7. Just The Tip
CHAPTER 7
JUST THE TIP
BAY
I t shouldn’t surprise me that everyone knows how things ended between me and Topher.
After all Talia is Tucker’s sister and I’m under no illusion that the way my relationship crashed and burned at the end of last spring was the talk of the entire campus.
That’s why I came back for my senior year determined to stay away from hockey players.
My sudden, uncomfortable squirm doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Bay? Are you ok?” Ryker’s unnerving blue eyes are fixed on me in a way that makes me feel suddenly exposed.
My first instinct is to tell him that I’m fine, but I’m tired of putting on a brave face. The last few months have been exhausting and I don’t know how long I can take it anymore.
“No, I’m not ok.” I lower my eyes, staring at the table as if it was a one of a kind masterpiece. “I came back to Star Cove with a goal in mind. I was going to concentrate on school and on my business. No dating, no boys at all. Especially no hockey players. I should have stuck to my resolution, instead I got involved with Jagger and I got hurt again. They say the definition of insanity is to keep repeating the same mistakes over and over, expecting a different outcome. And here I am. As if getting disrespected by Topher and Jagger wasn’t enough, I just did it again. Out with another hockey player. And I just warned Talia off hockey players. I’m such a hypocrite.”
The way Ryker’s hand clenches and unclenches on the table makes me look at his face again.
I have the feeling he wants to take my hand but he’s unsure if I want to be touched. I don’t know how I feel right now. What does it say about me that I really want to feel his big, warm, slightly rough hand against mine? It is insane when I just realized that I keep repeating the same mistakes.
Ryker moves his hand away, playing with the edges of the menu open in front of him. “I know exactly what you mean.” He finally says.
I tilt my head, curious about the storm that’s brewing in his eyes as he agrees with me.
“I came to Star Cove with the same goal.” He offers.
The tension at our table could be cut with the proverbial knife, but I can’t resist uttering the question on the tip of my tongue. “Really? You wanted to stay away from hockey players too?”
My dorky sense of humor has the effect to lighten the mood, if only for a second.
“Yeah, that would be hard since I’m a hockey player myself.” Ryker chuckles, but the hilarity in his tone is short lived. “I meant dating. I came to Star Cove to concentrate on getting my degree and honing my skills on the ice for one last season before I step on NHL ice next year. No girls, no frat parties, no distractions.”
I look at him under a new light. “Aren’t you a Gamma Delta Tau member?”
“I let my membership go inactive,” Ryker explains. “Coach expects me to show some team spirit and since pretty much the entire team is Gammas, I have to show my face at parties and I’ve been at the house for team meetings. But I’m not interested in the whole Greek lifestyle anymore.”
My curiosity is definitely peaked. “I sense a story there?”
Ryker sighs, his expression troubled as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. “You don’t know why I transferred here from South Carolina for my senior year?” he asks.
“No. There was some speculation about it when it was announced last year, but then I left for the summer and all I’ve heard is that you and your coach didn’t get along.”
“You could fucking say that,” Ryker snorts. “I guess Coach Harrison kept his word that he would be discreet about it. My former coach in Hemlock hates me.”
Ryker tells me how he’s been accused of having a sexual relationship with his previous coach’s daughter. “The crazy thing is that Alexis and I were just friends. She was actually sleeping with my roommate. My biggest mistake was to be there for her as a friend when they broke up. Alexis used me to make her ex jealous and told everyone we were hooking up. I’ve never even kissed her. I didn’t like her that way.”
I feel bad for Ryker.
Gossip is a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. Some vicious blog posts almost cost Lakyn her relationship with her guys last spring. “So people judged you even though you were just a good friend to her?”
He sighs. “Yeah. Everyone decided it must be true, since I was known for hooking up pretty regularly. My old coach didn’t even want to hear my side of the story. He made my life hell. When he didn’t bench me for no reason, he blamed me for every little mistake the team made on the ice.”
That makes a lot of sense. “I understand why you wanted to leave. Is that why you didn’t even come to play in the Frozen Four finals last year?”
The muscle in Ryker’s jaw jumps. “Why should I?” he snorts. “None of my teammates supported me. They were too scared of what Coach could have done to them for siding with me. Coach Harrison offered me a way out of that shit show and not playing against my future team was the least I could do.”
It’s my turn to snort. “Don’t be too modest, Ryker. We would have won anyway, even with you on the ice.”
His cocky smile, the one that has been making me furious since the moment Ryker and I first met, makes an appearance. “Yeah, tell yourself that. We both know the final might have had a very different outcome if I had played. But whatever. I’m a Cove Knight now, so it doesn’t matter.”
There’s a beat of silence, as we let our situation sink in.
I lift my gaze to meet his and I get trapped in that ice blue gaze of his, lost in the storm that’s brewing in there. It goes against all logic and yet, I know how he feels. For some strange twist of fate, Ryker and I understand each other. Then there’s that powerful, heady attraction that makes the air between us crackle with electricity. It’s been this way since the second we met and began antagonizing each other.
The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I’m hesitant to speak them.
The feeling is short lived though. I need to trust my intuition and follow my heart. The situation I’m in is the result of not trusting my instincts. I should have broken things up with Topher way sooner than I did. The second I caught a glimpse of his manipulative, selfish side. Way before he had the chance to hurt me, to undermine my confidence by making me feel less than worthy of his snobby family. Before he cheated on me.
I exhale a steadying breath and grab the courage with both hands. “So we both sworn off dating and drama. What are we doing here, Ryker?”
The intensity in his eyes burns me from the inside out. The way the corner of his lips quirks up in just the hint of a smile sends a rush of heat all the way down between my legs. A faint throbbing makes me clench, I’m grateful to be sitting down because I doubt my knees would support me right now.
“I couldn’t leave you there, watching Jagger do whatever the fuck he’s doing,” Ryker finally says. “It was obvious that his behavior hurt you and I wanted, no I needed , to get you out of there.”
His words are kind and he sounds completely genuine, then why do they rub me the wrong way?
Rather than thanking him, like I should, I feel affronted. “I’m no damsel in distress.” I snap. It comes out way harsher than intended.
If he told me to fuck off and left me here, I wouldn’t totally blame him.
“I know, Cinnamon.” In total contrast with mine, his tone is soft. “That much has been clear since the first time I saw you. That’s what has drawn me to you, aside from the obvious.”
It’s my turn to smile. “What’s the obvious?” I know, I know. I’m totally fishing for compliments right now.
Ryker indulges me. “I’m sure you’ve looked in a mirror before, Bay. You don’t need me to tell you that you’re gorgeous. There are a lot of gorgeous women out there though. What I can’t seem to resist, even if it means trouble, is your kick ass, take no prisoners attitude. The way I see it, I didn’t rescue you tonight. The one who should thank me is Jagger. I took you away before he found one of your stilettos stuck where the sun don’t shine.”
Thank fuck I wasn’t drinking, because I would have snorted my drink out of my nose in the most unladylike way ever. “You make me sound like a menace.” I laugh.
Ryker’s eyes glint with amusement. “No, not at all. You’re fierce but you aren’t a bitch. You don’t take any crap from anyone, not even from me. That’s what I like the most about you.”
He likes me.
It’s not exactly what he said, but he thinks I’m hot and he likes my attitude. He likes the same thing Topher seemed to have a problem with at the end of our relationship.
It takes a strong man to not feel threatened by a confident woman and that’s one of the things I found so attractive about Ryker. His perfect face and a body worthy of a magazine cover are just the icing on the cake.
I don’t tell him any of that though.
“Thank you, Ryker.” I say instead. “You might think I’m strong but I really needed help tonight. Thank you for walking into my drama. After what you’ve been through, I would have understood if you hadn’t.”
He covers my hand with his. “You were genuinely hurt, Cinnamon. I could see that you weren’t trying to create drama. Someone like Alexis would have tried to stay at the party and get closer to me to make Jagger jealous. You didn’t use me like that. Like I knew you wouldn’t. That’s why I stepped in.”
I’m about to thank him again, but our server arrives, ready to take our orders.
It’s been a long, busy day and I haven’t had anything to eat since the protein bar I ate between classes. I realize that I’m starving.
RYKER
“This was delicious,” I polish off the last bite of my double bacon cheeseburger. “Thank you for bringing me here. If the hockey season had been over, I would have ordered another plate of fried pickles.”
Bay groans, sitting back on the booth, holding her flat stomach with both her perfectly manicured hands. “I’m glad you didn’t. I’m so full, I could burst. But there’s no way I can say no to Joe’s fried pickles. I would eat until I feel sick.”
I chuckle. “We don’t want that. But you said this place stays open all year, so we can come back.”
The implication in my words is clear. I want to see Bay again.
She smiles but doesn’t say anything.
I guess her company is a privilege I need to earn. Fine. I’m up for the task
I meant it when I said I came to Star Cove determined to eat, breathe and sleep hockey.
All I wanted was to get through this year, graduate and stay out of trouble.
If trouble comes in the form of Bay Woods though? Sign me right up.
Bay is the total package. She’s beautiful and kind, intelligent and driven and sexy as fuck. I respect everything about her, including the fact that she likes to eat and didn’t order a salad with everything on the side.
“Do you think you have any room for dessert?” I ask with a smile.
Her blue eyes turn mischievous. “Are you challenging me, Ryker Moore?”
I shake my head. “No, but I always leave a little corner for something sweet.” I say that letting my eyes descend down the length of her gorgeous body. I’m flirting pretty shamelessly but I don’t think she minds.
She chooses to ignore my innuendo. “That can be arranged. But I think I need a minute to let dinner settle before I eat anything else. A walk down the pier could be just what I need. Then we can share a funnel cake. They have the best here and that’s open all year round too.”
“Sounds perfect,” I rise from my seat. “Just let me pay a quick visit to the restroom first.”
In reality, I don’t need the bathroom. I just sneak off to pay for our meal. I have the feeling that if I waited for our server to come to the table, she would fight to pay her share.
My hunch is confirmed when I return to the table. “Ready to go?” I smile.
“Wait, let me waive our waitress down, so I can pay.”
I shake my head. “It’s taken care of.”
She immediately starts to argue. “Ryker. I wanted to buy you dinner as a thank you for stepping in. At the very least, let me pay my share.”
I glare at her when she opens her purse to take her wallet out. “Bay.”
My tone brooks no argument, but she’s stubborn.
“At least let me get the tip.”
She offered that one up on a silver platter.
I can’t resist the urge to tease her. “I didn’t peg you as a ‘just the tip’ kind of girl.”
Bay snorts, conflicted between laughing at my crass joke and fighting me on this. “Ryker.” She says again.
Fuck. I really like the way my name sounds on her lips. I can’t get enough.
“Bay.” I use my sternest tone, but then throw her a lifeline. “The waitress has been generously tipped. Talia too. Come on, let’s go for that walk and if you’re a good girl, I’ll let you buy me some funnel cake.”
Her smile widens and she nods, grabbing her purse and stepping out of our booth.
I have the feeling she likes it when I call her a good girl.
The night is pleasantly warm, the lights of the pier a little too bright to allow us to see any stars, but it doesn’t matter. Tonight I only have eyes for Bay.
I try my luck by taking her hand into mine and she lets me. We walk in comfortable silence, close enough that her arm is brushing mine. The floral scent of her shampoo drifts up to my nose and I’m itching to pull her closer.
It takes me one second too long to gather the courage though, as Bay sees the only souvenir shop that’s open and takes off, dragging me with her.
We spend a while wandering around the store, trying on sunglasses and hats, looking at postcards and t-shirts.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve had this much fun. The vibe between us is easy and the tension from the beginning of the night seems to have dissipated. Bay appears relaxed as she looks at the cheap trinkets with childlike wonder.
It’s contagious and I don’t think I’ve enjoyed myself this much in years. Of course I take every opportunity to get close to her. It’s mostly brief, casual touches. Taking her hand to draw her attention to something, tucking a strand that’s escaped her ponytail behind her ear.
“Oh look,” she beams. “A tiny keychain with the pier’s Ferris wheel. I love Ferris wheels, my Nana used to take Lakyn and I to ride every single one we could visit. Both in New York and Jersey and anywhere we went on vacation. It’s always been our thing.”
She puts it back on the display, smiling at some distant memory.
I grab it and go to the register to buy it.
“Ryker, you already bought me dinner.” She argues, when I offer her the small, white paper bag with the trinket.
“I just wanted you to have a memory of our date,” I say. “You promised me some funnel cake, I’m still holding you to that.”
“Deal.” She smiles. “Thank you, I love it. I wish we could go on the Ferris wheel, but it’s closed, they’re restoring it. Star Cove’s Ferris wheel is an antique, it has been in operation since the pier first opened.” She looks at the tall wheel at the end of the pier, her gaze wistful.
“We’ll have to come back when they reopen it.” I propose.
“It could be months. It’s low season, so they might take their time.”
“We’ll be here.” I insist.
I let the implication that I want to come back here with her, even if it’ll be months before they reopen, linger between us.
Usually just the thought of seeing someone for months would make me run for the hills. But this is Bay, and I think it’s time to accept that she has me under some kind of spell. The crazy thing is that I don’t want to snap out of it any time soon.
The funnel cake is as good as Bay promised and we share one, walking toward the end of the pier.
The wheel might not be working, but she promises that the view from the furthest point on the water is breathtaking.
It’s one of the best nights I’ve ever had, walking side by side with Bay, laughing and talking about everything and nothing.
“My sister told me that there’s a Mouth of Truth horoscope game that gives surprisingly accurate predictions.” Bay says when we’re halfway to the Ferris wheel.
I’m not trying to be an asshole, but I can’t stifle a skeptical smile. “Do you believe in that kind of thing?”
Bay narrows her eyes, reminding me of the way she reacted to everything I said until very recently.
“I’m not judging,” I explain. “I just didn’t think you’d believe in that kind of stuff. You’re a woman of science.” I really don’t want to end this night with a fight.
My words have the desired effect.
“I don’t believe in it,” she explains, appeased. “But I don’t not believe in it. You must admit that there is stuff out there that science can’t explain.”
I remain cautious, more curious than judgmental. “Maybe because science doesn’t have the means to explain certain things yet, but it might in the future. You must admit that things that used to be attributed to the gods in ancient times, were explained by science later. Like thunder, you know? The Greeks thought that was a sign that Zeus was angry with us.”
Bay stops walking to look at me for a brief moment. “Yeah, that’s one category of things, but it’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about things that science is actively studying but no matter how in depth, they still can’t come up with a sound explanation.”
My curiosity is peaked. “Like what?”
She must have given this some thought, because she doesn’t hesitate to answer. “Like the connection between twins. Science has been studying identical twins for decades and yet, they can’t really explain some really odd phenomena.”
Everyone knows that Bay has a twin sister, so I ask her the question on the tip of my tongue. “Have you experienced anything you can’t explain?”
Bay nods, her blue eyes shining with passion as she explains. “Yes. So many times. My sister laughs at me, she thinks I’m a little… quirky. But there’s no other way to explain certain things. Like for example, the summer after we graduated middle school, I wanted to go to a cheer camp. I wanted Lakyn to come with me, because I couldn’t bear the idea of spending weeks apart from each other. But Lakyn has never been very athletic and she just went along with cheer because I was into it.”
I’m invested in the story. “You were into it?”
She nods. “I loved cheer. At that point I had started tumbling and doing some stunts that our school team didn’t do. Our cheer coach told my parents that I had talent and suggested the camp. Lakyn agreed to come just to make me happy, but a couple of weeks before leaving, we were told that camp goers would be split into groups based on their skill level. The whole point of Lakyn coming was to spend every minute together, but we both knew we would be separated.”
That makes sense. “So she didn’t go?”
Bay sighs. “She ended up not going, but that isn’t the point. Lake and I have very different personalities, but we have one thing in common. We’re both very determined.”
There’s no way I can contain the snort at her words. “Determined is a nice way to put it. I haven’t met your sister, but for you I’d say more stubborn as fuck. In a good way, though. I admire that in you.”
She doesn’t take offense. “Thanks. My parents would agree with you. But the point of the story is, Lakyn started practicing in secret. She wanted to learn some of my stunts so she could be put in my same group. One day, while I was out shopping with our mom, Lake had been doing tumbles in the backyard. She fell and broke her arm. Now you have to consider my mom and I were ten miles away at this big mall. We were getting something to eat and all of a sudden, I experienced this searing pain in my arm. It was sudden and so intense that I dropped the cup with my soda. I immediately knew that something had happened to Lakyn. My arm even bruised for a little while but there was no reason for that to happen.”
My skepticism is back in full force. “Are you sure that maybe you hadn’t hit your arm without realizing it?”
Bay shakes her head. “No. It happened when I felt that pain. I was walking back to our table in the food court holding my cup, there was nothing I could have hit my arm on. A couple of minutes later, Nana called that she was taking Lakyn to the ER. I felt that pain in the instant my twin fell.”
I have to admit that her story is compelling. “Could that be a coincidence though?” I ask, not totally sold on twin supernatural connections just yet.
“It could be if that was the only time something like that happened,” she says. “But if one of us has a nightmare, usually the other does too. Often a very similar dream. And there’s another strange event that’s hard to explain no matter how you look at it.”
At this point, I might not be ready to say I’m a believer, but I’m fascinated by Bay’s stories. “Come on, don’t make me beg. I want to know.”
“It happened freshman year, during rush week. I really wanted Lake to rush Zeta Theta Beta, she didn’t think it was her scene. After a ton of begging, I convinced her to come to the pre-rush party I had been invited to. I was hoping she’d like some of the sisters and decide to rush with me.”
I know Lakyn is engaged to Luca Rossi, Blaze Dunn and Cash Hanbury—that joint proposal at the end of the Frozen Four final caused quite a stir last year—but I have no idea if she was a Zeta, so I ask. “Did she rush?”
“No,” Bay sighs. “But this isn’t the point of the story. It was a big party and Lake was adamant about not drinking. She was worried about being arrested if the cops stormed the party or about roofies.”
I don’t blame her. Both things could have happened quite easily at a very big Greek party. “Were you drinking?”
“I was underage of course,” she says. “But when I was offered a mixed drink, I thought why not? I didn’t want to fail some kind of pre-rush test. The thing is though, I just had one drink and it was roofied. Topher found me passed out in the bathroom and took me home and looked after me. That’s how he and I met.”
I don’t want to ruin the relaxed, easygoing vibe between us but I have to voice my disagreement. “No offense Bay, but getting roofied at a huge rager like the one you described is an easy prediction. It’s sad, but it’s a reality in almost every campus in America and probably worldwide.”
Bay isn’t mad at my observation. “That isn’t why I’m telling you this. Lake and I got separated early on. She met Tash, her future roommate, and I was hanging out with the Zeta sisters who had invited me. Lakyn started throwing up for no reason at the same time as I passed out in the bathroom. When she rushed back to our dorm room, she found me still passed out in bed and Topher sleeping on the floor, keeping an eye on me. But she felt what had happened to me, that’s why she rushed home.”
I consider her story. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe some things go beyond what science can explain.”