Page 19 of Body Checking
She gives me a sparkling smile and says with glee, “Only about two months, but I feel like we’ve been with each other for years.”
He lets out a nervous chuckle and I clench my jaw.
“Huh. Interesting.” Walker gives me a pleading look, begging me not to spill the beans.
Normally I would just smile, wish them a good day, and let it go. But something in me has the words hanging by a tattered thread on the tip of my tongue.
I summon the courage and confidence of Sasha and say, “Is she why you couldn’t make our date last week?”
Blonde hair goes swirling when she turns to look at him, and his face scrunches in pain of being caught.
“Maren,” a voice calls. “Your coffee is ready.”
“Ah. Just in time.” I strut over to the counter and grab my cup. Before I leave, I turn around and throw out one last nail in the coffin. “I may have been drunk when I texted you but I was so right. You do have a pencil di..uck. Good luck to you, Carys. Your vagina will need it.”
I throw the door open and hear a few snickers from the crowd, and I walk away with my head held high anda weight off of my shoulders that I haven’t felt in quite a long time.
Five more days have passed and the texts and conversations with Cade have grown more intimate as we share everything about ourselves with one another. The grumpy man I see coaching from the sidelines is nowhere to be seen because he is funny and sweet and sincere. I figure it’s a persona he puts on to scare his players and opponents because I just can’t believe that these two sides truly exist in this man.
I slip out of my black slacks and the camel colored slouchy sweater I had on for today’s client checks and slide into a pair of boxers and crewneck sweatshirt that has seen better days, but is absolutely the most comfortable piece of clothing I own. I shove my feet into my favorite panda slippers, complete with ears and a cute tail, and head back downstairs to search my fridge for something to eat.
I am too tired to cook and felt too lazy to stop and order takeout. I’m sure there’s cheese and crackers and apples in here somewhere. Maybe I’ll even throw in some prosciutto for a little bit of protein.
My arms are full of my “girl dinner” ingredients when I hear a knock at the door. It baffles me because I’m not expecting anyone, including Sasha. Setting all of my food down, I tread cautiously to the door.
Peeking through the peephole, I pull back with a gasp and slap my hand over my mouth. On the other side of the door stands Cade, a bouquet of big and small roses all in various shades of pink and a smile on his face.
I look through the peephole once more and see him staring straight at it, probably seeing my eyeball in the process.
“Maren?” he calls out. “I saw that gorgeous eye of yours. Are you going to let me in?”
Dammit. I knew he saw me.
I look down at my clothing and really wish I would’ve waited just ten more minutes to change.
“Um. Well. I’m not really dressed appropriately for company,” I tell him.
“I don’t care what you’re dressed in. I want to see you. Please?” My head thuds against the door when I throw it back and figure it’s better to get this over with sooner rather than later.
If he’s going to hightail it out of here, I’d rather he do it now than months from now when I’m head deep under water for him.
With shaky fingers, I unlatch the two deadbolts and ever so slowly, turn the door knob and pull the door open an inch at a time. I peek one eye out then the other until it’s barely wide enough for me to have one leg, one arm and one panda covered foot visible.
“He-y. Cade. What’re you doing here? Ho-how do you know where I live?”
“Here to see you, sweetheart. And don’t you remember the tickets and the jersey? I kind of stalked you but in a very innocent, non creepy type of way. What’s the matter?” He asks, his eyebrows knitted together.
“Huh,” I chuckle. “I, uh, didn’t know we were at the dropping by unannounced phase in our…our,” I falter on my words, not sure if I can call whatever we have a relationship.
“Relationship?” he asks, and I nod. “Well, in my opinion, the minute you showed me those luscious tits of yours, that is when our relationship started. And with that comes unannounced drop in’s so I can see your gorgeous face in person.”
I continue to nod my head, looking like a human sized bobble head doll. I have no idea what to say to all of it. In one respect, I’m freaking out that Cade “Hammer” Hamlin, ex-NHL standout and current NHL coach, says that we’re in a relationship. It’s a scenario I have only dreamedof. But on the other hand, I don’t remember ever agreeing to a relationship. It feels a little forced and I’m unsure of how to proceed.
“Do you think I could come in?” he asks again.
“Um, well, like I said before, I’m kind of not dressed to entertain company.”
His eyes roam up and down my body before looking me dead in the eye. “Maren, you could be wearing a clown costume, painted face and all, and I’d still think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
