Page 21 of Secret Pucking Unicorn

Shrugging, I pick up the menu. When the server comes to the table to deliver some plates, I order pancakes and ham.

“This is my fourth day with the team, and we are old friends. He’s being nice to me. Like Carter is. Like you are. I spend a lot of time with Daphne too.”

He lifts a brow. “Uh huh.”

I wonder if this is what it would be like to have an older brother? Dec was never a brother figure to me. His siblings were my playmates, but other than Sophie, I didn’t have much of a connection with them. They all had each other. I was quieter and more of a dreamer than they were and didn’t get involved in a lot of their adventures. I spent my time at the gazebo or in the stable with the horses and the barn cats. I’ve always had an easier time connecting with animals than with people. I don’t know if that transfers to shifters too or not. I didn’t know Dec and his siblings were wolf shifters when we were kids. Of course, Kendall is a cougar shifter like her brother, and we lived together during college, and Trevor is a wolf shifter and was my stunt partner for cheerleading, but neither of them ever shifted in front of me or talked about shifting. I’ve been isolated from it.

“Randi, have you been to Colorado Springs before?” Daphne asks from her seat at the end of the table.

“No, first time here,” I say.

“Then you’re coming with me and Logan this afternoon. We’re recording a mini tour at Garden of the Gods, and you have to see it.”

“Isn’t it too cold for flowers?” Lindy asks. He’s adorable.

“It’s not flowers,” Logan says. “It’s incredible red rock formations. Awe-inspiring. Like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

Daphne smiles brightly. “You must come with us if you aren’t napping before the game. It will be a few hours and back in plenty of time. Morgan Development has hired us a mini coach. We have eighteen seats.” She looks around the table. “You all are welcome. If there are over eighteen, I’ll upgrade to a regular coach.”

“That sounds wonderful, Daphne, thank you,” I say.

I was going to hang out and watch more game videos, but it’s not like anyone is going to ask my opinion on a play anyway. May as well see something awe-inspiring in person. I am on the verge of breathing a sigh of relief for having avoided Declan when suddenly he’s pulling out the chair next to mine.

“Good morning, Dec,” I say, smiling up at him. “I’m sorry to miss you. I recommend the pancakes, they were delicious.” I was this close to making my escape. I can’t resist him if I keep seeing him. I’m not strong enough. Rising from my chair, I say, “Daphne, I’ll meet you down here in an hour.”

Declan says a general good morning but follows me out of the restaurant without taking his seat. I stick with a group from the team and get on the elevator to take us to our floor. I’m in the corner with Dec beside me. Heat radiates off his body, and I want to snuggle in. I’m slowly getting used to being in the cold again and I know I’ll handle it better once I’m rested. But for today, I want to snuggle and be warm. We will be back in New Jersey tomorrow, and I will sleep all day. Under Declan’s flannel sheets.

Dec is at my side as we walk down the hallway. He lays a hand lightly on my arm.

“Miranda, are you upset with me about something?”

My steps falter as my head snaps his way. “No. Why?”

He shrugs and releases my arm. I miss the heat from his hand immediately.

“It feels like you’re avoiding me. You went to breakfast without me.” He runs his hand through his black hair and a lock falls over his brow. My fingers itch to push it back. “I sound like a petulant child. I’m sorry.”

It’s my turn to rest a hand on his arm. We can’t have this conversation in the middle of the hallway.

“Come on, let’s go to my room where we can talk.” I grab his hand and pull him along behind me. I swipe my card and push the door open when the light turns green and I hear the beep. We are alone in the suite, but I go into my bedroom and close the door anyway.

I pace and Dec leans against the dresser with his arms crossed over his broad chest.

“I’m not upset with you. You’re wonderful. That’s the problem.” I sneak a glance at him as I turn at the window and start back across the room. It’s not a big room. Five or six strides is all I can take. “I can’t monopolize your time. You need to focus on playing and being with your teammates, not on babysitting me.”

He scoffs and straightens but doesn’t uncross his arms. “I’m not babysitting you. I haven’t seen you in a year and a half. I’ve missed you. I want to spend time with you.”

My heart does a flip at his words. I’ve always wanted someone to want to spend time with me. But we must focus. I need to focus.

“I want to spend time with you too,” I admit. “But my focus needs to be on my job. I need this. I want to stay here. I can’t risk getting fired because we are hanging out too much. I want to be able to use my sports management degree and get a front office position with the team. And you need to focus on hockey to make money for your farm. That’s why you’re playing, right?”

“Yeah,” he says, crossing the room in two strides and stopping in front of me. “You’re not going anywhere. Even if you decide to leave this job, you don’t have to leave New Jersey.”

He doesn’t say, you don’t have to leave me. That’s what I long to hear, or he won’t leave me would be nice too. But no one ever tells me those things. Everyone leaves or sends me away. I want stability. I want to be with people I care about. I want to have a home of my own where no one can make me leave.

“Right,” I say. Not because I believe him, but because I want to change the subject.

His brows furrow and he sucks in his lips. It’s his thinking face. He did it as a boy, too.

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