Juicy Rebound (IceCats 1)

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

“Yeah, I’m very lucky. I was really underweight and had a lazy eye. I was sick all the time, but my mom and dad did whatever they could to make it better. They got me into therapy, had my eye fixed, and did everything to help me soar. My dad put me in hockey as a way to get out my aggression because I was a really angry child. I was still so mad at my birth parents that I felt like no one wanted me. I learned quickly that my mom and dad wanted me more than they wanted anything in the world.”

My heart breaks for the child he was. “My goodness, Chandler, that’s so wonderful.”

He sends me a wide grin. “I don’t think I would know what love is if it weren’t for my mom and dad. I sure as hell wouldn’t be the man I am today without them. So yeah, they follow me around and they always have something to say, but I don’t mind. I love them, and obviously, they were sent to give me a good life.”

My eyes water a bit. “You’re very lucky.”

His eyes are soft as he says, “So are you.”

I look down at my plate and shrug. “I haven’t felt lucky lately.”

“That’s ’cause you won’t let yourself. I think if you do, you’ll realize you’re pretty damn lucky and could be happy.”

We share a long look, and then my mom comes out of the bedroom. “I’m so sorry. What did I miss?”

“Nothing much. Just chatting.”

She smiles happily. “Well, include me!”

The conversation is so easy between us three. Chandler fits in wonderfully, and I find I’m having a great time. I’ve smiled more around him than I have in years. It’s scary yet refreshing. After clearing the table, I offer the bottle of wine to Chandler, but he holds up his hand. “As much as I hate to say this, I gotta go. I have morning skate and then a game. So I can’t be out drinking and partying with you two all night.”

Mom complains, “Well, darn, I’m heading out tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll see you at the wedding, right?”

“Yes,” she says, wrapping her arms around him, and they hug tightly.

I wipe my hands with a towel before tucking them into my pockets. “I’ll walk you out.”

His grin tells me he likes my offer. After calling Sadie, we head outside and down the walkway. Sadie runs ahead and jumps up into the truck through the window.

“Wow.”

“I really need to put her in the dog Olympics,” Chandler jokes, and I smile.

“She’d win.”

“Right?”

We both look away at the same time, but my body hums for his.

“Thanks for coming and checking on me.”

He looks over at me, folding his arms over his chest. “Anytime.” His eyes darken a bit. “If I had your number, I wouldn’t need to make house calls.”

I laugh softly. “Maybe I wanted you to come over.”

He licks his lips, sending jolts of heat through my body. “Maybe… Yeah, no maybe about it, I really want your number.”

I fight back my grin as I look up at him shyly. “You got your phone?”

He quickly yanks it out of his pocket, and I give him my number. When he’s done programming it, he holds it up to me. With my name, it says, The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.

“You’re laying it on thick.”

“You love it,” he teases as he starts walking backward. I want to stop him, ask him for a hug, but I can’t. I shouldn’t. Why did I even give him my number? It’s his fault. His cute grins and dark eyes distracted me from the fact that I shouldn’t be entertaining this. “I’ll text you.”

“Okay.”

“Thanks for dinner.”

“Glad you came over,” I say, and he sends me a grin as he gets into the truck. Before he drives off, he looks over at me one last time. I feel nothing but butterflies in my stomach as he waves.

“See ya.”

“Bye.”

He drives off, and crap, I wish he would come back. I let out a sharp exhale and head inside. At the door, my mom waits.

“Well?”

I bring my brows in. “Well, what?”

“He would be wonderful for you.”

“He’s just a friend.”

“He is smitten with you,” she announces as she follows me into the kitchen. “He’d be a great guy to get over Drew with. He would treat you right, and you’d have fun.”

“Mom, I’m over Drew, believe me.”

“Well then, maybe it’s time to move on.”

I shake my head as I finish off my wine. “I’m going to bed. You’re giving me a headache.”

She scoffs. “You know I’m right.”

“I don’t. Ryan would flip, and I’m not ready.”

“Ryan is so obsessed with Sofia, he wouldn’t care. We only want you to be happy,” she insists, but I don’t agree. “Amelia, baby, you are ready. You just won’t let yourself be.” That’s almost the same thing Chandler said.