Quick Trick (Rough Riders Hockey 1)

“That’s great.”

He was still waiting. “Why is that great? You don’t like my brothers.”

“I don’t like how your brothers act. I don’t know your brothers as people, so I couldn’t tell you whether I like them or not. And it’s great because I have no doubt you’ll be a positive influence for him. Have fun.”

He frowned, a little unsure what to do without conflict to deal with. “What are you doing?”

“Well,” she said, sounding far too chipper for a woman who’d been up all night, worked all day, and been dealt two ginormous orgasms a couple of hours ago. “I finished making notes on the instructions I want to record over the video, and I just started putting supplies together for the festival. My back room looks like Parties Unlimited USA.”

He smiled. “I’ll help when I get there.”

“I’ve got it. You don’t get to see your family much, and you don’t have much time left in town. Enjoy yourself.” A familiar bell rang in the background. “I’ve got to run to the front. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Yeah. Sure. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Grant stopped at a red light behind his brother’s Mercedes SUV and frowned at his phone where it rested on his thigh. “Have fun?”

Where was the self-invitation to join them? The pissy attitude over him going out without her? The pouting?

“Enjoy myself?”

The light turned green, and he continued toward town. Halfway there, he caught himself trying to twist her words into something negative. And laughed at himself, relieved he was making it up. “God, I’m an idiot.”

But that relief didn’t last long, because then he was thinking about her “You don’t have much time left in town.”

He really didn’t. The team was off for the holidays now, but they’d head back to practice in less than a week. Then they’d dive into a grueling schedule of games, practices, and special events, packed into nearly every day straight through the middle of June.

&nb

sp; And Grant would be with them.

He couldn’t wait. Couldn’t wait to be with his guys. Back on a schedule. Battling for every play on the ice.

But it also meant he had to leave Faith. His first thought was to ask her if she’d continue seeing him, but Grant didn’t have to look at a schedule to know there would only be one short break over the next six months when he’d be able to fly here and see her. Nor did he have to fathom a guess of how often she’d be free to come see him. Not with a struggling store, limited funds, and that damn iron pride of hers. He had no doubt they’d end up in a fight if he even brought up the subject of paying for her travel. Beyond that, she hadn’t shown any serious interest in hockey. She listened to him talk about his career and his buddies, but when he started talking strategy, her eyes glazed over.

Not that it mattered… Did it?

“Why in the hell am I even thinking these things?” he asked the empty car.

After a moment, his mind answered: because he knew that by June, when he could come spend the summer with her, she’d be gone. If not physically gone because she’d sold the store, she’d be taken by some young stud who knew a good thing when he saw it.

Grant’s mood plummeted. The discomfort only added to his stress. He shouldn’t be this affected by a woman he’d known for a week and a half. That was insane.

He pulled into a spot in front of Faith’s store, while his brother pulled in a block away at the bar. Grant cut the engine and the lights and stared inside at the light glowing in the back. He wanted to bail on Patrick and go help Faith. He wanted to be with Faith.

He hadn’t realized how long he’d been sitting there until Patrick strolled up to his door.

“Dude.” His voice sounded muffled through the glass. “Are you drunk already? The bar is over there. This is—” A look came over Patrick’s face. He darted a glance at the hardware store, then looked back at Grant. “Ooooh, wait.” He pointed to the store. “Is this the Faith you’re crushing on?”

“Shut up.” Grant climbed from the car, annoyed. “Just tell the whole town.”

Patrick chuckled and turned in a slow circle. “Bro, look around you.”

True, there wasn’t a damn soul on the frozen street. And, yes, that just irritated Grant more.

“Huh,” Patrick said, an amused look of confusion crossing his face. “I didn’t see that one coming.”