Chapter 2
Cindy
I smile to myself as Tyler Peterson passes by, walking down the hall.
“See,” Andrea whispers from the desk next to me. “He’s passed our office every day this week. I think he has a thing for you.”
I laugh into my latte, pushing my glasses up on top of my head. “What? How did you get so much from so little?”
“I have a sixth sense,” she tells me. She’s as bad as Susie, my best friend from college. While Susie is probably more quiet and reserved than what I am, even she has noticed my lull in the boyfriend department over the past few years and has encouraged me to start dating again.
It’s been like this ever since an incident in college a few years back. I shudder whenever I think of the time I was more or less stalked.
I haven”t been on a date in over two years, and having drinks with colleagues, even if some are male, doesn”t really qualify.
My excuse is, I’ve been busy. I completed my business major and prepared for a job with the Hawks after college. And while all that is true, what happened back in college really set off my nerves, and I’ve plunged myself into work ever since.
My dad obviously had some serious pull in me getting the position here. I don’t take issue with it, because I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Still, I want to stand on my own two feet and not have people think I’ve had everything given to me. I’ve still worked hard in college and in my job for the Hawks. I don’t feel as if I’m living in my dad’s shadow, even if he is a big ticket name in the ice hockey world.
I know his opinion matters, and I’ve always been the apple of his eye.
I have a younger sister, Caitlin, who works in journalism. Our parents separated soon after we moved from Buffalo, New York, to Seattle. Dad”s career took off after he got a teaching job with the youth state team. Mom is well-meaning, but also very absent in my life. Even at twenty-five. Our relationship has been strained on and off over the years for various reasons. She’s still heavily involved in the church and friends with my ex, Damon Hathaway’s parents from Buffalo. She still thinks Damon is the one for me. I think both of our moms do even if I haven’t seen the guy in years, but that’s a whole other story.
“A sixth sense?” I reply to Andrea, who’s looking at me pointedly. “For what, exactly?”
“Ty Peterson doesn’t just come sniffing around for anyone,” she giggles.
I laugh, too. “Well, how do you know he’s sniffing around here after me? He might have his eye on you or any of the office girls.”
“Nope. I’ve even seen him glance in here on his way past. And he ain’t looking at me.”
“You’re not losing your sense of humor, Andrea.”
Little does she know I think Tyler Peterson is very cute. He has the whole tall, dark and handsome thing going on. With hair cropped short, big in the shoulders, and that whole bad boy vibe that I shouldn’t like, but am intrigued by.
I’ve never intentionally gone for the bad-boy type. But the guys I seem to attract just so happen to be exactly that.
The stalking thing in college didn’t exactly help me build confidence with men. Someone grabbed me in the dark one night as I was making my way out to the parking lot. If it weren’t for the tiny pepper spray on my key ring, which I squirted into the asshole’s face, I dread to think what could have happened.
It was all caught on security footage. That, and his wallet came loose from his jeans pocket in the tussle. I found it after he ran off, trying to scratch the spray out of his eyes. The police caught him the same night.
It was, by far, the most terrifying night of my life. I’ve been looking over my shoulder ever since. Apparently the guy was just a random stalker, and had been prowling around on campus for a while.
“I like to keep you entertained.” She smiles. “He is cute. Though I rather like Jake Hudson myself.” He’s the youngest on the team, the right wingman.
“Now he is definitely cute.” I agree.
“Pity all we can do is look.” She sighs, turning back to her computer screen.
We both assist Heidi, the VP of business operations, in the day to day running administration requirements for the team. I’m a point of contact for employees contractual benefits and prepare documents for employee agreements and partnerships. Andrea handles more of the HR side of the operations; dedicating a significant amount of her time preparing minutes of meetings and agendas for the executive committee members. She organizes all the meetings, among other things.
There’s a whole finance department next door to us. I’ve barely scratched the surface of the continuing opportunities that come from working for the Hawks. But for the moment, I’m very happy where I am.
I laugh to myself at her comment. Andrea is the epitome of geeky. And I love her to bits, but she would never strike up the courage to talk to any of the NHL guys.
Especially Jake Hudson. She’d run and hide before that would happen.
The funny thing is, she’s smart and witty, and often has quite a mouth on her when she gets fired up. It’s fun to be around her.
She is, however, very good at having useful insights to the players.
She knows absolutely everything. As does her bestie, Simon, he works in the office next door in finance. We often all have lunch together in the cafeteria and they tell me the latest gossip on who’s doing what.
I love the game of hockey. I’ve always loved it. Working for the Seattle Hawks has been such a great experience so far. Working around so many professional athletes definitely has eye candy bonuses, but that’s all it could ever be.
You can’t date anyone in the league while you’re working for the team, at least not without permission. Not even casually.
Flings are definitely not a thing.
“What makes you say that about Tyler?” I ask her, tucking my pen behind my ear and swiveling on my chair back and forth. I’m trying not to think about meeting my mom later this week for a catch up. It’s been a while. I usually bring Caitlin along for emotional support, because she’s always on my side, but she hasn’t gotten back to me yet if she’s free.
“Just a hunch,” she says. “And like I say, I’ve seen him back here more often than normal.”
“Dad’s office is right past ours at the end of the hall.” I remind her. “There’s really no way of not walking past us to get to him. And Tyler is the captain, after all.”
“I heard he broke up with his girlfriend just recently.”
And there it is. “Have you been reading the papers again?” I muse over my coffee. I glance back to my computer as an email comes through from Heidi with this week’s agenda. We’re about to go into our Monday morning meeting.
Putting my coffee down, I quickly swivel forward and print out the email so I have it ready.
“If you read the papers from time to time, you’d know quite a lot more about what’s happening with Tyler Peterson’s love life.” She giggles.
“Why would I want to know that?”
She shakes her head at me. “Mark my words, Cindy. I told you, he’s not passing by to look at me.”
“Why wouldn’t he be? You’re as cute as a button.”
Andrea laughs. “Pigs might fly, too, Cindy.”
I give her a pointed look and shake my head. “Anyway, you know I hate the news. It’s all too depressing.”
“Not the sports pages.” She protests.
“And gossip columns. That’s all that stuff is, gossip. I don’t know how they can print stories about our guys’ personal lives for all to see. I mean, it’s not conducive to the game.”
“I agree. Unfortunately, though, it goes hand in hand.” She shrugs. “I’m not saying it’s right, but it’s the price of fame, I guess.”
It sure would suck to be famous. I have often thought this.
“Anyway. I’m sure Caitlin knows all about the media process. Is she still working for the Seattle Times?”
“Sure is.” I nod. She’s been dating a guy called Liam from the Times publication for two years. Mom is on her back to make things official with him.
Our parents raised us in the catholic faith until an incident involving my ex-Damon and our local church in Buffalo occurred, which made my dad question many things. Dad eventually left the church when we moved. And after my parents divorced, I chose to stay with dad.
And even though my upbringing still reigns heavily upon me, I never went back to church, either.
I know Mom hates Caitlin living in sin, for one. Not that she lives with Liam officially yet, but I know he stays over at her place more times than he’s at home.
My dating life has been a disaster ever since high school.
I”ve never quite been able to get it right. Ever since Damon… he’s someone I shudder to think about. I hope Mom doesn’t bring him up on Friday when we meet.
She still talks to his mom back home on a regular basis. I think the pair still have high hopes for us in the future, no matter how many times I try to tell my mom it’s over.
It’s been over since the night I caught him with his pants pushed down to his thighs, going at it with Jessica from our Holy Communion. I’d never seen so much flesh on display before. They didn’t even hear me at first… Another shudder.
There’s definitely a whole lot I’ve had to leave in the past during my adolescence and growing up. Life lessons I never thought I’d have to learn so young.
It made me feel very confused about what love was, or what it was supposed to be. I also questioned what the higher purpose is for getting hurt by the people that say they’re supposed to care about you. I’m still not sure I have the answers.
Damon and I made a promise… and he broke it with Jessica. That”s something that can never be undone.
I’ve no idea what my parents would think about me and say one of the guys in the team. Take Tyler Peterson, since we’ve been on the subject all morning. The bad boy of the ice. That’s his nickname, anyway.
He seems to have toned down his behavior this past year, probably because he had a girlfriend. But prior to that, he was always causing trouble on and off the ice.
He’s cute. But I’m pretty sure he knows it. I also know for a fact that he’s modeled in just his underwear for various ad campaigns, and he has an array of tattoos adorning his body. Not that I think this is a bad thing. He’s hot. But he’s not the kind of guy my parents would approve of.
Especially Mom. Dad is the more easygoing of the two, and even he’s a hard ass at times.
But his heart is in the right place. Everything he’s done was so Caitlin and I could have a better future. He’s always been present in my life, even when things got bad.
It was my dad’s idea to shun the church, much to my surprise, when they did absolutely nothing about Damon and his little sexscapade in the utility cupboard with Jessica on church property.
They swept the whole thing under the carpet and gave him a slap on the wrist. Everyone knew about it.
It was so damned embarrassing because everyone just pitied me.
The joys of a small town. I realize I just sighed out loud. Andrea is looking at me.
“You looked deep in thought there for a moment.”
“Just thinking about all the things I have to do.” I wave the meeting agenda in the air, which I just retrieved from the printer.
It’s then Simon sticks his head in the door and asks who’s up for a cup of coffee before the meeting.
“Ooh, don’t you look divine in your wrap around sandals,” he coos as I give him a wave from the printer.
Kicking up my heel, walking back to my seat I say; “Why, thank you, Simon. You’re looking pretty dapper yourself today.”
He grins his head off. He has short dyed blonde hair with black streaks. And he always wears his Seattle Hawks shirt and tie, polished shoes and dress pants with a crease down the middle of each leg. “Why thanks, I know I take starching to a whole new level.”
We laugh.
His colorful patterned Batman belt and the little silver cross through his earlobe tells me he’s more adventurous than what he seems. He’s totally gay and the biggest riot in the admin department. Everyone loves Simon. He doesn’t even care much for the game, but he’s so good at accounts payable and receivable, management doesn’t care.
“Like you wouldn’t believe,” Andre chuckles. “Why are you looking so bubbly, anyway?”
“I have a date next weekend,” he chortles. “And this one is sure to be a fine thing. He’s called Jose, and he’s an artist.”
My eyes widen. “He already sounds cute.”
We all laugh.
“Tell me about it.” He waves his hands around excitedly. “I’ve never dated an artist before.”
“Tell her how you two met,” Andrea encourages.
“Ah, yes that.” He laughs. “I’ll tell you over coffee, Cindy. It’s a very amusing incident over a kebab.”
I chuckle as I stand up and grab my coffee cup, ready for a refill. I take the meeting agenda with me, as we’ll be going straight to the meeting room from here. “I can’t wait to hear it.”
“Race you to the coffee machine!” Simon takes off out of the doorway and down the hall. “Last one there has to make all three coffees!”
I make haste past Andrea and follow Simon, dashing out into the hallway, though I’m not quite running like he is. Then I hear Andrea mutter, “Shit.” As I pass her.
“You heard the man,” I holler over my shoulder, quickly turning when I slam into something, or rather, someone.
My face hits a very hard chest. I look up and gasp out loud.
Tyler Peterson is staring down at me, and the dregs of my cold coffee are now covering his Seattle Hawk’s team jersey. His eyes are as wide as mine.
“Holy shit,” he says as I right myself and stand there like an imbecile.
We both look down at his shirt as he tries to brush it off. Thank God it’s not hot and I didn’t burn the guy.
I expect to see him look disgruntled, even a little pissed, but he doesn’t.
“You could hurt a man running into them like that,” he says, tilting his head.
His voice sounds serious, but I see a bit of a twinkle in his dark eyes. His eyebrows pull together as he assesses me.
“Sorry, I…” I wasn’t thinking while childishly chasing Simon down the hall to get coffee. But instead of finishing my sentence, I gape at him because my mouth isn’t catching up with my brain. “At least the coffee wasn’t hot,” I offer, glancing back down to his shirt where the last of what was in my cup is now soaked into the fabric. Shit, shit, shit.
A slow smile creeps over his face. I quickly see that it didn’t bother him at all. “I think I hurt you more than you hurt me,” he says.
I can’t help but smile too, shyly. All the while, it creeps into my mind about what Andrea was saying earlier about him hanging around. That’s hardly what he’s been doing, though. In fact, I’ve rarely seen him.
“What brings you down to this neck of the woods?” I find myself asking. Then I want to slap myself. Since he works for the Seattle Hawks, he has every right to be wherever he wants. The question is moot. He’s the star defenseman after all.
His eyebrows shoot up like he’s surprised by the question. “I had some tactical things to discuss with your da— er, Coach,” he amends. “Before the meeting.”
I hide my smile by pressing my lips together. “I hope you got all that sorted out. He’s a hard man to catch.”
“No truer words spoken.”
I giggle girlishly, something I rarely do. I’m just about to check in with myself when Andrea almost crashes into the back of me, racing out the door to catch me and Simon. She stops in her tracks when she sees me talking to Tyler, holding onto me so she doesn’t fall on her face.
“Oh, umm.” She looks from me to Tyler, then back to me again. “Hi, um, Tyler,” she says, pushing her huge thick-rimmed glasses up. She’s like a turtle going back into her shell the minute something unexpected happens.
“Hey, Andrea,” he says, looking up from her name badge. “I’ll see you ladies later in the team meeting?”
I swallow and nod. Is it only now I’m just noticing he’s even cuter than I thought he was? And he towers above me, taking up the whole space in the hallway.
He’s larger than life. I thought I was on the tallish side, but next to him I don’t feel tall.
I lower my glasses from my head and briefly chew on the arm. “See you there.” I manage, as Andrea still hasn’t formed any more words. “And sorry about spilling the coffee.” I glance back down at his shirt.
“Any time.” I think I hear him say, but I can’t be sure. He smiles, the corner of his mouth turning up. He has a small amount of stubble and a strong jawline. But it’s the dark, penetrating eyes that get me. His smile is pretty cute too. It lights up his whole delectable face.
I have to tear myself away. Well, Andrea does. I feel her pulling on my arm as we edge toward the break room, though my feet feel like lead. Tyler and I keep looking at each other until I reluctantly break eye contact as we walk away.
It’s not like I’ve forgotten he’ll be at the meeting, he always is. It’s usual that we have our own admin meeting first up, then we join the team meeting after that. Every Monday morning it’s the same during pre-season and season training.
Only today, I think it’s going to be a whole lot more interesting, if that hallway mishap is anything to go by. I could feel the intensity coming off him, and maybe a little cockiness, too.
“OHMYGOD,” Andrea is whisper-shouting next to me as we hurry down the long hall. I don’t even look back, scared of what I might find.
“Now that I can agree with,” I say, aware of how my heart is racing and the way he just got me all unglued. “Weird how we were just talking about him and then he appears!”
“Talking about who?” Simon butts in as we walk into the break room. Thankfully, he’s the only one in there.
“You just missed Tyler Peterson,” Andrea informs him. “I think he likes Cindy.”
Simon’s eyes bug wide as Andrea steps in to make the coffees since, technically, she walked in last. “Do tell!” He grins.
I wave it off. “It’s just a theory Andrea has conjured up from nowhere.”
“Ha! Tell that to Mr. Dark penetrating stare! He couldn’t keep his eyes in his head, Simon. You should have seen it.”
“I wish I would have,” he grumbles. “Nothing that exciting ever happens around here.”
“Could be an interesting team meeting,” Andrea giggles.
“Only if Ulrich is there,” Simon sighs. Ulrich, the Hawks goalie, is a big solid-set guy with not too much to say for himself.
“Well, we know Tyler Peterson is going to be there.” Andrea waggles her eyebrows at me, and I find myself blushing. And that’s ridiculous.
Why am I blushing? And why does she keep using his full name like that?
I crashed into Tyler. So what? He has a cute smile, a gorgeous face, and a very nice body from what I felt with our collision, anyway.
I tell myself that’s all it is, just aesthetics. He’s a pretty boy and the bad boy of the ice.
There’s nothing more to it than that.