“And by him pursing other interests, did you mean his penis?”
“They’re one and the same.” He leaned toward her. “But just so you know, it’s not about hockey players. I’ve played all my life, and I’ve never cheated. It’s a character issue.”
Kelly grew serious. “How am I supposed to know if a guy’s going to cheat?”
“You can’t always know, but you’ve got to give a guy a fighting chance. What’s the good in painting everyone with the same brush?”
Kelly’s shoulders relaxed. “Yeah, you’re right. Now get out of here before I tell you all my sad stories.”
Just as he turned to leave, Phinny said, “I know you don’t know me, but can I tell you what my friends and I used to say to each other?”
“Sure.” Kelly sounded wary.
“Instead of becoming bitter, be fabulous.”
“I don’t feel all that fabulous,” Kelly said.
“I’m sure, but after a breakup, we’d go shopping, get a new outfit, or change our hair or make-up, whatever it took to feel great about ourselves. It’s hard to get there on your own, so make your friends a powerful posse of badassery.”
Kelly cracked a grin. “Powerful posse of badassery. I like that. If I had the money, I’d get my hair done.” She glanced at her fingernails. “Or a manicure.”
“That’s just what my friends used to do, but it’s not about spending money. It’s about doing something that makes you feel fierce.”
“I’m totally going to do that. Thank you.”
Declan held Phinny’s hand as they headed to the bleachers. “I like that advice.”
“It works, too. It doesn’t stop you from being sad, but it helps you put one foot in front of the other until you’ve gotten over a break-up.” They sat on a bench, so she could put on her skates. “How do you know her?” As she kicked off her sneakers, she tipped her head toward the counter.
“That’s my friend’s cousin. I’ve known her since she was a kid.”
“Did you ever date her?”
“Kelly? No. She’s Jaime’s cousin.”
“So what?”
He really didn’t want to talk about this. “I don’t date women in my circle.”
She quit tying her laces to sit up and say, “Circle?”
“You know, sisters of friends or women I work with.” He wanted to be on the ice with her. Well, really, he wanted an excuse to hold her hand.
“What does that even mean? Isn’t that how we find people to date? From the people in our world?”
“Not me.”
She slid her foot into the other skate. “So, basically, what you’re saying is you don’t date women you’re going to bump into after you bang them.”
“Something like that.”
She peeked at him through a curtain of shiny, silky hair. “Doesn’t that get old? Banging women you barely know?”
“Yeah, I guess it does.” He wasn’t a game player, and he wouldn’t start now. But they did live under the same roof, and she had enough on her plate. She didn’t need the awkwardness of having some guy want more from her than she wanted from him. Phinny was looking for fun. On the other hand, he didn’t see the point in pretending. “To be fair…” Going for it, he looked right into her eyes. “That was before I met you.” His stomach dropped like an elevator plunging several floors. “Before I knew the difference.” Without waiting to see her reaction, he dropped to a knee and tied her laces.
Whatever. It had to be said. He couldn’t hide it, and he’d just have to live with the fall-out. Whatever it was. Finished, he stood and reached for her hand.
When he pulled her up, she nearly crashed into his chest. “Hello.”
He couldn’t help laughing but that whiff of her sweet scent, her creamy, smooth complexion, and those luscious pink lips got his body humming. She didn’t seem uncomfortable with his admission, so maybe it was all right. “Come on.” He led her to the ice.
Clutching his hand, the other arm stretched out for balance, she wobbled.
“I’m pretty sure you think it’s going to be much worse than it is.” Stepping behind her, he angled her shoulders so she could see the youngest kids. “That group right there? They’re six years old.”
“Yes, languages and athletics come naturally to children.”
As he stepped onto the ice, he held both her hands and skated backwards, towing her along. She watched her feet. “Look at me.”
When her gaze swung up, he didn’t see fear about skating. “I’m putting all my trust in you.”
He saw a tender heart. And the protective man in him heard her real meaning and took it seriously. “I got you.” It scares the shit out of me, but I’m here. I’m in it. Even if it only lasted the eight remaining days she was in town, he knew he had to be with her. “Look at you. You’re doing great.” Slowly, he led her around the rink.
She relaxed a little. “You like me.”
“I do.”
“I like you, too.” She was shy, bold, fresh, and dirty all at once.
And he loved it. Loved everything about her.
She grew concerned. “The truth is…I’ve been lying to you.”
He faltered. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I thought you only wanted a hookup, so I made up the idea of you doing me a favor so you wouldn’t freak out. I didn’t want to scare you away.” She gazed unseeing over his shoulder. “It’s just that I’ve had more…” She glanced around at the kids and coaches and then tugged on his hands, pulling him right up to her chest. “Fun with you than with anyone I’ve ever been with.” She lowered her voice. “And with all my drama and messy emotions, I don’t want you to think I’m a stage-five clinger.”
“I can see where you’re coming from. And if you were any other woman, you’d be right on the money. But it’s you, and I don’t think there’s anything you could do to make me lose interest.”
“Declan.” Her eyes went all dreamy. “You’re…” Blinking furiously, she shut her mouth. When she pulled her hands away to wipe under her eyes, she lost her balance, and her arms pinwheeled.
It looked like she might go down, so he caught her around the waist and hauled her up to him. “I’m here for your messy emotions, I’m here for your smile…I’m just here, okay?”
She nodded, her cheeks glowing dark pink.
Before he gave into his impulses and kissed her, he let her go. “Now, give it a try on your own.”
Once again, she flailed, both arms flapping, and she nearly lost her balance.
And once again, he grabbed her. “You realize you’re letting fear get the best of you, right? You’re scared of the ice, but you’ve got this. You’re coordinated and athletic.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because you’ve got awards for dressage.”
“True, but I’m not sure my seat on a horse translates to standing upright on blades.”
“It’s all about confidence. You’re so sure you’re going to fall on your ass, you’ll make it happen. Now, come on. You can do this.”