13. Have you cootied this couch?
Chapter 13
Have you cootied this couch?
Phin
I didn’t think I’d imagined the connection between Skye and me, but she didn’t look thrilled. Or upset. She looked…shocked.
“But if it didn’t work out?”
Maybe she was just worried. “Not gonna change the investment. You say there’s no chance, I still want to invest with your family. If we try this and we break up, it won’t change the contract. I mean, I have to be a kind of remote partner till I’m done playing anyway.”
Her forehead creased as she thought, teeth tugging on her bottom lip. “This isn’t just to, you know…”
“Get in your pants?”
Her cheeks flushed, but she nodded.
“First, I would never do that. Second, thanks to hockey, I can find someone for a hookup if that’s all I want. I’m not one of the fuckboys on the team, but I don’t have to work this hard just for sex.”
Her eyes dropped. “Sorry, but I haven’t had the best experiences with boyfriends. Some of my insecurities are coming out.”
That was a real concern. “I can’t help with that. I like you. A lot. But you have to believe that I’m honest about how I feel. We spent how long stuck with nothing but each other and a deck of cards for company and I enjoyed it. I’d happily do it again, preferably with heat and water.”
She sighed. “You’re right, about all of that. I had more fun snowed in with you than I can imagine with anyone else. And yeah, I want to get my hands on you naked.”
I really liked the sound of that.
“But I need to know, before we start anything, where you think this could go? Are you looking for something casual, a girlfriend, a friend with benefits, what?”
This was Skye protecting herself, making sure she didn’t get in too deep if I wasn’t planning on something serious.
“If it was casual, I wouldn’t be this invested. And I don’t want to have sex with a friend.” I took a breath, risking looking like an idiot if I was wrong about how she felt. “I want a girlfriend, something long-term. Hopefully permanent.”
Her eyes rounded. “You’re sure? Because I don’t have the instincts you do. And starting something this quick is kind of scary.”
I stepped closer to her and gripped her hands. “My instincts have never led me to a woman before. So yeah, I’m as sure as I can be.”
She glanced around us, then smiled. “Well, you have your instincts and I have two brothers. If your instincts are bullshitting me, then you’ll face the wrath of the Duvalls.”
“Understood. So, I have a chance?”
“You have a chance.”
I grinned. “Glad to hear it. Can I kiss my…girlfriend?”
“Mr. Garfield is watching us, so prepare for the news to be all over town before nightfall.”
I slid a hand into her hair and tugged her closer.
“This kiss will get the news spread before dinner time.”
I was concerned about how her brothers would respond. Some guys were really protective about their sisters. But by the time we got back, Rowan had woken up and there wasn’t a chance for anything more than teasing for a while. Cause yeah, they knew. News had definitely spread.
We went back to the garage apartment after eating leftovers and watching another movie. Oscar said he wasn’t giving up his room for us. I stiffened, not having planned on getting physical with Skye when her brother was right there, probably hearing everything. Her cheeks went red, and she told her brother he was an idiot.
At least I was able to wrap my arm around Skye, keeping us close in the dip in the middle of the sofa. We outlasted Oscar, who yawned for a while but finally went to bed, warning us that the couch was sacred from sex cooties.
Skye glared at him. “Have you cootied this couch?”
“Oh, look at the time. I have to go.”
Skye eyed the furniture in question suspiciously, so I sat in Oscar’s chair and pulled her down on my lap.
“I’m not— I mean, Oscar is right there…”
I wrapped my arms around her. “No, I’m not bringing out the sex cooties while your brother is in the next room. I just want to hold you. Make sure this is real.”
She relaxed against me and let out a long sigh. “You feel like that too?”
“I’d do it all over again to wind up here, with you. Best Christmas ever.”
“Oh, we can make it better.” She wrapped her arms around my neck. “Let’s fill Oscar’s chair with kissing cooties.”
We did.
It took me a while to get to sleep after making out with Skye and not getting anyone naked.
I woke up first the next morning and went for another run. Skye and Oscar were up and making coffee when I got back. I crossed to kiss Skye, who pretended to be upset by my sweat. But she kissed me back.
“I need to get back to Toronto, unfortunately.”
Oscar looked from Skye to me. “Maybe Skye could drive you back.”
A smile crossed my face. Skye looked rumpled like she had the previous morning, and I wanted to see her that way in my bed. But could she stay that long?
Skye frowned at her brother. “We’ve got the pumps, and the store open today.”
“Christine’s cousin is looking for some work. She helped us last summer, so she knows what she’s doing.”
Skye bit her lip.
“Probably safer if she doesn’t drive back here in the dark,” I said into my coffee cup.
Oscar snorted. “Yeah, Riley and I thought of that. We won’t expect you back right away, sis.” Her eyes opened wide. “We’ve got a new investor, so we can afford for you to take some vacation time. We’ve only got the one truck for towing and you can’t work in the garage, so go. Have fun. All the fun.”
She shot him the finger. And then wrapped him in a hug.
This kind of connection was what I needed in my life, and these people were the ones I wanted it with. Still, I couldn’t wait to get back to my place where it would be just Skye and me—and heat and water and a big bed.
Skye drove us back in her car. After the snow and cold of Christmas, the temperature was rising and the sky overcast. If more snow was coming, I’d be glad to be back in the city.
There were still a lot of issues that could affect this new relationship. The Blaze were struggling this season, after going to the finals last year. We had just turned things around, but Ducky, one of our first line wingers, had been hurt in a freak check. He wouldn’t be playing again this season, but we’d pulled out wins without him before the break and we hoped that if we could keep it up, management might be willing to trade for some help rather than giving up on us and selling off assets for a rebuild.
I definitely wanted to be as close to Skye as possible, so I did not want to be traded. I couldn’t argue with management about that, but I could be on the ice every game as part of the shut down line and make sure the other team’s top scorers were tangled up with us and not scoring.
So, there was my job. My family might be a problem too. But before tackling those issues, we needed some time with just the two of us. We didn’t talk much on the drive, too aware of the non-talking we wanted to do.
I finally turned on my phone. It had died at the cottage, and I hadn’t bothered with it while at the Duvalls. Any big news about the team would have been publicly broadcast, and trade deals were frozen, so I didn’t think it was necessary to get Oppy’s weird posts or Petey’s warnings about how to behave.
I’d been avoiding contact with my family as well. I’d sent them a message before I left, about missing the Christmas dinner and the Christmas Eve party. I’d wished them a happy holiday and pushed them out of my mind.
Once I plugged it into the charger, my phone sprouted notifications like weeds. I read the team ones first—where Oppy had found a Santa toy that rude I had no idea. The family guys posted photos of their cute kids and pets with stockings, reminding me of Rowan. Ducky appeared to have survived having his girlfriend and mother both around while he was recovering.
We were almost at the 401 when I got to the family messages.
Shit . I hadn’t realized that the family CAA membership meant they knew I’d called for a tow on Christmas Eve and where that tow was.
Relax, everyone. Yes, I hit a ditch, but I got the car towed. Spent time at the cottage. No power or internet. Almost back in the city. I’m fine, the car is being repaired.
Hopefully that would keep them from doing anything stupid.
“Everything okay?” Skye asked.
“Yeah. Didn’t realize CAA was the family plan and they found out I called for a tow. Quin threatened to drive up. I told them all I’m fine, but it reminded me why I left.” I smiled at her. “I had a much better time than I would have if I’d stayed in Toronto.”
“Really? Sleeping on couch cushions and on the spare bed in Oscar’s room?”
“Yep.” I’d mostly ignored my shoulder and it had rewarded me by feeling better. I’d still be careful and get the trainers to work on it, but I’d be able to play.
Skye drew in a breath and held it before letting it out in a long sigh.
“Second thoughts?” I asked.
“No. Yes. I mean, it’s more real now that we’re in Toronto. We’re really doing this.”
“What’s bothering you?”
“I started picturing where you lived and imagined some huge mansion and began to freak.”
I reached my hand over and rested it on her leg. “Sorry, no mansion. I don’t make that much. Not like some of the guys on the team. It’s a nice place, four bedrooms, near High Park. I hope you like it.”
A lot of my teammates had condos, for the convenience. I’d roomed with Ducky in his for a couple of years, saving money before finally getting my own place. I loved the outdoor space I had now, and the closeness of High Park. It would be a nice home for a few years, while I searched for my permanent home in Newfell.
Skye’s eyes were big as we got closer to my neighborhood. It was a nice area, and the houses weren’t small. But it wasn’t Bridlepath, where the huge mansions were, so I hoped it wouldn’t be too much for her.
She pulled into the driveway when we finally arrived. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I felt proud. “Come on, see inside. It’s not got a lot of furniture yet, since I haven’t been here that long.” A good excuse, but I hadn’t invested much in furniture in any place I’d lived.
I had a service that took care of the maintenance since I traveled so much. They’d cleared the driveway and sidewalk, but there was only a dusting of snow left on the lawn. We grabbed our bags and I led the way to the door. Once it was unlocked, I stepped back to let Skye in first.
She dropped her duffel and pulled off her boots while she looked around. “You weren’t kidding when you said it didn’t have a lot of furniture.”
The dining room was empty, because the kitchen was big enough to eat in. The living room had a huge couch and a couple of chairs, with a TV and games. Curtains to provide privacy and block the light. Everything was brown. That went with the beautiful woodwork in the house which was part of what sold me on it.
“I think it could be a great place, but I haven’t spent the time on it that I should have. Hockey first.”
She turned to face me. “So how are we supposed to fit dating into that?”
“Not gonna lie. It’ll be tough. I don’t have a lot of days off, but I can come north to see you then. I’ll book a place to stay if you don’t want me with you and Oscar.”
“Maybe I can come here sometimes? We’re getting this hotshot investor at the garage, so apparently we can hire someone to help handle the pumps and the store. I can do the admin stuff remotely.”
I reached for her hand to pull her close. “I would love it if you would. In fact, I’ll increase my investment to make it work.” I leaned my head down to rest against hers. “We’re alone. With power. It’s warm and we’ve got no interruptions, so…”
“So…” she repeated then pressed up and kissed me.
We took a moment to figure out the best angle, bumping noses and chins, but then our mouths joined and everything else faded away. My hands moved over her, mapping her form, slipping up under her sweater to feel smooth skin. She did the same, her hands rubbing on my abs, my pecs, passing over my nipples and making me groan into her. My cock grew hard, and I pressed it against her. When she moaned and pressed back, I slipped a leg between hers, letting her ride my thigh.
This was escalating quickly. I pulled my lips away, ready to lead her to my bedroom. Suddenly the doorbell chimed.
“No interruptions?” Her voice was husky, lips swollen. She had red skin around her mouth from my stubble. She looked incredible.
The doorbell rang again. Then I heard Lina’s voice. “Phin? There’s a car in the drive. Is that you?”