Chapter 15 #2
It only takes the flick of my eyes opening and two blinks for me to be awestruck.
I’m overwhelmed about where to look because there is the backdrop of the lake and woodlands below since we seem to be up on a hill, and right here in front of me where Connor must have been earlier because there’s a blanket and a few lanterns.
I notice the box that keeps food warm and realize that must have been in the back of his car the whole time.
“Oh.” It softly escapes my lips before I turn my head to find that Connor has been watching me this whole time, with his foot on a log and face stoic.
“Uh.” He shyly strokes his jawline with his thumb. “Doesn’t this place seem familiar? Although, last time we might have stayed in my car.”
Looking around, I knew this place was familiar.
I know why too. A profoundness hits me, and I do my best to keep it in by biting the inside of my lip.
“You mean, do I remember being here at night with you once?” In truth, this brings up mixed emotions, and I’m not entirely sure if this is the place for us to be.
A fondness hits him, and his head tilts low while his eyes perk up. “Yeah.” His voice is soft. It seems he chose this place for a reason.
A silence floats between us because we don’t need many words in relation to the significance of this place.
It was a beautiful night, but it started our years of hate too.
I glance around again at the view. I think I’ll choose to remember the good, which is why I turn back to him with a small half-smile.
“I haven’t even pulled out the big guns yet,” he says.
I cross my arms. “Oh yeah? What might that be?”
He indicates with his head to go sit on the blanket, and I easily follow instruction.
He is busy grabbing items from the food box. “We’re not really supposed to light anything that burns here, but I’m sure the forest ranger will let me off when I get him season tickets.”
I can’t even tell if he’s joking. My eyes trail down to see he is holding a small tinfoil-wrapped casserole dish, and it looks familiar, the writing on the top anyways. “What is that?”
“My gamechanger for tonight.”
“Leave it to you to think food can sway me.”
Connor takes a seat next to me, with our elbows grazing, and he hands me the box. “You’re mom’s famous mac ‘n’ cheese.”
“Really?” I’m completely thrown off because it’s such an original and sweet gesture.
He nods, with his subtle smirk permanent, because he’s satisfied with my facial expressions. “I know how much you love that stuff, and since you’re not living at home anymore, I figured you might miss it. I asked for her help for dinner, and yeah, the squeal and aws nearly burst my eardrums.”
My cheeks hurt from how much I’m smiling. I can picture it all in my head. “I bet. She probably went overboard too.”
“Oh, she did,” he confirms. “We also have zucchini pancakes. There is no logic to the menu other than she said they were your favorites.”
It’s thoughtful that he reached out to her.
A silence takes over as our eyes catch and silly looks grace our faces. I decide to pipe up and admit the truth. “You might get points for how this night is starting.”
“Does that hurt? Giving me a compliment?” He nudges my shoulder with his.
I touch my arm, then my stomach, followed by my legs. “Everything seems to be okay.”
“That sucks, I was kind of hoping you needed me to tend to your wounds.”
Reaching out, I hook a finger under his chin to bring his mouth in my direction. Our foreheads touch and our eyes connect. I could kiss him, but I enjoy keeping him captivated like this. He’s partly in suspense if I’ll bring my lips to his or if this location is a good idea at all.
Dance has been the passion of my life. The best dance, however, is the one where Connor and my lips trace and brush one another’s, with our breathing entwined, while our noses nuzzle the lines of our cheeks. The most unchoreographed dance is my favorite, and that’s him.
“You’re making it hard, Connor Spears,” I rasp. “I’m supposed to make you work really hard.”
“Well, Hadley Spears, sometimes a clear shot appears, and you take it.” He returns my tone.
I’ll let him off on the hockey reference because the sport is part of the blueprint of who he is, and I don’t mind. I kiss the corner of his mouth, nothing too sensual; it would be respectable enough for my grandparents, but it drives this man crazy.
Giving us some space, I retreat and decide to get our conversation moving and enjoy this picnic that is in a prime location for the upcoming sunset to the west. “You’ll always play for the Spinners?”
He shrugs before he reaches to the side for a bottle of wine.
“My contract is actually for one more year. I’m an unrestricted free agent which means next year it’s about the right contract and whichever team offers it.
I would like to stay with the Spinners, but I’m not sure my prospects are great.
Nobody here wants me to be captain considering my family connection to the team.
Careerwise, it will be better if I find a new team. ”
Oh, away from Lake Spark.
I touch his shoulder to comfort him while he works on the bottle, because he has talent, and it would be a loss if people thought only of potential bias.
“I can see that… uhm… I guess your wife would follow you where your team would be?” I never thought about that, and I’m not questioning why I seem invested in the topic, but then again, a timeline kind of vanished somewhere in my head.
His fingers still on the bottle mid-pour. “I would hope so. Then again, I travel for more than half the games. Hockey is a lot more grueling on the schedule than other sports.”
“Yet you want a dog,” I state the obvious.
“Between our families, I’m confident he would have plenty of places to stay and be happy, even if I’m away. It’s better than living at the shelter.”
“You really want him, huh?” I have to gush because Connor is like a kid waiting for Santa, and it’s all for the sake of saving a cute dog. Some people would call that being a man of character or having a heart of gold, and in this case, it’s all true.
He gives me a pointed look. “Even if you want me crucified, I know you would take care of him.”
“Kind of correct. I’m used to hectic families, with pets included.”
Connor hands me a glass of red wine. “It’s kind of cool.”
I nod. “Considering I don’t have many cousins, then yes, I’m lucky that our little family provided the full effect. Twins run in my father’s side, but he lost his twin brother young. My mom was an only child, though.”
He pauses for a second and looks at me with interest. “Twins? So, we’re having like ten kids.” He looks into his glass of wine, nearly somber.
“Whoa, relax, twins means two, not ten, and I’m still years away from wanting to swell my ankles to push out a baby or three. But anyway, I guess you and I are family people. Didn’t Violet make you godfather to her daughter?”
His brows bounce. “I’m sure she and Declan argued over that one, but yeah, I’m Willow’s godfather. Happy to be the stellar influence she needs.” He isn’t afraid to put himself in a different light if it means humor.
Connor’s soft smile returns. “We have something else in common.” He holds out his glass for a toast. “We now have the same last name, and I think it’s the next best thing to a leash for keeping you tied to me and in line.”
I chortle yet clink our glasses. Possession is completely a turn-on for me, and I have no problem admitting that, which is why it’s worthy of a toast. The sweltering in his sentence creates an ache between my thighs too.
Leaning my head against his shoulder, I interlace our arms and let a relaxing breath escape while we look forward at the horizon.
I’m beginning to wonder if our whole situation may actually be luck on our side. Because right now, he feels like the Connor that I kept locked in my dreams, but this time, I open my eyes and he’s still there.