Chapter 27
SUMMER
TEN DAYS LATER . . .
Starting my day drinking coffee on a patio in the Hamptons is another pinch-me moment. I’ve only had these moments because of the sleepyhead still in bed. I glance back at him. The covers are half off his body, and the slumbering sounds aren’t loud, but I like to hear them.
Daniel brings me a solace I didn’t know I needed.
I slow down with him and smell the roses. I care for him without having to worry about the details. He handles his life without me. I’ve been given the luxury of loving him without strings attached.
As nice as it is to enjoy a leisurely morning coffee in such a beautiful place, I don’t know why I’m not in bed with him. He’s all I want, and the need to make the most of every moment together is strong.
I tiptoe back inside, setting my mug on the coffee tray and shutting the door behind me. It’s quieter without the ocean breaking against the rocks nearby, but I prefer the sound of him. I climb into bed and scoot back against my big spoon.
His arm comes around me, though his breathing pace never changes. The man’s sense of me is quite astounding.
Closing my eyes, I ease into a dreamworld that will never be as enchanting as the one I’m living in with him .
“Are you nervous?” I ask, straightening the color of his crisp navy-blue shirt.
“No. Not much makes me nervous. You did.” He smirks. “Before we were dating.”
“Lies. You never once acted less than arrogant around me before we were dating. There.” I’m pleased with my work, though the contribution is minor to the overall outfit he pulled together. The man knows how to dress. I’ll give him that. “Looking sharp. Handsome as always.”
I check my matte red lipstick once more to make sure I didn’t mess it up.
It’s not supposed to smear, but my trust issues go way back to the eighth-grade dance, when I walked around with bright pink on my teeth all night.
No one told me until my dad picked me up afterward.
I got an ice cream out of it to make me feel better.
Surprisingly, it worked. I did feel better with two scoops of Rocky Road and Cherry Chocolate Chunk in my belly.
I’m impressed. This lipstick is still exactly where I put it.
I tuck it into the pocket of my white eyelet summer dress and make sure the ribbons around my ankles are still tied so my wedges stay on.
A Fourth of July party on the lawn of a mansion in the Hamptons had me shopping for days, trying to figure out what to wear. I’m happy with the results.
Peeking out the bed-and-breakfast’s window at the water view, I can’t help but compare it to the Cove. They’re similar. The water is a little bluer here, more emerald during the summer than at home. “I’ve never been to the Hamptons before.”
“It’s nice, but I prefer the Cove,” he says, rolling up his sleeves.
I grin, hearing his heart grow fonder of my small town.
A large silver watch wrapped around his wrist is exposed, those veins causing an ache to forget the party to stay in and make love all night.
Grasping me by the waist, he grins as he takes me in.
“You look beautiful.” Tilting his head, he looks at me eye level. “Are you nervous?”
“I don’t know what to expect. This isn’t my world.
” I flip the lipstick in my pocket over a few times before I ask, “Did I pick the right dress and shoes? Am I the girl from the red carpet or a quieter supporter of yours? Do I tell them where I’m from, or is that embarrassing to you?
It is to some people. Jerks, but it’s true. ”
“Yes to the dress. Yes to the shoes. You be whoever you want to be. I’m happy with who you are.
That’s who I’ve fallen in love with.” He sighs when he angles his head back up.
“You’re never an embarrassment, Summer. I tell you you’re beautiful because I still can’t believe I’m the guy who gets to be with you. But that’s not why I’m with you.”
Caressing under my jaw, he lifts me enough to make sure eye contact is secured, and says, “You’re driven and so smart that I feel like a dummy around you sometimes.
You read a lot and even journal because you have so much going on in your head.
But it’s how you care for everyone around you—Roman and me—that did me in.
Being loved by you is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced and a highlight of my day. ”
He kisses my cheek and slides the tips of his fingers down my arm, adding, “And you’re so fucking funny.
You make me smile like an idiot and laugh more than I knew possible.
You keep me on my toes, Sunshine.” He shrugs.
“That’s naming only a few reasons I like having you around.
So no, don’t lie about who you are or where you’re from.
Those are the reasons I fell in love with you. They will, too.”
“You keep that up, and you’re going to have a fangirl situation on your hands.”
Tapping my nose, he chuckles. “A guy can dream. Are you ready?”
“I’m good to go.” Before he turns, I grab his arm. “Are there going to be fireworks?”
He scoffs. “Let’s hope not.”
It’s safe to assume we’re talking about two different things, but his version has me wondering what we’re about to walk into. It’s good Mia wanted to take Roman with her to her boyfriend’s family reunion, after all. Just in case there are fireworks of the fighting kind.
On the drive over, we talk about the red-carpet event that didn’t exactly improve things.
Sure, he was seen with someone, but we failed to soften his image and managed to harden mine.
He says they’ll know I won’t take their shit.
But I’m more worried that if we don’t fix things at this party, he’ll be off the team. Or worse, forced to retire.
He isn’t nervous, but my nerves have multiplied exponentially in the past fifteen minutes. “Last-minute advice needed. Who should I talk to, and who do I avoid?”
“Players are safe to talk to, though there won’t be many. Only a few were invited. I’ve never spent much time with their dates—wives and girlfriends—”
“WAGS. I don’t like that term. Feels icky, like we’re one mass not worth an individual mention.”
“I never thought it was that deep, just easier to say.”
“I can see that.” It’s not something I thought too deeply into either. I also was never confronted with the possibility of being lumped into that group before now. When he pulls onto their driveway, I scramble. “Any last-minute tips?”
“Sports are cutthroat. Everyone here will play nice, but don’t think they won’t stab me in the back the first chance they get.
Hockey is fun for me, but they’re in it to make money.
Period.” I don’t know how to process this information.
Should I be on guard? “Don’t overthink, Summer.
Enjoy the day but also remember I wasn’t invited for my sparkling personality.
” He shifts the car in Park and comes around to the other side to open my door.
When I’m on my feet in front of him, he says, “Ready for some fun?”
Other than being with him, none of this sounds fun. “I sure am.”
After the valet drives the car away, we walk down a brick-laid path around the house. Holding his arm, I say, “Remember, family-friendly, no swear words. Keep it light and fun. Love fest.”
“Sounds awful,” he says, his eyes focused forward as we come around the corner.
“Did you notice you never asked me to say or not say anything, to act a certain way, or to wait off to the side while you were on the red carpet? Even tonight, there was no prep for me.” I suck in a shuddering breath. “Any words of wisdom, topics to steer clear of, or—”
“No.” He smirks. “You hold your own just fine.” He stops to face me and takes my hand. “You’re the last person I worry about betraying me. And you only help my image.” He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses it. “Say whatever is on your mind. We don’t play by the rules. We break them.”
I’m not sure if I should feel relieved or brace myself. Either way, it’s going to be an eventful night.
We come around the corner of the house to an expansive lawn. Clothed tables and formal chairs dot the grass—white against green. White beach balls float in a pool with clean lines, making me think of Old Hollywood. I say, “It looks more like a wedding than a Fourth of July party.”
“I’ve never had to wear business casual to a backyard barbecue.”
“Maverick’s here!”
“Hey Sutton, come over here.”
I feel such pride being with Daniel, so happy for him when I see the grins and excitement on others’ faces when they see him.
“Heeyyy,” Daniel says, grasping hands with guys I assume are other players based on size and build, and sticking out from a lot of the other guests. Daniel introduces me, confirming my hunch.
I hate it when the two groups split off, leaving me without him by my side and stuck in a circle of minor gossip and a few judgy comments.
I meet their dates—Lori, Katrina, and Lindy—and make small talk.
Wife, date, girlfriend. They’re really into titles.
From the constant mentions of who they are with and their role in that player’s life, it seems there’s a hierarchy they identify with and respect.
And where you are on that pyramid determines everything, from when you speak to your seats at the arena during games.
Lori finishes her champagne and sets it on the tray of a passing server. She leans in like I’m a close friend, and says, “Don’t worry. You’ll sit with me. Maverick is at the top of the food chain, so you eat first. I got your back.”
Being from a small town doesn’t make me dumb.
We don’t like fake people or opportunists.
Ten red flags are flapping like a halo circling the flashing sign above her head that she’s achieved ultimate puck bunny status by marrying a player.
And she loves to use it to her advantage with others.
I have no interest in playing their games. “My back is just fine, but thank you.”