Page 17 of Sin Bins and Second Chances
Alexa is part of the Lonestar Bobcats marketing team. She’s around my age and handles a lot of the social media. What could she want with me?
“I’m going to grab a drink. The seating is open and there’s going to be a raffle, some dancing, and schmoozing.”
“Champagne will get to my head too quick. I’ll grab some water in a little bit. Maybe in a while I’ll grab a drink.”
He nods, then excuses himself to the bar area.
A chill runs down my spine. I don’t even know where he is, but I can feel him watching me. It’s uncanny—like no time has passed at all, like he never forgot how to find me in acrowd.
“Daisy,” it’s a whisper behind me and I turn around.
My eyes move from his broad chest up to his face. “Ethan.” I swallow and take him in. He looks good in a suit, too good.
“You look gorgeous. Did you come here with your cousin?” His brows scrunch together.
Why does he have to look so good? Then his scent wraps around me. It’s like being in the middle of the forest, near a frozen lake, crisp and earthy. My feet move slightly closer, as if acting on their own. Anything to get closer to that mossy oak, amber, and cedar. I want to roll around in his scent.
I swallow as I take him in. Again. Fuck. Did he say something?
“Huh?”
“Did you come here with Andrew?” He repeats the question as his eyes narrow on mine before scanning down and back up my body.
“I was invited by one of your teammates.” It’s not a lie. I don’t even know why I said it. Yes, I do. I want to see his reaction. I shouldn’t care.
“Who?”
My eyes scan around the room, looking for ananswer. I really shouldn’t start something. I see Alexa across the room and sigh in relief. No lies needed.
“Oh, Alexa. I need to talk to her. Excuse me.” I quickly dart around him and make my way towards her.
“Daisy! I’m so glad you’re here.” Alexa waves at me with a clipboard in hand. “Do you mind if I ask you something without you getting offended? It’s a little personal.”
I step closer. “Um, sure.”
“When we were trying to convince the team to bring plus ones to the event. Most of them are single and didn’t want to bring anyone, but they were all on board with you coming. It wasn’t even your cousin’s idea. Are you seeing one of them or something?”
I sigh in relief. “Oh God, no.” I shake my head. “I think they’re all used to me being around. Andrew likes to invite them over to the ranch, and our who family is out there. They feel like an extended part of the family. It’s as if I gained two dozen cousins.” I laugh.
Alexa sighs. “Okay. I know it’s random, and I didn’t want you to feel put on the spot.We’re working on switching the image of some of the players and being cautious of everyone.”
She doesn’t have to say his name for me to know who she’s talking about. Ethan. He’s the one with the bad boy image. I know I need to come clean. Be honest.
“It probably doesn’t matter. This was years ago—high school. Ethan and I dated.”
Alexa grins. “I know.”
“Oh.” I swallow. “It’s nothing.”
She looks past me. “Between you and me, I don’t think it’s nothing. Just, give me a heads up if it turns into something so we can help control the narrative.”
I groan. “This is why I need more girlfriends,” I mumble.
Alexa laughs. “Girl, you’re telling me. Anytime I make friends and they find out I work for the Lonestar Bobcats, it’s immediately all about hockey and the players. I can’t tell when a friendship is genuine until put to that test, though.”
“Exactly! It was like that in high school, too. Everyone knows I’m Andrew’s younger cousin. We’re a close family and he’s always invited his friends and teammates out to the ranch. It’s hardto make friends that are girls, especially if they’re single. How do I know if they want to be my friend for me or just to get close to the guys?”
Alexa grabs two glasses of champagne from a passing tray and hands one to me. “Well, then we’ll become friends. Neither one of us is going to use the other for being in the position we’re in.”
