Chapter 8
EIGHT
Rain
Blinking, I thought about my words carefully before I gave Erin a response.
“Are you nuts? I mean, seriously. Because that’s crazy.”
Erin rolled her eyes and huffed out a sigh before flopping into the chair opposite mine in her café.
“So you think it’s stupid?”
“No, that’s not what I said. I said it’s crazy. Not stupid. I actually think it’s brilliant, but I also think you’re nuts for wanting to add this to your plate. Don’t you have enough to do? Seriously, you need to get laid.”
Erin waved that thought away like it was a bad smell. “I don’t have time to get laid. Besides, all the good guys around here are taken or they’re hockey players.”
And Erin wouldn’t be caught dead dating a hockey player. Although, unlike me, she’d never actually dated one. I hadn’t learned my lesson, apparently, since all I could think about was?—
“And you’ve got dibs on the only one I’d even consider dating.”
I wrinkled my nose at her. “What are you talking about?”
Except I was pretty sure I knew what she was talking about.
“Oh please,” she said, “I know you’ve got a thing for Brian.”
“Who says?”
“Your face, every time you talk about him.”
I opened my mouth to deny it, then shut it before I said anything and incriminated myself. Erin grinned, indicating her victory, which made me want to give her the finger. Which would cement her victory in her mind.
“I still think you need to get laid more than you need to start a new business.”
“But I already have the space, and it’s not like we have a bookstore in town. It’d practically be a public service.”
I rolled my eyes, but I could see how excited she was. And honestly…it wasn’t a horrible idea. I loved books. I loved to read. Hell, more than once I’d lamented that the nearest bookstore was almost an hour away. Of course, we had a library, but I couldn’t own those books and horde them in my house…
“Don’t you think you’d be biting off more than you can chew? I mean, you’ve already got the radio station and the newspaper and the café. There’s just not that much time in the day.”
“Granddad still runs the newspaper. Mostly. And Gil takes care of the radio station. I could do it.” She paused, her eyes lighting up, and I knew exactly where she was going before she opened her mouth to finish. “If I had a partner.”
“Uh…”
I should say no. I had so much on my plate already. I had a more-than-full-time job. I volunteered at no fewer than three local organizations. Christmas was around the corner and after that, the Winter Carnival in February, which was a part-time job in itself.
And yet…
I wanted to say yes. My mind already raced with ideas, and my gaze wandered around the space. There was more than enough room for bookshelves if she lost some of the tables. I’d always thought this space was too big for just the bakery. Too much empty space, too many tables. It made the business look uninviting. And I knew there were a few rooms on the other side of the wall with the radio station that could work as well.
“Rain?”
“Uh-huh.”
Enough room for a children’s area and a few cozy chairs and couches tucked into the shelves. The café could host book clubs and after-school reading groups and?—
“Say yes, Rain.”
I wanted to. Damn it, I really wanted to. This would be something just for me, and I couldn’t help feeling that if I didn’t say yes, I’d regret it. I also knew I usually jumped in with both feet before I truly thought things through. I always made it work out, no matter the cost, which was usually to my sanity.
I met Erin’s gaze and saw the hope shining there.
You could do this. You’d have a partner, someone to split the work ? —
“Let me sleep on it, okay?”
Trying to rein in her smile, Erin nodded. “No problem. Of course. I know it’s a big decision, but I have thought through a lot of the logistics. I’ve even put together a cost projection and business plan. And it’d be so much fun to do it together.”
Digging into the pile of papers on the table, she grabbed a folder and put it into my outstretched hand.
“I know you’re going to be busy getting ready for the carnival next month, so take your time.” Her smile turned sly. “And maybe take a little time to have fun with, oh, I don’t know, a hot hockey player.”
Rolling my eyes and sighing, I put the folder in my bag and lifted my mug to my mouth so I couldn’t stick my foot in my mouth. At least until I swallowed.
“I’m not looking to date anyone yet. Especially another player.”
Except if Brian asked me out, I’d say yes so fast, he’d probably reconsider and run the other way. Not that he would ask because he had a lot on his plate at the moment, including caring for his twelve-year-old niece and getting back into hockey life.
“Right.” Erin drew the word out to about five syllables. “But if you think I need to get laid, honey, you should take a look in the mirror.”
I didn’t need to. I knew exactly what I saw every morning. The bags under my eyes from restless sleep. Because I couldn’t’ stop thinking about a certain hockey player. “I’m perfectly fine being by myself right now.”
Erin’s brows rose. “Uh-huh. You should try saying that a few more times. Maybe you’ll believe it then.”
“Rainy! Can you shoot me those sweater designs for the games in March? Dad said I need to get them approved by the other teams before we send them to be made.”
Closing my eyes, I took a breath and reached for calm, because this was the third time Rowdy had yelled from his office next door. I wanted to go next door and smack him on the head with the desk phone that he could use instead of yelling, then walk out again and not answer his goddamn question.
And since I refused to dignify his yelling with my own, when we had a perfectly working intercom system, I ignored him.
“Rain, you over there?”
I pulled up the file for the sweater designs then opened the program I used to create our social media posts and got to work on next week’s posts. And waited.
“Rain? You know I can hear you typing.”
I clenched my teeth together and flexed my fingers over the keyboard before I started to type again.
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” I barely heard Rowdy grumble, before he yelled, “Fine!”
I didn’t bother to hide my grin when Rowdy walked into my office. I waited for him, leaning back in my chair, arms crossed over my chest.
“Yes, I know there’s an intercom,” he groused. “Don’t start on me. Can you please send me the designs? Pretty please. Oh, and come to dinner tonight. I totally forgot to say something earlier.”
“I sent the file as soon as I heard you get up to walk over here. And why are you inviting me to dinner? You never invite me to dinner.”
He gave me a confused look. “Bullshit. You’re just always too busy to come.”
I had to give him that. “Okay, thanks, but why the sudden invite?”
“Brian and Maddy are coming. I told him about the ECHL thing, and I wanna pick his brain. I figured you’d want to be there too.”
“You told him?”
“Yeah. He won’t say anything. You know that. I want another player’s perspective. You and I, we’re too close to it. Be good to have an outsider’s viewpoint.”
Since I couldn’t fault him for his logic, I gave him grudging props.
“Damn, look at you being all business-minded and shit.”
He narrowed his eyes at me, which I had to say was a pretty damn good impression of our dad. “And look at you being a brat. Like always. Just come to dinner.”
Since I didn’t have plans, and my brother was a really good cook, damn him, I sighed dramatically and gave in. “Since you asked so nice…”
I thought he’d leave then, but he surprised me by falling into the chair in front of me. I looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to spit out what he wanted to say.
“So, I need to go to Harrisburg, and I was hoping you’d go with me.”
“What? Why?” My brain still stuck in hockey mode, I didn’t realize the weird way he was looking at me meant— “Oh. Oh! Rowdy, are you gonna?—”
“Don’t say it.” He spoke in a low whisper. “I haven’t told anyone else. But yeah, I am. And I want you to go with me to help pick out a, ah, well, you know.”
My brother looked so adorably out of his depth that I couldn’t help but squeal, just a little. I jumped up out of my chair and ran around my desk to wrap him in a big hug. Then I gave him a smack on the back of the head just because.
“Finally,” I said. “I was beginning to think you were going to let this drag on too long. When do you wanna go?”
Rowdy’s grin stretched from ear to ear when I pulled back to sit on the edge of my desk.
“I was thinking the first week in January. She and Krista are going to spend New Year’s Eve in New York and stay for a few days to see her coworkers and her former neighbor. They’ll be back late Wednesday night, so we could leave early Wednesday and be in Harrisburg by eleven. I’ll even treat you to lunch. If you’re busy?—”
“Nope. Not busy.” And if I were, I’d totally change my plans for this. “What about Mom?”
He shook his head. “She’s gonna have her hands all over the wedding. If Tressy says yes. Which is great. I’m good with that. I just thought this was something you and I could do together.”
Sometimes Rowdy made up for all the times he was a pain-in-the-ass big brother.
“I would love to,” I said without a trace of snark. “I’m honored.”
“Thanks, Rainy.” Standing, he reached over and tapped me on the chin. “I appreciate it. I know you won’t let me buy anything stupid.”
“Of course not. Plus, I know what all her favorite jewelry looks like, so I know what style we should be looking for.”
“And this is why I asked you and not Rebel or Rocky. I’m gonna have other things for them to help me with.”
“Sounds like you’ve got plans.”
Rowdy just smiled. “I got a few things up my sleeves.”
“I’m really happy for you. Tressy’s great, and Krista’s a sweetheart. I can’t wait to be an official aunt.”
“Hey, speaking of kids, thanks for helping Brian get his niece situated. I can tell he’s feeling kinda overwhelmed.”
“It’s no problem.” Were my cheeks getting hot? Why were they doing that? “I’d do it for any of the players, you know that.”
“I know. Just wanted to let you know I appreciate it.”
He got up then and moved to the door but before he left, he turned back.
“Don’t forget dinner tonight.”
Yeah, like that was gonna happen. I smiled and made a shooing motion with my hands toward the door. “Of course I won’t. Now go, I’ve got actual work to do. And you have to deal with the other owners about the sweaters.” Something I hated to do and was happy to let Rowdy handle this year. “Have fun with that.”
“Love you too, Rainbow Brite. See you tonight.”
I refused to go through the whole “what to wear” situation like I had the other night. I knew exactly what any of my friends would tell me.
“Wear something that makes you feel good.”
Right now, I was seriously contemplating putting my pajamas on and crawling into bed with a new book, but I was an adult, for fuck’s sake, and I had obligations.
Just admit it. You want to see him and you’re acting like a teenager with a crush.
I gave my reflection in the mirror the finger and turned away with a huff. So far, I’d pulled on a pair of jeans that didn’t have a baggy ass, so I figured I was off to a good start.
Most of my clothes had been chosen with comfort in mind. And warmth. Hockey arenas were cold in the winter. Duh. But that meant flannel and fleece comprised a big part of my wardrobe. Yeah, I had cute flannel shirts, but they were still flannel.
And no, I didn’t want to wear flannel tonight. I wanted to look like a woman who might someday actually get laid again. Who actually wanted to get laid by the man I’d be seeing tonight. And who was totally out of reach due to circumstances beyond my control. Which sucked.
Brian had so much on his plate right now. And the fixer in me wanted to make everything better.
I have a problem. I know. Don’t judge me.
Fuck it. I am who I am.
I grabbed a long-sleeved t-shirt in a pretty shade of blue that I never wore because it wasn’t Devils’ colors, but it was fitted and made my boobs look great. A little makeup and a loose braid that hung over my shoulder, and I looked presentable. Okay, maybe more than presentable.
Damn it, I looked good. Before I changed my mind and tried to change into, oh, maybe a paper bag or something, I headed out the door.
Rowdy had built his home on part of the land our parents had owned. Mom and Dad had gifted all four kids with a couple of acres. Rowdy had built on his, a gorgeous house for the family he’d always wanted. And now had.
I hadn’t decided what to do with my section yet. I hadn’t been ready to build my own house when I decided to move out of my parents’, and I wanted to be closer to town, so I’d bought my little house, which I adored. It was just the right size for me. But just for me. I couldn’t imagine having to share it with anyone.
The drive took about ten minutes, and that’s only because I hit the one stoplight in town, and I had to wait for a couple of deer to scoot out of the way before I could park in Rowdy’s driveway.
So I was five minutes late. Brian was already there. Just seeing his truck parked out front made my heart pound. But I got out of my car and walked up to the door, reaching for the doorknob before reminding myself to knock. Before Tressy and Krista had moved in, I would’ve just walked in.
I’d barely rapped on the door before it flew open, making my eyes widen until I saw the reason why.
“Rainbow! You’re here.”
Krista wrapped her arms around my waist and squeezed. I reciprocated with a quick hug before she pulled back and started to bounce, her smile wide and her curls in two adorable ponytails above her ears.
“Hey there. What’s got you all excited?”
I walked into the house, pretty sure I knew the answer to my question.
“Rain’s here!” Krista shouted, making me wince at the decibel level, then she grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the back of the house.
I heard voices, one in particular that made it hard for me to breathe, but Krista kept up a running commentary all the way to the kitchen.
“Maddy and Brian are here. Maddy’s gonna play games with me after dinner. She likes Candy Land and Hungry Hungry Hippos. And she said she’ll watch Blue’s Clues with me and then Tangled and Zootopia .”
“Sounds like you’ve got your night all planned out.”
“Well, you gotta have a plan, right?”
We’d just reached the kitchen and every single adult in the room laughed, because she’d absolutely picked that up from me.
“I think maybe Krista’s been spending a little too much time with you,” Rowdy said, his eyes crinkled with laughter.
“Don’t mind him.” Tressy smacked her hand against my brother’s chest, her grin just as wide as his. “Krista, why don’t you take Rain’s coat to the chair with the others. Rainy, what can I get you to drink?”
I was about to say a beer but realized no one else was drinking alcohol. They all had what looked like soda.
“Ginger ale, please. With a lime, if you’ve got it.”
Rowdy turned to get my drink, and I took a seat at the island, turning to smile at Maddy, who actually looked like she might smile for a second. Of course, she didn’t. Then my gaze met Brian’s, and my smile locked into place.
He looked lickable tonight. Not that he didn’t most of the time, but tonight… I don’t know what it was about a hot guy in a Henley shirt with the buttons open. I totally wanted to put my mouth on him and slide my tongue from his collarbone to just below his ear and then I’d?—
Shit. I blinked and looked away, anywhere but at Brian.
Way to make it awkward.
Luckily, Rowdy slid a glass in front of me and announced it was time to eat, saving me from any further ridiculous staring and grinning.
I was worried dinner would be uncomfortable, with me trying not to lust after my brother’s best friend and all, but Krista saved the day. Chattering to everyone about school and even getting Maddy to engage. Tressy kept the conversation centered around the girls, and she even got Maddy to admit that school today hadn’t been horrible, though she did have homework.
Rowdy, damn him, was a really good cook, and his pasta sauce was amazing. I concentrated on eating and not getting sauce all over my clothes, which I managed to do, just barely. And when the last plate had been put in the dishwasher, and the girls were settled in front of the fireplace with their games and the TV playing one of my favorite Disney movies, Rowdy sat across from me at the table and held my gaze.
“So. What do you think we should do?”
I’d hung my tote on the back of my chair because I knew I’d want the notebook I’d been jotting things down in since Dad had dropped his bombshell yesterday.
Ignoring Rowdy’s smirk, I opened it to the first page.
“Where do you want me to start?”
Rowdy shrugged then tipped his chair back so he could reach the tablet I hadn’t noticed on the island behind him.
“I don’t have a fucking clue,” he said.
Tressy and Brian both chuckled, which made me roll my eyes and mock-glare at them.
“You two are not helping.”
“I’m just here for moral support.” Tressy waved a hand at Brian. “He’s the one with the hockey experience.”
“And honestly, I just came for the food.”
Brian’s grin widened when Rowdy threw his pen at his chest, which Brian caught with amazing ease.
“Well, now it’s time to pay for your supper.” Rowdy caught the pen Brian threw back at him then pointed it at me. “Okay, Rain. You’re up.”
Forcing my brain to focus on something that wasn’t Brian, I looked at my six pages of notes.
“Do we want to start with pros or cons?”
“Which do you have more of?”
Trust Rowdy to think of the one question that made my brain stumble around for a second.
I flipped through the pages. “Pros.” By a lot, actually. But… “I think the cons are more important.”
“Then you start with the pros,” Brian said. “Get them out there first.”
I smiled at him, and when he smiled back, I had to remind myself we had interested observers. Especially a nosy older brother who was looking at me like he knew exactly what I was thinking.
And he probably did.
Focus.
“Pro number one.” I gave Rowdy the finger, just because I could. And it was totally worth it to hear Brian’s low, raspy laughter. “Increased visibility for the team.”
“We’re filling seats now.” Rowdy tapped his pen against his pad. “But, yeah, we’d probably be able to pull in another thousand a game. But do we want to?”
“We won’t ever be sold out every night, but more butts in seats means more money coming in.”
“And more money going out,” Brian chimed in. “More employees, more cleaning people, more food.”
I nodded, giving Brian a quick smile before continuing. “Not to mention wear and tear on seats and the parking lot and the restrooms. The arena holds eight thousand. If we get five thousand for a game, it gets dicey with the concession lines.”
Rowdy nodded. “Those aren’t necessarily cons, but something to think about. Okay, pro number two?”
I didn’t have to check my notes, I pretty much had them memorized. “It’s a step up so it’s a selling point. Not that we’re not a professional league, but there’s more name recognition with the ECHL. Plus, we’d presumably be affiliated with an AHL team, which could mean some financial and promotional aid with them.
“It also means we may get more players down from the AHL, if they’re rehabbing or just need more playing time than they’re getting in the AHL.”
“And that could bring in more people.”
“And bump our guys off the roster.”
Rowdy went quiet, his attention inward for several seconds before he narrowed in on me again.
“And that’s one of your cons, isn’t it?”
I nodded. “Of course. Our team has always been a safe haven for our guys. Dad’s made sure of that. The guys know they can come here to get their shit together.”
“And when they need help keeping their shit together.”
Brian’s quiet comment drew everyone’s attention, and I reached over to wrap my hand around his without a second thought. I would’ve done the same with anyone else, but the moment he turned his hand in mine and squeezed, everyone else disappeared. It was just him and me and the warmth in his eyes and the beating of my heart.
Then my idiot brother reached across the table and took Brian’s other hand. “And when you need to get the shit beat out of you, I’ll be here for you.”
Brian’s laughter made me ache deep inside as he tossed Rowdy’s hand back across the table. But not before he squeezed my hand again before releasing me.