Page 48 of Offside and Off-Limits
She throws her gaze over me. “But you do want to act on it. Don’t you, Clara?”
Worry grasps at my chest. There are too many reasons not to get involved with Cade, the non-fraternization clause in mycontract being just one of them. But then I think of the look in his eyes as he gazes at me and the worry loosens. He's not the man I thought he was. He's so much more, and it's impossible not to want to have that kind of man in my life.
“Girl, you’re in deep,” Bailey says, shaking her head.
I let out a sigh. “What would you do if you were me?”
“I guess I would work out if he was worth the risk.”
An hour later, Bailey heads home and I pick up my phone to respond to Warrior’s message.
Me:
Why have you been thinking about me today?
ChronicWarrior88:
Because I read that Maple Falls could be redeveloped.
Me:
We’re raising money to try to stop that from happening.
ChronicWarrior88:
How?
Me:
The townsfolk are being so creative and resourceful. There are a bunch of initiatives, including one I came up with myself.
ChronicWarrior88:
What’s your idea?
Me:
We’re calling it Drench for Defense. We’re going to get people to bid on a bucket of water to throw over one of the Ice Breakers. The highest bid wins and hey presto, wet hockey player.
ChronicWarrior88:
That sounds chilly at this time of year.
Me:
These guys can cope.
My mind instantly leaps to the way the water clung to Cade’s ripped torso that time I spoke to the team in the locker room, and a wave of guilt rolls over me. I can't think about one guy wearing nothing but a towel as I'm chatting with another online. It might not be being unfaithful exactly, but it sure lies somewhere in the territory.
Me:
How are you feeling today? How are your energy levels?
ChronicWarrior88:
I am cautiously optimistic that your advice over the past couple months is helping me.
I straighten my back, sitting upright.
