I didn’t know why exactly, but what was happening between us, her opening up and actually getting to know me, felt too important to fuck up with sex.
What the hell is happening to me?
I couldn’t help it. Our time together felt rushed, limited. I knew once her phone charged, she’d likely have her friend come get her and disappear. I set my drink aside and leaned toward her. “Tell me something about you no one knows.”
Her eyes met mine. “You first.”
“Smart girl.” I watched her graceful fingers wrap around her mug. “Okay, here’s something.” My gaze drifted to my hockey bag in the corner. “I wanted to play professional hockey—for most of my life it was all I wanted. I had a shot once. A scout came to see me, several college ones did, but a guy who recruits for the Nashville Predators’ minor league team came and said I could join them right out of high school and would probably be playing for the NHL within a year or two.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. It was a pretty big deal at the time, I guess.”
She scoffed out loud, setting her drink aside. “You guess? Aiden, the NHL, that’s…insane. That’s like someone offering me exhibit space in the Guggenheim.”
I shrug, ready to move on to her secret now. “I couldn’t leave Axel like that. He gave up a lot to look out for me when our parents died. Hockey was his dream and he was damn good. Me leaving him to go pro would have been seriously messed up—like salt in the wound.”
Emersyn frowned. “Or he would’ve been really proud of you. Maybe he sacrificed his dream in hopes you wouldn’t have to give up yours. Did you ever talk to him about it?”
I’d never thought of it that way. “We aren’t super communicative. He knew some college scouts came, but he needed me here, to work and help pay the bills.”
“That seems so unfair for both of you. I’ve never lost a parent, but my dad did move to California a few months ago.”
My own troubles forgotten, I scooted closer to her on the bench. “Even with your mom sick? That’s harsh.”
She sipped her hot chocolate before speaking. “I think they fell out of love long before that, but my mom’s temper has gotten worse this past year. My dad ran a successful real estate business in Charlotte and fell in love with his assistant. When she moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting and modeling career, he went with her.”
I whistled low. “That’s some made for TV movie stuff right there.”
She nodded. “Tell me about it. Part of me is super pissed that he did something so selfish and part of me is just jealous that he got out of there and left us behind.”
I reached out and placed my hand on hers. “That’s understandable.”
“I guess that’s the thing about me no one knows. I want out. Out of that house, out from under the mountain of responsibility. A chance to live my own life instead of constantly picking up the broken pieces someone else left behind.”
I know exactly what she means and for a moment, I stare into her ocean-colored eyes and wonder if there really is such a thing as soulmates.
“You’ll get there, one day.”
She averted her gaze. “Ethan is only twelve. I won’t abandon him the way our dad did. I’ve got a good six more years to go.”
“I’d say that it’s not your responsibility, but after what my brother did for me, I know it’s not that simple.”
“No, it’s not,” she began, but she was interrupted by my brother. Speak of the devil.
“Yo, Aiden,” he hollered, banging on the camper door. “Open up.”
Reluctantly, I removed my hand from hers and stood. “Sorry in advance for whatever might come out of his mouth. He’s a good guy but when he’s drinking…”
She waved my concern away, motioning for me to open the door already. I stepped over and opened it.
“Heyyy,” he slurred before catching sight of Emersyn. “Oh. Shit. Sorry. I thought you were out here alone.”
“What can I do for you, Axel?”
He stepped inside, wet either from the rain or beer, I wasn’t sure. He reeked of booze.
“We’re low on beer and groceries. The guys got some cash together for pizza, but the only place that delivers said it would be an hour or more. People are starving in there.”