Chapter Nineteen
ETHAN
Sweat drips down my face as I push my legs harder, faster. One more. The sound of skates sliding across the ice and pucks slapping against sticks filters through the haze. I pivot, my stick slicing through the air as I hit the puck.
My breathing is heavy as I watch it soar through the air. Andrew stretches out, and the puck bounces off of his glove. It didn’t make it in, but it was a great save by our goalie.
Coach blows his whistle and circles his arm, signaling practice is over. “Head to the showers. Some of you need to add another leg day to your routine.” He shakes his head.
A smile covers my face. I’m not normally in a hurry for practice to be over. I’ve always lived for this game, but all I can think about is hurrying to get back to Daisy.
Am I obsessed? Abso-fucking-lutely.
“Ethan, nice shot.” Andrew raises his goalie helmet from his head.
I nod and skate my way across the ice.
“Who’s in to check out that new place down on Eighth Street?” Jude yells across the locker room. “They’re supposed to have extra pool tables and food too.”
There’s cheers all around as everyone seems to want in on the team fun.
“Did you want to go out? I’ve got work to do at the ranch in the morning and wasn’t planning on going out tonight..” Andrew walks up behind me.
“I’ve got plans.”
He clears his throat. “Your truck has been on the ranch an awful lot lately.”
“I’ve got a lot of years to make up for.” I turn to my locker and sit on the bench, removing my skates and the rest of the gear.
He nods. “Don’t break her heart, but more than that, don’t let her push you away again,” he speaks quietly.
“I love her,” I admit.
“Does she know that?”
“I’m not letting her push me away, not again. We finally talked about the breakup when her dad was sick.”
“Good. I wanted to tell you back then, but it wasn’t my place. She’s family.”
“I respect that, even if I disagree with her decision.”
“Since you’re going to be around more, we’re pushing cattle the day after tomorrow. More hands make less work.” His eyes narrow.
I know it’s a test, not that I mind. I’ll happily help them out at the ranch. It’s been ages since I’ve ridden a horse. I can’t remember the last time, probably one of the last times I was at the Miles Ranch before college. They would be my family too, soon enough, I would always help.
“You just let me know what time.”
He nods and walks across the locker room.
Eager to get out of there and back to Daisy, I move quick to the showers.
Moving at a record speed to wash, towel off, and change into clothes.
The guys tease me as I tie my shoes, but I don’t care.
They’re not going to pressure me into going out with them.
Not when I know she’s waiting for me. I told her I’d pick up dinner tonight, and she didn’t argue.
Nobody is wasting time hanging around, so it doesn’t surprise me when I hear a few of the others behind me as I walk fast down the hall and to the outer doors. I push open the heavy metal doors and squint as the sun gets in my eyes.
I make my way towards my truck, holding my hand up to block the sun. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the bright sunlight outside. My body freezes at the sight before me. The most gorgeous girl leaning against my truck.
“Mine,” I whisper as I pick up my pace.
Daisy breaks out into a smile and runs toward me. I catch her as she jumps into my arms. Her lips crash into mine and her legs wrap around my waist. My arms envelope her as I kiss her back, my lips refusing to leave hers. There’s nothing but heat and need building between us.
Whoops and hollers sound off around us, cheering us on. I smile against her lips.
“I don’t need to see this,” Andrew groans from nearby. “Dude, we rode together. Daisy, give me your keys. Y’all can ride back home together.”
She gestures to my truck, where I’m guessing her purse is sitting.
I’m too focused on keeping her in my arms. Pulling back, I rest my forehead on hers and wait until I hear Andrew jingle her keys and walk to the other side of my truck, where her little bug is probably parked.
I’m sure that would be a sight to see, tall as he is getting into her tiny car.
“Fuck, I missed you.” I dip my head and capture her lips again.
“I missed you.” She speaks between kisses.
My fingers dig into her curves. “I was going to bring back dinner, but do you want to go out instead? We can go out for food, or the bar with others, or go somewhere else?” I want to take her back home and be alone with her, but I also want to show the world she’s mine.
“I’m okay with going out and doing something with you. Just the two of us, or with the team?”
“The team!” Bennett yells from nearby.
“Shut up!” I yell at him, but Daisy giggles.
“I think it would be good for you to do something with the team, bonding, and all. I like the idea of going out with you, so long as we’re together.”
“Alright, let’s check out this new place with the guys.” I shake my head.
“Okay.” She smiles.
I slowly release her. Her body slides down mine and I can’t help but let my hands feel every soft part of her as she stands on her own feet. My hands move up to pull her in for one more kiss. I’ll never get enough of her.
It doesn’t take long to reach Eighth Street. We all park near one another around the block and make our way to the new bar. There’s a little bit of a line forming outside, but Becker nods to the bouncer, who greets the group of us with a smile. We’re ushered in without having to get in line.
“Fancy treatment,” Daisy whispers.
I keep my arm wrapped around her as we make our way inside and find a table. Ethan leads the way to the corner where a large corner booth awaits with a reserved sign on the table.
“Plan ahead, did ya?” Bennett snickers. “I like it.” His eyes scope the room. “This is going to be good, boys.” He pauses and glances at Daisy. “And lady.”
Daisy laughs as we slide into the booth. “You already set your sights on someone?”
“I’m going to treat her so good.” He shakes his head with a grin.
At that, we all chuckle.
“I took a guess here.” A server walks up with a tray of frosted mugs and pitchers of beer. Her blonde hair is in a slicked back ponytail and she looks over all of us. “If anyone would rather have something besides beer, just let me know. My name is Riley and I’ll be taking care of y’all tonight.”
“Can I get a tequila sunrise?” Daisy speaks up next to me.
Riley smiles at her and nods. “You got it, gorgeous.”
“Aren’t I gorgeous?” Bennett sits up a little taller.
“Not my type.” She glances at him, then back to Daisy. “I’ll be right back with your drink. Anyone else feeling like something else?” Riley looks at Bennett. “And don’t say my number.”
“A whisky, top shelf.” Connor speaks up.
“You got it,” Riley eyes him up. “I’ll be right back with those drinks.”
“What the hell, man!” Bennett playfully shoves Connor.
Connor shakes his head. “You may be older, but I’ve got the older soul.”
Bennett crosses his arms and sits back in almost a pout. “I’m not old.”
“Dude, that girl is checking you out.” Ethan pours a few beers and passes them around.
Bennett sits up straighter. “Damn right someone is.”
I keep my arm wrapped around Daisy as we sit back and people watch. Being out with her feels nice. It feels right. Our server returns with Daisy and Connor’s drinks and slips a napkin to Connor.
She walks away before he does anything with it. Connor slowly opens it with a smile on his face, then tucks it into his pocket.
As the evening goes on, the bar becomes livelier. Most of the guys have slid out of the booth. Several going to play pool and a few on the dance floor with girls that held their gazes long enough.
That used to be month. Six months ago, that was me. Not anymore. I’m not looking to numb the loneliness with one-night-stands and alcohol when I’m not on the ice. I’m not the person I was a year ago.
“You want to get out of here?” Daisy asks next to me.
I smile down at her. “Whenever you are.”
She downs the rest of her drink, then grins up at me. “I’m ready.” Her eyes dip to my lips, then back up to my eyes.
“You got it, baby.” We slide out of the booth and I take her hand, leading her out of the bar.
The drive back to the ranch is the longest it’s ever felt. I turn the music up to help pass the time. My eyes stay on the road even though I can feel her eyes on me.
“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?”
“My mom is going to be gone for a while longer still.” She speaks up next to me. “I like you keeping me company.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
I’m glad she liked me keeping her company, considering I wasn’t planning on ever being without her again.