Chapter 4
DECLAN
A FEW WEEKS LATER
This is my test.
The last time I saw Ford was a few hours before his sister became my dirty little secret.
Now? We’re alone and sitting at Catch 22 in Lake Spark.
The restaurant on the water overlooks a few docks with boats and is an easy walk from Main Street.
This town is busy as hell during the summer months, which is why this restaurant is bustling with people.
We’re at a table for two outside on the deck, with late-morning sun shining down on us.
Yep, just the two of us.
I’m one soft drink order in and I’ve already pictured Violet straddling me while my dick pistoled my way up into her, causing us to moan in sync.
A wave of guilt hits me because I left before she woke up.
I haven’t seen or spoken to her since.
That’s my doing.
“This week you’re going to meet with my staff at the rink?” Ford asks.
I shake the memories out of my head and focus on the hockey king sitting in front of me. Sunglasses cover his eyes, but his brown hair doesn’t show any signs of age. Then again, he’s only thirty-six.
“Every day, I’ll train with the kiddos in the morning or afternoon and have my meetings in between. Will that be okay for you?”
Ford nods with a grin. “Of course, anything you want. You’re the one bringing my old team to Lake Spark.”
I take a sip of my iced tea, relieved that the world now knows my new career title.
“One of the perks of becoming owner of a hockey team is that I get to make decisions. I think it’s good that the Spinners will move their training and practices to Lake Spark next season; it’ll bring more focus.
Where they train now is already 45 minutes outside of the city, so Lake Spark isn’t much farther in retrospect.
Plus, the existing building needs a total refurbishment, and the last owner passed before the team was able to renew the contract.
This could be the start of transitioning everything,” I explain.
Ford looks at me, impressed. “You’ve really thought this through. Then again, people forget that you’re more than a pretty boy who can shoot a puck.”
I grin at his comment. “Story of my life. Everyone assumes something about me, yet all I do is prove them wrong.”
“I always liked that about you.”
“It’ll be good to be out of the city for a little bit. My parents are driving me crazy, and parties just don’t feel the same anymore.”
Normal parties, not the ones where I screw your sister.
“How’s the maple syrup business?” Ford asks as he glances at a duck walking along the deck.
“Hell if I know. I only occasionally glance at the financials when we have essential company meetings. I leave it to my family to run. That doesn’t make them too happy, nor did my new ownership status of the Spinners thrill them.
But trust me, maple syrup isn’t in my calling.
I mean, I keep a bottle in my kitchen out of loyalty but never open the disgusting thing. ”
“Brielle loves that stuff. It’s a must every time she makes pancakes.” He always smiles when he talks about his wife and kids.
I can imagine it must be a unique feeling, I’ve just never been drawn to the family lifestyle.
“How is the Spears crew?” I lean back in my chair to study my friend who seems completely at peace.
“Great. Connor is on summer break yet still hits the ice a few times a week, forward seems to be his position of choice. Sixteen is an age that requires a few extra bottles of beer, for me, not him. I swear that kid is going to give me my first gray hair.” Ford and Brielle had Connor when they were very young, which makes it a little more fun that the age difference between father and son isn’t so big.
“Wyatt is still in the napping phase, and Brielle is always radiant when pregnant.”
“A few more months, right? Is this your last one, or are you going for creating your own hockey team?” I’m generally interested, as their family is growing, and his gushing grin is nearly infectious on the matter.
“Nah, when this one arrives later this year, then we’re done. Three boys and a dog are enough for us, plus my sister is around, so I’m sure she will add to the family gatherings soon enough.”
My lips stall on the rim of my drink glass at the mention of Violet. Taking a shallow sip for appearances, I swallow a deep breath. “Didn’t realize she was dating someone.” I sound casual enough.
Inside of me, something feels tied to her, a connection, and not the wrists-knotted-to-my-headboard kind.
Truthfully, it was concerning how I woke to find her peacefully asleep next to me in my bed, naked. Either the bed was made for her, or she was made for the bed. I liked the way she looked wrapped in my sheets. I had to unravel us when I slowly slid out from the covers. I’m not used to that.
I have no right to be territorial about her dating life, but my interest is far too piqued.
“She’s not seeing anyone. I just don’t imagine her being single for long.
Violet is smart, runs her own shop, and she’s fun.
I’m not blind, I know half the team had a thing for her, and Violet is relaxed, so she’s easy to hang out with.
I’m sure the mayor has a son or nephew somewhere for her, and I think the new sheriff in town has been eyeing her.
I think he would pass my approval list.”
Not going to lie, Violet made an impression on me and has lingered in my head. I can only agree with her brother’s remarks. Well, except for the sheriff part. Other than his handcuffs, I doubt he would bring much to the table to keep Violet interested.
“Right,” I manage to say.
Luckily, the waiter arrives to take our orders. Still, as Ford reads off the menu, my mind wanders to Violet. I’ve already failed this test of brunch with Ford a few moments in because she’s all I can think about.
I don’t owe Violet an apology. The setup of that night had clear rules.
It wasn’t intentional that I left her before she woke, but I had somewhere important to be.
Not to mention, that would have been a slightly awkward morning after considering sex with her was…
different. If I’m honest with myself, it was slower and more sensual at times than my usual play.
Those parties are a temporary escape, but with Violet? It was like a whole other world.
Not apologizing to her doesn’t exactly feel right either, and I want to rectify that.
Violet is a lethal combination if a man looks close enough. She knows what she wants, and that’s sexy as hell. But she’s also the kind of woman that any grandmother would invite over for tea. This combination of the two are not good for any man’s head.
“Since you’ll be in Lake Spark more often, maybe you’ll set down some roots since hotel life can’t be that fun.”
“This week, I’m staying at the Dizzy Duck Inn here in town, and I’ll probably get a weekend home here. I do want to be a bit hands-on with the team if they train here. At least, I want to be able to observe the players,” I explain.
Ford hisses a sound. “You know that the team hates when the owner is around at practices.”
“That’s because most owners never played the game, but I’m different. Either way, I will make myself hidden if needed.” This team will only be the best in my book, it’s what I want, and I’ll prove to everyone that having me as owner is well worth it.
“Good. I’ll keep my eye out if any interesting real estate becomes available.”
“Like I said, I’m not sure if small-town life is for me, but it’s worth an investment,” I repeat to calm his eagerness.
“Weren’t you dating a real estate agent once?”
I scratch the back of my head. “Many years ago, for like two months, but she got clingy way too fast.” Nor did she understand that I had no intention of sending her flowers and planning future holidays together.
“I can never keep up with your dating life.”
“That’s the point,” I state with a tight smile. For the most part, people know that I have a good time, they’re just not aware of the specifics.
Thank fuck for that. Ford would kill me.
I take a moment to look out across the lake where a line of pines frames the outline of the water. Lake Spark is beautiful, I’ll give it that.
Lake Spark has been a business decision for the team, but maybe a little downtime would be good for me while I’m here. I’ve never given much time to nature, but they say it brings better focus.
Our food arrives a little while later.
“Thank you,” I hear Ford tell the waiter.
I repeat the sentiment and stare down at my BLT sandwich.
“Looks good,” I say while I debate how to attack the sandwich.
In truth, I’m not that hungry.
Probably because I was hoping he would bring up Violet a little more in conversation. It would be my practice to act indifferent around Ford, examine if I would ever feel guilt for betraying a friendship.
Instead, I’m left disappointed that I’m not awarded the opportunity.
“You should stop by our house later. Connor is having friends over, so I’m going to BBQ and have Spencer join.”
I have to grin. “Oh yeah, your street where every homeowner is a professional sports legend, or you.”
“Spencer retired, but come on, join us. We’ll drink a few beers while we ensure my sixteen-year-old and his crew don’t get out of line. Brielle would love it if you stopped by. You haven’t seen her yet since she really started to show.”
“I’ve never been one to turn down a social gathering.” I take a bite of my sandwich. Something clicks in my brain, and I wipe my mouth and suggest, “I should bring something for Brielle. Fruit, flowers?”
Please say flowers.
“Just bring yourself.”
That doesn’t help.
I’m failing. Miserably.
Violet keeps seeping into my thoughts every time I look at Ford. Or it’s the fact that I’m in Lake Spark and it has crossed my mind a million times that Violet lives here.
My brain flashes the image of her lying underneath me, and the way her breath hitched in surprise when I rolled us over in bed, or the fact that we barely left my sofa the first two rounds.
I scratch my cheek, realizing that I need to take matters into my own hands, especially if I’ll be in Lake Spark more often.
“My mother would be disappointed if I show up to your BBQ empty-handed. I’m sure I’ll find something in town.”
“I mean, Violet’s shop, The Flower Jar, has gifts as well as flowers. I’m sure she has something, plus it helps her business. I do my best to ensure she doesn’t go bankrupt.”
“Is that a concern?”
He scoffs a laugh. “No way. She’s always busy, a lot of online orders. The Dizzy Duck Inn contacts her for flowers when people stay for a night and need that romantic touch. I’m just her big brother and want her to succeed, and all business helps.”
Violet strikes me as an independent woman with strong shoulders. What her brother mentions sounds right on point.
“I’m going to assume, like all great places in Lake Spark, that I can find her store on Main Street?”
“Main Street, First Street, Pine Street, or Duck Lane, the only streets in Lake Spark, but they all run into Main or the lake.”
“Quaint.” I try to suppress a smile.
Ford grins. “Nah, just easy. Welcome to Lake Spark.”
My lips quirk out at Ford’s sentiment.
Easy.
Not exactly, but at least I won’t get lost.
Because my next stop is finding Violet at her flower shop.