21. Lachlan
Jake is a pro at making people relax. It’s why he’s a bloody good captain. But his words of reassurance sound hollow to my ears, probably because I can read in his eyes that he’s also concerned about June’s lack of response.
It doesn’t escape my notice that we know nothing about her. Maybe there’s another reason her ex-boyfriend said no to her proposal and kicked her out of their apartment. June reeled me in with her sweetness and sassiness, but I’ve been fooled before. I’d hate to think I let a pretty lass wrap me around her finger so fast that I lost my sense of reason.
We’re quiet on the ride home until Ryan opens his mouth as we enter our garage. “Wouldn’t it be a kick in the nuts if we came home to find the place swept clean of anything valuable and June long gone?”
“Shut yer hole. June isn’t a thief,” I retort.
“How do you know? Maybe she’s a con artist, and that entire circus last night was part of her act.”
Jake turns to him. “That’s the stupidest thing that ever came out of your mouth. There’s no way she could have known we would see the failed proposal and ask Melissa to intervene.”
“Fine. Maybe that part was true, but then she conveniently forgets her wallet, and gets kicked out of her apartment? That could be a con.”
Jake shakes his head. “You watch way too many television shows.”
Ryan parks the car, and I’m the first one out. My pulse is accelerated, and I don’t know what’s causing it—the possibility that Ryan could be right or that something happened to June. Both scenarios are horrible, but I’d pick the first. I’d rather she be a con artist than hurt.
Stop being so bloody pessimistic.
In the elevator, Ryan pipes up again. “In case I’m wrong about my theory, have you heard from Mrs. Carpenter yet?”
“No,” Jake grumbles.
Ryan’s eyes sparkle. “June might have to spend the night with us.”
I watch him through narrowed eyes. “You don’t do repeats.”
He shrugs. “I’ll make an exception this time. It’s all about opportunity, my friend. Besides, I can’t let you two have all the fun.”
“Do you even listen to yourself when you talk? You were just saying June was a con artist,” Jake retorts.
“I said she could be. Don’t twist my words.”
“Just shut up,” Jake retorts as the elevator door opens.
Ryan whistles. “What’s with him? He’s as grumpy as you are, Lachy.”
“And the common denominator is you.” I follow Jake out of the elevator.
“I’m not the cause,” he mumbles, following me.
True, Jake has been in a bad mood since speaking with Melissa alone. It can’t be because she wants June to go through media training. Something else was discussed. Bloody hell. I wonder if it’s related to Jake’s bad behavior last year. He was dubbed by the press as the most problematic player off the ice, and almost lost his position as captain.
The most mouth-watering smell hits my nose as soon as Jake opens the front door. June turns toward the entry foyer, where we all huddle together and stare at her standing in the middle of our kitchen. Her hair is up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing leggings and a T-shirt. She has zero makeup on, and the only thing on her cheek is a smear of flour. I’ve never seen a more breathtaking view.
She smiles from ear to ear, and my heart takes off. Bloody hell. I’m so fucked.
“Hey, guys. I cooked dinner. I hope you don’t mind.”
Jake and I look at Ryan and wait for him to blow a fuse. The kitchen is off-limits. We aren’t allowed to do any serious cooking in it, because he claims we’d ruin all his pans and the food would be inedible. We only have access to the microwave.
Ryan’s jaw clenches tight, and a vein on his forehead throbs.“What did you cook?” he asks through gritted teeth.
June doesn’t seem to notice Ryan’s reaction to her taking over his sanctuary. Still sporting a smile, she replies, “Lasagna. It’s a family recipe. It should be done in about five minutes.”
Ryan walks over, glances at the sink, and then turns to the stove. We all know he’s inspecting everything, but June is oblivious.
I step closer to Jake and whisper, “If Ryan says anything to June about his bloody pans, I’ll turn him into haggis.”
“We didn’t have lasagna noodles,” Ryan points out.
“I know. I made them from scratch.”
“Really?” He pauses, then his attention drops to her T-shirt. “What are you wearing?”
His expression is a mix now of aggravation and amusement. I can’t see what’s on her T-shirt that’s making him react that way, because Ryan is blocking the view. Jake and I move closer.
Looking down, June stretches the fabric of her top. “Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze.” When she looks up, she’s smirking. “What? They were babes.”
I grin. “Did you wear that in our honor, lass?”
Her cheeks turn bright pink. There’s a fluttering in my stomach that I’ve felt only once before. All because of June’s blushing. I’ve never met anyone who did that so often, but I’m beginning to realize that might be my weakness when it comes to her.
“No. It was the first T-shirt I grabbed from the bag.”
“Maybe it’s a sign that you should stick around,” I say.
“I thought I was, or has that changed?” She turns to Jake. “Did you speak to Mrs. Carpenter?”
“Not yet. But don’t worry. She’ll say yes.”
She frowns. “I can’t stay at her place tonight, then.”
“You can stay here,” Jake replies.
From my peripheral, I catch Ryan checking the oven. “I think your lasagna is burning.”
June whips her face toward him. “What? No, for real?”
He opens the oven, and the smell of delicious melted cheese makes my stomach grumble.
Ryan says, “It’s done,” while June says, “Another minute.”
They stare at each other briefly before June closes the oven door.
“Ohhh, someone is challenging your skills, Ryan.” Jake laughs.
June tilts her head, still looking at Ryan. “You cook?”
“You could say that.”
“He thinks he’s a chef,” I tell her.
“I don’t think. I am.”
“Wow, cool. My dish is nothing fancy. Just good old home cooking.”
“If you ask me, that’s the best type,” Jake butts in, earning a glower from Ryan.
“Says the man who licks his plate every time I cook.”
“Only because there’s never enough food.” I pile on, then high-five Jake.
The cooking timer starts beeping, prompting June to turn the oven off. “Where do you keep your oven mitts?”
Ryan opens the drawer next to the oven and hands her a set.
“Are we eating now? I’d better set the table...” I start before realizing June has already set the table.
“We’re eating now, unless you’re not hungry.” She brings the steaming lasagna to the table.
“Wait.” Ryan rushes after her with a trivet and places it on the table with a look of sheer horror. It’s fucking hilarious.
June looks at him and sets down the dish. “Oh, thanks. Now go wash your hands.”
I’m not sure what’s more comical—June’s unawareness that Ryan is losing his mind, or his reaction to her. He looks dazed as he walks to the kitchen sink to do what she asked.
“We all texted you,” Jake chimes in. “Didn’t you receive them?”
June grimaces. “I had a small accident.” She shows us her phone inside a ziplock bag filled with rice. “My phone decided to have a bubble bath.”
“Is it dead?” Jake asks.
“I don’t know. I’m afraid to check.”
“Can I see it?” Ryan reaches for it.
June hands him the bag and stares at the device while Ryan tries to turn it on. “Yeah, I’d say you need a new phone.”
Her shoulders sag. “Great. Another broken thing to add to the list.”
Ryan returns the phone to her without saying a word and then leaves the dining room. June watches him go, furrowing her brows. What’s that eejit doing now? He’d better not be rude and skip dinner.
“Aren’t you gonna eat?” I ask him.
“Be right back.”
I relax a bit, then Jake and I veer for the table, but June hangs back. “Sit down, lass.”
“I’m not sure where.”
I pull out the chair next to mine. “You can sit here.”
“Thanks.”
We’re all seated when Ryan returns and places a white box next to June’s plate. She looks up. “What’s this?”
“Your new phone.” He walks to his side of the table without looking at her.
“What?” She flips the box over, revealing a picture of the latest iPhone. “It’s brand new.”
Smirking, Ryan sits next to Jake and across from June. “Of course it is.”
“I can’t accept this.” She pushes the box away from her.
“He didn’t pay for it,” Jake butts in.
“But still...”
“I forgot I had it lying around. I did a marketing campaign for the mobile phone provider, and they gave me that as a bonus. I don’t need it, you do. Take it, Peaches.”
“He really doesn’t need it, June,” Jake points out.
“My phone is customized.” Ryan shows her the sleek design of the case.
I’m a little annoyed at myself for not offering her my freebie. I also have a new phone somewhere in my room. It completely slipped my mind.
“What if my chip is also ruined?” she asks.
“Then you get a new one,” Ryan shrugs. “Chips are cheap.”
“Thank you, then. I truly appreciate everything you’re all doing for me. If there’s anything I can do for you in return, please tell me.”
I cover her hand with mine. “You’re already returning the favor, lass. The lasagna smells divine.”
She turns to me, her cheeks pink again. If we were alone, I’d lean in for a kiss. But I don’t want to risk getting shot down in front of Jake and Ryan. It could also give her the idea we expect sex in return for helping her out. That’d be horrible and so wrong.
“I hope you like it,” she replies.
“Let’s dig in. I’m starving.” Jake grabs a knife and cuts the lasagna in equal squares. “June, hand over your plate, please.”
“Oh, I can serve myself. You go first.”
I grab her plate and stick it out so Jake can give her the first piece. “Ladies always come first here.”
She shakes her head, but the corners of her lips twist upward.
Jake serves everyone else before putting a piece of lasagna on his plate. I take a bite and moan. “Fuck. This is good.”
“Really?” June asks.
Jake nods as he chews his own bite and swallows. “It’s amazing. Best lasagna I’ve ever had. Sorry, Ryan.”
He scowls. “I’ve never cooked lasagna before, jerkface.”
“But even if you had, June’s would be better.”
Ryan snorts. “Let’s see about that.”
We all watch him take his first bite. He chews slowly, and his expression remains stone-cold. I notice that June hasn’t eaten yet, and she’s leaning forward just a little, her body tense.
“So?” I ask once he swallows.
Ryan holds my stare for a second, then switches his attention to June but replies only once his gaze is down on his plate again, and he’s forking up another piece of lasagna. “June would win a lasagna bake-off.”
“Do you mean that?” she asks.
His mouth is full now, so he nods. I nudge her arm with my elbow. “You got Ryan’s seal of approval, lass. That’s huge.”
“But you’re still not allowed in the kitchen unsupervised,” he tells her.
Jake shakes his head. “So close.”
“You couldn’t let it go, could you?” I add.
June’s gaze darts around. “What’s going on?”
“Ryan has a rule. No one is allowed to cook in the kitchen beside him,” Jake replies.
June seems to shrink in her chair. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t break anything. I swear.”
Ryan has the decency to look remorseful, but he’s still an arsehole in my book.
“It’s okay. I should have told you,” he replies.
“It’s a ridiculous rule. I vote to lift the ban and allow June to cook here whenever she likes,” I grumble.
Ryan opens his mouth, but June cuts him off. “Oh no. I wouldn’t want that. If the kitchen is Ryan’s domain, I will avoid it. Besides, I can cook at Mrs. Carpenter’s apartment. Today, I was bored and wanted to do something nice for you.”
Ryan’s expression falls. “No. I’m sorry. I appreciate you cooking dinner for us. I didn’t mean to come across as ungrateful. I’m a little... particular about certain things.”
“I totally understand. Now, let’s eat before the food gets cold.”
I watch June for a couple beats just to be sure she’s not pretending she’s okay. She catches me looking and holds my stare before smiling and squeezing my leg under the table. I jolt a little, not expecting the contact. It happens fast, then her hand is gone, but it makes me smile. I know now she’d have reciprocated my kiss. But it’s best if we’re alone. The next time I’m with her, I don’t want to share.