My Athlete Neighbor (Neighborhood Hotties #2)

Chapter Two

T he gleeful sounds of kids enjoying the library on a snow day filled the children's section as Allison arranged books on the display table. Early morning light filtered through the library's tall windows, casting warm rectangles on the worn carpet where twenty preschoolers would sit this afternoon for story time.

She adjusted the position of The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, centering it perfectly among other winter-themed picture books. The reading circle still needed more pillows, and she had to finish packing the goodie bags and the craft supplies for tomorrow’s Winter Reading Kickoff, but everything was coming together. One week into her new job, and she was finally finding her rhythm.

Well, at work anyway. At home was complicated.

Her cheeks warmed as she remembered waking up in Kane's guest room the morning after the power outage. He'd already left for practice, but there'd been coffee waiting and a post-it note with his phone number "in case of future weather emergencies." She'd been dodging him in the hallways ever since.

She pulled out her planning notebook, settling in at the child-sized table that made her feel like a giant. The Winter Reading Challenge needed a theme. Something about woodland creatures maybe? She could do paper bag puppet crafts, use stuffed animals as reading buddies...

Her phone buzzed. Probably her assistant confirming today's schedule.

Instead, Instagram notifications filled her screen. She'd been tagged in multiple posts.

Congratulations to hockey's favorite cheater! #JesseAndVanessa #SheSaidYes

The phone slipped from suddenly numb fingers.

She was suddenly back in Boston, eight months ago.

"You're being paranoid." Jesse's laugh had that edge to it, the one that made her feel small and silly. "Vanessa's just a fan. She runs my social media accounts."

"A fan who's posting couple photos with you?" Allison had stared at the images flooding her feed. Jesse at restaurants with a stunning blonde. Jesse at charity events with the same woman. Always tagged as "work meetings" but looking awfully cozy.

"It's about engagement numbers. You know how it is." He had reached for her hand across the restaurant table. "Come on, baby. Would I really risk what we have? Your grandfather's been amazing, getting me those connections with the Bruins' management. And you're... you're everything to me."

She'd believed him. Right up until Vanessa posted the truth three weeks later.

Since so many of you have been asking... Yes, Jesse and I are together! Have been for months! Sorry not sorry! #TheHeartWants #CantFightLove

The comments had been brutal.

Isn't he dating Michael Warrant's granddaughter?

Always thought she seemed stuck up. Team Vanessa!

Guess we know how he really got his contract.

"Allison? Are you okay?"

She blinked. Dina, one of the library workers, was watching her with concern.

"Fine." Allison forced a smile, shoving her phone in her pocket. "Just reviewing the schedule."

She gathered the last few books with hands that only slightly shook. Jesse's engagement wasn't a surprise. She'd heard through mutual friends that he and Vanessa were still together. Still, seeing it splashed across social media sucked.

It seemed like a good as time as any to go to lunch. She went home to make a sandwich and ran into Kane in the apartment building’s lobby.

His smile was warm and genuine, nothing like Jesse's calculated charm. It made her stomach flip and her brain started thinking naughty thoughts.

Because the universe had a sense of humor.

The last thing she wanted to do was to get involved with another hockey player, especially one that might think her grandfather could put in a good word for him and get him called up to the NHL.

Kane was retrieving mail from his box, wearing workout clothes that did unfair things to his shoulders. A gym bag sat at his feet, and his dark hair was still damp from what she assumed was morning practice.

"Morning, neighbor," he said. "Haven't seen you much this week."

"Been busy. New job and all." She headed for the stairs, praying he wouldn't follow.

He fell into step beside her. Of course. "How's the library?"

"Good. Great. Lots of... books." Smooth, Allison. Really smooth.

"I was thinking of stopping by. Maybe returning that copy of The Hockey Sweater that crashed into me last week." The teasing note in his voice made her pause on the landing.

She risked a glance at him. His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. Super cute. "I wanted to thank you for your kindness the other night.”

"Anytime." He looked like he wanted to say more, but her phone chose that moment to buzz again. More social media tags probably.

She must have flinched because his expression shifted to concern. "Everything okay?"

"Fine. Just social media drama. Nothing important." She started climbing again. "I need to go grab lunch. I have to be back in an hour for story time."

"Right. Of course." Was that disappointment in his voice? "See you around, neighbor."

She didn't let herself look back as she unlocked her apartment. Hockey players were nothing but trouble, no matter how kind their eyes or genuine their smiles.

Her lunchtime passed in a blur, and soon she was back at the library, setting up the reading circle for story time. Twenty rainbow-colored cushions arranged in a semicircle. Her special storytelling chair positioned just so. A stack of winter-themed books ready to go.

Parents and children began filtering in. The quiet shuffle of young children being settled was interrupted by a new sound. Adult footsteps, accompanied by excited whispers. She looked up. And nearly dropped her book. A tall man in a Charm City Chill jacket was helping a small boy find a cushion. The man looked up, offering an apologetic smile that transformed his serious face.

"Sorry we're late," he said quietly. "Someone couldn't find his favorite dinosaur shirt." He nodded toward the boy, who clutched a well-loved T-Rex plushie.

Allison recognized him from Kane's apartment during the power outage. Liam Something. The goalie.

More whispers rippled through the parents. A few phones appeared, not-so-subtly taking pictures.

Right. Of course a local hero at story time would cause a stir. She needed to regain control of her session.

"Welcome." She pitched her voice to carry without shouting. "We're just starting The Snowy Day . Everyone ready to help Peter explore?"

Twenty small voices responded enthusiastically. The moment passed. She began to read.

To her surprise, Liam turned out to be an excellent story time participant. He did all the movements with his nephew during Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes . He helped nearby kids with their snowflake crafts. His quiet "thank you" when she handed out take-home activity sheets was genuine.

She was cleaning up afterward when he approached, nephew in tow.

"Ms. Warrant?" There was something careful in the way Liam said her name. "Thank you for story time. Max loved it."

She tensed, waiting for the inevitable mention of her grandfather.

"The library in my hometown was my favorite place growing up," he said instead. "It's nice to share that with him."

She found herself smiling. "Next week we're doing dinosaurs."

Max's face lit up. Liam grinned. "We'll be there."

The rest of her day passed normally until her phone rang at three p.m. Her assistant, Jenny, was sick. Really sick. Food poisoning sick.

Allison stared at the Winter Reading Kickoff supply boxes waiting to be unpacked. Normally setup took two people several hours. The event was tomorrow. And she was alone.

She was halfway through the first box of decorations when the children's section door opened.

"Need a hand?"

Kane stood in the doorway, holding The Hockey Sweater and trying to look casual. Like he just happened to be returning a book at the exact moment she needed help.

She should say no. She definitely should say no.

"Actually..." She looked at the mountain of boxes, then back at him. "Yes. If you're offering."

His smile could have powered the entire library.

Two hours later, the children's section was transformed. Paper snowflakes dangled from the ceiling. Book displays created winter woodland scenes. Activity stations waited with goodie bags, craft supplies and reading worksheets.

Kane was surprisingly good at following directions. He'd hung decorations exactly where she pointed, sorted craft supplies, and only made one joke about having experience with goal -oriented activities.

She was trying very hard not to notice how he looked in faded jeans and a soft sweater. Or how his height came in handy for reaching high shelves. Or how his laugh made her stomach flutter when she told him about her worst story time disasters.

"Excuse me?" A new voice interrupted them. "Is this okay?"

A young Asian man stood in the doorway, professional camera in hand. He gestured at the winter wonderland they'd created.

"Oliver." Kane straightened from where he'd been arranging reading logs. "You're early."

"I was in the neighborhood." Oliver turned to Allison. "I'm Oliver Chen. I do the team's YouTube channel. Kane mentioned you might let me film the Winter Reading Kickoff tomorrow? For our community involvement series?"

“I uh actually hadn’t had the chance to mention that yet.” Kane glared daggers at Oliver.

For a moment Allison was going to get her panties in a twist that another hockey player was using her to furnish his own goals. But then she got a hold of herself and realized that Kane had really helped her out of a jam and that having someone promote the library for free on social media was a good idea.

So it was a win-win. Even if it still stung a little.

"Fine with me," she said. "As long as we get the parent’s permission for any children on camera."

Oliver's face lit up. He immediately began framing shots, talking about lighting and angles. Kane moved to help him, their easy friendship evident in their banter.

She watched them work, something warm unfurling in her chest. This wasn't what she'd expected when she'd moved to New Haven. When she'd learned her neighbor was a hockey player. When he offered to help her yet again.

Speaking of which...

"Kane?" She waited until he looked up. "Thank you. For all your hard work today. I appreciate the assistance.”

“See Cap, you can assist instead of hogging the puck,” Oliver said.

Kane punched him lightly without looking at him. "I wanted to,” Kane said to her, then added, "Just like I want you to come to our game Friday night."

Her instinctive "no" must have shown on her face because he quickly continued.

"Just one game. As a thank you for letting us film tomorrow. I'll even throw in hot chocolate."

She should say no. She had every reason to say no.

But he wasn't Jesse. And this was twice that Kane had helped her out when he didn’t have to.

"One game," she found herself saying. "And I'm holding you to that hot chocolate."

His answering smile was more dazzling than all the glitter crafts combined.

Later, after Oliver and Kane had left, she sat in her storytelling chair and tried to convince her racing heart that she hadn't just made a huge mistake. One hockey game didn't mean anything. She wasn't going to let herself get pulled back into that world.

But maybe, just maybe, not all hockey players were the same.

She was probably going to regret finding out.