SlapShot Sweetheart (Pucks and Promises #2)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

THEO

Theo was rushing through his shower, ignoring the conversation around him. They were talking about the plays of the game, their plans for the evening, and even commenting on what they had going on in their lives.

“We’re going out to the farm this next weekend…”

“Doesn’t it smell like cow poop out there? How can you stand it?”

“I don’t go around sniffing it… sheesh.”

“Don’t you miss the city life?”

“Not at all.”

“It must be a sickness…”

“Why?”

“Weren’t you paying attention – ol’ Coeur bought himself a big ol’ place outside of the city on ten acres.”

“Oh really?”

“Yup. HOA said I couldn’t put my boat in the driveway – so I told them I’d find another one,” Coeur grinned. “You don’t come between a man and his boat.”

“What about you, Batiste? What are you doing this weekend?”

“Don’t you mean ‘who’?” Thierry joked as Theo frowned at his friend.

“Not funny,” he muttered. “She’s a lady, and I like ‘er.”

“What happened to ‘playing the field’?”

“I’m tired of looking around,” he admitted. “If I go out with someone, they want to talk money. I don’t want to talk about money – I want to talk about me, things I like, places we could go, things she likes… which is why I went on the blind date. I want to talk to someone who doesn’t know me.”

“I get that,” Coeur admitted.

“Me too,” Lafrenière volunteered, shaking his head. “Dating is hard once your face makes it onto a billboard.”

“Batiste wouldn’t know…”

“Tais toi,” he snapped bluntly, looking at his blond friend. “Just because you look like Thor from the movies doesn’t mean that the rest of us are ugly.”

“Just Batiste.”

“Eh?”

“He must not be that ugly if he landed that pretty girl,” Giroux nodded and fist-bumped Theo. “I’m happy for you, my friend.”

“I ‘aven’t ‘landed’ her yet,” Theo admitted quietly. “I’m crazy about ‘er, but things are going slow, I think.”

“Keep talking to her and give her time.”

“Good game, mes amis…” he said simply, turning off the faucet and grabbing his towel. “See you at practice.”

Dressing quickly, he gathered his things and half expected Aimee to be gone. It was getting late, and though she worked from home, he knew she had mentioned the time already.

She was a very complicated person, almost reminding him of an instrument. It would sound terrible until you learned how to play it – which took time. He never imagined comparing someone to an instrument before because it wasn’t a game you learned to manipulate, but rather a skill honed through genuine feelings and wanting to do better, simply because something so wonderful deserved someone that would give their ‘all’ to it – like hockey.

Anyone could slip on a pair of ice skates and grab a stick, but it took real skill, drive, dedication, and hard work to even try to make it on the ice. That and a massive amount of luck. Sucking in his breath, he prayed for that same amount of luck as he opened the door to the family lounge and saw her profile as she slowly turned toward the door, almost like a cat stretching.

He spotted Becca distractedly, waving a faint ‘hello.’

“Becca, Travis will be out in a bit,” he volunteered simply and moved toward Aimee, as if drawn by some unseen force, holding out his hand to her… which his prickly girl didn’t take. Instead, she lifted an eyebrow and rose to her feet on her own as if silently saying, ‘ See? I don’t need you’ – the only thing that kept him from getting frustrated or upset was the fact that she was actually here.

Aimee was here, waiting, which said so many other things that gave him hope. She could have left without a word or texted him to say she was going home, yet she waited. He dropped his hand awkwardly and hated the look Becca was giving the two of them right now. Yeah, having someone witness the back-and-forth tug of war between them was hard… and humbling.

She didn’t need him, but he needed her.

Theo swallowed as he met Aimee’s eyes and held out his arm to her, praying that she took it and didn’t reject him once more. He let out his breath as she stepped forward, putting her hand on his forearm, and turned to Becca.

“It was very nice meeting you,” she said quietly.

“I’m sure I’ll see you again.”

And neither Theo nor Aimee said a word, instead choosing to let that silence speak for itself. He would love to have her attend a game again, but it had to be her idea and something she wanted. If he had to beg her to come, trick her, or press her into making an appearance, then things wouldn’t work out between them. And oh, how he wanted things to work! Walking her to the private entrance to the parking garage, he hesitated for only a moment before speaking.

“Do you want to follow me?” he asked simply. “Or do you want me to bring you back to get your car in a bit?”

“I’ll follow,” she began and then paused long enough for him to wonder if she’d changed her mind, only for her to turn her face upward to him. “You don’t mind bringing me back to my car?”

“Not at all.”

“Do you mind driving then? I’m not a fan of the traffic. It gives me a massive case of anxiety when it’s really crowded on the roads.”

“I’d be happy to,” he said simply, moving to the passenger side of the Jeep and opening the door for her. He couldn’t help but sneak a peek at her shapely figure as she climbed inside, whispering to the sky once more a swift ‘Thank you’ before moving to climb into the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Putting the Jeep into gear, he was pulling out of the parking garage moments later. Stealing several glances as he drove, he marveled at the way the city lights danced across Aimee’s skin and wished he could read her mind. She was so quiet, almost eerily so. There were no questions, no comments; she didn’t discuss the game or anything else but sat there simply watching the road as he drove. Heck, she didn’t even make a snarky remark as he pulled onto the highway aggressively, causing someone to honk at him. It wasn’t until he exited that she turned to look at him.

“I would have never imagined you to live out this way.”

“Why?”

“It’s so… normal.”

“I can be normal,” he chuckled, smiling at her and marveling as she gave him an easy smile back.

“Nothing about you is normal.”

“You don’t sound disappointed at that fact.”

“I’m not,” she replied in an aloof manner, looking away but not fast enough that he didn’t catch her smiling once more. Oh man, he wanted to fist pump the air or hop to his feet, throwing his hands up in the air with excitement. Play is cool, she’s responding, so don’t blow this, Theo…

“Good, because I’m completely abnormal,” he bragged and hesitated as she chuckled softly, stealing a glance at him. It was as he saw her eyes dancing that he replayed what he said in his mind and then groaned aloud. “You know what I meant.”

“Do I?”

“I’m not normal, and… well, that sounds weird too.”

“Normal is boring,” she smiled as he pulled into the driveway, and he let out his breath in relief. “Maybe I like abnormal.”

“Then I’m the most abnormal person you’re ever gonna meet,” he blurted out and marveled at her laughter as it rolled over him, making his knees weak. Oh gosh, this woman made him feel like his entire nervous system was a macrame creation, strung out on a loom somewhere, just a bunch of strings and knots. “That came out wrong, too.”

He got out of the Jeep and walked around to her side, but she was already climbing out. As they walked up to the side door of the house, he knew she was looking around, taking it all in. He wished she could see his place during the day so she could admire the pecan trees, and the way they created a shady arbor that was so inviting. He bought this house because he could picture someday having a family here, having picnics in the yard, picking pecans, or playing hopscotch with the children in the private driveway. This was a home meant for a family… and it was empty in so many ways.

“So, do you want the grand tour, or should I start dinner?”

“Maybe both,” she said evasively, looking around past his shoulders.

“Both it is,” he agreed and held open the door, fighting the urge to sweep her off her feet and carry her over the threshold. Maybe there was something to the whole ‘monster-carrying-off-his-bride’ trope from the movies? “Oh heck…” he muttered and scooped her up into his arms without a second’s hesitation the moment she was walking past him.

To his shock, instead of screaming or flailing wildly as he anticipated – she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, sighing and holding on. He stood there, mute and awestruck, for several moments in the kitchen, unsure if he should set her down or if he should keep holding her close – and opted for the latter. He wasn’t sure how long he stood there, but her voice was almost timid beside his ear as she whispered, “Is this part of the grand tour? Does every girl get this experience?”

Theo set her down on her feet and saw her pink cheeks watching him as she looked up at him through her lashes.

“I’ve never brought another girl ‘ome,” he admitted.

“You’d better not start either,” she replied, turning away and smiling over her shoulder at him. Theo put a hand on the counter, bracing himself, as he suddenly felt weak. His heart was fluttering wildly in his chest like he’d done lunges for at least the last six hours, and his knees were wobbling the same.

“Never,” he whispered, following her as she walked into the nearly empty living room. Decorating hadn’t been his thing, and her place was certainly much cozier. He had a television, a recliner, and a trash can next to the recliner with empty Dr Pepper cans inside of it. He was hopelessly addicted to the stuff but limited himself to two a day.

“You don’t have a lot of furniture,” she said quietly, looking around.

“I don’t have company. I just eat and sleep here.”

“So why get a big house like this?” she asked curiously, peering down the hallway before turning into a room – and he froze. That was his bedroom. He wasn’t expecting company and hadn’t picked up anything unless the housekeeper came by. He literally hired one of his neighbors to have someone come clean his place. As she emerged, he saw her faint smile.

“Silk sheets?”

“A guy can dream, right?”

“You do a lot of dreaming.”

“More than you could imagine.”

“I don’t know, I could imagine a lot. What do you dream about?”

“What do you dream of?” he asked hoarsely, drawn in by the gentle way she moved through the house. It didn’t feel invasive or like she was being nosy, but rather like a potential mate making sure the ‘nest’ was ready… and oh man, that thought alone made him giddy. It was like two fighters measuring each other up before engaging.

“I asked you first,” she said simply, giving him a slow look. “You’re playing games, Theo.”

“You tell me… and I’ll tell you.”

“Maybe I don’t want to share my dreams with you.”

“Too personal… or am I in them?”

“Neither,” she whispered, looking away. “But maybe both…”

“Would you feel better if I went first?”

“First, last, it doesn’t matter. I’m not telling you what I dream of.”

“Why not? It’s just me, and I don’t matter, remember?”

“I don’t believe I’ve ever said that,” she began defensively – and then sighed, stepping out onto the paver patio behind his house where the solar lights cast a glow on the stones. Her beautiful face was turned upward to the moon as she sighed softly, crossing her arms protectively over her chest, before looking back at him and speaking. “Fine. Tell me what you dream of. What are your deepest darkest secrets? What does the mysterious Theo Batiste yearn for when he’s alone and closes his eyes at night?”

There was such an element of insecurity in her small voice that it was killing him not to admit how he felt. She was opening up to him, and every fiber of his being wanted to rush right through that open door despite knowing there was a pitfall on the other side. If he pushed too hard, she would run blindly in the other direction, and he knew it. Instead of admitting what was hidden in his heart, he decided to stick with facts and see where it went.

“I was an only child growing up and always wished that I had as big of a family as some of my cousins. Ma tante has seven children, and my other aunt has five. My parents didn’t have me until they were a little bit older. My mere always called me her bébé miraculeux … it means ‘miracle baby’. She was forty-two and not in the best of ‘ealth, but oh so proud of me,” he chuckled softly, remembering as he shoved his hands into his pockets to keep from pulling Aimee into his arms to hug her in the moonlight. “She went to all of my games, cheered, and I used to fly her down to see me play.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“Me too,” he replied softly, looking up at the moon. “You asked why I bought this ‘ouse – it’s because I want a family someday. To ‘ear my children yelling down the halls, playing in the backyard, and to ‘ave them cheer for their papa…”

His voice trailed off as he waited for the blistering comment to come – except silence hung in the air between them. Slowly, he turned to see her watching him, waiting as she stood there waiting.

“I need to ask you something,” she breathed, her eyes haunting and searching. “Please don’t joke or tease, but give me an honest answer.”

“Of course.”

“Did you leave the notes on my door, Theo?”

Her voice was steady, even, almost to the point that it was cool or alien. Her eyes were the only inclination of what she was thinking or feeling – and at that moment, she closed those windows, shutting him off as she took a deep breath, effectively removing any clues to the inner workings of her mind. He stood there, almost in a panic, wondering if she’d caught him – and how she would react.

“Answer me.”

And self-preservation kicked in.

“No. Why would I?” he retorted, trying to sound all brusque and confident like he wouldn’t do something as childish as leaving a note… even though he had. He had left every note, written each from his heart, bought the kittens, left the flowers, and arranged for someone to serenade her just so she didn’t know he was behind it. He was drowning in a pool of love that he felt hopelessly lost inside of – and terrified someone would drain the reservoir beneath him without warning.

People talked about a ‘make it or break it’ moment – and he knew this was his. Whatever he said now would either create that bond between them or shatter it. If he admitted to the romantic stuff and she wasn’t ready, then he knew without a doubt that Aimee would shut him down. She would slam the doors to her heart closed before melting the key into any other inanimate object. And if she was ready to change their dynamics, would he be man enough to make her happy?

“Why would you indeed…”

Mortal Kombat!

Fatality…

Finish him!

Waaa… waaa… waaa.

And in that moment?

Theo knew he screwed up.