Page 47 of Worth the Risk
“That’s kind of the point, Winnie.”
“Right.” I smile.
“What’s wrong with me spoiling you?” He sets the lasagna on the stove top and leans his hip against the counter. He looks too good in my little kitchen. I wouldn’t mind seeing him like this every night.
“Nothing.” I laugh. “Really. I’m just being silly.” I shrug.
“I’m not buying it. What’s up? Is it too much?”
“Not at all! It’s perfect! This is all perfect. You’re perfect.” That’s my anxiety disorder for you. I’m either a rambling mess, spilling my guts or I freeze up and can’t get out the words I’m looking for. Obviously the first has happened and now I’m blushing the color of the red sauce on the stove. I cover my face with my hands and try to steady my racing heart. Feeling like this, wanting him this much is hard for me. I don’t always know how to handle being taken care of. I hear him approach and crouch in front of me. His hands encircle my wrists and pull mine back.
“As much as I’m insanely flattered that you think that about me—I’m just trying to show you how much I care. How much I want you.” His features blur with the rush of liquid to my eyes.
“You’re doing a really good job.” He laughs and pulls me to my feet. He keeps one hand in mine and slips the other around my back, so mine goes up to the back of his neck. I play with the ends of his hair again. Then he starts to sway with me and hum a song that I’ve loved since I was a little girl. And just like that, I feel more centered. The sound is so soft and sweet that it prompts a memory I haven’t let myself think about in a longtime. I’m watching from a counter top, two people swaying in a kitchen so filled with love it’s like I can reach out and touch it. My dad whispering the lyrics into my moms ear. Her looking at him with her beautiful smile, singing along.
My eyes are hot and it feels like there’s a rock lodged in my throat but I smile into Rhett’s chest. He starts belting out the lyrics without warning and spins me away and then back into him swaying me to the beat that…well it’s a little off but I don’t care as I laugh and join in. He da-dums the instrument build up for us, before the chorus to I Would Give Everything I Own by Bread really takes off. We yell the words together and his grin mixed with way he’s looking at me feels like home. We sing and dance and kiss in my small kitchen for the rest of the night. As I look at this man that’s had me so completely since I was 15 years old, a part of me that was so broken I wouldn’t even think about it, heals a little.
I’m on my second beer. I was only going to have one, but Colt made me feel a little guilty about trying to go home so early.
“How’s it been going with the team? I heard about the mooning incident at the festival.” He chuckles.
“Oh yeah, that. For the most part it’s going great. That particular one is a little wild but it’s hard to be upset when I see a lot of myself in him. He’s a good kid but he likes attention. He was also skating laps for it at our last practice though.” He laughs.
“You? Wanting attention and basking in the limelight? I never would have guessed.” His words are steeped in sarcasm and I shove his shoulder lightly. “But seriously, you settling in with them alright?”
“I am. I didn’t know how I would feel, but I actually love coaching so far and we haven’t even had a game yet.”
“That’s great. I’m excited for you man. Does this mean you’ll be staying? I heard you may have gotten a few offers to coach an AHL team.”
“Where did you hear that?” And I wonder if Winnie has heard that as well.
“Knox mentioned it when I ran into him the other night. He was talking—well bragging a little about how proud of you he is.”
“Well I did get a couple offers, but this is where I want to be.”
“Good to know. It’s alright having you around I guess.”
“Ah, you really missed me huh?”
“Oh, save it for your girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend?” I look at my beer. I mean I guess I would consider Winnie my girlfriend, I’d like her to be more.
“I’m assuming you’ve already found someone to hook up with. You’ve been back in town for almost a month now.” He chuckles. I take a few swallows of my own beer before answering. I don’t like lying to Colt.
“Maybe.” Well if that isn’t 1000% an understatement.
“Ooo…who is it? Do I know her? Probably, everyone knows everyone in town.”
“Yeah you know her.” Probably better than most people. “It’s still new.” Ish. I mean technicallythis timewe’ve only been seeing each other the last month or so.
“Hmm…you’re playing this a little close to the vest. You must really like her.”
“I do.” The more I’m around Winnie the more I want to be around her. It feels a lot more than like at this point.
“You’re not giving anything away.”
“Just not a lot to say yet.” There’s a ton to say, I just need to talk to Winnie before I can say it. I notice him looking out behind me again with an annoyed expression. I glance behind me and see Marigold walking next to guy, holding onto his arm with both her hands and laughing lightly. When I look back atColt, his eyes are narrowed and his jaw is clenched. Interesting. He seems like he may be jealous. I know this because that’s how I felt the night of Winnie’s birthday. I clear my throat.
