Chapter 12 Ruth #2
My eyes are burning. I need out of this topic, but since I’m literally locked into a conversation with Bill, I revert the attention back to him. “So, it's your turn. Who is your last person to be locked in a closet with? Do you have an ex you can’t stand?”
“I’ve got one of those.” He nods for the fast breath before his brow lowers, and his eyes darken.
“But ah, no, I’d be fine chatting with her.
My last person would be a guy who once was my best friend.
We played hockey together all through our childhood, and we both got recruited to the NHL.
For a long time, we were inseparable. I trusted him with everything, including my girlfriend.
I got sick on prom night, and I couldn’t fathom being the reason she missed her senior prom.
I trusted Blake with everything in me, and I begged him to sub for me, which ended up being a mistake when he stole her from me. ”
I blink, surprised he said it so plainly.
“Wow. That’s bold of him. And incredibly dumb of her.
I bet she regrets that.” I mean it to be lighthearted to cheer him up, but it’s also true.
The dude is a billionaire. I think it’s every woman’s dream to marry someone who can wipe all her financial struggles away.
He doesn’t say anything, so I add a little softer, “That must’ve really hurt.
Losing two people like that.” I tilt my head, offering a small smile.
“Also, if it helps at all, I’m sure she’s kicking herself now when she sees all your success, especially since you’ve been in the news so much with this team. She has to regret it every day.”
“I’ve long since forgotten about her. It’s his betrayal that haunts me, because Blake and I had been friends our whole lives. It felt like my whole life was a lie. I guess he taught me a hard lesson about trusting people. You never know who people really are.”
“That’s sad but true. It’s hard to trust people.” I nod with empathy.
“I guess learning those lessons is part of life.” He finishes his snack and crushes the bag, stuffing it in his pocket before clearing his throat. “I’ve thought about you a lot though.”
My breath hitches in the back of my throat, and I immediately jerk my gaze to the floor, desperate for somewhere to look that isn’t his face.
Don’t do this.
Don’t look at him.
What am I supposed to say?
“Uh,” I get out, but he speaks over the top of me.
“Did I do something wrong?” he asks gently.
I flinch and regretfully look at him, hoping he sees how I don’t want to talk about it. “No.”
He waits with wide eyes. It honestly breaks my heart a little, because he appears to think there’s something wrong with him.
That was never the case!
“You were perfect,” I say quietly. “Our non-date was perfect. You, bringing me that framed photo of the bridge to my diner was perfect. Everything was perfect.”
I blink, but he doesn’t give me a chance to avert his gaze as he is locked in. So, I swallow and drop the last part, “I just— I didn’t want to mess up Noah’s thing with the team. It feels a little too close there. Like a conflict of interest, and he’s worked so hard to get where he is.”
Bill shakes his head. “There is nothing you can do that would mess up Noah’s spot on the team. He’s a great hockey player. I’m happy to have him on the team, but that’s honestly so separate from this.”
Knowing a line when I hear one, I bite my lip. Sure, he says that now. What happens when I do the wrong thing or say the wrong thing, and things go south?
“You’re a very good woman,” he says. “I can tell by Noah, but not just that. I had an amazing time hanging out with you. We got along well and seemed to have a lot in common. I would really like another chance to get to know you.” He doesn’t smile this time as he holds a serious expression.
Boy, this little closet feels a whole lot smaller now!
It was small before, but it’s like the walls are closing in as I try to find somewhere to fix my gaze. He takes a slow step closer, eyes searching mine.
Surprising myself, I don’t look away. There’s this crazy magnetism that locks our eyes together. My heart’s pounding like it’s trying to claw its way out of my chest.
This is stupid.
This is dangerous.
This isn’t me, to get all swoony eyed for a guy with a cheap line.
And then he leans closer, peering at me with so much intensity my skin burns.
I can’t talk.
I mean, what would I really say in reply to that anyway? Uh, okay, Bill. That sounds neat. Nope.
I’ve never been one who is good at this stuff, and I stare back at him as this invisible force takes over, pulling us closer.
I can’t explain what is happening. I’m pretty sure we’re going to kiss this time.
It’s all over his face, and his eyelids begin to waver, lowering as he leans closer. I gently part my lips and…
BANG!
The door swings open with a violent push, and light floods in like a spotlight right before Noah bursts in, one leg in the hallway and one leg in the closet with wide, horrified eyes.
“Noah!” I startle as my eyes dart from him to Bill. “What are you—”
Bill and I spring apart like guilty teenagers. My cheeks fire heat, and I step all the way back to the wall, thankful Noah opened the door now, and not three seconds later when Bill and I would have likely been lip-locked.
“You texted me to come get you,” he says. “How on earth did you two get locked in here together?”
Bill chuckles under his breath. I can practically feel the smug radiating off him.
“I came in here to get buns.” Bill turns to me.
“Your mom got a little claustrophobic and was trying to find an alternate exit to get away from the crowd. She took a wrong turn in here because the door was open, but then she was surprised to see someone in here. At that point, she bumped the door closed, and it locked.”
“That’s messed up.” Noah opens the door wider, motioning to it while looking at Bill. “And I’m pretty sure I broke it when I kicked it in, but I panicked thinking you’d die in there.”
Bill chuckles again, not even giving the lock a second look. “Don’t worry about it. It was likely already faulty.”
Noah waves me forward. “Come on out, Mom. The crowd is thinning a little. I can help you find the exit.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I want to,” he says, as he cuts a glance toward Bill. “I’ll get back to the team in just one second.”
Bill nods and waits for Noah and me to walk out first. Once we are down the hall a little, I glance over at him, my heart already swelling with pride. “So how did it feel to sign all those autographs?”
His grin is instant, and he spikes a hand through his hair. “Honestly? Weird, but awesome. Like, I kept thinking someone was going to point at me and say, ‘Don’t get his autograph. He’s not that special.’”
We chuckle together, and I say, “No, that’s not happening. I have a feeling this is only the start of it. You’re sort of a big deal now.”
We reach the end of the hallway, where there’s an exit door right where I had predicted. Noah opens the push-bar door, holding it with one hand, and he teases, “Do I have to help you find your car before you accidentally get into a stranger’s minivan?”
“Oh please,” I scoff, laughing. “I’ll be fine. This isn’t my first parking lot. Besides, it’s not the minivans I like. It’s the white vans that offer free candy and snacks.”
“Not funny.” He shoots me a look as he continues to hold the door. I step through it but turn back, as I soften my facial expression. “Thanks for rescuing me.”
“Anytime.”
“I’ll see you at home later?”
“Yeah. I think we have to stay late, but eventually, I’ll get there.”
My gaze lingers on him as the streetlights outside catch the gleam in his bright eyes.
It’s like all the happiness of his youth and his entire future ahead of him spiral together.
I will never know where the time went. My heart feels like it’s in a constant state of confusion.
Many days I yearn for the little boy he used to be, but yet I’m so proud of the man he’s growing into.
I don’t doubt for a second my brain is snapping a photo of this moment and storing it away for a later time when I yearn to return to this memory. “I’m proud of you,” I say gently.
“Thanks, Mom.” I wasn’t going to hug him in public, but it’s like he can sense I need it, because he reaches out, drawing me into a side hug.
Taking the rare opportunity for public affection, I give him a good squeeze.
Then I step back, wave, and turn toward the parking lot.
I pretend not to notice him watching me as I stride all the way to my car.
My heart thuds like a rock in my chest. Not in the exciting way I’d expect for a day like today when Noah has so much success. Although, yes, it is surreal to see my little boy towering over me, charming fans, being a whole grown adult.
When I slip into my car alone, my mind stops thinking about Noah growing up and shifts to the way my gut flutters when I think of what just almost happened in that closet.
Did I imagine that?
I shake my head, half laughing, and I start my car and steer out of the parking lot.
If I know Bill, he’s going to try to contact me.
If I’m honest, I sort of want him to.
Okay, not sort of.
I want to see him again.
Now what do I do? Nonchalantly text Noah and say, “Hey, dinner’s almost done, by the way, I like your boss.”
Yeah. No. That text is not going to happen.
This crush needs to stop!