“Charmed by my persuasive ways?” he asked.
Her very kissable lips lifted. “Something like that.”
He kissed her again, but it was too brief, because she said, “Come on, big guy, we can’t stay here all day.”
“I think we can,” he teased.
She pulled away from him and slipped past him into the passenger seat.
He groaned. “Fine.” When he closed her door, he caught her smile. He hadn’t told her that Coach thought dating in Pine Valley was a bad idea. But coaches didn’t know everything, right? The man wasn’t even married, so he wasn’t necessarily an expert on relationships. Not that Nelson was thinking of getting married any time soon.
Now, that would be truly nuts.
He climbed into the Subaru and started the engine. “So, I’ll drop you off wherever you want, and then I’ll report to Maddy.” He looked over at Lindsey. “She probably has some extreme conditioning she wants me to do. I’ll text you with a time for a movie. You choose it.”
When Lindsey’s brows rose, he said, “What?”
“You don’t have a movie in mind?” she said. “Like one of those action flicks?”
He pulled out of the parking lot. “I can’t remember when I last saw a movie, so you can surprise me.”
“Okay,” Lindsey said. “This will be fun.”
“Hopefully not to my detriment.”
She took out her phone and pulled up the movie theater website. “Oh, found one. I’ve been wanting to see it.”
“Which one?” he asked.
But she pressed the phone to her chest. “It will be a surprise.”
Okay, he could live with that, because he’d be with her. And he didn’t really care about the movie . . . it was just a way to keep her close.
She told him to take her back to the office, and when he watched her walk inside the building it felt like his heart was walking away with her.
Nelson drove back to the bed and breakfast. What was happening to him? His emotions were all over the place. He’d kept things light with Lindsey, but in truth, he was hating the fact that he’d be leaving in two days.
He parked, then climbed out of his car. Once in his room, he texted his sister with the news since she’d told him to keep her posted. Then he texted Maddy that he was back from the MRI.
Maddy immediately replied to meet in the lobby in ten minutes. She wanted him doing an hour-long bike ride before it grew dark.
Nelson sighed. He was already wearing athletic shorts, so he changed into a T-shirt. Before he could leave his room, Coach called.
“Hi,” Nelson said. “What’s up?”
“What do you think about the news?” Coach asked. “I’ll have Kris call you with the travel plans, but you’ll be flying out tomorrow afternoon.”
“That’s Wednesday. I thought I’d leave Thursday night.” Even a few more hours would be great.
“You want to be rested for Friday,” Coach said. “Plus on Thursday, we’ve got a promo op with the team. We’ll have a car pick you up at the airport.”
It wasn’t like Nelson could say no, and any arguing would only make Coach suspicious and . . . lead to another argument.
After Nelson hung up with Coach, he strode out of his room. Tomorrow. He’d be leaving tomorrow. Unbelievable.
Maddy was waiting in front of the bed and breakfast with his bike.
“Heard the MRI results were positive,” she said.
“Yeah,” Nelson said, trying to keep the frustration out of his voice. “Thanks to your whipping me into shape. I fly out tomorrow.”
Maddy didn’t seem surprised. Maybe Coach had already informed her of the travel plans. “Good for you. I’ll try to catch one of your games.”
Nelson nodded, but he was done talking for now. He climbed onto his bike. He might have ridden a little faster than he normally did, because he was back to the bed and breakfast in forty-five minutes, drenched in sweat.
After locking up the bike next to where Maddy had kept hers, he headed to his room to shower. He was still grumpy, and he needed to snap out of it. He needed to stop thinking that after tomorrow he wouldn’t see Lindsey for a while. Maybe months. Unless he could convince her to visit him in Vegas.
The movie critics had lied; either that or Lindsey’s taste in movies was absolutely opposite of Rotten Tomatoes.
Nelson seemed to be absorbed in the movie, though. He’d happily finished off the tub of popcorn they were supposed to be sharing. Lindsey had maybe eaten three handfuls. And the soda. Well, Nelson had drawn the line there and gotten a water bottle, but Lindsey had chosen root beer, which she’d offered Nelson when he’d finished his water.
The hero in the movie had just stepped into another dimension, and Lindsey gave up trying to keep track of what was the past, present, or future. Nelson had told her he had to fly out tomorrow, so really, this was their last evening together. She marveled at how much she was dreading him leaving when they’d only been hanging out a short while. Could it even be considered dating?
Well, they had kissed, more than once, and she supposed that counted for something.
“Wanna ditch?” Nelson whispered in her ear.
“I thought you were enjoying the show,” she whispered back.
“When the green man appeared, I think I lost interest,” he said. “Either that or the little fairy thing with the giant teeth.”
Lindsey stifled a laugh.
“Besides, the popcorn is gone,” he continued, “and I really shouldn’t have more, so leaving will help me in that department.”
Lindsey turned her head to meet his gaze in the darkness of the theater. She couldn’t see the color of his eyes, but she could certainly feel their intensity. And, boy, she had a hard time saying no to this man.
“Okay.”
He was on his feet in an instant, his speed surprising her.
She joined him, and he grasped her hand as they left the theater.
When they stepped out into the cold, dark night, Lindsey said, “Now what, Mr. Goaltender? More elk watching?”
Nelson released her hand and draped his arm about her, pulling her close. Which felt nice, because the wind had picked up. “Whatever you want. Elk watching, a hospital tour of the MRI room, or . . . maybe we could visit the grocery store.”
“The grocery store?” she asked. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of food again after eating an entire tub of popcorn.”
They stopped by the car that Nelson had once again borrowed from Maddy. “You ate some too.”
She held her two fingers about an inch apart.
Nelson chuckled and opened her door.
She climbed in before he could kiss her in another parking lot. It was way too cold for that.
When he slid into the driver’s seat, she said, “I’ll choose the grocery store, but only because you have me curious.”
He gave her a half smile and started the engine.
When they reached Pine Valley Mart, there were only a handful of cars in the parking lot. It seemed that the residents of this small town had other Friday night plans that didn’t include grocery shopping.
As they walked into the grocery store, hand in hand, Nelson bypassed the carts. So he wasn’t here for quantity, then.
She went along with him, up and down a couple of aisles, as Nelson seemed to be looking for something. He kept ahold of her hand, and she liked his intiative. It also made her realize that after tonight, when he dropped her off at her condo, there would be no more hanging out with Nelson. Holding hands. Kissing in a parking lot. Teasing each other.
Nelson stopped before a row of cleaning supplies. He picked up the Windex. “This reminds me of the color of your eyes.”
She blinked.
His mouth curved. “I want to get you some things that remind me of you. Then you can get me things that remind you of me.”
Her pulse thrummed with the way he was gazing at her. Like a guy who’d foolishly exposed his heart. “Okay . . .” she said
in a quiet voice. “That’s kind of bizarre, but sweet.”
He only winked, then carried the Windex bottle with them as they continued down the aisle. Two aisles over, he stopped at the candy section. He picked up a bag of red cinnamon bears. “The color of your lips.”
Lindsey was pretty sure she was blushing.
If he noticed, he didn’t say anything.
They continued to another aisle, where Nelson picked up a spice jar of cinnamon. “Your freckles.”
“You’re kidding,” she said with a laugh.
“Do I look like I’m kidding?” he asked, then he leaned down and placed a barely there kiss on her nose.
He led her by the hand to the next aisle, even though he was juggling the three things with his other hand.
“How far are you taking this?” she asked. “Do you need a cart?”
His gaze shifted to hers. “Yeah, that would be great. Ah.” On the next aisle was an abandoned cart.
Nelson snagged it and loaded in the goods. “Perfect,” he said.
When they reached the baking section, he picked up a jar of dark-chocolate frosting. “Like your hair.”
“Really,” Lindsey deadpanned.
He only grinned as he added the frosting to his collection. They ended up in the floral department a few minutes later, and Nelson proceeded to smell several of the arrangements. He also took the time to touch the petals.
“I don’t think you’re supposed to do that,” Lindsey said.
“If you see someone coming, let me know,” he answered.
Lindsey shook her head. “You’re a nut. Besides, what will flowers remind you of?”
He picked up an arrangement of white tulips.
Her heart thumped as he crossed to her. Then he leaned down and said in her ear, “Your skin.”
Lindsey swallowed. And blushed. And heated up all over.
Nelson turned and placed the tulips in the front of the cart.
When he looked over at her, she’d mostly composed herself.
“Now it’s your turn,” he said.
Lindsey wanted to drag him into some corner and kiss him. But she was a practical woman, and besides, once she started kissing him, she didn’t know if she could end it there. “Okay, follow me,” she said, although she had no idea what she was going to get yet.
They walked up and down a couple of aisles, the cart rattling as they went. Lindsey picked up a few things, acted like she was mulling them over, then put them back.
When they reached the meat section, Nelson said, “You’d better not.”
She glanced over at him. “Better not what?”
“Get meat,” he said. “To represent me.”
“I’m not getting meat,” Lindsey said. “Although you are kind of a meathead.”
He grabbed her by the waist and hauled her into a bear hug.
Lindsey gasped, then laughed. “See what I mean?”
He released her with a chuckle, and she moved away from him because she was tempted to stay in his arms. She continued to the dairy section.
“Cheese?” he said when she picked up a block of cheese. “I think that’s even worse.”
Lindsey turned to face him, holding up the cheese. “Cheese gets better with age.”
“So I’m an old man now?”
“No . . . the more time we spend together, the more I like you.” She set the cheese into the cart. She felt his gaze on her as she walked through the dairy section.
When she reached the refrigerators of milk and dairy products, she heard a groan from Nelson.
She laughed. “It’s not as bad as you think.”
“You know I can’t keep any of the fresh stuff,” he said. The cart rattled closer. “I’ll have to donate it to the bed and breakfast.”
She picked up a carton of sour cream. “You when you’re getting an MRI. As white as a ghost and kind of sour.”
He scoffed and took the sour cream. He did the honors of putting the container into the cart. “Why don’t you tell me what you really think of me?”
She only smiled and continued to walk, Nelson following with the rattling cart.
“I think I know why this cart was abandoned,” he said in a wry tone.
She turned into the cereal aisle and stopped in front of the shelves of granola and protein bars. She picked up one that looked the gnarliest and the most full of protein. When she turned, Nelson had reached her spot.
“I’m planning on leaving anything made of seeds in Pine Valley,” Nelson said.
“No seeds in this,” she said. “Only gritty granola that’s hard and tough like you, and if left on the counter without its wrapper, it will break your teeth.”
Nelson grinned. “Okay, now we’re getting somewhere.” He leaned toward her, and she pressed the box against his chest.
Next, she led him back to the baking aisle, where she picked up a bag of marshmallows.
“I’m not sure I want to hear this,” he said.
“You.” She pointed at him. “On the inside. You’ve got a good heart, Nelson.”
His gaze held hers, and she started to feel warm again. She set the marshmallows into the cart and continued walking until she reached the spice shelves. She took her time selecting what looked like a good BBQ seasoning. “To remember our first date.”
He moved closer and grasped her hand.
Her heart was pounding like mad, and the way he was brushing his thumb over her wrist wasn’t helping. “This is getting better.”
She stepped back, tugging her hand away, but he wouldn’t let go. They walked, hand in hand again, to the next aisle. Lindsey stopped in front of a section of tea and coffee choices. She picked up a silver-gray box that read Earl Gray.
“This reminds me of the color of your eyes,” she said. Speaking of his eyes, they were 100 percent focused on her.
“I don’t drink tea,” he said.
“That’s okay, because I do,” she said. “Save it for me when I come visit you in Vegas.”
His eyes searched hers. “You’ll come see me in Vegas? You’d better not be messing with me, Lindsey Gerber.”
She held back a smile. “I’m a lawyer, remember. I don’t bullsh—”
“Language,” he cut in, pressing a finger to her lips. “Remember, only positivity.”
His finger was warm, like she knew the rest of him was. And she also knew that look in his eyes. “Don’t.”
His brows jutted. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t kiss me in the grocery store,” she said.
He lowered his finger, then traced along her neck. Goose pimples raced across her skin.
“Why not?” he asked.
“Because it’s tacky.”
He smirked. “If you say so.” He moved his hand behind her neck as he stepped closer.
She could hear him breathing, could practically hear his heart thumping. His smell of pine and rain seemed to wrap around her and push past any PDA reluctance. She lifted her hand and touched the scruff of his jaw, then traced the scar beneath his bottom lip.
The gray in his eyes seemed to burn right through her.
“Lindsey . . .” he whispered.
“Hello, folks,” a deep voice crackled on the store’s intercom. “We’re reminding you that our meat special this week is our ninety-eight percent lean hamburger for only two ninety-nine a pound.”
Nelson stilled. “No one’s in the store but us.”
“I know, weird,” she said. “It’s almost like they want us to buy meat after all.” She moved away from Nelson before he could grab her again.
Nelson laughed and followed her. “Now where are we going?”
“One more thing,” she said, leading him to the automotive aisle. She chose a car freshener, pine scented. “To remind you of Pine Valley.”
He took it from her and set it in the cart.
She moved away again and walked toward the front of the store. Nelson caught up with her in two strides and took her hand. She loved the warmth and stre
ngth she felt with his fingers linked through hers.
As the store employee rang up the items, Lindsey felt like the countdown had begun. Soon she’d say goodbye to Nelson. She wanted to look forward to visiting him in Vegas, but what if it didn’t happen? It wouldn’t surprise her if, once he returned to his team and his busy schedule, contact between them diminished. And she was already dreading the moment.
Nelson tossed his phone into his duffle bag, then shoved the bag into his locker. Lindsey’s flight had been delayed. Which meant she wouldn’t be at the game tonight. After two weeks of not seeing her, Nelson didn’t know if he could wait even a few hours longer. But it wasn’t like he could drop everything and return to Pine Valley.
Tonight was their first playoff game, and every minute and second would count. If they won, then they’d continue to move up, and Coach would be on them every second. Which would make things a bit tricky with Lindsey visiting. Nelson hadn’t told Coach that she was coming. He figured some of the other guys on his team had girlfriends, and two of them were married. In fact, Blaine was dealing with a long-distance relationship with a college girl at Belltown University, where he’d graduated. Belltown was all the way in Massachusetts. About as far from Vegas as a person could get.
Speaking of Blaine . . . The halfback called to him, “Coach’s meeting is starting now.”
Nelson looked over to see that the locker room had cleared without him realizing, since he’d been caught up in his own disappointed thoughts about Lindsey’s flight delay. The freak lightning storm in Northern California had better calm down soon.
“Thanks, man,” Nelson told Blaine. “I’m on my way.”
On game days, Coach wanted everyone at the ice arena hours before. They’d share a light meal, then listen to whatever speech Coach had prepared. After that, they’d go through stretches with the trainer before anyone suited in their hockey gear to warm up on the ice.
Nelson headed out of the locker room and slipped into the room with the buffet table set up. He got into the back of the line, right behind Blaine, without anyone noticing that he’d almost been late. Since the other guys were already sitting on the chairs with their cold-cut sandwiches, Nelson spoke to Blaine in a low voice. “Hey, can I ask you something personal?”
All for You Page 9