Melting Away The Ice (THE ICE SERIES)

by Smith, Mary

  “We are conducting a seminar on Constitutional Law for students.” Well, great, now I sound like a nerd and he thinks I am crazy.

  He then looked over to a crowd of people at the back of the restaurant. “Would you excuse me for one moment?” Lucas got up and headed over to them. He said a few things and then came back to me.

  “Everything okay?” I asked not sure what was going on.

  “Rookies and second years are partying over there,” he pointed to the small group, “and I am making sure it stays in control.”

  “Now I understand all the girls around,” I laughed. There had to be two girls for every guy at that table. Lucas just nodded.

  “So, you were saying about the seminar.” He looked back at me and returned to our conversation.

  “Rachel always gets asked to speak and she always brings me along.” She mainly agreed because of the money. I come along because I like to talk to the new students. I always hoped I could influence a student and have them love the law as much as I do.

  “Rachel? How come?” Lucas had a confused look on his face. I giggled.

  “Don’t let the blonde hair and supermodel build fool you Mr. Sharp,” I teased, “Rachel is a genius. Like a real genius. She had a full ride to Harvard, but her father died our senior year in high school and she declined it. We both went to the University of Chicago, to stay close to her mom.”

  “That’s sad.”

  “It was. It was our first year in law school when her mom passed. Now it is just us two.” I smiled sadly at him.

  “I think it is great that you two have each other.” He reached over and squeezed my hand. I looked down at our hands. Remain calm.

  “Sharp,” three young males came over to our table, “we are going to head to the hotel for a bit.”

  “Fine, but you know the rules. There are no second chances,” he stated firmly to the young men.

  “We know,” they said in unison and walked off.

  “Wow, they are young,” I said.

  “In hockey, you can be drafted at eighteen. Young men that age need some guidance, especially when they get their first paycheck.”

  “They are lucky to have you, then.” I said and truly meant it. Everyone needed some type of guidance and I could not imagine what young hockey players went through on their own.

  “Well, enough work talk.” He looked over at me with a breath taking smile. “How about we go for a walk? It’s a warm fall night and perfect for a walk.”Oh, I want to so badly.

  “I’m sorry. I really can’t. It is late and I had a long day,” I said quietly. Rachel would kick my butt if she knew that I declined his offer.

  “Not a problem.” He shrugged and looked a little sad. “We have an early skate. I should rest too. Could I at least walk you back to your hotel? Or split a cab?”

  I nodded with a smile. “I am at the Hilton on Broadway.”

  “That is so funny. That’s where we are.” He threw a few bills on the table, and before I could protest to him buying my drinks and food, he reached for my hand. I couldn’t help myself; I took his hand as he pulled me to the door.

  He waved down a cab and we got in. Not much was said in the cab. I tried to look out the window but I kept thinking about Lucas sitting next to me. He was still holding my hand and it felt so good. I couldn’t even remember the last time a guy just held my hand.

  We arrived in front of the hotel. I tried to pay for the cab but Lucas waved my money away.

  “What floor are you on?” he asked as we entered the lobby.

  “I am on four.”

  “I’m on twelve.” He turned toward the hall with the elevators. Oh no! I cannot get in there. I have to come up with some excuse. Think! Think Sara! Why can’t I think straight around him? Maybe I should just tell the truth. Ugh! Let’s just add another “crazy” stamp to my forehead.

  “Lucas,” I pulled his arm and hoped that he could not feel me trembling, “I don’t take elevators.”

  “Oh, are you claustrophobic?” He squeezed my hand.

  “Something like that,” I said quietly. I was locked in a crawl space for hours after my boyfriend nearly killed me.

  “You don’t have to walk the stairs with me. I know that it could be an inconvenience.”

  “No, it’s cool. Its only four flights.” He turned and headed to the stairs. We didn’t say anything on the way up and before I knew it we were in front of my door. Oh no! This cannot be happening. Is he going to kiss me? Maybe, he is just going to hug. Yep, that is it, just a hug. Holy stars I am shaking. What is wrong with me? Ugh!

  “I have to say, Sara, I enjoyed our impromptu date.” His voice was low and he licked his lips. Again, I could not speak. I nodded. I am going to be the poster person for crazy.

  “Hopefully, our first real date is just as fun.” He touched my cheek.

  Holy stars, if ever I wanted Rachel to open this door it would be now.

  Since I still could not speak I just nodded and gave him a small smile. Why can’t I speak? Those crazy stamps are adding up on my forehead.

  He leaned in and I could not help myself I leaned into him. My body took over for me, instead of letting my emotions run wild. I could feel his hot breath and I wasn’t sure if my knees would hold me up.

  “Captain! Oh my Captain Sharp! We have been chasing you,” two guys yelled at the end of the hall.

  “Well, that didn’t last long,” Lucas whispered. I peered around him and saw the two guys stop in their tracks about a foot from us.

  “Sorry, Sharp. We thought you were alone.” The one on the left said.

  Lucas let out a deep sign and turned to the guys. “Well, I am not. What do you two want?”

  “Vets are about to prank the rookies and seconds thought you would supervise so the hotel won’t burned down.” The one on the right stated. He had a thick French accent and looked a lot younger than Lucas.

  “Fine,” Lucas looked like he was upset.

  “Are you going to introduce us, Sharp?” the one on the left asked. He looked like the same age as Lucas. He had long dark hair that almost touched his shoulders. I could tell he had a slight French accent.

  “I shouldn’t, but, Max, Marc, this is Sara Smith. Sara this is Thing One and Thing Two. They are extremely immature and they are the reason I have an ulcer,” Lucas declared.

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “Nice to meet you guys.”

  “We will see you upstairs. Nice to meet you, Sara,” Marc said as he dragged Max away.

  Lucas watched the guys go down the hall and then turned back to me. “I am sorry about that, really I am.”

  “No, its fine.” I waved it off like no big deal. You don’t even know how fine it is.

  “Listen how about tomorrow after the game we grab a bite? Down in the restaurant in the lobby, okay?”

  “I’m sure you will be tired.”

  “I will be fine.”

  “Okay, then,” I nodded.

  “However, I need to go now. They were not joking about burning down the hotel.” He chuckled.

  I laughed as Lucas kissed my forehead. Oh thank the stars! He is so perfect!

  “Bye, Sara.”

  I nodded and smiled as he turned and walked away

  Chapter 11 – Lucas

  “You two have the worst timing,” I said as I entered my hotel room with Marc and Max.

  “How did we know you were with someone?” Max asked as he threw items down onto the spare bed.

  “We figured you were talking with the coaches. They are on the fourth floor, too,” Marc chimed in.

  I let out a long sigh and ran my hands through my hair. I really wanted to kiss her, even if she looked nervous. She was still so beautiful. I could not believe my eyes when I saw her in the bar. At first, I thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me. But, I knew it was her when I saw her gorgeous profile and her massively curly hair.

  My heart pounded in my chest as I looked at her. I wasn’t even sure if I was breathing when I mad
e my way over to her and Rachel. But, it was worth the panic, because I enjoyed every single moment with her. When I held her hand, I felt complete, something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Why does this feel so right? I just want to be around her all the time. She is all I think about it.

  I was still mad over Max grabbing my phone a few days ago. I was getting ready to text her to see how she was doing when he took it. He was going to send some gooey – girly text. Before he could, Marc grabbed it to send a worse one, and the next thing I knew the screen was broken. When they realized what they had done, they sprinted away from me. Yes, I was going to beat them to death.

  A knock on my door brought me back to reality.

  “Captain, all of our clothes are gone,” the three newbies said as I opened the door.

  “They are?” I asked in a mock shocked voice. I could hear Max and Marc snickering behind me. “Guess you boys need to find them” I shut the door on them, then turned back into the room and saw three very large suitcases on my spare bed.

  Rookies, I snickered.

  “Lucas, seriously bro, we are sorry,” Max looked straight at me. My friend knew that I was not one to fall in bed with just anyone and that Sara was someone I wanted to pursue.

  “It’s fine. I know you guys didn’t know. It’s late and I want to sleep.” Both of my friends nodded and left my room.

  I changed, lay in bed and turned on ESPN. Although, I couldn’t concentrate; my mind kept wondering about Sara and the night we had.

  Just then my hotel phone rang.

  “You should have had that goal in the third period,” my mother quickly stated. I laughed. Forever the Hockey-Mom. I could still remember all the days off work she took to drive me to games and practices. The woman was the most amazing person I knew.

  “Well, hello to you too Ma.”

  “Hey, I am just stating a fact. You really need to practice your forehand,” I could see my mother in my head sitting at the kitchen table, her slightly graying hair and small build. She was no more than 5'5 and I have towered over her since I was thirteen.

  My father left her when I was just a baby. He said that he couldn’t deal with having a family. Mom never dated, as far as I knew, since him. She always focused on me and my wants. Now I got to return the favor.

  Every paycheck I got I made sure Mom was taken care of first. When I got my very first endorsement check, I paid her mortgage and car off. I didn’t want her to work if she didn’t have too. But, she still worked, every single day, as a teacher for first graders. Mom’s philosophy was “Get ‘em while they are young.” That was why she was a saint.

  “Well, thanks for that. Hey, you won’t believe what happened today.”

  “With you? Anything is possible, son.”

  “I saw Sara here in Pittsburgh,” I went on and told her everything that happened. I even told her about our interrupted kiss. Mom just listened and laughed. She was always the best person to. She would never say anything until it was all out.

  “She sounds very smart and it sucks about the kiss.”

  ”Is it strange that I think about her all the time?”

  ‘Not when you like her.”

  “Merci maman je t'aime.”

  “Fils je t'aime plus que tout.”

  Chapter 12 – Sara

  “Can you believe that game?” Rachel was jumping all over the cab as we headed back to the hotel.

  “It seemed very intense,” I said. I was looking out the cab window as the scenery flew by.

  “Were you watching the same game I was or just a certain player?” I felt my face get red because I did mainly watch Lucas as he was on the ice. There was just something about him when he was skating. His movements were smooth and precise. He was hypnotic to watch.

  “Come on,” I said as we got out of the cab when it pulled up to the hotel. “I want to change before I meet Lucas.” I looked down at my Eagles gear that Rachel got me.

  I want to look normal for tonight. Not a fan girl.

  “Be sure to wear sexy underwear.” Rachel bolted out as we walked into our hotel room.

  “What?” I whipped around.

  “Well, if you get laid tonight you should look sexy.”

  “Rachel, I almost had a panic attack last night outside this very door when he tried to just kiss me. Do I seem like a rational person to have sex with?” I walked into the bathroom and stripped out of my clothes.

  Twenty minutes later I was in dark jeans, purple capped sleeve top and a green scarf. My feet were still killing me from the heels I wore earlier so I opted for my flats.

  “Okay, I am going to go down with you because I am starving but I’m just gonna order and leave,” Rachel stated.

  I just nodded. Great, here I go again with no talking.

  “Hey.” Rachel squeezed my arm. “You will be fine. You had a great time with him last night and tonight will be just as awesome.” She hugged me. She always gave me the best advice and she was rarely wrong. I could not ask for a better friend.

  When we reached the lobby I saw Lucas standing outside the restaurant. I was pretty sure my tongue fell out of my mouth. He stood there in dark jeans, an open gray button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a white undershirt. He saw us coming and walked towards us.

  “Small change in plans,” he stated. Oh no, he doesn’t want to have dinner. I bet it’s because I didn’t kiss him last night.

  “I lost a bet so I have to feed some of my teammates tonight. We won’t be alone,” he continued with a sad smile on his face.

  “Can Rachel come too then?” I almost shouted and jerked on her arm so hard that she stumbled into me.

  “Smooth, Smith.” Rachel whispered in my ear. I could feel my face flush. I cannot have dinner with Lucas and his teammates without her.

  “Rachel,” Lucas looked over to her, “would you like to attend a dinner with 4 other Chicago Eagle players that will be immature and embarrass me all night?” Lucas laughed as he asked Rachel to dinner.

  “Sharp.” She slapped him on the shoulder. “You had me at ‘immature’.” They laughed together.

  “We need to use the ladies’ room first,” Rachel informed Lucas.

  “Sure, it’s over there. We are in the far back. Just come back there.” He smiled at me as he went towards the table.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” Rachel almost yelled as we got into the bathroom.

  “I can’t have dinner with his team without you,” I confessed. I felt like a child but I knew I could not do it without Rachel.

  “Sweetie, you are acting crazy and crazy isn’t sexy.”

  “Oh, Rachel, I don’t think I can do this.” It felt like the room was closing in on me.

  “Look at me.” I turned toward my best friend. “You can do this. Fun-Sara was the life of the party and she was confident. She’s still in you, find her and use her tonight. These guys have girls throwing themselves at them all the time, but that man wants only you. Did you see his face light up when he saw you just now?”

  I shook my head.

  “I would never lie to you, you know that. But, if you act like a crazy person no man will stay around. Do you remember how much more confident you were the other day when you told me you flirted with him? Lucas is a good guy and I know you like him. You need to bring out Fun-Sara and leave Crazy-Ass-Sara in this bathroom. Agreed?”

  I nodded.

  “Good. Take a deep breath, count to five and let’s eat. I’m starving.” I did just what she suggested and I did feel a little saner. She was right. He was not Jake and I was a fun girl. Never a slut or a drunk but I loved to be social and laugh. I can do this. I do really like Lucas and I can be Fun-Sara again. Right?

  “Okay, I am ready.” We walked out of the bathroom and towards the back of the restaurant.

  Lucas stood up when we approached as did the other guys. Lucas pulled my set out and the guy next to Rachel did the same.

  “Guys, this is Sara Smith and Rachel Silver. Ladies, this is
Max, Marc, Patrick, and Jonathan.”

  There were “hi’s” all around and a waiter came by and took our drink order. I ordered sangria. I saw Rachel smirk because that was always my drink of choice when we used to go out. That seemed like a life time ago.

  “So, Lucas what bet did you lose?” Rachel asked.

  “I thought that Pittsburgh would score on us tonight.”

  “Well, that was dumb,” Rachel declared. I whipped my head around at her with wide eyes in shock that she was so blunt.

  Everyone laughed and Lucas asked “Why?”

  “Marc has the highest shut out rate against Pittsburgh.” She pointed at Marc. “Plus, you have two of the league’s leading defensemen.” She waved her hand between Max and Patrick. “Lastly, you have the leading rookie scorer,” and pointed to Jonathan, “and you are the leading scorer of the league. Need I say anymore?” When she made her point she looked back down at her menu.

  Lucas shrugged, “Huh didn’t think of that.”

  “You speak hockey?” Max looked at her like a prize.

  Rachel nodded. “I’m a fan and I speak hockey.”

  “I think I am in love with you,” Max said as he stared at Rachel. Marc busted out laughing.

  “Well, I am mad at you because of the St. Louis game.” Rachel sat her menu down, crossed her arms and stared at him.

  “What did I do?” Max threw his hands up with a perplexed look on his face.

  “That is right! What did you do? You let two very easy goals get past you. Moves like that won’t get you the Norris Trophy.” She pointed her finger at him and the whole table erupted in laughter. On the other hand, I had no clue what they were talking about.

  “Sara, did you enjoy the game?” Marc asked me.

  “Yes. It was very interesting.” I said nervously. Breathe, remain calm, I can do this.

  “Interesting? I don’t think I have heard hockey described as that before.” Marc had a thick French accent it was a little hard to understand him.

  “That is because Sara does not like hockey,” Rachel informed the table.