Page 71 of Lucky Shot
Lily
Is that a real fine or an ‘I’m currently plotting a novel where he gets decapitated’ fine?
Me
The second.
Definitely the second.
18
NICK
“Where’ve you been?” Dad asks as I come through the door.
“At the rink with Ruby and the guys.”
“Oh yeah?” He’s standing in the kitchen next to the stove. The smell of fake cheese and starchy noodles wafts in the air.
The corners of my lips twitch with amusement as I spot the macaroni and cheese box on the counter.
“Aidan is with Beth tonight.”
“I know,” he says, then looks away with a hint of embarrassment playing on his face.
My mouth curves as I lose the battle with a smile.
“It’s fucking delicious,” he finally admits, flashing his own grin at me.
“You never let me eat that shit when I was a kid.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He turns back to the stove to stir the cheese into the cooked noodles.
I grab the milk from the fridge for him and then lean against the counter.
“I thought I saw Ruby down by the lake earlier. How’s the book research going?”
“Good, I think. I’m teaching her how to skate and some hockey basics.”
He grins in a way that tells me he thinks teaching her to skate is code for dating.
“She left to work on her book once the guys showed up for a pick-up game.”
He stops stirring. “How’d that go?”
We haven’t outright talked about it, but he knows I’ve been reluctant to get back out there and play since I was cleared by the doctors.
My skin feels tight under his scrutiny. “We were just messing around mostly.”
“That’s great. First time since the surgery, right?”
“Yeah.” I push off the counter. “Do you want me to grill some burgers or chicken to go with that?”
“Nah, nah. I’m going to eat this and then head into town for Bunco night at the Y.” Absently he massages a spot on his chest.
Just like that a seed of panic works its way through me.
“Are you feeling okay?” I ask him.
