CHAPTER SIX
Noah
Noah watched Jordan race around the ice with Levi, her attention focused on her nephew. A natural grin filled her face. He hadn’t been trying to flatter her when he said she skated like a professional. He was no expert on figure skating, but her moves were graceful, and he’d already seen her do a couple of more difficult jumps and spins. Skating obviously made her genuinely happy, and he enjoyed seeing the way she sweetly interacted with her nephew.
He’d never thought of her as a child person. The entire length of time he’d known her, she’d always seemed married to her job, and all business. He saw nothing wrong with that, because so was he. But seeing her with Levi was exciting, as though he’d glimpsed something new behind her mask.
“Noah!” Levi called. “Race you!”
Levi sped past him with a giggle.
Noah hurried to catch up with the young boy, but he held back just enough to ensure Levi won. Next up was Tyler. Levi giggled as he won that race as well.
Noah had never had much to do with kids, so it was peculiar that since being in Pittsburgh, he’d really had fun hanging out with Sam’s kids, and now Levi.
Noah turned to watch Levi show off how he could stop and spray ice, and he caught sight of Jordan skating away from them to the opposite end of the rink. He did his best to give Levi all his attention, but his focus kept moving to Jordan. She moved so gracefully on the ice. It was hard to look away.
“Hey guys,” Harrison called. He was standing by the bench with Paige Kidd, the Renegades PR person. “It’s time to go back to the lounge. Chef has made lunch for us. Levi, let’s go get those skates off, and the guys will meet us back there.”
Noah watched Jordan take one last lap, as though she was soaking in every moment, before she finally met up with her sister and left the ice.
“You coming, Rodgers?” Tyler called.
“Be right there, cap.”
They all took off their skates and put their shoes back on before heading for the lounge. Paige followed them with her tablet, taking random photos.
“How’s baby Christian doing?” Noah asked Paige.
“Amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever been so in love! You should stop by sometime and visit.”
“I’ll think about it. Paige, are those photos for Levi to commemorate his trip?” he asked.
“Yes. A few are going to go on our blog and also in the foundation’s newsletter. Just a little free press for the team, and Levi gets to be famous for a day.”
Noah smiled and nodded. He’d take any good press he could get. Maybe the city of Pittsburgh would see him for who he really was and not the playboy reputation that had followed him from Nashville.
Paige took a few more photos of Levi and the guys playing bubble hockey and relaxing in the lounge area.
“Is this where you guys hang out?” Levi asked, looking around at the comfy furniture, big screen television, and bubble hockey table.
“Sometimes after morning skate, we do. Or if we come in early before a game, we can sit back and watch some TV and eat a snack. Our Chef knows all our favorite meals and how to make them healthy,” Tyler answered.
“Time to eat,” Harrison announced. “Levi, sit anywhere you want at the table.”
The little boy hopped onto a stool and his parents sat beside him. Harrison sat across from Levi.
“Aunt Jordan, sit here.” Levi patted the stool that was next to him. “I saved you a seat!”
The rest of the guys took seats around the table.
“Yeah, Aunt Jordan,” Noah said with a grin, as he sat down on the same side as Levi. He patted the empty stool that was in between him and Levi. She took her seat beside him, not looking too thrilled about it.
Everyone hungrily grabbed for the plate of sandwiches Chef brought out, along with potato casserole and a fruit salad.
Noah couldn’t take his focus off Jordan next to him in leggings and an enormous purple sweater that somehow brought out her hazel eyes. Her hair was loose for a change, and lay on her shoulders in sexy, dark blonde waves that made his fingers itch to touch.
“Can I help you?” Jordan’s words startled him out of his daze.
“Oh, no. I just—” He cleared his throat. “Sorry, I just can’t get over how different you look with your hair down. And if course, I’m not used to seeing you in street clothes.” He ran his eyes over her.
Harrison kicked him under the table, then handed him the plate of sandwiches. “Noah, here have a sandwich.”
Taking the hint, he filled his plate and let Levi carry the lunch conversation, asking a million questions about everything, from whether they were bored on the plane rides to what they did during the off season.
Happy after the meet and greet yesterday, Noah sat enjoying a California Club sandwich in his usual booth at The Sin Bin. He had hoped to run into Jordan before the team left for Toronto tonight.
Talia sat down in the chair across from Noah. “Hey there, Noah. How was morning skate?” She checked her phone as she spoke.
“Morning skate was good,” Noah answered. “How’s Dakota doing?
“She’s a bit miserable at the moment. Teething. So with you guys heading to Toronto, I fear I’m in for a long night. I’m just grateful it’s only a one-game road trip. It could be worse. At least it isn’t a West Coast road trip!”
“You are so right about that. I’m sorry the little one is having a tough time. I don’t know much about babies, but is there anything I can do to help out?”
“That is sweet of you to ask. But all I need is a bottle of wine and chocolates for me, and some cold teethers and Orajel for Dakota.”
“Well, I hope these two days go by quickly for you and Dakota.”
Talia shook her head. “We’ll manage, we always do. Speaking of Dakota, I better check in with Sarah and see how things are going. Excuse me, Noah.”
“Sarah is their nanny,” Jordan commented, as she walked by.
“Yeah.” He grinned at her.
She squirmed when he smirked, and he knew that his devious grin made her even more nervous. She tried to hide that he had any effect on her, but anyone paying attention would know otherwise. And usually that made his attempts at flirting with her all the more fun.
Yet he also knew that he needed to be careful with her. He didn’t want her to think that she was just any woman that he tried to flirt with. The reputation he’d earned from his Nashville days were no secret here. Playboy. Ladies’ man. Different girl on his arm each night kind of guy. He had never minded those labels back then, but now he wanted things to be different.
Taking in a deep breath, Jordan pushed back her shoulders and went back to business mode. “Is there anything else you need?”
He was on a man on a mission.
“There is.” He swallowed the last bite of his sandwich, then wiped his hands on his napkin as his eyes wandered over her. “I want you to consider my job offer.”
Jordan rolled her eyes and sighed. “I already told you. I have a job and I love it here.”
He gazed at her intently. There was something in the way she fidgeted that made him think she was apprehensive, definitely uncertain, but maybe not completely dead set against the new job.
“Would you at least stop by sometime, check the place out? There’s always someone there, since we’re still remodeling. Come in and take a look around, see what we’re all about.”
“I’m sure I don’t have the time for that.”
“Just think about it?”
“Fine,” she said, clearly flustered. “I’ll think about it. Can I get you anything else?”
“Actually, can I get a piece of Oreo Cream Pie to go and an order of fried pickles? I’ll need a snack before I leave for the airport.” He had to stifle a laugh at the nauseated look that came over her. Eating fried pickles and pie together probably wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. He thanked her, then watched her hurry off to the kitchen. That rear view was a definite highlight of his day.
He decided that he’d have enough time to grab a quick nap before having to meet the other guys at the airport. But before he left the restaurant, Noah opened a shopping app on his phone. He purchased a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates, and a tube of Orajel to be delivered to Talia and Harrison’s house later today. Harrison and Talia were the closest to family he had here in Pittsburgh, and they’d done so much for him. If he could do any little thing to help make their lives easier, then he would.