“That was unbelievable. I can’t believe how well some of them play already.” The wind whips around my head, blowing my hair around my face, but I’m too excited to care.
Ash nods proudly as I go on and on about the Mini Mite hockey game. Never in a million years did I expect him to take me to watch four and five-year-old kids play hockey, but it is somehow still so him.
“How did you get started coaching and how long have you been doing it?”
He runs a hand over his jaw. “Not long. Last summer Maverick asked if any of us wanted to help with a hockey camp that his buddy was running. It was a few weeks, no big deal. The camp was all ages, so we got split up and I ended up with the youngest group.” One shoulder lifts in a small shrug. “I enjoyed it and asked around about places I might be able to help. Rhett, that’s Maverick’s friend, put me in touch with the league president and that’s pretty much it. I don’t get to too many practices, but I try to make any games that I can. They’re a trip.”
“I loved it. Thank you for bringing me here.” Every little thing I learn about him has me falling harder for him despite all my misgivings.
We come to a stop next to the passenger side door of his truck and I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him like I’ve wanted to do for the past hour.
He makes this little humming noise deep in his throat when we break apart. “You’re welcome, but it’s not over yet.”
“It’s not?”
He shakes his head. “Nope. We have one more stop.”
“Is it your bed?” I ask hopefully.
Silent laughter makes his chest rise and fall and a wolfish smile takes over his face. “Make that two more stops.”
We drive back to Ash’s house, but instead of parking his truck at his place, he pulls up to the curb in front of Jack’s.
“I’m intrigued,” I say hesitantly as Ash grabs a bag from the back seat and gets out.
We head around the back of the house instead of going in the front.
“Uhh…do I need to worry that this night is going to end in the back of a police car?”
“Jack’s not home and he knows we’re stopping by.”
I still feel like I’m doing something I shouldn’t be as Ash leads me into the backyard and then to a gate at the other side of the property. He tries the handle and then clicks his tongue when it doesn’t budge.
“I forgot the key.”
“The key to what?”
“I’ll give you a boost over.” Ash laces his fingers together and looks at me expectantly.
“You want to toss me over the fence first? Do I look gullible to you?”
“I promise I’ll be right behind you.” He gives me a quick kiss before resuming his position.
With a whole lot of nerves, I put my foot in Ash’s hands and let him help me over the fence. I land with a thud, ungracefully but unhurt thankfully. I stand and brush off the back of my jeans as I take in the sight in front of me.
“Heads up,” Ash says before launching the bag and then himself over to join me.
My gaze is glued to the darkened courts. The lines and net are barely visible in the moonlight, but my heart races.
“Ash,” I whisper, turning my head slowly to look at him. His cocky smile mixed with the sweetness of him bringing me here has warmth spreading through me.
“Pretty cool, right?” He moves over to a metal box and flips a door open, clicks a few buttons, and lights flood the tennis courts. There are two, side by side. The green and blue surface has white lines. It’s even covered.
All of it looks new, or barely used, which Ash confirms when he says, “He just built it last year. He’s always adding on something in the off-season. A pool house, a jogging path around the lake, and basketball and tennis courts. “I thought he was crazy, but turns out he just had really good foresight.”
With a wink he goes to the bags and pulls out rackets and balls. I’m still overwhelmed by all of it. Him, the hockey game, the fact he remembered something I said months ago—all of it.
I swallow around a lump in my throat as he extends one racket to me.
“Try to take it easy on me.”
My fingers wrap around the handle and my chest tightens. The weight of the racket in my hand is familiar and comforting. “I haven’t played in so long. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
He spins his racket and bounces a ball, looking like a pro. I have no doubt he’s good. Ash doesn’t strike me as someone who does anything badly.
We hit the ball back and forth without keeping score. I’m rusty, as I expected. And as expected, Ash is pretty good. Neither of us are going that hard though and it feels nice just to be playing.
“You’re incredible,” Ash says when we stop to catch our breath. My stomach flips at his compliment and the genuine delight in his eyes. “How long has it been since you played?”
“I can’t even remember. A year, give or take.”
His brows lift. “That long? I’d never know it. You’re really fucking good.”
I tap the racket against my thigh and look at the ground. “Thanks.”
“Do you miss it?”
“Yeah. I don’t think I even realized how much,” I say honestly. “I shouldn’t have quit.”
“Why did you?”
“I don’t know. I was decent, but I was never going to play beyond college or anything.” I keep staring at my feet. “It was a big time commitment and with school and work, it seemed like the logical thing to cut.”
I can still see Gabe’s unimpressed, condescending smile when I told him I was going to cut back my hours at the hospital so I could make it work. ‘It’s a waste of time. You’re not talented enough to make it professionally, so what’s the point?’ He’d always try to soften the blow by adding, ‘I’m not trying to hurt your feelings.’
In hindsight, that’s exactly what he was doing.
Ash steps forward. He ducks down to catch my eye. The lights hit his face and he shoots a concerned and questioning smile at me. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Sorry. Being here just brings up a lot of memories. I thought I had come to terms with not playing anymore.”
“Do you still enjoy it?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “I do.”
“Then you should do it more. Who cares if you’re not going to make a career out of it?”
“Says the guy who gets paid to play hockey,” I say.
“I’d do it for free.” His face tells me how sincere he is about that statement. Then he grins. A grin that pushes the past out of my mind. “But it is a lot cooler that they pay me for it.”
“Thank you.” I tap my racket against his. “This was the best date I’ve ever been on.”
“Same.”
We hit the ball around a little while longer and then head back to his truck. He turns the heat on full blast, and we warm our fingers in front of the vents.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah, of course. What’s up?” He takes my hands in his and rubs them.
“Did something happen with Gabe last night?” After the game he seemed to have a different attitude about my ex than before.
“Not exactly.” His jaw works back and forth before he speaks again like he’s carefully considering his next words. “He made a few comments about my stats being down this season and how maybe I need a change of scenery.”
My stomach drops and I pull my hands away. “Oh my god. Why didn’t you say something?”
“You don’t need to worry.”
“Not worry? He’s threatening your career because of me.”
“I can handle him. I’ve struggled to get back in a rhythm since my injury, but I’ll get there.”
I feel like crying or screaming.
“Hey.” He takes my hands again and brings them to his chest. “Everything is going to be fine. All right? There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
He doesn’t move until I nod. Then a boyish grin takes over his face. “Come on. I hear the best way to warm up is to get naked and share body heat.”
