Chapter Six #2
"Because I drove you away from your own wedding. If anything, I owe you a drink." I try for lightness, but her expression shifts.
"Actually, I think you just made my point for me, getaway driver.
" She slides off her barstool with a teasing grin.
"So what will it be? You'd better make it quick because otherwise, I'm going to pick for you, and I can guarantee that your beverage will be bright pink and come with a drink umbrella and a curly straw. "
She’s too fucking cute for her own good, and I know enough about her personality to be fully aware that she'll make good on her threat—that is, if Oakley even makes anything like that in his sports bar.
If I don't want to lose complete respect from the guys and give them ammo to use against me tomorrow at practice, I'd better speak up with a drink I can chug in public… respectably.
"Beer's fine."
“Preference?” she asks with a lifted brow.
“Anything will do.”
She heads to the bar, and I try not to watch the way she fills out those jeans in all the right places. The way those hips make my mouth water. What I wouldn't give to see my handprint painted red across her ass cheek.
One night with Vivi isn't the problem. It's the fact that one night won't be enough. And that's a cost she can't afford. She deserves someone whole—so does Adeline. They both deserve more than who I am.
"You're staring," Isla says, amusement dancing in her eyes.
I shift back quickly.
"No, I'm not."
I try not to make it obvious as I cut my sights over to the pool game where Wolf just kicked Olsen's ass and Luca is up next, but I know I was already caught red-handed.
"Yes, you are." Kaenan chimes in. "And she's my sister-in-law, so it's my duty to tell you to stay the fuck away from her."
Isla elbows him hard in the side with a death glare.
"What?" He whines and rubs his ribs though I'm sure she barely made a dent in the Hawkeyes' retired defender.
"Shut up. You don't speak for her," Isla mumbles, annoyed with her husband running interference.
I shoot him a warning look as if he'd better listen to his wife, but before I can respond, Wolf appears at my shoulder.
"Hart! Get over here. Popeye thinks he can beat me at pool. I need you to referee—pretty sure he's some kind of Russian mafia pool shark."
There's been plenty of rumors about Luca Popovich and his possible family ties to the Russian mob, but that's all it is.
Rumors. Ones that Luca shrugs off with a laugh.
All I know about Luca is that he's a two-time hockey Olympic medalist and moved to the US permanently when he was thirteen to train under one of the greatest hockey players to ever play the game.
"You just know you're about to lose," Luca calls from the pool table, already racking the balls. "Now let's get this ass-whooping over with. My beer's getting warm."
I glance at Vivi, still at the bar waiting for our drinks. "Give me a minute."
"Scared I'll win without witnesses?" Luca taunts.
"More like scared you'll cheat without them," Wolf shoots back.
Vivi returns with our drinks. A beer for me and what looks like a whisky sour for her, just as the first game starts. As she hands me the beer, our fingers brush. The contact sends an electric shock up my arm.
"Thanks." I take a careful sip, hyper-aware of her presence beside me.
"So," she settles onto a stool, "how's the nanny search going?"
Great. Even she knows about that disaster.
I blow out a breath.
"That good, huh?" she asks, reading my expression.
"My job isn't exactly normal. It requires overnight stays, weekends, and long hours. People have families too—I get it." I scrub a hand over my face. "But now I'm scrambling."
"What about nanny agencies? Have you called any of them?" she asks, watching Wolf line up his shot.
"I called a few, including Newport Staffing but no one had a nanny available for the schedule we need.
" I lean against the high-top, close enough to catch that fruity scent of her perfume.
"Between away games and evening practices, it’s been hard to find someone willing to work an odd schedule like that. "
"Eight ball, corner pocket," Wolf calls out, then curses when he misses.
"Amateur," Luca taunts, circling the table casually as if he could do this in his sleep. He sinks three balls in quick succession while Wolf mutters a curse word under his breath.
Vivi stirs her whisky sour in her glass with a vacant look on her face.
"What?" I ask. She's thinking about something, I can feel it.
"Nothing." She takes a sip of the drink. "Just considering your situation. I understand why it's tough to find the right fit. If I had any control over my staff at the moment, I could help you, but as it is…I'm on vacation at the moment, or ‘forced leave,’ you take your pick."
That’s when I notice it. The engagement ring for Jameson. It’s back on her hand.
“Speaking of ‘forced leave,’” Isla says, leaning into our conversation. “That means you have some availability for the next little while, right Vivi?”
Vivi moves quickly, and then Isla yelps and bends down like she’s rubbing her shin. “What did I say wrong? I was just going to suggest that you could nanny for him,” Isla mumbles angrily to Vivi.
“And you’re so good about being subtle about it,” Vivi says back and then turns to me. “Sorry about her. She thinks she’s being helpful by sticking her nose in other people’s business.”
“It's not a big deal. Really. I would have never considered asking you. I’m sure you’re busy. Vacation or not.”
Vivi opens her mouth to say something in response when the waitress stops by and interrupts, breaking the moment, but it’s fine. How much further could that have gone anyway?
Kaenan orders a round of wings for the table. I notice Vivi checking her phone, probably dealing with the media fallout from her almost-wedding. I've seen the tabloids about it. The urge to reach for her is almost overwhelming.
"You good?" I ask quietly.
She looks up, those eyes troubled. "Just more emails from the board. Nothing I can do about it tonight."
"Want to play the winner?" I nod toward the pool table, trying to distract her.
Her smile returns, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Only if you're ready to lose."
"Big talk from someone who's never seen me play."
"Oh, I've watched you plenty." The words slip out before she can catch them, and her cheeks flush pink. "I mean, at games. Playing hockey."
The wings arrive, saving her from backtracking any further.
Though I file away that admission for later.
She's been watching me play pool when she comes to Oakley's?
This isn't the first time I've seen Vivi here with Isla.
Over the last eight months, she's come to plenty of home games, but I've kept my distance after she showed up with that same engagement ring on her finger.
An hour passes in a comfortable rhythm. Luca beats Wolf, then loses to Hunter. Vivi demolishes Hunter, proving she wasn't bluffing about her skills. I switch to water after my beer, conscious of driving later. When Vivi steps up to play me, the tension in the air shifts.
"Show me what you got, Newport," I challenge, racking the balls.
She takes her time choosing a cue, testing the weight. Her movements are deliberate, almost sensual. Or maybe that's just my imagination working overtime.
"Ladies first," I offer.
She smirks. "Such a gentleman."
She leans over the table to break, and my mouth goes dry. Those jeans should be illegal. The crack of balls splitting across felt echoes through the bar.
"Stripes," she calls, already moving for her next shot.
What follows is the sexiest game of pool I've ever played. Every time she bends over the table, my hands itch to grab her hips. When she brushes past me to line up a shot, the electricity between us is almost visible.
"You're up, soldier," she says after missing a tough bank shot.
I sink two before scratching. "Damn."
"Rusty?" She circles the table, studying angles. "Or distracted?"
Both. Definitely both.
The game stays close, but she beats me on a beautiful combo shot. Wolf whistles low.
"Damn, Newport. Where'd you learn to play like that?" he asks.
"College job. One of the first families I nannied for had a pool table and the dad was a world-renowned pool player. He taught me a few tricks so that, one day, I'd never lose to a bar full of hockey players," she teases, setting her cue in the rack.
"Holding out on us," I accuse, but I can't help grinning.
She shrugs, all false innocence. "A girl's got to have some secrets."
And she has no idea how bad I want to know every last one.
It's after ten when Kaenan starts gathering their things. "We should head out. Mom's got the kids so I get my wife to myself tonight."
Isla hugs Vivi. "Need a ride?"
Vivi instantly waves her off. "No way. I'm in the opposite direction from you guys. I'll just get a rideshare," she says, reaching for her phone.
"I can give Vivi a ride," I offer.
I'm technically going the opposite direction as I live only a few blocks from Kaenan and Isla, but it's late, and I'd rather know she got home safe than have her take a rideshare.
I'm also not done with spending time with her, and I might be more than a little curious where she lives and if she's safe there.
Isla's eyes sparkle with something that looks suspiciously like triumph. "Perfect! Thanks, Hart."
As they leave, I catch Wolf and Luca exchanging looks as if I’m being obvious. I flip them off, which only makes them laugh harder.
"Ready?" I ask her.
She nods, and then I lay my hand against her lower back to lead her out of the crowded space, and it feels like I've done this with her a thousand times before.
The night air hits us as we exit, and she shivers slightly even with her large jacket on. Without hesitation, I shrug off my jacket and drape it over top of her. She looks up at me with surprise and something else flickering in her eyes.
"Thanks," she says softly.