by Cari Quinn
Sebastian flushed as the rest of the guys gathered around to get a better look at the magazine. He passed it off to Rick like it was a live grenade, and Rick didn’t disappoint, flipping through it and making typically male comments about the women inside. At this point none of the guys bothered to censor their words around her, which was fine. Most of them were decent and would never treat a woman badly.
A brief flash of her confrontation with Jaroslav flitted through her mind. Since that time in her office, they’d avoided each other for the most part. He was there today, but she didn’t feel threatened. The team had forced him into counseling, and she thought it had helped, from what she could see. Jaroslav had even apologized to her when he’d been allowed to come back to the team.
A gift certificate fell out of the magazine, and Sarah picked it up and handed it to Sebastian, who appeared rooted to his seat, his face dark red in embarrassment. He usually took the hazing in stride, but now appeared as if he’d pay someone a small fortune to show him an escape path.
“At least it’s not a total loss,” she told him, noting the gift certificate was to one of Buffalo’s best restaurants.
While the guys gave opinions on the DVDs or jockeyed for a better view of the magazine, Sarah got up to get herself more wine. Would Sebastian use his present? Some of the guys rented porn when they were bored on the road, but Sebastian didn’t seem like the type.
“Boys will be boys,” Rob said, joining her. “He’s a rookie. You’ve seen the way rookies get treated. I’m not even a rookie, and look what I got.” He held up the cufflinks, and Sarah nodded with a smirk.
Despite what he said, the gift suited him. “I saw them. Are you going to wear them?”
“Yeah, totally. I have to. After all, I am ‘The Don.’” He chuckled. “I bet they’ll go great when I break out the white zoot suit during the playoffs.”
Sarah barked out a laugh. “Nice image.”
He moved closer and lowered his voice. “You know Sebastian isn’t going to do anything with that stuff, right? He doesn’t go in for that kind of thing. I mean, look at him. Does he seem like a guy who would get a rise from Hustler? He’s trying to be cool about it, but he’s horrified.”
Sarah dropped her voice. “Why are you telling me this? I thought you were against us getting together.”
“And I still am. Sebastian is a good guy and one of my best friends. The kid’s got the purest heart of anybody I’ve ever met. Right now you’re kind of playing with him, Sarah, and that’s not cool.”
Before she could say anything in response, Rick called out, “Sarah, Rob, what are guys doing over there? Trading secrets?”
“If we were we wouldn’t tell you,” Rob retorted. “You’re worse at keeping secrets than a thirteen-year-old girl. Or Doug.”
Rick grinned. “Hey, I resemble that remark. Well, not the Doug part. I’m much hotter.”
Doug leaned over from his seat at an adjacent table and whacked Rick upside the head.
Fredrik stopped in front of her as she walked back to the table, winked, and said, “I think you made the fish.” Sarah smiled but remained silent. “You are only one who can cook. These guys don’t cook, at least I hope they didn’t or I might die.” He beamed and put his hands to his throat in a choking motion.
“Yeah, I guess it wasn’t too hard to figure out since these guys aren’t gourmets. I couldn’t believe it when most of them said ketchup was the one thing they always have in their fridge. Whatever happened to actual food? Ketchup is not food!”
Fredrik laughed then leaned toward her, whispering, “I think I will leave fish out. Is annoying everyone and funny.”
Now Sarah laughed too. “Hey, whatever gives you a rush.”
“Thank you for making it. It means much to me to have good Finnish food.”
“No problem. I’m glad you liked it. You may be the only one who likes it, but you’re the important one anyway.”
As everyone continued to talk amongst themselves, Sarah sat once again. Sebastian’s gifts, which had been abandoned by the players in favor of other pursuits, were a good distance across the table and the poor guy was watching them as if they might bite. Sarah noted the expression on his face and snickered. “They got you good, you have to admit that.”
He grinned and blushed, and Sarah was happy to see the set of his shoulders relax. “Yeah, that’s the problem with being a rookie, you get treated like shit. At least I got a gift certificate out of it.”
Rob leaned down. “So do you want us to go get you a tree?”
Sarah shook her head, waving him off. “That’s not necessary.” I can’t trust myself with Sebastian. Doesn’t Rob know that?
Again, Rob would hear none of her protests. He insisted she couldn’t have Christmas without a tree. If she kept arguing, people would notice, so she relented, giving him her address.
“Give us a few hours and we’ll be over.”
“No problem. I’ll even feed you dinner. After the trouble you’re going to, it’s the least I can do. I’ve been told you guys don’t mind being guinea pigs if it means you don’t have to cook.” Though she tried to ignore it, a combination of excitement and nervousness took up residence in the pit of her stomach. Sebastian was coming to her house, whether she was ready for him or not.
* * *
Sebastian and Rob piled into Rob’s truck and Sebastian turned to his friend. “Why did you insist we go get this tree for Sarah?”
After turning the key in the ignition, Rob shrugged. “She’s lonely. She lives by herself and she’s not close to her family. I don’t think she has a ton of friends, either. No one should have to go through the Christmas season like that.”
“And that’s the only reason?”
Rob leaned back in the seat. “Look, man, this whole thing with Sarah is getting out of hand. I don’t support the idea of you guys being together, but at this point I think it’s the inevitable conclusion.”
“You say it like Sarah and I are a bomb or something.”
“Hell, you might be. I don’t think it’s going to turn out well, but neither of you are willing to give the other up or move on, so I don’t see a better solution.”
“Wow. I can’t believe you said that.” Sebastian’s head was spinning and he couldn’t figure out if he should be angry Rob had done this or grateful someone was forcing him into making a move.
Rob put the truck in gear. “It’s not that crazy. I’m getting tired of it, so you guys must be seriously losing your shit. I like both of you, and if being together is the only thing that’s going to make you happy, then that’s what I think you should do. I am very much not on board with you dating someone who’s practically a coach, but if you’re in love with her and can’t be happy without her, then I guess I need to support you as your friend. Now let’s go get a tree. I’m hungry again and Sarah said she’d feed us.”
Sebastian had to smile. Rob could always be counted on to give it to him straight and then cut the tension with some lame joke or remark. It was no wonder he was an assistant captain and one of the guys all the others looked up to.
They arrived at the nursery then picked out a tree, but not before Rob had inspected no less than twenty, finding fault with every one of them. Sebastian was considering drastic measures when Rob finally acquiesced. They put the tree in the bed of the truck then headed over to Sarah’s house.
Sebastian’s patience was at an end. He wanted to see Sarah and Rob’s words had spurred him into action. It was time to go get what he wanted.
Chapter Ten
Sarah stopped at the store on her way home. She wanted to cook the guys something nice since they were out in the freezing cold because of her. A pork loin was good and also easy. After choosing her side dishes, she grabbed some beer, plus an assortment of cheeses and crackers. They ate so much pasta and chicken in their pre-game meals she was sure they were as sick of it as she was. She got home, fed Tasha, threw the pork in the oven, and then scurried around tidying up.
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What am I freaking out about? For one thing, he and Rob probably live in some filthy bachelor pad, and besides, what do I care what he—they—think?
But she did care. She hated to admit it, but she did. A lot. Once again she was happy she’d invested in a gas fireplace she could light from a remote as a cheerful fire blazed to life.
When the doorbell rang, she was struggling to move furniture to make room for the tree. Giving a final useless shove to the unyielding sofa, Sarah grumbled as she crossed the living room to answer the door. Sebastian was delicious in the tight jeans he’d worn earlier, plus work boots and a heavy coat. Rob was standing well behind him, holding up the tree.
“Hi.” Sebastian’s Adam’s apple worked as he swallowed.
“Hi.” Sarah bit her lip, not sure how to handle things now that he was here.
They continued to stare at each other until Rob said, “Can we do the awkward thing later? This tree is heavy.”
Sarah flushed and hurried to hold open the door. Sebastian grabbed the bottom of the trunk, and together he and Rob carried the tree into the house. It was huge, and once Sebastian reached the living room, he asked, “Is it okay to put it on floor?”
“Sure, yeah. They’re old wood floors and I haven’t gotten around to refinishing them yet.”
They dropped the tree and Rob pivoted toward the door he’d kicked shut a moment earlier. “The stand is in the truck. I’ll be back in a minute.” Even his nervousness was apparent as he practically catapulted himself out the door.
Had Sebastian thanked Rob or reamed his friend out for pushing him into this? That was what she wanted to do. Then hug him and buy him flowers to thank him. It was messed up, but it was what it was.
She suspected Sebastian was viewing it as a way to spend the evening with her. He appeared as nervous as she felt, and Sarah sent up a quick prayer that they could have a nice, civilized dinner without ripping each other’s clothes off. Surely Rob would run screaming. The image brought a small smile to her face.
Sebastian shifted his weight from side to side just like he did on the ice as he checked out her living room. “This is a nice house. Do you own it? I’m sorry, I should not have asked.”
“It’s all right. Yes, I own the house. Before I moved to Buffalo, I hired one of those relocation specialists to find a house within easy driving distance of the arena, and when she showed me this one, I was hooked.
“I’ve always lived in new, modern-style apartments, but the character of this place appealed to me. It’s like I’m just a little part of the history of the house, you know? My furniture doesn’t match the style of it, but what can you do? And I wanted to buy a house for once instead of renting. But I do rent out the carriage house over the garage.”
Shut up already, you idiot.
Thankfully Sebastian didn’t react to her running at the mouth, and had moved toward a wall where she’d displayed a few family pictures.
Where the hell is Rob? Did he go to Alaska to get that stand?
“Are these your family?” Sebastian asked, pointing to the grouping.
Sarah stepped toward him and nodded. She indicated one particular picture. “That’s me. I think I was about five years old. The older man is my grandfather. He got me into hockey and my dad continued the tutelage until he died too.” She wasn’t sure why she’d shared that, but at least they weren’t staring at each other like morons anymore.
“You were cute.” She smirked as he must’ve realized he’d used the past tense and heat suffused his face. At least she wasn’t the only pathetic one. “Not that you’re not cute now, you’re…” Rob came in with the stand and Sebastian audibly exhaled, hurrying back to the tree.
As they cut the ropes off with the rather scary hunting knife Rob had pulled out of his pocket, she said, “You guys keep working while I go check on dinner.”
“You didn’t have to go cook for us,” Sebastian protested, but looked pleased nonetheless.
“It’s no problem. I love to cook. You know that.” Crap. I can’t believe I just said that. Way to remind him about that “date” during training camp.
With that, she swept into the kitchen, but not before hearing Rob demand in a mock-offended voice, “When did you find out she likes to cook? Have you been keeping stuff from me? Or more importantly, food from me? I’m hurt!”
Sarah couldn’t hear Sebastian’s reply as she opened the fridge. She’d already cut up the cheese. After adding the crackers and some grapes to the platter, she brought it into the living room.
Rob was underneath the tree, fighting it into the stand. Sebastian stood beside it, supporting the weight of the tree with both hands while Rob shoved it around. Based on her mathematical background and good old common sense, the surface area of the stand was much too small for the humungous tree trunk, but if the guys could wrestle the thing in there, more power to them.
“Do you want something to drink?” she asked.
Rob came out from under the tree, his face red from the exertion of battling the massive trunk into place. “Try it now,” he said.
Sebastian let the tree go. It tilted and he rushed to grab it again before it fell over.
Shaking his head, Rob said, “Well, that needs some work. Stupid tree. You’d think it would be more cooperative since I’m such a good guy and rescued it from a sure death by mulching.” He grinned as he scooted back under the tree. “Beer would be great for me if you’ve got it.”
“Yeah, beer is good,” Sebastian echoed.
Sarah retreated to the kitchen and popped the tops off a couple of beers. After opening a bottle of white wine, Sarah poured herself a healthy glass and carried everything into the living room, where the boys stood eyeing the tree, now upright of its own volition.
It was holding for the moment, but Rob insisted the best side of it needed to face the room, so the two of them moved it this way and that, searching for the best viewing angle and arguing with each other all the while, ever the competitors.
Sarah chuckled and sat on the couch to watch the show. They both backed away from the tree, still eyeing it, and Sarah said, “It’s fine. Come sit down.” When they obeyed, she continued. “Thank you so much for doing this. It was above and beyond the call of duty. I would appreciate it though, if you’d keep it to yourself you were here. I don’t want people to get the wrong impression.”
Rob nodded. “We considered that and didn’t say anything to anyone.” He glanced at Sebastian, who was staring at the floor. Pivoting back toward Sarah, amusement playing over his features, Rob said, “So, do you have any decorations for this thing now that you’ve got it?”
“Yeah, I keep them upstairs in the attic. My mom gave me a bunch of my grandma’s stuff, and I brought a few boxes of my favorite things from Ithaca.”
Rob waited, and then with an exasperated-sounding grunt, he glanced at Sebastian, who had shifted from staring at the floor to staring into his beer.
What is Sebastian thinking? Had he been forced into this? Was he just waiting for the chance to leave?
Poking Sebastian in the ribs, Rob asked, “Do you want us to get them down for you?”
“Oh, no!” Sarah exclaimed. “No, you’ve done too much already.”
Sebastian appeared to break out of the spell he’d been under. “It’s no big deal, and then you can decorate the tree.” He sprang from the couch like he’d been goosed, which sounded like an excellent idea right about then as she stared at his well-muscled backside. “Where did you say they were?”
By the time Sarah rose to follow, Sebastian had already started up the stairs. She directed them to her bedroom, where the trap door for the attic was located. She hadn’t cleaned upstairs, but with any luck, there were no embarrassing items lying around. Wearing silky, pretty things under her track suits was her only nod to femininity at this point, and she tended to leave them out when she was in a hurry.
Luckily, the room was neat. She went into the walk-in closet, pointing up. The guys appeared to r
ealize they were standing in Sarah’s bedroom, their eyes darting around the room, presumably searching for a safe place to look. She had to tamp down a laugh. Men were such strange creatures.
Together Sebastian and Rob moved toward the trap door. Sebastian reached up and pulled the string. Both rushed to grab the stairs, which descended heavily.
Rob raised an eyebrow, and his voice dripping with sarcasm, said, “Oh, yeah, you could’ve done this yourself.”
“I would’ve. I might have killed myself, but I would’ve done it. I can’t ask some guy to run over here every time I need something. Single women like me have to be self-sufficient.”
The guys climbed the stairs first, and Sebastian reached down with one long, corded arm to steady her as she followed. Their touch was electric, and Sarah attempted to break the spell, joking, “I can just see it now. You guys fall down the stairs, and then I have to explain to Jon and Keith why you were in my attic. Hmm, that might be a good time to lie. I can tell them I asked you to help me put up lights outside my house so I could win a contest with the neighbors.” She stopped and pointed to several boxes. “I think these are the decorations.”
Chuckling, Rob and Sebastian both grabbed a box, and Sarah attempted to lift a third. Sebastian stopped her with a jerk of his head. “Put it down. We will do it. Those stairs are pretty dangerous, and I have watched you skate, and you have run into me more than once. Your coordination is not very good.” He smiled, and desire once again washed over her.
Why couldn’t she keep her cool around him?
She stayed in the attic until the boxes were down, and then Sebastian again helped her keep her footing on the stairs.
The guys had left the boxes in her bedroom, and they began the process of carting them from the bedroom to the living room. Sarah skipped ahead and threw the corn into the microwave before setting out the salad, the wine, and the rolls. The pork smelled heavenly as she reached into the oven to pull the potatoes out, and Sarah took a deep breath, letting the scents of rosemary and oregano calm her.