They stare at each other before falling all over themselves with apologies.
Bree shoots me a questioning glance as I lift her off the ice. When I set her down onto the rubber mats, I catch a glimpse of the freckles running across her nose and cheeks. Specifically, the freckle sitting on the right side of her bottom lip—the one I’d like nothing more than to kiss.
That impulse definitely didn’t change over the last year.
I drop my gaze to her feet, ensuring she’s off the ice, then let go of her before I’m tempted to act on it. “Don’t want you to fall and get hurt.”
She pats my chest. “I’m fine, Wade.”
But she’s not. However, the faint wobble in her voice is all it takes for me to let the argument go. Whatever’s going on, she’ll tell me when she’s ready. “I’ll grab my stuff, and we can head home.”
“Can I see the locker rooms first?” She shoots a hopeful glance my way.
The rest of the boys are likely done and gone by now. “Sure. Come with me.”
Luke walks ahead of us with Payton, while Ethan and Elias keep the rear. I want to talk to Bree, just not with the team acting like they bought front-row seats.
When the guys offer to help unload her U-Haul, I tell them I’ve got it. They don’t ask where she’s staying, and I don’t tell them.
Not yet. Like I told Luke, I need to figure things out.
Because right now, I’m not sure of anything.
I pull into a space on the other side of the parking area near my apartment, leaving the spot in front for Bree. Before she parks, I jump out and jog up to Old Blue as she rolls down her window. I honestly can’t believe this thing is still running.
“Get out so I can back you in.” I rest my arms on the door, noting the haphazardly packed boxes filling the back seat.
She shakes her head, making the blonde knot on top bob back and forth. “I can do it.”
I glance at the empty spaces next to the sidewalk edged with grass and palm trees. Beyond that sits the teal door to my apartment, surrounded by tan stucco. The splash of orange blooms dotting the hibiscus bushes completes the tropical picture.
“You sure? Because I remember how well you used to back up Daisy into her stall.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “That was a cranky cow. This is a U-Haul.”
I crack a grin. “What’s the difference?”
She snorts but laughs. “I can handle this, Wade.”
And she does. For the most part. Good thing she had two parking spaces to her advantage.
We unload the trailer first, stacking boxes in the corner of the living room. Then we unpack the rest of her SUV. Bree rolls one of her suitcases over the threshold of the front door.
A cringe contorts her delicate features. “Sorry for making your place look like a war zone.”
Those questions clamor again in my head as I add another box to the stack. What about her boyfriend? Is he still in the picture? Are they doing the long-distance thing? “It’s temporary. Don’t worry about it.”
She leans to the right, looking toward the doors leading to my bedroom and the half bath. “Where’s your guest room?”
I take the suitcase from her and roll it toward my room. “Just give me a minute to get it ready for you.”
She follows me to the doorway, swinging her gaze across the room. “Wade, no. This is your bedroom.”
“It’s the only one in the place.” I tug the lightweight comforter off the bed, intending to strip the sheets off.
“Then I’ll take the couch.” She turns around, pulling her suitcase behind her.
I snatch it out of her hand. Our fingers brush as I do, amping up that ache in my chest again. How can it be even stronger after not hearing from her for a year?
