Snapshot To My Match (Love In Overtime: The Bennett's #2)

1. Chapter One

Chapter One

Steven

“I can’t wait to see you!” Scarlett’s excitement has a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Annnnnd you’ll be next door in the apartment above your mom’s shop, so I can bother you all I want.”

Being traded to the Wolverines wasn’t on my radar, but when the news reached me, Scarlett was the first person I told. My reaction to being traded wasn’t typical, but then again most players don’t get to go home and play for the team they rooted for as a child.

“I’m looking forward—”

Three loud knocks sound before my bedroom door is pushed open by my roommate, professional hockey player and the Panthers’ center, Julien Tremblay. I hold up one finger.

“Scarlett?” he mouths, a smirk creeping along his face as he leans against the door frame, arms crossed.

I dip my chin, placing a folded shirt in the suitcase on the king bed. My entire wardrobe surrounds it.

“Hey Scarlett.” Julien announces his presence with a mischievous grin.

“Jules!” Scarlett says cheerfully. “Are you taking Steven to the airport?”

“You know it.” He chuckles. “How’s he going to survive without me?”

My head whips up, and I narrow my eyes. Julien winks.

“Good thing his best friend will be living right next door.”

“See,” he mouths, pointing at the phone, and I shake my head.

“Phew, that’s a relief,” Jules snorts. “At least he’ll have someone making sure he doesn’t starve.”

“I know for a fact he’s going to miss you cooking for him. Especially breakfast.”

“Do you want me to leave the two of you alone?” I tease. “That way you can schedule my life?”

“Who’s to say we haven’t already chatted?” Scarlett asks, and my gaze snaps to Jules. He shrugs, but the glint in his eyes has my stomach rolling.

My pulse hammers like I just turned the puck over in the neutral zone, giving the other team a free shot at our net. Julien shakes his head, and the tightness in my neck releases.

“Scar, I need to finish packing.”

“You’re not packed yet?” She screeches as my gaze drops to the piles on my bed.

“I’m almost done.” Julien snorts, and Scarlett groans.

“Jules, can you help him?” She begs.

“No worries, I’m on it.” I shoot him a warning look, and he laughs. “He won’t miss his flight.”

“Thank you! For everything. I’m not sure my bestie would’ve made it without you.”

“You’re sooo dramatic, Scar. I can take care of myself.”

“I know,” she says, but her skeptical tone says otherwise. “See you when you play against the Wolverines, Jules.”

“Bye, Scarlett.”

“Bye,” I say. “I’ll text when I land.”

My mouth twitches as I disconnect the call before she can tell me I need to text her, and my mom, when I’m at the airport, before I get on the plane, and again once I land.

My phone buzzes.

Scarlett:

Steven Bennett!

You know the rules…

A full-blown smile spreads across my face as I read her text, telling me exactly that.

Scarlett

Also text your mom.

A laugh escapes. “The way everyone acts, you think I’d be dead without all of you.”

“Maybe not dead, but definitely at death’s door.” Jules pushes away from the entry and pulls my other suitcase off the floor before placing it on the bed.

Shaking my head, I chuckle. “There isn’t that much to pack, plus my flight isn’t for another four hours.”

Julien quietly picks up a stack of clothes and places them in the open suitcase. “Do you ever intend to tell her you’re in love with her?”

My hand freezes over a sweatshirt, and I run a hand through my hair. “At some point, yeah.” I continue packing.

“You two are going to be ancient before you admit how you feel.” Julien scoffs.

Blowing out a heavy breath, I bite the inside of my cheek. He’s not wrong. “I’m trying to figure out the best way to go about it.”

“Dude! You don’t need a best way. Just. Tell. Her.” Jules punctuates every word with a poke. “She feels the same. Wait. What about that matchmaker?”

“Matchmaker?” I ask innocently, grabbing the pile of clothes to my left and placing it in the suitcase beside a pile of sweats.

“Yeah. You know…that.” He snaps his fingers, trying to recall the name of a certain podcast. One I know extremely well. “Dang. Why can’t I remember? It’s like the name of that Jane Austen book.”

Shaking my head I laugh. It’s weird for a hockey player the size of Julien to be a Jane Austen fan, but thanks to every one of his five younger sisters, he is.

“Emma!” He shouts. “You need to tell Emma from that podcast. She can help!”

If only “Emma” wasn’t my best friend’s secret identity, I might do exactly that.

But she is.

Leaving my packed suitcases in the apartment, I close the door behind me. I run down the stairs, but hesitate when I get to the bottom. My body is instinctively leaning right. Toward Scarlett.

But if I don’t say hello to my mother first, I’ll be getting an earful later.

Pushing the door to The Bleacher Bean open, the familiar sound of bells announce my arrival. From behind the counter, my mom lifts her head. Her eyes widen, and her smile broadens, lighting up her whole face.

“Steven!” she yells, beaming as she hurries over. When she reaches me, her arms wrap around my neck. “I can’t believe you came to visit me first,” she whispers in my ear.

Pulling her close, I lift her up. “It’ll be our little secret.” My mom chuckles, and I give her one last squeeze before gently putting her back on the ground. “I’ve missed you. Everything good?”

Mom steps away from me, pushes my hair back, cups my face, then places a kiss on my cheek.

“Better now.” My brows pull together, and she gently works to rub the wrinkle out before saying softly, “It’s nice to have my baby boy home.”

My mouth curves upward. “It’s nice to be home.”

My body relaxes in a way that it hasn’t since being drafted to the Florida Panthers five years ago. There is nothing like the feeling of being home.

“Are you settled in?”

“Ha. Not even a little. I tossed my bags in the apartment and headed down to see you.”

My mom glances at the door, her eyes sparkling. “Do you want to take a drink over to Scarlett? She hasn’t been here yet for her afternoon drink.”

“Do you think it will win me any brownie points?”

“Definitely.” Glancing at the exit, I sigh before following her to the counter. “It will only take a minute.”

“I’m not in a rush.”

Mom’s eyes flick toward me, amusement filling them. “Here you go. Tell her I said ‘hi’.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Hopping on the counter, I plant a kiss on her cheek, then all but run out of the coffee shop. Her laughter echoes behind me.

Once outside, I slow my pace and work to calm my racing heart. Stretching my fingertips, I suck in a deep breath and slowly exhale. Resting a hand on the bakery door handle, I spot Scarlett talking to someone.

She catches her lower lip with her teeth and pulls trays out, all the while rearranging the dog treats from front to back. I stand still for a moment observing. I don’t know who the person is leaning on the counter, but it’s easy to see Scarlett’s discomfort.

Flinging the door open, I step inside, only to jump as ‘Who Let the Dogs Out?’ barks blast from the speakers.

Scarlett’s head whips toward the door, and the smile that overcomes her face when she sees me has me swallowing hard.

“Steven!” She screams, running from behind the counter and towards me at full speed.

A slow smile spreads across my face. I set the cup on the nearest table as she launches herself at me.

She squeaks, and her arms tighten around my neck. I whirl her around a few times, chuckling before placing her feet on the floor.

But she doesn’t pull away.

Worried hazel eyes meet my gaze, and she whispers, “Pretend you’re my boyfriend?” right before her warm lips press against mine.

The familiar scent of cherry lip balm hits me, dragging up memories I’ve tried to bury. My heart stops.

My hands are frozen on her waist, warmth from her burning my palms. Surprise steals my breath, leaving me uncertain of how to react to the woman I’ve been in love with forever kissing me…again.

Her soft mouth’s still pressed against mine, and her hands are tugging my face toward her. The need to pull her close that I’ve been holding in check snaps. My hand reaches into her hair, while the other splays across her back, pulling her flush against me.

Scarlett gasps softly before her body melts against mine.

Her hand pulls at my hair, drawing me closer. And when I deepen the kiss, she follows my lead, like she’s waited for this as long as I have.

I don’t want to stop.

Ever.

A loud ‘Ahem’ finally breaks through the haze.

Scarlett startles, but doesn’t pull out of my arms. She just stares at me, eyes bouncing back and forth between mine.

“Scarlett?” an annoyed male voice breaks the spell.

“Oh! Ryan. I’m sorry. I…I forgot you were here.” Her cheeks are stained pink; she’s breathless, and a satisfied smirk crawls on my lips. “This is my…”

She glances at me, eyes wide with panic.

“Boyfriend.” I reach my hand out to the person shooting daggers at me. “Steven Bennett.”

Ryan stares at my hand before turning his gaze back to the woman beside me. “But I thought you were single.” His eyes harden, and Scarlett starts to fidget.

“Umm…”

Sliding my hand down, I grab hers and interlock our fingers. “She was up until…” My gaze flicks down to Scarlett’s hazel one, and the pleading there grips my chest. I squeeze her hand. “Very recently.”

Scarlett lets out a nervous chuckle, then turns her attention back to the man scowling in front of us. “I’m sorry. I was going to tell you. It just slipped my mind.”

“Guess he’s not that memorable then,” Ryan scoffs. When his gaze focuses on me, I see rage reflected there, but it’s gone in an instant.

My jaw clenches, and my fist curls at my side. Scarlett gently squeezes my hand, and I shift my attention to her. Her eyes plead with me to just let it go.

Dipping my chin slightly, I acknowledge her silent request.

There are much more interesting things I want to talk about anyway.

But first we need to get rid of our company.