Luc sipped his coffee. “Sure, why not?”
“Because it’s weird.” And kind of hot.
“Not really.”
“Look, why don’t we call it even with the cup of coffee?” Between her asking him up last night and the almost kiss today, things were getting a little out of control between them. They were just supposed to be friends.
“You mean our bet? No way. You won fair and square, and I owe you dinner. So, if not tonight, then I’ll pay up another night. I have a game tomorrow, so how about the next day, Wednesday? I’ll pick you up and we’ll do dinner. If you’re lucky, after dinner I’ll take you to get my favorite treat.”
For a moment, she hoped treat was only a euphemism. If she ever thought she was in control of this thing they had between them, she knew now she was dead wrong.
Kassie tossed the remaining tacos into the refrigerator once she got home. Playing one-on-one ice hockey with Luc was the most fun she’d had in a long time. And the flirting made it even better. But even she knew that she was playing a dangerous game with Luc.
You can’t get a boy all wound up like that and not expect to react in return. He had been very gentlemanly so far. But even gentlemen had limits.
Picking up her cell phone, she dialed her mom’s number.
“Hey, Mom. How are things?”
“Well, hello dear. Things are good here, how about you? Work going okay?”
“Yeah, work is good.”
“What else is new with you, dear? Did you eat dinner already?”
That’s exactly what Kassie wanted to talk about. But telling her mom that she was crossing that line with one of Kaden’s teammates was a delicate situation. Her mom could give her the advice she needed, or it could backfire. Mom was always there for her in good and bad, and never judged her. That’s why she felt comfortable going to her for advice on this. But at the same time, it involved Kaden, and that made it iffy.
“I did. Tacos.”
“Please tell me you made them instead of getting them from that takeout place.”
“Well, I could, but I’d be lying. And you don’t like it when we lie.”
“You and your tacos, and your brother and his pizza. Didn’t I ever teach you kids to cook?” Her mom’s sigh carried through the phone lines.
“I can cook just fine, Mom. Kaden I’m not so sure about, but I would think Ali takes care of him. Uh, so, Mom… I need some advice.”
“Finally! We get to the juicy part of why you really called. I knew you didn’t just call to tell me you were eating more of that fast food. Is it about a boy, maybe? Please let it be about a boy. You’ve had your nose buried in books for so long, and I was hoping you’d find some romance soon.”
Her mom knew her so well. Not just any boy. Not that Luc was a boy. “Kind of.” How was the best way for her to go about this? Did she come right out and say she had a thing for Kaden’s teammate? Or did she ease into this? Her mom always stood up for her, but she stood up for Kaden, too. So, this could get sticky. But she knew her mom could help.
“I didn’t know you were dating anyone? Are you?”
“I’m not. It’s… it’s complicated.” I sound like a Facebook status. “We’ve just been hanging out as friends. But I like him. And I’m pretty sure he likes me. But there’s a problem. Kaden knows him.”
“How does Kaden know him?” There was no judgement in her mom’s question; it was merely a question, and that was why Kassie had gone right to her with this.
Her mom had made mention in the past that Kaden should hook her up with one of his hockey friends. It was obvious that she wasn’t opposed to the idea the way Kaden was. “Promise me this will stay between you and me. At least for now. Till I figure this all out.”
“I promise, dear. Trust me, I know your brother can be overprotective. But he means well. He’s just looking out for you. That being said, whatever you discuss with me will stay between us until you decide to tell your brother.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Kassie made herself comfortable on the couch, tucking a foot up under her. “I met this guy on Kaden’s team. He’s one of the younger guys. I like him. He’s cute and funny, and a major flirt.”
“Sounds like a winner so far. Who is he?”
“Luc Marcella.” Saying his name out loud triggered her anxiety over this.
“I’ve heard of him, but don’t know much about him. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen him, or if I have, I couldn’t pick him out in a crowd. So, he’s cute, huh?”
“Very. He’s got this child-like playfulness to him, and his smile is more like a devilish grin. He’s intriguing and adorable, and fun to be around.”
“Sounds great.”
“Yeah, but…” But he’s a Renegades player.
“But what, dear? He sounds like he’d be good for you. You spent so much time taking care of me and concentrating on school, don’t you think you deserve a little fun?”
Her mom wasn’t wrong. Luc could be fun. So much fun. “I agree with that, but he’s Kaden’s teammate. Aren’t those murky waters to be treading in?”
“Your brother’s bark is worse than his bite. You should know that by now. He might yell and scream, but if he doesn’t have a choice other than to get over it, then what more can he do? It’s your life, hon. Let’s get together for lunch next week sometime. Take the day off work and I’ll call Ali. We’ll have a girl’s day out.”
Her mom made it sound so easy. Maybe she was the one making this confusing. Or maybe her instincts were right?
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Luc
The plane sat on the tarmac, waiting to take off from the Chicago airport. The Renegades were flying home after their loss to Chicago. Coach Walker hadn’t yelled too much after the game. They only lost 1–0 in overtime, after a fluke goal won the game for Chicago.
Luc looked up from checking his phone when Coach stood at the front of the plane, clearing his throat. “All right guys, let me just say something before we head back to Pittsburgh. That game could’ve gone either way. You held them off through three periods. Shake off the loss, and let’s prepare for the next game. Okay, sit back and enjoy the flight home.”
Coach returned to his seat, closed his eyes, and put on his in-flight headphones, and Luc sat back, listening to the conversation of the guys around him.
“Dom, it was a nice game, almost a shut-out, bro,” Tyler commented.
“Almost isn’t good enough.” Dom grunted. “We should’ve won that damn game. One fucking shot off the post. I should’ve stopped it. I need a drink.” Dom waved for the flight attendant.
Kaden spoke up. “Z, don’t go there.”
“Dom, Kaden is right. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Tyler said. “Like Coach said, we need to move on to the next game.” But Dom wasn’t listening. He was now quietly brooding and enjoying a Jack and Coke.