Page 22 of Snow, Ice, and Spice
I instantly feel bad. This was such a thoughtful thing for Tori to organize. It’s not her fault that they happened to arrive when I was in the middle of navigating a weird-as-hell conversation with Theo.
I glance over at Theo, who’s still standing in the kitchen and waving at my family with a nervous smile on his face.
I think back to a minute ago when the single sentence he uttered threw me for a loop.
Hearing you last night was hot as fuck.
When he makes eye contact with me, I recognize that flash in his eyes. Without a doubt, he’s thinking of what he said too.
I swallow back the flip in my stomach and focus back on Tori. I smile at her. “This is perfect timing. I’m so happy to see you guys. And thrilled that you brought food because I’m starving and don’t feel like cooking.”
She grins and stops to give me another hug. “That’s from Millie. She says she’s sorry she can’t make it, but baby Evelyn is teething and had her up half the night.”
I gesture to the kitchen. “Guys, this is Theo, Ingrid’s cousin. Don’t mind his shirtless state, he doesn’t own any tops.”
My family chuckles as they descend on Theo and bombard him with hugs and hellos. He excuses himself quickly and runs to his bedroom, emerging seconds later tugging a hoodie over his head. I take a slow, steadying breath before I hazard another glance at him. He’s charming my loved ones with that devastatingly gorgeous smile and friendly chit-chat. When he catches eyes with me, he holds my gaze for an extra second before focusing back on my family.
And that’s when I realize my skin is still on fire, but not because I’m embarrassed…
Hearing you last night was hot as fuck.
I swear, I will never, ever forget the low growl of Theo’s voice when he spoke those words…
I shake my head. I can’t think about that right now, not when my family is here.
But his words linger in the back of my mind the whole time.
Chapter10
Theo
“Dude, that sucks about your knee,” Maya’s brother Tyler says to me as we all sit around the dining table and finish up breakfast.
“Yeah, it does.” I try to smile.
He nudges my shoulder with his. “Hey, I remember that goal you scored early in the season against Toronto. The puck flew so fast into the net. If you blinked, you missed it. That was badass, man.”
“He’s right,” Maya’s other brother Gage adds. “That was the highlight of that game.” Her cousin Austin and his husband Declan nod along.
“You’ll be at it again soon,” Tyler says. “You’re an asset to the Bashers. They’re probably counting down the days till you’re back.”
I hope my smile doesn’t look as fake as it feels when I look at them all. “Thanks. Means a lot. But I’m nothing special. There’s a million more talented guys in this sport.”
Tyler smirks at me. “You seem to do pretty well for yourself, ladies man.”
My stomach drops right along with my smile. I clear my throat. “Right…”
I can tell Tyler expects me to say more, but I can’t. I’m too embarrassed. Because this is yet another example of just how much I’ve managed to fuck myself over. Here’s another fan who can only focus on my sex life instead of my skill on the ice.
When I look over, I see Declan and Austin exchange a look. I notice Gage is frowning at his brother. My stomach twists. They all know my pathetic reputation. It’s written on their faces.
Just great.
I hunch over in my chair, disheartened and angry at myself yet again. “I’m not really into that anymore,” I say.
Tyler pauses. “Oh.”
Everyone is quiet for a long moment.
