Push (Colorado Storm Hockey #3)

Chapter 21

21

ADALINE

I push open the door to Juice Junction. The sweet scent of fresh fruit is pleasant, but I quickly realize the off and on whirring of loud blenders makes this a terrible place to meet with someone. I scan the crowded shop for George and spot him at a corner table with a blue duffle bag at his feet. There’s a pickleball paddle poking out. His thinning hair catches the afternoon sunlight, and I can’t help but think how utterly unremarkable he looks compared to Nik.

Damn it, Ada. You’re here to give George a chance. Stop thinking about Nik.

“Hey, George,” I say, sliding into the seat across from him.

“Addy! Hey. Thanks for suggesting this,” he responds, his smile kind, but it doesn’t ignite even the tiniest spark within me.

“No problem. So, pickleball, huh?” I ask, motioning to his bag.

“Oh yeah, I’m totally addicted. I just came from playing.” As George launches into a story about his latest pickleball tournament, my traitorous mind wanders. I think of Nik’s powerful hands, calloused from years of hockey, and how they felt on my skin. The memory of our night together floods back, sending a rush of heat through my body. God, he was good in bed. Like earth-shattering, mind-blowing good.

George snaps me back to reality. “Addy? You okay there?”

I blink a few times and put on a smile. It’s forced, of course, but I hope it’s convincing. “Sorry, just thinking about a new beauty product I’m working on. You know how it is.”

George stares at me blankly, clearly not knowing how it is at all. I try to picture a future with him—simple, stable, Teta-approved. But every scenario feels as exciting as watching paint dry compared to the whirlwind of emotions Nik stirred in me.

I swallow hard and look at the smoothie menu. I should get something. That will give me time to pull myself together. “I’m going to get something. Are you good?” I ask, motioning to the smoothie he already got for himself.

“Yeah, try the Spinach Splash. It’s great,” he says and takes a long sip.

That sounds absolutely terrible to me. “You know, I think I’m going to pass on smoothies. So what’s new with you, George? Besides Pickleball?”

“Well, Addy,” George says, his tone suddenly serious. “There’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about.”

Oh, God. Here we go. He’s going to ask me out. This is what I came here for. This is me doing the right thing. I sit back as far in my chair as I can. “What’s up?”

He takes a deep breath. “I have feelings for someone and I’m wondering if you can give me some advice about how to approach her.”

Weird move, but okay. “Oh yeah, who’s that?”

While I brace myself for him to make his play, I barely understand what next comes out of his mouth.

“It’s Mallory,” he admits and smiles.

My eyebrows shoot up so fast I’m worried they might fly off my face. “Pardon me? ”

He clears his throat. “Mallory, I have feelings for Mallory.”

“Mallory? My Mallory? My best friend Mallory?” I repeat, stunned. Well, this is a plot twist I didn’t see coming.

“Yeah, Mallory. I’ve had a thing for her for a while now. She’s so funny and really pretty. She’s not normally what I go for with the purple hair and all that, but she’s really fun.”

I lean back again in my chair, feeling slightly foolish. All this time, my family had been pushing me towards George, and I’d been so focused on trying to make myself want him that I never stopped to consider if he actually wanted me.

And he doesn’t. He wants Mallory.

As I process this information, memories flood back. Mallory and George laughing together at trivia night. The way George’s eyes lit up when he showed up at the store. His questions about her at Kyla’s wedding. Had it been right in front of me this whole time?

“Does Mallory know?” I ask. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around his revelation.

George shakes his head. “No, I haven’t told her. That’s actually why I wanted to talk to you. I was hoping to get your advice on how to approach her.”

“Wow,” I finally manage. “I honestly don’t know what to say, George. This is a lot to take in.”

“I understand,” he says quickly. “I mean, are you cool with it? Or like…”

I take a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts. “No, I’m cool with it. I just need a moment to process this. Do you think Mallory might be interested in you?”

George shrugs, looking uncertain. “I’m not sure. Sometimes I think maybe she is, but then I wonder if I’m just seeing what I want to see. What do you think?”

“Huh,” I murmur while replaying every interaction between Mallory and George with fresh eyes. They do have really playful banter. Mallory does seem to perk up when he is around. And she thinks this guy is funny. I mean, that’s gotta be something. Maybe there is something there after all.

“You know what, George?” I say with a small smile forming on my lips. “I think you might have a shot with her.”

George’s face lights up with hope. “Really?”

“Yes,” I reply and shake my head, still in disbelief that I had this so wrong. I had him so wrong.

George leans forward, eager. “So, what do you think I should do? Like some big gesture?” he asks.

Before I can even consider his question, the bell above the door chimes. I glance over out of habit, and my heart stops. Nik is standing in the doorway, his dark eyes scanning the room until they lock with mine.

The world seems to fade away as he strides toward our table. What the hell is he doing here?

It’s like the whole smoothie shop comes to a standstill to watch him. His presence is so commanding.

“Ada,” he says, and my pulse quickens. I’m acutely aware of every inch of my body. “I need to talk to you.”

George looks between us, concerned. “Um, is everything okay?”

Nik’s jaw tightens as he glances at George, and I swear I can hear his teeth grinding. “I’m sorry, but this is important. Ada, can we speak privately?”

I nod, suddenly forgetting how to form words. As I stand to leave with Nik, George rises, too.

“Wait, Addy,” he says, touching my arm. “We weren’t finished talking.”

I see Nik’s eyes narrow at the contact, a flash of possessiveness crossing his face. The tension in the air is so thick you could slash it with a hockey stick. “She doesn’t like to be called Addy,” he growls.

“What?” George asks, the confusion clear on his face .

“It’s Adaline, or Ada, or Ms. Khoury to you. Got it?” Nik commands.

George is stunned into silence.

“I’m sorry, George,” I manage. “Can we continue this later? I promise we’ll pick this back up where we left off.”

George hesitates. “I guess, Add…Adaline. But?—”

“She said later,” Nik interrupts. His voice is honestly menacing.

Before I can process what’s happening, Nik’s hand is on the small of my back, guiding me toward the exit. The warmth of his touch sends sparks through my body, igniting a desire I’ve been trying—and failing—to ignore.

Once outside, Nik pulls me to the side of the building, away from prying eyes. He’s standing so close I can smell his oud cologne and feel the heat radiating off his body.

“Ada.” His voice is low and intense. “Don’t do it. Don’t settle for him. Don’t be with him. Give us a chance. Give us time.”

My heart races. “What are you saying?”

“Stay married to me.” His eyes lock onto mine. “We can pretend this marriage is real for your family’s sake while we get to know each other. It’ll make your teta happy. Just give us more time.”

I swallow hard and try my very best to ignore the way my body responds to his proximity. “Nik, it’s too late. We signed the papers. The annulment is already in progress.”

His lips curve into a smirk. “We both know that’s not true.”

My eyes widen. “What?”

“Mallory told me you haven’t turned in the papers yet.” He’s slightly amused.

I curse under my breath. “Damn it, Mallory.”

Nik takes a step closer. “I know you don’t like George. I saw how you reacted to him when the two of you danced.”

My breath catches in my throat. “That doesn’t mean?— ”

“It’s not like how you react when I touch you,” he interrupts. His voice has dropped to a whisper.

Before I can respond, his hand is on my waist, pulling me flush against him. Every nerve in my body sparks at the contact.

“Tell me you don’t feel this,” he murmurs, his lips devilishly close to mine.

I can’t speak, can’t think. All I can do is feel.

His other hand comes up to cup my face, his thumb tracing my lower lip. “Tell me, Ada.”

“I can’t,” I manage to answer.

“Tell me,” he demands again.

I shake my head.

His eyes darken. “I know you feel it.”

It’s not a question, but I nod anyway, unable to deny the truth.

Nik leans in, his lips brushing my ear. “Then give us a chance. No George, no pressure. Just us, getting to know each other. Making your family happy in the process.”

I shiver at his words, at the feel of his breath on my skin. “And what about after?”

I don’t want to think about what after really means. It breaks my heart. But I have to know his answer.

He pulls back slightly, meeting my eyes. “After? We’ll know if this is real or not.”

“You should know something. I wasn’t going to be with George. He’s actually not interested in being with me. So if this is just about not wanting me to be with George, you?—”

Nik shakes his head and a smile spreads across his face. “While I’m glad to hear that, that’s not why I’m standing here asking you to do this with me. It’s so much more.”

The confidence in his voice, the heat in his gaze—it’s almost too much. I’m teetering on the edge of giving in, of throwing caution to the wind and diving headfirst into whatever this is between us .

“Nik, I think?—”

“Ada, please,” he breathes, leaning in. His lips are a hairsbreadth from mine when a familiar voice cuts through our bubble.

“What the actual fuck?”

We spring apart, turning to see my twin brother Mark standing there, his eyes wide as saucers, smoothie forgotten in his hand.

Oh shit.

“So... I guess you two are still seeing each other?” Mark asks, his eyebrows disappearing into his hairline.

My mind races and my heart pounds. This is it. The moment of truth. I can feel Nik’s eyes on me, waiting to see what I’ll do.

Tell Mark we’re married? The thought sends a jolt of panic through me. But then Nik’s fingers intertwine with mine and he squeezes my hand. Mine . The simple touch grounds me, reminding me of everything we just talked about.

I take a deep breath. Screw it. Go big or go home, right?

“Actually, Mark,” I start, squeezing Nik’s hand back, “we’re…married.”

“Yeah, right,” Mark says with a laugh and then takes a drink of his smoothie.

“It’s true,” Nik confirms.

Mark’s jaw drops so fast that I’m worried he might have dislocated it. “You’re what?”

“Married,” I repeat, my voice stronger this time. “We got married in Las Vegas.”

“Las Vegas?” Mark mutters. “When did you go back to Vegas?”

“We didn’t. It happened at Kyla’s bachelorette party,” I explain.

It takes a few seconds, but then understanding dawns on his face .

“Holy shit,” he says. Then his eyes narrow. “Wait, does Dad know? Oh my god, does Teta know?”

I wince. “Not yet. We’re still figuring things out.”

Mark looks between us, his expression a mix of shock, confusion, and…is that amusement? “Only you, Ada,” he says and shakes his head. “The family is gonna freak.”

I shrug my shoulders and laugh. “What can I say? I like to keep you all on your toes.”

Nik chuckles beside me, and the palpable tension loosens.

“So, what now?” Mark asks, crossing his arms.

I glance at Nik, then back at my brother. “Now we’re going to give this a real shot. See where it goes.”

Mark nods slowly. “And Teta?”

“We’ll tell her,” I promise. “Soon.”

My brother studies us for a long moment, then sighs. “Alright. Your secret’s safe with me. For now.” He points a finger at Nik. “But if you hurt my sister, I don’t care how big you are or how many teeth you’ve knocked out on the ice. I will end you.”

Nik nods solemnly. “Understood.”

As Mark walks away, shaking his head and muttering about crazy sisters, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“You okay?” Nik asks softly.

I look up at him, a mix of emotions swirling in my chest. Fear, excitement, hope. “Yeah, I think I am.”

Nik smiles that rare, genuine smile that makes me melt every time. “So, wife,” he says, his voice playful but with an undercurrent of heat. “What do you want to do now?”

I can’t help but grin back, even as I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. “Well, I can think of a few things...”

Nik steps closer, his eyes darkening as he looks down at me. “Oh, yeah?” His hand finds its way to my waist. “Care to elaborate?”

My breath catches in my throat as I lean into his touch. “I was thinking we could go back to my place and get to know each other better.”

His lips curve into a smirk. “I hope you don’t mean Q&A.”

“I was thinking something a little less talkative.”

“I like the sound of that,” he says, his voice husky. He leans in, his breath hot against my ear. “I’ve got some ideas of my own, you know.”

A rush of flutters bloom in my chest and for a moment, I’m tempted to throw caution to the wind and drag him back to my apartment right now. But then reality crashes back in, and I groan.

“As much as I’d love to explore those ideas,” I say reluctantly, “there’s something we need to do first.”

Nik pulls back slightly, eyebrow raised. “Which is?”

I sigh. “Here’s one of the first things you need to know about your new family. They don’t keep secrets. Ever. So I better send out the Khoury bat call and get everyone over to my teta’s house before Mark blows it for me.”

Nik’s expression falls slightly. “Right,” he says, while tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Family first.”

I can’t help but laugh at his grumpy expression. “Don’t worry, big guy. We’ll have plenty of time to get to know each other later. And if you’re game, we can play Q&A on the way over.”