Chapter 45
Chapter Forty-Five
RILEY
The crowd is on its feet and screaming Nat’s name.
He is beaming on the ice, green eyes sparkling behind his helmet.
Emotions swirl in my chest. I remember the pinky promise we made a few weeks ago.
‘No matter how hard it gets and no matter what we face, I won’t give up on hockey and you won’t give up on fixing airplanes.’
My dreams changed, but Nat never lost sight of his, even when people were counting him out and calling him a liability.
I feel something wet rolling down my cheek.
Stunned, I brush at my face and realize that I’m crying.
This is so embarrassing.
I duck my head and search through my purse for a tissue to hide any signs of my tears.
“That was amazing!” My brother yells to be heard over the roar of the crowd. His hair is sticking up on end from how many times he’s been tugging at it.
Chris was livid when the coach kept substituting players that weren’t Nat. It seemed like he was screaming at the Lucky Strikers’ coach for half the game.
My brother’s eyes are wide. “I’ve never seen a top shelf that smooth. It’s like he was playing on two-x speed.”
“Sensational.” Renea is clapping and her eyes look misty as well. “He’s even better now than before the accident.”
I bite down on my lip to keep from grinning like a maniac.
The announcers are still gushing about Nat’s play too.
“This is a man who was made for the game, everyone! That’s pure, natural talent.”
I shake my head, knowing that they’re wrong.
They weren’t there when Nat was waking up early every morning to head to the rink.
They didn’t see him training longer and harder than anyone else on the team.
They didn’t see him at night, watching hours of game play, taking notes and thinking of ways to push himself harder.
He fought for this.
He earned it.
Chris smacks me on the arm. “Riley, I think Nat’s trying to get your attention.”
I focus on the ice again. The hockey players have dismantled their pile up and Nat is smiling in our direction.
When he sees that I’m looking back, his eyes glitter even brighter than before and he waves. He reminds me of an excited kid unwrapping his present on Christmas morning. I can only imagine how hyper and excited he’ll be when he leaves the ice.
One of his team members gestures to Nat, indicating that they’re gathering for the handshake line. Nat distractedly nods and then looks at me and points to the tunnel. He makes a walking motion with his fingers.
I flash him an ‘okay’ sign.
“That was so fun!” Gordie exclaims as the rest of our section starts packing up to leave. “Nathan Campbell is almost as good as daddy!”
April and Rebel laugh.
Cordelia gives the little girl a hug. “Almost as good.”
I disagree with Gordie and Cordelia, but I have no plans to argue about it. The other Lucky Strikers’ players are great too.
Just not as amazing as Nat.
Cordelia turns to me and her short black hair swings behind her. “So neighbor, what are you guys doing after the game? My mom is inviting all the players to her house for dinner if you’re interested.”
“Your mom?” I give her a surprised look.
“Oh, she’s the team sponsor,” Cordelia says casually, as if her mother partially owning a sports team is akin to buying a purse or a watch. “And she likes…” Cordelia traces a circle in the air as if searching for the right word, “making a fuss.”
“Grandma has the best parties!” Gordie exclaims, throwing her hands wide. “Plus, she bought me a telescope so I can look at the stars.”
“That sounds like fun.” I bop Gordie’s nose.
“You don’t have to attend if you have other plans,” Cordelia says with a sly grin.
“I mean… I’d love to come. We didn’t have any concrete plans. I have my brother and Nat’s agent here and we were probably going to hit The Tipsy Tuna.”
“Oh cool. Your brother is here?” Cordelia’s eyes widen and she lowers her voice. “Did you tell him that you and Nathan Campbell are…” She presses the tips of her fingers together.
“He knows.”
Cordelia winces. “Did he object?”
“Surprisingly no. We had breakfast this morning. Chris and Nat were joking around as they always do and Nat was being attentive and sweet—although I will say he gets an extra enjoyment from hugging or touching me in front of Chris. My brother is vocal about finding it disgusting.”
Cordelia laughs. “I’m glad that worked out then.”
I glance over my shoulder at where Chris is texting someone—probably his girlfriend Nicole—and Renea is on the phone, fighting to have a conversation with whoever is on the other end of the line. I don’t know how she’s hearing anything with all this noise though.
Rebel scoots over to us. Her blonde hair is shiny under the arena lights and she’s done something with her blush that makes her beautiful face even more striking.
I make a mental note to ask her for makeup tips. I’ve always wanted to up my makeup game, but I got stuck playing the part of the ‘tough mechanic’. It was necessary to survive working on airplanes.
But now that I’ve shifted to the auto repair trade and I’m dating Nat, I want to experiment with something I once enjoyed.
“Are you coming to the party, Riley?” my boss asks.
Cordelia nods. “I was just talking to her about that.”
“Well, I…” My words trail when a bright light flashes in my eyes.
“What are you guys chatting about?” April asks, joining our little huddle.
Rebel sees me blinking up a storm and scolds her best friend, “April, you blinded someone again.”
“I’m so sorry,” April gasps, hiding her hand behind her back. “Are you okay, Riley?”
I assure April that I’m fine as I rub my eyes.
Sheepishly, April explains, “I didn’t notice how big this rock was the night Chance proposed. But in real life, it’s…”
“It’s very Chance,” Rebel says, laughingly hugging her best friend.
Gordie gives her two-cents. “Miss April’s ring looks like a star.”
April sighs as if she’d trade this ‘star’ for something a little more close to earth.
Chris walks up to me. “Riles, I’m going to brave the crowds and head to my car now. You coming with me or waiting for Nat?”
Since my brother is here, I make the introductions to my friends.
“You’re all female mechanics?” Chris asks, his jaw nearly disengaging from his mouth.
“That’s right,” Rebel says, smiling prettily.
Chris stares a tad too long at Rebel before averting his gaze. “Uh, wow. Yeah. So… if mechanics are so beautiful, how come Riley is considered one?”
“Go away.” I shove him. “Cordelia, feel free to de-invite him from your party now.”
“There’s a party?” Chris perks up.
“Yes,” Cordelia says. “You and…” She motions to Renea. I call Nat’s agent over so she can hear the invite herself. “You’re free to come. I’ll text Riley the details and she can forward them to you.”
Renea’s eyes gleam with interest. “Will all the players be there? I have my eyes on a few who might not yet have representation.”
The conversation starts anew, and I take that opportunity to ask April for directions to the tunnels so I can slip away.
When I enter the quiet hallway, I half-expect Nat to not be there, but to my delight, he’s waiting for me.
He’s out of his skates but still looks tall and intimidating. Especially with the shoulder pads that stretch his jersey tight across his chest. One glove hangs loose from his fingers. The other is snapped into the band of his pants.
Nat glances at the entrance and our gazes meet. He straightens, his lips curving up in a smile that’s just for me.
My heart triples its speed and I’m running before I even understand why. He catches me as I fling myself against him and lifts me off my feet. He hugs me tightly, and it feels like a part of me I hadn’t realized I’d been missing snaps into place.
“You were amazing,” I say into his neck. I inch back and grip his face in both hands, feeling those pesky tears again. “I am so proud of you.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Riles.”
“What are you talking about? You did it all on your own.”
Nat shakes his head. “The day I tripped up at practice, I was really discouraged. But when I took you out for ice cream and we spoke in the car, I saw how badly you wanted to fix your auto shop and it encouraged me to keep going too.”
“I’m glad I could be of assistance,” I tease, sniffing.
Nat’s expression softens. “Are you crying?”
“No. I’m sweating from my eyes.”
He laughs gently and wipes the tear that escapes me. “I have to go, but I don’t want to leave if you’re crying.”
“It was an eyelash. I’m all better now. See?” I widen my eyes to show him how tear-free it is.
Nat tilts his head. “Are you flirting with me, Riley Carter? Showing me those eyes I can’t resist?”
I laugh as he sets me down. “How did it feel out there?”
“Electric. I know it sounds cliché, but I can’t imagine my life without hockey. When I’m on the ice, it feels like I’m doing exactly what I was put on this earth to do.”
“And you did it well.”
He smiles. “I’ll admit, I showed off a bit because I knew you were watching.”
“Oh yeah?”
“I was hoping I could ace the ‘good at his job’ part of the inspection. In case that’s something on your checklist.”
“You’re pretty much checking all the boxes, Campbell.”
He lifts a brow. “‘Pretty much’? What box am I missing?”
My eyes dip to his lips as the air between us shifts. “Just a few things.”
“I see.” Nat steps closer and gently cradles my chin.
I draw in a breath as my heart slams against my ribs.
“Campbell!” A voice echoes down the hallway. “You can love on your girl later. Max is calling you!”
Nat groans and reluctantly releases me.
“Duty calls.” I nudge him away.
He shakes his head and takes a step back. “Are you going home now?”
“I’m going to the team party. I’ll catch a ride with Chris.”
“I’ll try to wrap up here quickly and join you guys.”
“Don’t worry about us and take as long as you need.”
Nat presses his lips together and lingers beside me.
“Go,” I urge him.
He gives me a slow nod and walks toward the locker room.
I stand there, watching him and enjoying the view when, suddenly, Nat stops. He remains completely still for a second and then he whirls around.
His face is covered in shadows since he’s deeper in the hallway and away from the rink lights, but I can sense the intensity of his steps when he storms in my direction.
With an intentionality I feel down to my toes, Nat slips his hand around the back of my neck, secures the other around my waist and gathers me up for a kiss.
I wrap my arms around him, leaning into the embrace despite my shock.
His lips are warm and firm against me. His hand on the back of my neck is possessive.
A buzzing starts in the base of my skull.
Is this really happening?
Nat tilts his head, sipping from my lips as if he’s been waiting for this moment all his life. And I realize the answer is yes.
Yes, it’s happening.
I’m glad Nat is holding me because I would very well melt into a puddle if he didn’t have a grip on me.
The kiss is both passionate and tender, striking a perfect balance of helpless longing and control. Every thought flees my brain, leaving me completely blank and totally intoxicated.
The sound of the locker room door creaking open reminds us that we’re not alone.
Nat breaks the kiss and looks down at me, his eyes burning in a sort of focused, dangerous gleam that’s spilled over from the game.
His thumb brushes under my bottom lip, slow and deliberate, as if he’s grounding himself.
And, in a fit of post-kissing haze, I say the first thing that pops into my head.
“You pass.”