Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
brEE
“What!?!” Mia shrieks, drawing the attention of half of the restaurant.
“Kind of?” Sophie giggles, but then throws Lily an ‘I-told-you-so’ look.
Lily does an eye roll that starts from one side of her head to the other in a grand flourish before narrowing in on me.
I get the message, or rather, the command to explain myself.
“I was so upset, and Wade was messed up about his nana selling the ranch. I guess we had a shared moment.” I hold my hands up as if to assert my innocence, which I’m not.
Innocent, that is. I was the one who instigated the kiss, after all.
They all sobered quickly, staring at me as if I dropped a bombshell, which I kind of did.
Sophie speaks first, concern coating her voice. “Why is his grandmother selling their ranch?”
The gawkers resume enjoying their meals, but three very intent sets of eyes stare at me in expectation, demanding I explain.
I’ve done it now. Waving it off, I lean against the back of the booth. “I shouldn’t have mentioned that. Not my story to tell.”
Lily lifts a finely shaped brow. “But you did.”
She’s right. I did. “Then forget I said anything. Please?”
All three of them shake their heads.
Wade will have a cow if he finds out I told anyone before he’s had a chance to process things and figure something out. I could pose it as if I were simply trying to help him. In all honesty, that’s all it would be, anyway.
I’ve been banging around ideas to solve this predicament.
I even dug through my boxes to find the album I’d created when I dreamed of opening up my family’s ranch to the public for weekend events like horseback riding and a petting zoo during the spring and summer.
My plan included event hosting for reunions and weddings all year long, and, in autumn, we’d rent part of the apple orchard on Wade’s property for apple picking, which would include a stand selling apple fritters, hot apple cider, and apple cider donuts, of course.
I never had the chance to bring that dream to life, but who says this couldn’t work now?
It would take a lot, though, and since Nana doesn’t want to run the ranch anymore, I doubt she’d be interested in doing it, anyway.
Still, my heart aches to see the last connection to my family’s history go away, too.
Mia turns in the booth to face me. “Is his grandmother sick or something?”
“No, nothing like that.” I tug a hand from each of them into a knot of fingers on the table and cover them with mine. “Promise you won’t say anything to Wade, Ethan, Luke, or Payton. Swear?”
They all nod.
“She wants to sell the ranch and retire. That’s all I know.”
“Wade didn’t tell you what’s going on?” Mia asks.
I pull my hands to my lap and stare at them. “He didn’t really have a chance.”
Sophie mouths a silent ‘oh.’ “Because of the kiss.”
I shrug. “I guess.”
Still facing me, Mia leans her chin in her hand. “Yeah, let’s talk about that. Was it a good kiss? You know, the kind that’s nice and sweet. Or was it as hot as blazes?”
My cheeks burst into flames. I don’t have to see my face to know it’s beet red, giving her an answer without saying a word.
Sophie gasps yet again as she turns toward Mia, who’s wearing the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her.
Mia holds her hand out toward Sophie. “Pay up.”
After digging into a bright pink wallet, Sophie hands over a dollar bill. “I hate it when you’re right.”
“I know.” Mia snatches and tucks the bill into her purse, grinning with satisfaction.
“A dollar? That’s it?” I don’t know why I’m offended. A dollar bet seems so minuscule compared to the impact this kiss could have on my friendship with Wade.
Lily holds her hands up in innocence. “I had nothing to do with it.”
I prop my elbows on the table and cover my face. “You guys, I don’t know what to do. I left Texas to get away from the mess there and start over. But all I’ve done is drag it here with me and create a new one as well.” I cross my arms on the surface. “What is wrong with me?”
Sophie’s expression softens with compassion. “Nothing, Bree. We’ve noticed how Wade looks at you, and it’s obvious that he feels more for you than just friendship.”
Mia snorts. “So obvious. The man stares at you as if you’re his next meal.”
Could she be right? Has he always looked at me that way? And if so, why didn’t I notice?
I reflect on the way Wade stiffened at first when I kissed him, making me realize what I’d done.
But then he kissed me back, taking complete control.
The memory zings through me to my core and makes my whole body heat.
I never expected to feel anything for him again because I locked that part of my heart away years ago to protect our friendship.
How many times had I seen a high school romance flare and then fizzle by the time prom rolled around? I’d watched my parents, who started out as high-school sweethearts, do the same thing. Just took a couple of decades to reach the same conclusion.
But Wade and I aren’t in school anymore. We’re adulting, going after our dreams, and living our lives the best way we know how. This isn’t peer pressure or a broken heart I’m afraid of. It’s blowing up my life again and losing the one person who’s always supported, encouraged, and believed in me.
Without Wade’s compassion and gentle guidance, I don’t know if I would have found a new direction or passion after my parents made it clear that selling the ranch—our home—wasn’t up for discussion.
They already had an offer by the time they told me, and I suspected then, as I do now, that they planned it that way so I couldn’t talk them out of it.
“Hmmm.” Mia dons a studious expression. “Why do you call Wade’s grandmother Nana?”
I frown. “That’s what he calls her.”
“So do you.” Her blue eyes pin me down faster than a bird with a worm.
“I think everyone calls her that.” I snicker, trying to break the tension.
Sophie leans her face toward me. “Define everyone.”
Wade, his sisters, me…
As hard as I try, I can’t think of anyone else. Not the ranch hands. Not even my parents when we lived next door.
Just me.
Just me?
Appearing very satisfied with herself, Mia rests her chin on her hand. “Sounds like you two acted like family for a long time.”
I frown again. “What’s wrong with that?”
Leaning back, she shakes her head. “Nothing at all. But don’t you see it? You two operate like a couple in so many ways already that I’m not sure why you seem so determined to keep Wade friend-zoned when he’s clearly into you, and you’ve had a thing for him all along.”
“What?! No… We’re like brother and sister.” I shake my head emphatically.
Judging by the disbelief on their faces, they’re not buying it.
“Okay, maybe I had a crush on him briefly in high school.”
Sophie’s turn to examine me. “How brief?”
“Very.” I shrug. “I knew it wasn’t a possibility, so I shut it down. Fast.”
Lily tilts her head. “Why?”
A nervous laugh bursts out of me. “Because it’s Wade.”
They all raise their brows at me like some symbiotic species.
“He’s always been my best friend.” I lift my hands in frustration. Why is this so hard for them to understand?
Sophie clasps my wrist. “Statistically speaking, about two-thirds of romantic relationships start as friendships, many falling in love before they even realize it.”
“She did the research for an article,” Mia interjects, “so she knows what she’s talking about.”
Lily leans over the table toward me. “You already kissed him, Bree. As much as you may want to, you can’t undo that. So why not consider exploring what’s clearly sitting between you two?”
Mia gives the other two women a knowing look. “I say there’s no turning back now.”
Sophie giggles. “Oh, this will be fun.”
Lily chortles like a woman in the know and about to do harm.
The hair on my arms stands up. “What are you talking about?”
As if she’s extremely proud of herself, Mia lifts her chin and purses her lips. “We’re going to help you get your man.”
My man? Are they nuts?
I can’t even bring myself to talk to Wade, let alone flirt with him.
That’s on the list, by the way. Lots of flirting.
And not just the how, but the when, where, and what.
I had no idea that many ways to flirt with a guy existed.
By the time we finished dinner, the three of them had created a spreadsheet, using an app on Sophie’s phone, that entailed a complete timeline, which she had already emailed to me. Of course.
Seriously, they’re out of their minds.
There’s no way I can do this. One, I’ve never had a serious boyfriend until Chase, and look where that got me. Two, this is Wade we’re talking about. My best friend, as far back as I can remember.
And three? This is Wade! I wasn’t in his league in high school, and I’m not now either. Not this gullible, stupid version of myself, anyway. The last two days have proven I’m still a blazing mess.
But I can’t think that right now. As much as I want to fix things before I even consider something more between us, that’s not happening tonight.
The puck drops in thirty minutes, and before that, we’re revealing our new mascot, the results of the ‘Name Our Arena’ fan poll, and the ‘Date a Hockey Player’ charity event. And by we, I mean Rebecca, Zach, and me.
So, here I am, racing toward my boss’s office to review the script one last time, while sweat trickles down my back.
I had the perfect schedule planned until Zayne pulled another prank by detaching the oversized sunglasses from the new mascot costume and taping them to the Sun Kings logo in the locker room.
The guys thought it was great and asked if we could leave them there because it ‘made them feel more connected to their identity as Sun Kings.’ I mimicked a gag over that one as I ripped them off the wall, imagining the horrific expression on children’s faces in the audience when they saw Stingin’ Ray had no eyes.
Yeah, not on my watch.
Thankfully, we reattached Ray’s glasses with no issues. I just hope they don’t fall off during his intermission appearances.
I shove that out of my mind as I push open the door to Rebecca’s office, who’s standing in the circle of Zach’s arms and engaging in a rather sweet and intimate moment.
They’re both wearing the Sun Kings jerseys I had specially made for them for the event.
Zach’s has his old number on it from his playing days and ‘Rebecca’ across the back, while Rebecca is wearing her father’s number and ‘Zachary’ on her shoulders.
“Oh, sorry!” I whirl around. “Should have knocked first.”
Rebecca’s laugh jerks me back. “No need to apologize. Zach seems to think the rules cease at five o’clock.”
“If they didn’t, I’d never get to kiss you until after the games.”
“You two are so stinkin’ cute, you know that?” I approach them, enjoying how easy it is to be around them, let alone work for them. “But you’re going to be late if you don’t go downstairs now for the presentation. The IT team has your mics ready.”
“Tell them to get a third one ready.” Rebecca eyes me.
Did they plan something without telling me? I have all the post and video reel templates ready to pop in images and upload them during the game. This could throw all my planning sideways. “What’s going on? Who’s it for?”
“You,” she replies, her smile growing wider by the second as she holds what appears to be a folded jersey. “And you’ll need this.”
“You want me to help with the presentation?” I take the jersey, bunching the thick fabric in my hand as every nerve in my body fires with warning. This wasn’t part of the plan.
“Yes. The fans should see the mastermind behind all the excitement. I think it’s great for our brand, too, don’t you?”
A surge of panic floods me, but this is the job I signed up for. “Sure,” my voice squeaks out.
Rebecca glances at her watch. “She’s right. We need to hustle.”
I tuck the jersey into the crook of my arm as I text the crew downstairs to prep a third mic.
“Oh, Zach and I had another idea. Let’s expand the ‘Date a Hockey Player’ to be part of a weekend extravaganza that will include an All Goalies game.”
“Oh, I love that!” I flip open my tablet and start taking notes.
Zach grins in response to my excitement. “We know it’s last-minute, but we can leave that part out of our announcements until we have an official event name.”
Ideas flash through my mind, causing my fingers to fly over the virtual keyboard on my screen as I take notes. I stop tapping when an idea hits. “What if we called it ‘Fire & Ice? Then we can add whatever events we want and make it a full-blown extravaganza.”
Rebecca snaps her fingers and points at me. “Yes! I love that.” She glances at Zach. “See? I had a feeling she’d be as excited as we are. Zach thought you might get overwhelmed making changes like this right before the announcements.”
I shake my head. “Not at all. Things move and change fast in PR. Either you adapt or get caught with your pants down.”
While Zach tries to hide his grin, Rebecca bursts out laughing. “I couldn’t have said it any better myself.”
Once we reach the staging area, I hand my tablet to one of the crew so I can pull on the jersey Rebecca had given me in the office.
A small gasp escapes my lips as I unfold it.
Rebecca gives me a semi-apologetic smile. “I wish I’d thought of this sooner, so we could have done something cute for your jersey like you did for Zach and me. But I figured this would work for now, and I don’t think he’ll mind.”
She smiles and shoots Zach a knowing glance as I slip the jersey over my shirt. The hem falls just above my knees, making me glad I wore leggings today. Otherwise, I’d look like a baggy mess. Tingles dance through my body.
I can’t believe I’m about to walk out on the ice, in front of a packed arena and every player on the team, with the name ‘Pierce’ branded across my shoulders.