Something So Right (Something So 1)

He laughs at me. “In order for me to do more drills you’ve got to show up earlier, and we both know that isn’t going to happen.” He smirks, waiting, baiting. He knows he is pushing my buttons, but I’m on to him.

“True, it’s not going to be earlier, we just won’t have water breaks.” I smirk back, as if I would give him the last word.

The waitress comes back with our drinks and takes our orders. He wasn’t lying about Sunday being his cheat day. He ordered whatever he shouldn’t eat on the menu.

“So tell me about yourself, Parker.”

“Well, Cooper, I’m thirty-four, almost thirty-five. Woot woot.” I throw my hands up like I’m celebrating. “I’ve lived here my whole life. Married my high school sweetheart. Married almost fourteen years till I walked in on him banging his assistant. Isn’t that hilarious? I wish I were kidding. But sadly I’m not. What about you, Stone, how many puck bunnies you got across the globe?” I say, snatching up a nacho when the waitress places it in the middle of the table.

“You caught him banging his assistant?”

“Yes, but now she isn’t just his assistant, she’s his fiancée. So it must be true love, right?”

“He cheated on you?” He shakes his head like he’s clearing something out.

I look into his blue eyes and want to get lost in them. I want to climb over the table and swallow him. All of him.

“Puck bunnies, how many of them are there?”

“I’ve had a girlfriend for the last five years, but we didn’t live in the same city, so I never got how shallow she was till she decided that we needed to live with each other. It lasted a week after that. As for puck bunnies, I don’t have them. Did I have them? Fuck yeah. In my early twenties, I had so many pussies I didn’t know what to do with them. Then I grew up. It’s not me anymore. Have you always trained or is this a new thing?”

“Really, that much pussy, huh? It makes sense how you think people just fall all over Cooper Stone.” I smile because he flat out gave me what I asked for. He didn’t even try to deny the puck bunnies. Point one for Cooper. “I trained when I was younger, learned everything from my dad, went to school, but I really learned everything just by being on the ice. I stopped a bit, with being married and all.” I snatch another nacho, chewing. “But then I was stuck divorced with nothing to do, so I sank all my time into the rink. Have you always played hockey?”

He nods, swallowing the bite of food in his mouth. “I’ve been skating before I could walk. At least that is what my parents say. I’m an only child. My parents were older when they had me. I’m not really close to them.” He shrugs his shoulders. “It’s just the way it is.” He takes a sip of beer. “So the rink is like your baby?”

“No, it isn’t like my baby, it is my baby. When I took over from my dad, there was only one rink. I’ve worked hard to make it what it is. Taking the NHL players’ rehabbing contracts really helps me achieve my goals. You, my friend, are going to be paying for a special powerskater and skating treadmill. It’s the next thing to help kids with speed.”

We continue the meal, talking about the game and all the challenges he faces now that he isn’t a kid anymore. I can’t tell you when the last time I enjoyed myself so much was. When it’s time to leave, I try walking out before him but that only gets my arm yanked back so I can walk with him.

The sun has now set, making the stars light up the sky.

When we get to my car, I don’t know what I’m expecting, but what I’m hoping is that he kisses me. Again. I know I shouldn’t even go there, but my head isn’t in sync with my body these days. I try to dislodge from him and open my door when he turns me around and gazes down at me. I’m sucked in, his blue eyes lock with mine, and I want to get lost. I want to get lost with him. I want whatever he has to give, for however long he wants to give it.

He leans down and smiles right before he places a gentle kiss on my lips. The funny thing is our eyes are still open, he’s still looking straight at me, through me, and it scares the shit out of me. I blink and try to look away, but he palms my cheek and turns slightly and licks my bottom lip, making me open my mouth and meet his tongue halfway. I drag my hand up his back and finally sink my hand into his hair. And. It’s. Heaven. I slide my tongue back into his mouth and push myself on my tippy toes in order to get closer to him. He slowly eases himself away while I’m standing here with my eyes closed.