Zambonis and Mistletoe - A Holiday Romance (The Renegades Series Book 4)

by Melody Heck Gatto

  Glancing up at the picture frames on the wall, he saw that all the photos looked like they were of her family. Pointing to them, he asked, “Your family?”

  Rylee blushed. “Yes. That’s Gram and Pap, and me and Paige.”

  The photos ranged from posed holiday portraits to the girls playing and laughing at a playground. They all looked so happy. Looking over at her to say something he noticed her eyes had misted. She looked like she was going to cry. He wanted to say something, but he wasn’t very good at this kind of thing.

  He reached up and caught a single tear with his thumb, wiping it away. “You miss them?”

  Rylee nodded.

  Taking her in his arms seemed inappropriate, even though that’s exactly what he wanted to do. The light was gone from her eyes, and he needed to do something. “Do you need a hug?” I hope that didn’t sound creepy.

  Rylee stared at him for a moment and he thought he was going to get slapped, because it really did sound creepy. But instead she nodded as her bottom lip pushed out into a small pout.

  “Aw, c’mere.” Nick pulled her into his arms and could feel her warm tears on his shoulder. This was not exactly the way he wanted to end the evening, but she felt so right in his arms. He couldn’t resist running his hand down her hair, loving how it was full and soft, and her body warm. Could she feel his heart racing? Because he was about two seconds away from trying to kiss her. And seeing as how she was close to tears, that wouldn’t be at all appropriate. Not knowing what else to say, he whispered the first thing that came to mind. “Don’t be sad.”

  “I’m sorry.” Rylee pulled away and wiped her eyes. “I didn’t mean to do that. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “It’s fine. You miss your Pap.” As soon as she stepped back, his arms felt empty, and he wanted to pull her close again.

  Rylee shook her head. “I do, but I don’t normally break down like that. Especially in a stranger’s arms. Well, I don’t mean stranger, but you know what I mean. I feel like a fool now.”

  Stranger, huh? He’d have to change that idea. “No, don’t say that.” He ran his thumb along her jawline. She really was so beautiful, even when she was flustered and sad. “You had a moment; it happens to the best of us.”

  “I don’t normally have moments. I’m the strong one. I’m the one who takes care of everyone else, remember?” Then she glanced at her foot.

  He knew she was strong, and he liked that. Even when she’d been lying there in pain on the medic’s table at the arena, she hadn’t complained about her injury. And he could tell she was used to doing things for other people and not having to rely on anyone but herself. She seemed so embarrassed about having him do anything for her, which he thought was adorable. But there was something vulnerable about her that made him want to be the one to take care of her. “Well, sometimes it’s okay to let others take care of you.”

  “Yeah, stupid ankle. Having to sit in this house I guess it just hit me how lonely it is here now. When Gram and Paige lived here there was always some craziness going on. Like when Paige was just starting to date Tyler. Well, they weren’t dating yet, but this whole living room was filled with flowers and stuffed animals… and I’m rambling. Sorry.” Her cheeks were bright red, and she looked down at the floor.

  God, the blushing was so cute, and he could listen to her ramble all night. “Don’t apologize. It’s empty nest syndrome.”

  “What? No. That’s what parents get once all their kids leave the house. That’s not what I…” Her voice trailed off and her eyebrows met. “Oh my god, I do!”

  The shocked look of realization on her face made him want to hug her again, but he kept his hands to himself. “Hey, you said it yourself, you took care of everyone. Now they’ve moved out. I’d say that is exactly what you’re feeling.”

  “That’s just weird.” She shook her head before looking at the door. “Well, enough of this, I’m sure you’re anxious to get out of here. So, thanks again for taking me this afternoon. Hopefully this ankle will heal quickly.”

  He didn’t want to leave, but if he stayed a minute longer he was going to have to touch her again, and she didn’t look like she needed another hug, much less the kiss he was desperate for. It was better to make a graceful exit before he did something stupid. “Agreed. But it was a nice evening, Rylee. Goodnight.” He flashed her one last smile and turned into the night to walk to his car.

  “Nick, wait!” Her voice cut through the darkness.

  He spun around, his heart thumping, and trying not to look so happy that she stopped him. Maybe she felt their connection too?

  “Um, uh, thanks for the pizza. And thanks for taking me to get my x-ray. I really did enjoy the company tonight.”

  Warmth filled Nick’s chest. “It was my pleasure, Rylee.” Again he forced his feet to walk toward his car. He wanted to see her again, wanted to get to know her, and he got the awful feeling that if he left without saying something, he might miss his chance. He stopped after a few steps and turned to face her at the door again. “Rylee, would it be okay if I called you?”

  She looked as if she was taken off guard, and his heart dropped for a moment, but then a smile crossed her face. “I’d like that.”

  She’d like that. He wasn’t sure what he expected her to say, but he was glad it was that. He tried to keep his smile under control. “Great.” Nodding, he walked backwards a few steps, resisting the urge to fist pump like he just made the game winning goal before retreating to his SUV. Reaching his door, he paused to take one last look at her.

  “Nick?” Her small voice caught his attention.

  “Yes Rylee?”

  “Why me?”

  What the hell? “Why you?” He tilted his head, not understanding her question. Then it hit him what she was asking. That thread of vulnerability hit him hard in the chest and it was all he could to do stop himself from jogging back to her and pulling her into his arms again. What the hell had happened to this gorgeous girl that had made her doubt herself? “Why not you, Rylee? You’re beautiful and funny and kind. I feel like I need get to know you better. Is that okay?”

  “Well, yeah, I guess that’s okay.” She didn’t sound too convinced, but he’d take it.

  “Good, I’ll call you.” Good thing it was okay, because he wasn’t planning on taking no for an answer.

  CHAPTER 8

  Rylee spent most of the Friday relaxing on the couch, daydreaming about Nick. She couldn’t get out of her head that moment he’d wiped away her tear. The way he’d looked into her eyes, the way his rough hand felt. And being pulled into his hard chest; it had felt like home. Like she belonged there. It had been so long since she’d felt like this about anyone.

  For the longest time she felt as if she wasn’t allowed to have feelings like this for someone. That it was disrespectful to Scott, and what they once had. It was her little secret that she hadn’t had those feelings for anyone since Scott. In all honesty, she’d never let any other man get close enough for her to have any feelings. Somehow she’d let Nick spend the evening with her, and now these thoughts of him kept creeping in. Obviously that had to mean something, but she didn’t feel comfortable analyzing it.

  Her phone ringing interrupted her thoughts. It was Paige.

  “Hey Rylee, how are you feeling?”

  “I’m hanging in there, Paige. Thinking I might need to get out of here soon.” Sitting on the couch watching television was not her idea of a good time.

  “Hey, take it easy. Relax for a few days,” Paige begged her. “So, you had company last night?”

  “I did,” she said matter of factly. “As if you didn’t know.”

  Tyler knew damn well that Nick was going to take her to the doctor yesterday, because he’d arranged it with Nick.

  “Well, of course I knew about the appointment. But we did happen to drive by your house after dark and saw his Range Rover, that’s all. Just hoping you were finally having some fun, or at the very least, making a new friend.”
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br />   She knew what Paige was getting at, and she was the last person Rylee would be able to hide anything from. “Look, don’t book a double date anytime soon, okay? He is just a really nice guy and he probably feels bad for me falling like an idiot and hurting my ankle on his rink.” And then crying in his arms over her late grandfather and because her bff and Gram had moved out leaving her all by herself in this big empty house.

  She was pathetic.

  “He is nice and handsome. Not to mention available,” Paige added in.

  Holy hell was he handsome. “Before you go getting any ideas, he only ordered a pizza for dinner, and we watched some television. I’m injured, remember? What more did you expect?”

  “No good night kiss?” Paige asked.

  Goodnight kiss… Her mind wandered to him standing so close she could feel his breath, the way she wanted him to touch her, to kiss her, but then he’d moved away.

  “Hello?” Paige called, snapping her out of her daydream.

  “No goodnight kiss.”

  “You like him,” Paige stated.

  “Sure. What girl with a pulse wouldn’t?”

  “It’s a good thing, Rylee. Remember that.” Paige never pushed too hard, probably assuming that eventually she would find the right guy, and things would fall into place, but she wasn’t hiding the hope in her voice that maybe this could be him.

  “I know, Paige. It was just nice to have company.”

  “I’m sure it was. Just remember, it’s your turn to finally have a social life, to take care of you for a change. At the risk of sounding like a teenager, I have to say that I think he likes you.”

  Yeah, that still came out sounding like a teenager.

  Rylee already had her own ideas about Nick, but figured it was too soon to tell for sure. “I don’t know, Paige. Maybe he’s just being nice.” She paused. “Paige, I had a dream about Pap last night. He was smiling, and then he told me he was happy for me and hugged me. He said to me I deserved to be happy.”

  Tears welled up in her eyes. She missed her Pap so much. Looking around at all of the Christmas decorations didn’t help the tears go away. Normally she thought of him in a happy way, but lately she just missed him and his fatherly advice.

  Paige said softly, “That’s lovely.”

  “Yeah, and this morning they’ve been playing his favorite songs on the radio… Do you think he’s trying to tell me something?” She felt like a loon for even asking. “Or do you think I’m crazy?”

  “Rylee, I don’t think you’re crazy. Pap is with us, and maybe he is watching out for you. Look, with the holidays coming, maybe it’s a good time to change up our holiday tradition? Maybe you, me and Ty should go to New York for the holiday?”

  “New York? Why? No, I don’t want to leave Gram here without family around at Christmas. I’ll probably cook for Gram and I, and if you and Ty want to come over, you’re more than welcome. Unless you have plans… Paige, you know I like my old fashioned Christmas.”

  She loved the way holiday movies ended, with a big old fashioned Christmas dinner and presents, and a happily ever after for the main characters. She loved all the decorations, and the big decorated trees. She looked around her room at her decorations. “Actually, speaking of Christmas… Do you think you and Tyler can help me put the finishing touches on my decorating?”

  “Yeah, sure. He has a weekend off coming up, so we’ll be over that Sunday. Then we’ll all have dinner here, so that’ll get you out of the house for a bit, okay? Look, I better go.”

  “Okay, Paige, thanks. See you then.”

  ***

  Rylee looked around her living room, itching to get away. Bored after sitting here all morning watching television, she picked up her cell and looked at the home screen. But she couldn’t bother Paige; she was with the team at the arena and wouldn’t be home until late tonight.

  She was hungry, but didn’t feel like making anything. Looking down at her sweats, she figured she should go change; these were the same ones she slept in last night. Being stuck on the couch had made her lazy, and that was unacceptable.

  Just then her rock-and-roll ringtone radiated out of her cell. She looked at the screen. It was a local number, but not one that she recognized.

  She hesitated about whether to answer, but then she thought maybe it was the doctor with her x-ray results. Quickly she picked up the call, “Hello?”

  “Hi Rylee? It’s Nick.”

  Nick? A small smile slid across her face. “Oh, hi Nick.” How did he get my number? It had to be Paige.

  “What are you up to today?”

  “Oh, nothing.” Nothing was right. Absolutely nothing.

  “What would you say to getting out of the house and going to the game with me?”

  The butterflies returned to her stomach. “Uh, sure. But remember I’m not totally mobile yet.” Apparently when it came to Nick, her brain worked on super slow speed; she had trouble forming full sentences.

  “I was hoping you’d say yes. And don’t worry, I’ll help you get around.”

  “Wait, why?” she started to say, as she heard a car outside. She hobbled over to the window to see who it was. “Nick?” She opened the front door to see his Range Rover sitting at the end of her walkway.

  He stepped out of his car all tall dark and handsome and hung up his cell phone. He smiled at her as he walked down the sidewalk towards her. That’s why he was hoping I’d say yes, because he was already at my house!

  Looking down at her sweats she realized she still needed to change. Luckily she had done her hair, but it was just flat. “Oh no!”

  “Problem?” Nick approached her porch, his brow furrowed.

  “Do we have time for me to change? ‘Cause…” she pointed to her worn sweats.

  “As far as I’m concerned, you look beautiful.” He smiled. “Yes, there’s plenty of time.”

  Rylee smiled. “C’mon in Nick,” she said and he brushed by her. Her parts were already tingling. She watched him walk into her house, dressed in a wool coat, with his gray suit, dress shoes, and a white dress shirt peeking out. Winter must be finally starting to settle in.

  “Chilly out, I hear they are calling for snow next week,” Nick said as he sat down in her living room. “I thought we could sit in the owners’ suite. Is that okay with you?”

  She chuckled to herself. As far from the ice as you could get, that’s perfect for me! “Yeah, that sounds great. But just so you know, I like hockey; I just don’t know a lot about the game itself. I always just follow Paige’s lead. I mean, I know the basics, but—” she felt bad admitting that, especially to the team’s GM!

  His smile reached his eyes. “Rylee, that’s fine. Tonight you can follow my lead instead. I thought before you made a jail break”—he winked—“I would get you out of the house for a bit.”

  She was surprised and a thrill ran through her that he remembered. She’d mentioned making a jail break within two days if she was still stuck in the house. “I need to go get changed, and I have to get upstairs.” She looked at her steps, wondering how pathetic she would look crawling up them. But if she had to, she would.

  “Here,”—he got up from the chair and moved next to her—“can I help you?” When he took her arm in his strong hands, her body warmed at his touch.

  She stared at him as he stood close, help her? “What?” she asked softly, confused.

  “Up the steps,” he said as he gazed into her eyes. “So you can get changed.”

  Up to her bedroom, oh how she wished it were for another reason. She let out a hard breath. “Sure.” She pulled her glance away from his dark eyes. He walked her over to the steps, looped his arm around her waist, and held her arm with his other hand. Shivers went through her body at his touch. She almost let out a gasp. She would take a step with her good foot, and then he would help lift her weight instead of her using her bad foot. She kept from looking at him, for fear of wanting him even more.

  “You okay?” he asked when they were halfway u
p the steps.

  She nodded and they continued up, finally reaching the top.

  “My room is right here.”

  He helped her over to the doorway and when she paused to rest against the door frame, he stood holding her.

  His eyes held hers, and she was unable to move for a moment. Fear ran through her. What if he tries to kiss me? His lips were inches from hers and his warm breath fanned her skin. What would those lips would be like to kiss? The thought of nibbling at his bottom lip made her body hot with excitement. She swore she heard sleigh bells as she stood there thinking of all the ways she would like his lips on hers.

  She was going looney again. There was no music turned on, therefore there were no sleigh bells. The moment was over.

  “I think I can take it from here. Thanks,” Her voice was practically a whisper, as she hopped into her room. She turned to look at him. “Can you wait there to help me back downstairs?” she asked.

  He cleared his throat. “Definitely.”

  She smiled and shut her door. Pulling off her sweatshirt she started towards her closet to find her jersey when she heard a noise outside, and she made her way to the window. Outside, a deer was standing in her backyard. He was large and had big antlers. He didn’t look like any deer she had ever seen. It almost looked like a reindeer. No, it couldn’t be. Not in Pittsburgh.

  Turning towards the hall she was about to call Nick in to look when she paused, staring at the closed door. What am I doing? Standing there in her bra, she was getting ready to call him into her room to look at a deer? Or reindeer? Or… she glanced back out into the yard, but the animal was gone.

  Could it have been my imagination? Continuing to get dressed, she slid on a light pink long sleeve tee then the jersey, and finished the look with dark yoga pants.

  Rylee looked at her hair in the mirror. She needed to do something with it, and she didn’t have much time, so she pulled up the front and sides and clipped it in the back, making a little ponytail while the rest of her hair lay on her neck. It looked cute. Then she brushed on honey-kissed colored eye shadow, a little blush, and lip gloss. When she looked down at her foot, it wasn’t nearly as swollen as it had been. She managed to lace the shoe loosely and tied it just enough so it wouldn’t fall off. Perfect!