13. Dont Worry
DON'T WORRY
Ivy
At the rate I was going, my lip would be raw and bleeding by the time I left this arena.
For fuck’s sake, Ivy, just speak to the man.
Oliver and I were seated at the front row, watching Sunny skate around with Beck and a couple other boys.
He was doing incredible today. Beck had him working defense, which he seemed to be having fun with, but you could see a small slip of uncertainty in his form—as if he wasn’t completely convinced of his job and how far to take it yet.
I’d been to a few of his practices over the last couple of months with Aspen, and watching him skate was one of my favorite activities lately.
The smiles he had plastered across his face the whole time were something special to behold, and as my eyes drifted over to his father, I felt as if I were an outsider who’d somehow conned my way into this outing.
I’d thought about texting Aspen an SOS, but what could she do from class? Nothing. I needed to be a grownup, so here I was.
“You know, I’m not working as much right now, restaurant and all.
There’s been some staff changes, and they’ve been slow as hell with the weather taking forever to commit to spring.
So if you ever needed a helping hand with Hudson’s practice schedule picking up and rodeo season beginning, I’d be happy to do so,” I offered quietly.
I swear, it felt like since I’d been a dumb drunk bitch in front of him, he’d hated me.
Not as if Oliver Carragan did much talking prior to that day, but now he seemed to be actively avoiding so much as looking at me.
Which would be ridiculous, seeing as we went to all the same functions, but here we were.
He still hadn’t answered, his hands gripping around his phone in a manner that spoke of how strong those damn cowboy hands were when needed.
The calluses and veins down his forearms were simply distracting.
My eyes flew back to his face as I realized what I was doing—as if I hadn’t been trying to work things out with my boyfriend.
“I didn’t mean to pry, of course, I just know that with the end of the semester upon us, Aspen is crazy busy with classes and studying for finals.
You have three new bulls entering the circuit this season, and that has to be a lot on your plate.
I don’t want Hudson to feel as if he has to quit, not that you’d even let that happen.
You wouldn’t because you’re an amazing dad.
But I’m here, with nothing going on, if you need me.
You have my number after all, and I prefer not being home. So, yeah, don’t be scared to use it.”
I physically bit my tongue to keep my mouth from running once more. I had a shitty habit of letting my nerves allow my mouth to move at nine-hundred-miles an hour. Right now being a prime example of such moments.
“How did you know I had three new bulls this season?” he questioned, his voice deep, but his eyes never left his son on the ice.
Teeth digging back into my bottom lip, I mentally smacked myself.
“I just talk to Rowan a lot. Small talk and all. Work updates.”
I leaned back in my chair, my hands under my thighs so he couldn’t see my fidgeting like a nut ball.
“You make a habit of asking about his work?”
I stared at him—the back of his head, since he was leaned forward watching Sunny—trying to understand what his point was.
“Um, well I do practically live there, and work is a topic he enjoys talking about, so I guess so. Would be sort of strange to see a man all the time and never speak to him, wouldn’t it?”
He nodded, his eyes never turning towards me. Something about his demeanor was pissing me off, and I had no real idea why.
“Why aren’t you home?”
“Um, because I thought your son needed a ride to camp?”
“No, I meant why are you practically living with my brother?”
My teeth once more dug into my bottom lip, and I wanted him to look at me so I could just shrug and move on. But it was as if he knew if he simply refused to lay eyes on me, I’d have to speak.
“Because I like their house.”
He said nothing more. Maybe he knew it was a bold-faced fucking lie, but I didn’t care at the moment. Pulling out my phone, I shot a text to the group chat.
Why are men so moody?
Ember
Which one are we talking about?
……
Aspen
I’m just leaving class and if this is about Todd, I’m going to blow a damn gasket Ivy!!!
Not about Todd. I haven’t even spoken to him today.
Aspen
Aspen
Isn’t that a bit odd for someone you LIVE with?
I rolled my eyes and hoped someone else would text back so I could ignore her comment.
Ember
Ohhhh! Are you with a certain daddy?
Payton
Oh god. Not you too. I’m going to leave this chat if y’all don’t stop with my brothers!
He’s so damn broody!! How do you deal with him?!
Payton
I bring the beer out when he starts sighing too much.
“You know, if you wanted to sit on your phone, you could’ve told Hudson you were too busy to come,” Oliver muttered.
I hadn’t even noticed the man look at me. Not to mention, I’d been looking up every few seconds to watch him, and at the moment they were taking a water break.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I was making sure Aspen got home okay and Sunny is taking a water break, so I don’t think I’m missing much.”
He didn’t respond, just stared back forward, his hands clutched around his phone as if it would hand him all the answers to life’s great mysteries if he squeezed hard enough.
“You know, if you squeeze that thing any more, you’re likely to crack the screen. They don’t make them invincible like they did back in your day,” I muttered under my breath, the words slipping by before I could stop them and remind myself that this was none of my damn business.
Popping to my feet, I walked away and down towards where Coach Beck was standing before I could listen to anything Mr. Grumpy Ass had to say about my comments.
“You look great out there, Sunny!” I hollered as he went back out onto the ice, throwing a smile over his shoulder at me as he skated around with his stick in his hands, hitting the puck back and forth with two other boys.
“Hey Beck! Question really quick!”
His eyes darted up, and he smiled, pushing his hair out of his face.
“Hey, Ivy, right?” he asked, a charming, dimpled smile across his face.
This man could model as a real-life surfer Ken doll, and he probably knew it too.
“I was wondering, do you offer lessons through the rink? Or is it, like, a freelance type thing?”
A subtle smirk replaced the charming smile, and I knew where his mind was going before his mouth opened. “If you want lessons, we don’t need any extra eyes, Ivy.”
I giggled, a blush creeping up my neck and into my cheeks. It had been a long time since a man had blatantly flirted with me, and I wasn’t even sure how to deal with it.
“Oh! Wow, no. I mean, thank you. Wow. Okay, let’s rewind.
I can skate. I used to figure skate when I was little.
I need a side gig type of thing. I’m a waitress at The Roadhouse, and it’s not as busy as I’d like it to be.
So I wasn’t sure if they needed figure skate coaches for the kids or anything. I figured you’d be the guy to ask.”
It was his turn to blush now, the charming smile back as he nodded.
“Of course. That was pretty cocky of me, wasn’t it?” he asked with a shy chuckle. “I’m sorry.”
Shaking my head, I reached out, setting a hand on his arm. “It’s totally fine, Beck. Honestly, the confidence boost is never unwanted.”
He blew out a breath. “Well, hopefully my chances won’t be ruined forever.
The rink is always looking for help teaching the kids.
Especially before the hockey season starts up.
I’m not sure about the figure skating, but I’ll grab you a card before you head out and you can send ’em over an email. I’ll put in a good word for you.”
I nodded, a little more giddy now with the possibility. “Thank you so much. I appreciate it. I’ll let you get back to the boys, though.”
“Cool, cool, I’ll talk to you later then, Ivy.”
He jumped back on the ice and skated over to Hudson and his teammates, a few spare pucks in hand.
I watched from there for the rest of practice, no desire to let Sunny’s grumpy dad ruin my newly found positivity.