Page 72 of Feels Like the First Time
Chapter 15
For a guy who had a million and one things to do before opening, Hawk had no business spending the afternoon onChasing Destiny, refinishing the railings and polishing steel. But that’s what happened when you fall asleep with a beautiful woman in your arms, and wake up to her moaning your name.
You do ridiculous things—like offer to clean your ex-father-in-law’s boat for his homecoming.
Marty was doing better, but the doctor wanted to keep an eye on his levels for a few more days before they released him. So Ali had gone down to have dinner with him. Hawk had considered going with her, but knew she wouldn’t rest until the boat was ready for Marty.
And Hawk wanted to help her in any way that he could. Her plate was overflowing, so while she was busy being Ali, and taking care of everyone around her, he was going to take care of her. His goal was to finish up here in time to surprise Ali with dessert, and a set of strong arms.
Perfect for a little pampering and, hopefully, some more of that naked pampering they were so good at.
So when he saw the dock swaying, he flexed those biceps and got them ready, in case she wanted to get started on the party early. Only when he looked up, he found Bridget walking down the dock with a glass of wine and an ice-cold beer.
She’d been there when he’d dropped Ali off at the hospital earlier that morning. Outside of thanking her for staying the night and discussing the details of Marty’s release, the sisters had barely spoken. Bridget’s big blue doe eyes were willing him to smooth things over; Ali’s were begging him to leave.
The tension between the sisters was palpable, and his presence was just adding gasoline to the flames. He got it, but it still rubbed him the wrong way.
But watching Bridget now, that brittle smile and the cold beer in hand, he saw Ali’s point. They’d all been playing the same roles for so long, it was hard to redefine the boundaries. Even more concerning, Bridget didn’t understand that the boundaries applied to her, because it was clear that she was in need of a hero.
Too bad, Hawk had no desire to put on that cape.
The tide was changing direction and he’d promised Ali he’d deal with any contraband and stock the fridge with healthy choices. Something Marty better start making if he wanted his outcome to change.
A sentiment Hawk took to heart.
Bridget climbed on the boat, the breeze blowing her hair back. Her eyes were red, and her face was puffy. She’d been crying. Hawk’s heart dropped. “Is Marty okay?”
“He’s fine,” she said, leaning against the railing. “Or he’s going to be. They’re releasing him tomorrow morning.”
“That’s great.” Hawk picked up his discarded shirt off the railing and slid it on. The temperature was only in the low seventies, but the sun reflecting off the deck had been brutal. “Ali’s still at the hospital.”
“I know. I came to pack my stuff and saw you down here.” She swallowed. “You looked like you could use a cold one.”
She handed him the beer, and he took a long pull. “Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me.” She shook her head, her eyes going misty. “I should be thanking you, for being here to help out with my dad, and doing all of this when you didn’t have to.” She met his gaze and gave a watery smile. “You really are a great guy.”
Torn between wanting to shoulder her tears and not ever wanting to gothereagain, Hawk changed the subject. “Are you headed to the airport?”
“First thing tomorrow morning,” she said and faced the water, her hair spilling down her back, turning a shiny gold in the setting sun. She wore it loose and unstyled, the way he used to like it. “I have to go cancel the venue and take care of a few things, then I’ll come back.”
“I’m sorry, I know how excited you were, but Marty will be happy to know you’re close. Will you reschedule the wedding for when Marty can travel or will you move it back to the West Coast?” he asked, knowing Marty would rather risk another heart attack than miss his daughter’s wedding.
“No, I’m canceling the wedding. Calling it all off,” Bridget said, her back to him.
Hawk froze. “You are?”
“I was sitting in the hospital room as person after person came to check on my dad, on my family. It was six in the morning,” she said softly, “and they were already lining up with this huge outpouring of support. And I realized my support couldn’t make it here until tomorrow, because of a board meeting he just couldn’t manage to hand off to his VP.”
After the short time he’d spent with Jamie, Hawk wasn’t surprised. But he felt bad for Bridget all the same. She’d placed a lot of her dreams on that marriage working, and he knew how hard it was to watch a dream like that die. “Have you told your family?”
“Jamie doesn’t even know.” He watched as she covered her mouth with her hand, trying to control the emotions from spilling out. “He doesn’t even know I’m unhappy.” She closed her eyes, and a tear escaped. “How stupid is that?”
Hawk thought back to the last year of their marriage, and how he’d had no idea Bridget was unhappy. It wasn’t as if there weren’t any signs; she’d even told him she was struggling. But he’d been so busy with the season, he’d chalked it up to growing pains. To the sacrifice that came with being married to a guy who was married to hockey.
“I’m sorry, Bridget.” Hawk placed a hand on her shoulder.
She turned around and her eyes went wide with surprise. “Oh my God, you really are. Most people would tell me I was getting what I deserve after what I did to you. But here you are, genuinely sorry for me.”
