| |
Kendra
On Tuesday, I arrived half an hour early in Ashburn and parked at the back of the sports center directly next to the entrance of the ice rink. I took out my iPad and pulled up my email account. I was on a private mission, so I felt a bit guilty using my professional email and connections, but only just a little.
Tim’s birthday was last week, and he’d shared with me that he’d wanted so badly to go to a water park with his friends and play on the slides, but his parents couldn’t afford it.
I was trying to surprise him by taking him and his hockey friends to an indoor one. There were a lot of free pools in Chicago, but none had water parks that were actually entertaining. I wouldn’t get my next paycheck until after his birthday, so I couldn’t simply buy eleven tickets.
Pinching pennies reminded me of the most stressful time in my family’s life, after Dad passed away. Mom had to take on three jobs to make ends meet. She didn’t even have time to mourn Dad. Emma and I were alone a lot, and the neighbors reported us to social services. It was terrible, and we both believed they should have minded their own business. Mom was doing the best she could. Because of them, we lived for years with constant check-ups and threats to send us to foster care. It was difficult, and it took a toll on Mom, who got sick when Emma was in college.
I shook my head, dispelling those sad thoughts and focusing on the present. I had a solution for my cash-strapped situation. I just didn’t like it. Up until last year, I waitressed for a hole-in-the-wall diner at the end of the world on weekends, so I could earn a few extra bucks. I left after a customer grabbed my ass while I took his order. My boss, Jared, had witnessed it and done absolutely nothing. He still owed me two full months of paychecks, and I’d never asked him for it because I was too proud. But now it was time to set my pride aside and be practical.
I sent him an email before I could talk myself out of it.
Then I bit into my donut while racking my brain on how I could make this happen for Tim. I needed the afternoon pick-me-up badly.
My phone chimed in the meantime.
Tyler: I'll be there in a few minutes.
I replied right away.
Kendra: I'm in a red Ford five feet from the entrance.
Tyler: I'll look for you.
My stomach somersaulted. No, no, no. This won't do. I was determined not to notice his dazzling smile, let alone the rest of him. I wasn’t staying long today, just enough time to ensure he and the kids were on the right track with their first session. I wasn’t planning to stay for the rest.
A few seconds later, there was a knock at my window. I startled and accidentally dropped my donut on the floor in front of the passenger seat. There was powdered sugar everywhere. Thank God I had leather seats.
Tyler immediately opened the door.
"Fuck," he exclaimed. "Do you have napkins?"
"Yeah, yeah, I have some."
I had wet wipes in my purse, and I'd grabbed a few napkins when I bought the donut. I vigorously cleaned up the seat with the wet wipes, and Tyler used the napkins to dry them. His hand accidentally brushed mine during our ministrations, and I was completely unprepared for the jolt of heat coursing through me. I raised my eyes to his—big mistake. I was looking straight at his lips. I moved my gaze farther up, right into those dazzling brown eyes.
My sister's words came to mind. Yeah, “hot” doesn't do him justice, not even a little.
I thought I could ignore that smile, huh? Well, maybe I could, but there was no way I could forget his eyes. They were dark and sinful.
"Way to make an entrance," I teased, glancing at the duffel bag he was carrying, which probably contained his skates.
"I did say I was coming in a few minutes."
"Yeah, I know, but then I got lost in my research for a pool for Tim, and now my donut—”
I stopped, watching in horror as he took the donut off the floor and threw it in the nearby bin. Why did he do that? He just wasted a perfectly good donut. I was just going to blow off the dust, which I knew did nothing for germs, but who cared?
I tried to smile at him when he returned, but it probably looked a bit manic because he raised a brow.
“I’m dangerous in the afternoon without a snack.”
"Clearly," he said with a dazzling smile. Amusement played in his eyes.
Oh, he’s making fun of me, is he? Well, to be honest, I was completely ridiculous without my sugar fix.
"Come on. We still have time. I'll buy you another donut.”
My heart thundered in my chest. I hesitated for a bit.
He sat in the clean passenger seat, tilting closer to me. "Come on. You don't want to be dangerous for the rest of the afternoon, do you? Who knows what else might happen?"
I chuckled, running a hand through my hair. "You got me there. Okay, come on. The donut stand is just around the corner.”
I grabbed my bag and iPad, and we walked side by side. My stomach was grumbling. “This was my lunch.”
"Your lunch?" he asked, stricken.
"It has eggs and milk. So it’s food."
He chuckled as we arrived in front of the food cart. Fortunately there was no line. It was impossible to stand next to Tyler and not be hyperaware of his presence. He seemed to have this field of energy around him. My stomach rumbled again. Way to make an impression.
“One donut enough or two? Just to be on the safe side,” he said.
“One is fine.”
I chuckled again, unable to look away from him. How was it possible that he trapped me with his gaze every time we made eye contact?
We received the order quickly and then walked toward the ice rink. I devoured half the donut before we even arrived at the front door.
“The door is locked. The administrator will open it ten minutes before training starts. We can wait out here or in the car, if you prefer?” I offered.
“Here’s fine.”
I took another bite of donut. "This was a great idea. I can feel my blood sugar leveling out."
He chuckled. "Good to know. What was that about a pool for Tim?”
"Oh," I said, gripping my iPad tighter under my arm. "His birthday was last week, and he’s never been to a water park. You know, the type with slides and all sorts of fun things for kids. I wanted to surprise him, but I can’t afford the whole thing.”
“That’s part of your job?”
“Well, no... so it’s not exactly okay, but I’ve asked some previous clients who know Tim if they would help out. So far, no answers, but I did just email. I usually don’t do this, at all, but it’s for a good cause, and I’d love to see the smile on Tim’s face. So many of these kids have had a tough life, and I’d love to be able to help them all if I could.”
"You're dedicated," he said in surprise. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
I couldn't believe he was interested in this. "Nothing special, just taking him and his hockey friends to a water park and watching over them while they have fun on the slides.”
He ran a hand through his dark brown hair, narrowing his eyes. “A friend of mine owns a spa. It’s got two pools, and I’m sure one of them has slides. He mentioned something about entertaining his guests’ kids. I can convince him to let the kids have fun in there for a couple hours.”
My mouth hung open. “Oh my God. I wasn’t telling you this to pitch it to you.”
“You said you asked previous clients, so why not me?”
“Well, because I’ve known them longer and have established a relationship with them.”
“You don’t trust me, Kendra?” He tilted his head playfully.
“I meant it the other way around. You don’t know me, so I wouldn’t ask for a favor.”
“I’m offering.”
I tried to contain my happiness, but I really couldn’t. I felt my face split into a smile so huge that my cheeks were hurting. “You’d do that? Oh, Tim will be so happy. His family is lovely, but they can’t afford too much.”
“You can count on me. I’ll talk to the guy before training begins.”
“Wow. That’s amazing. Thank you so much, Tyler.”
I couldn’t believe he was doing this.
“This seems almost personal to you,” he said quietly.
I blinked quickly, trying to hide my shock. How could he tell that?
“Well, growing up, my sister, Emma, and I relied on a lot of these programs. Mom worked herself to the bone, but there wasn’t much left after everything was paid for. I know how Tim and his friends feel.”
“Kendra, you’re—” Tyler was interrupted by the sound of the door unlocking. Jane, the administrator, welcomed us inside.
“Want to go in?” I asked.
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
The ice rink was simple and modest, nothing like what I assumed the Chicago Blades’ arena looked like, but it made the kids happy anyway. Tyler glanced around appraisingly, leaning against a handrail.
“This is a great place to train.”
“Glad you like it. So... how about you?" I asked, eager to know more about him. "How did you get yourself in this mess?"
I instantly knew it was the wrong thing to ask. His eyes darkened for the first time. His smile faltered. "You didn't see the video?"
"I did, but I think there's more to it, right? I mean, you couldn't exactly tell the context from just seeing it. It just seemed like that guy was looking for a fight, and he got it."
"Yeah. The bloody context." He laughed, but it wasn't filled with humor.
"Bloody?" I asked in a teasing tone.
“‘Fucking’ is my choice of swear word when things are moderately annoying. ‘Bloody’ is next level.”
"Interesting choice. Forget I asked. It's bothering you, so you don't have to talk about it." I leaned against the railing on the opposite side, watching him closely.
"That's fine. I think you're the first person who actually asked about what happened."
"What do you mean? Didn't your management want to know the details?"
"No, management was too pissed off because the sponsors weren't happy with me." After a brief pause, he added, "That guy was my cousin's ex-fiancé."
"Ouch. I already hate him."
That brought the real smile back. "I like you, Kendra."
"Thanks." Is that my stomach cartwheeling just because he said he liked me? Yes, yes, it is. Oh, for goodness’ sake!
"It’s not my place to say why they broke up. But they were supposed to go into business together to open a spa in a building that belonged to my grandmother. Anyway, he wanted to get on with the business after hurting my cousin, even knowing my gran didn’t want him anywhere near her building. So my whole family fought against it. He showed up there thinking... Honestly, I don't even know what he was after. But the way he spoke to my cousin... I just couldn't stand by and watch without doing anything. It was the wrong way to react, but I take full responsibility for that."
His whole demeanor changed. Even his voice sounded determined and protective, and it affected me on a visceral level. He cared a lot about his cousin and his grandmother.
And so, I couldn’t help myself. I moved from the railing, stepping up beside him, leaning slightly in, like I was sharing something in confidence. "I'll let you in on a secret, Tyler. I like you too."
He laughed, throwing his head back. "You're my kind of person, Kendra. You're the first one who has had this reaction when they hear the full story.”
“I can’t believe that. Management—”
“Was pissed, and I'm pissed in return. I love hockey more than anything in this life, but dealing with management is a pain in my ass."
A very fine ass, my brain supplied helpfully. I pressed my lips together before the words slipped out.
"What's that?" Tyler asked. "You look like you wanted to add something."
I shook my head. "No, no. Nothing."
He cocked a brow, keeping his gaze trained on me. “Kendra...”
I cleared my throat, trying to ignore the sizzle in my body. “Don’t change the subject. We were talking about you. This must be hard for you. The season starts soon. The first game is next week, right?"
"Yeah."
"Are you going to watch it?"
He nodded. "I'm going to sit in the stands."
I grimaced. "Wow. That's going to be a tough evening."
“We’ll see.”
I had the distinct impression that he didn’t want to talk about this anymore, so I didn’t prod.
The front door of the rink opened, and five kids ran toward us. Well, toward Tyler, to be honest.
"Tyler, my mom wouldn't believe it when I told her you were training us,” Tim said as soon as he was in front of Tyler. “Can you take a picture with me so I can show her later? You could email it to Kendra, and Kendra can send it to Mom."
"Sure, buddy. You’re Tim, right?"
“Yes. Ohmigosh, you remember my name.”
“It’s a cool name.” Tyler pulled out his phone without any hesitation, hugging the kid with one arm and smiling at the screen. Tim grinned brilliantly, and my heart sighed even more than it had last time. I didn't know why, but I found this incredibly attractive.
Tyler’s honest, welcoming actions were a bigger deal for the kids than he may ever know.
After Tyler took the pic, Tim ran straight to his friends. I bet he was bragging. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Tyler talking on the phone. It didn’t last long, though. He pocketed his cell as soon as Tim and the rest went into the locker room.
“I spoke to my friend. He says it’s all good. The kids can come on Thursday. Is that okay?”
“Yes, and wow, that was fast.”
“I’m good at using emotional blackmail for a good cause.”
I’m not melting. I’m not melting. Who am I kidding? I’m melting.
How was this sexy-as-hell, super successful star hockey player so amazing? So real? Boy, I had him pegged wrong.
“I’ll tell my boss about it. I have to clock in every activity I organize. I’ll probably have to come too. It states in my job profile that I have to be there for any new activity that wasn’t pre-approved.”
Tyler’s entire face lit up. His gaze turned even more intense than before.
“That’s an unexpected perk.”
“What is?” I was thoroughly confused.
He stood taller, and somehow the muscles of his arms seemed even more defined.
Eyes on his face, Kendra. On. His. Face.
“Your presence.”
Oh wow. My body fired up in an instant. I opened my mouth, unsure how to reply, then shut it firmly before saying what was really on my mind. My pulse quickened. I had to fight the urge to press my palm over my heart; it felt like it might break through my rib cage any second now. Calm down, heart. It was one thing to acknowledge his hotness—it was impossible not to, since it kept smacking me in the face—but no heart flutters.
His smile matched his gaze, full of intent. I couldn’t exactly say what kind of intent, though my body seemed to have ideas.
I cleared my throat, hoping my voice would be even. “I’m going to check with my boss and let you know the details.”
“Good. I look forward to hearing from you, Kendra.”
Was his voice even sexier, or was I already lost somewhere between Lustville and Sexy Town?
“I’m going to go to the locker room, put on my skates, and give the kids a pep talk,” he added. “Are you going to be here when I return?”
“No, all the kids are here now, so I’m gonna go.” They’d been filtering in as we’d been talking, and a few were already down on the ice.
He winked at me before turning around and going into the locker room.
The door was ajar when I made my way out, but I didn’t risk a glance back inside. The last thing I needed on my mind was the image of Tyler Maxwell giving the kids a pep talk. It might just cause heart flutters—again.