick neck an uncomfortable scratch.
