Leave me alone
No
Her lips moved, like she was talking to herself. Kenny didn’t hear her but he’d swear she just cursed. He typed another message. So who’s the guy?
Okay, so maybe that one really did make him sound like he was twelve. He didn’t care.
Wouldn’t you like to know?
Kenny didn’t bother hiding his grin. Apparently he wasn’t the only one with a streak of immaturity.
Boyfriend?
Lindsay’s brother
Kenny frowned. Who the hell was Lindsay? Is that the woman with you?
He looked up and saw her mutter something he was pretty sure would have sounded like “ass” if she had said it out loud.
Don’t play dumb
Wasn’t. He hesitated, then typed another message immediately after that. So who’s Lindsay?
My sister you ASS!
Why was she getting so pissed? And why didn’t she just say the guy was her brother? Her brother, hm? That made him feel a little better. Maybe. But what the hell did her sister have to do anything? Didn’t know your sister’s name, sorry
OMG. OMFG! Really? Really!
Yeah really. Was I supposed to?
Kenny looked up, not understanding the sudden tone of her texts. Only it wasn’t just her messages. Lauren’s face had turned a deep red and she was holding the phone in such a tight grip that he thought she might actually crack it. Her eyes blazed with anger when she looked at him and a muscle ticked along the side of her delicate jaw. Although maybe delicate was the wrong word, because she suddenly looked like she was more than capable of murder.
His.
The phone vibrated in his hand and he looked down, frowning as he read the message.
I thought even asshole scum like you would get the girl’s name before screwing her!
Kenny blinked and read the message twice, blinked again and read it once more. What the hell? Was she really saying what he thought she was saying? Did she really think that he—? With her sister?
Kenny looked up, anger searing his tightened gut as he met Lauren’s accusing gaze. He didn’t bother with the phone this time.
“Who the fuck said I was screwing your sister?”
Chapter Nine
Shocked silence surrounded Lauren, disturbed only by the pulsing beat of a Top 40 song echoing in the now-still bowling alley. It hadn’t been that noisy to begin with, not with the slight tension of discomfort that had been hanging over the odd assortment of eight bowlers.
That tension and odd quiet was even worse now, after Haskell’s outburst. Lauren knew everyone was watching them, felt at least six sets of eyes studying her. Studying Haskell.
She didn’t care, didn’t even bother looking around her. She was too busy focusing on the man sitting across from her, trying to understand his reaction.
He looked genuinely confused. And angry. Beyond angry. His face had turned a deep red except for the white of his lips, which were tightened in a harsh line. His heavy brows had pulled so low that his eyes were nothing more than dangerous slits. That didn’t hide the seething anger that sparked in the deep brown of his eyes. That anger seared her skin and made her heart skip and jump in a crazy rhythm. Lauren didn’t shy away from the look, didn’t even flinch. Yes, Kenny Haskell was definitely angry, his entire body fairly vibrating with it. And even though he was looking at her, she didn’t think the anger was actually directed at her.
Because under that anger, she sensed confusion. Bewilderment. Maybe even a little hurt.
Or maybe she was nothing more than a complete fool who was kidding herself into believing what she wanted. Because she wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe that his denial was genuine, that he honestly had no idea what she was talking about. That he hadn’t slept with Lindsay.
Lauren didn’t even want to think about why she wanted to believe his reaction was genuine, why she wanted to believe it had all been a lie. That would be like admitting she really had been jealous. If she had been jealous, that meant she must like him. She didn’t want to like him.
Kenny stood, the scowl still in place, still directed at her. He walked over to her, each step precise and calculated until he stopped right in front of her, so close she could feel the heat from his denim-clad legs against her own. Anger still glittered in his eyes as he reached out for her hand.
Dale stiffened beside her, his body tensing as he rose to his feet. The two of them crowded her, making her feel small and insignificant, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the sudden show of testosterone exploding around her. Kenny didn’t move, didn’t flinch, didn’t acknowledge her brother in any way. He grabbed her hand, his eyes still focused completely on her.
“We need to talk.”
“No. We don’t.”
He clenched his jaw, the muscle there jumping every few seconds as he continued watching her. He tugged her hand again.
“Yes, we do.” His eyes cut to her brother, just for a split-second before turning back to her. “Please.”
Dale inched closer, his leg pressed against hers as he leaned toward Haskell. “She doesn’t need to talk to you.”
Now Rick stood up as well. Lauren glanced around, noticed that Haskell’s teammates had inched a little closer, their gazes changing from curiosity to something a little harder as they watched.
Great, just what she needed. Lauren rolled her eyes, pulled her hand from Haskell’s, and stood. She nudged Dale away from her, frowning. “Dale, knock it off. And you.” She faced Kenny, giving him another frown. “This way.”
She pushed her way between the two men, shoving them both out of the way as she made her toward the concession counter. Nobody else was there so they’d have a little bit of privacy. And it was close enough that she could keep her eye on Dale, just in case he decided to go all big-brother on her and interrupt them.
Lauren turned and leaned against the counter, not bothering with any of the empty stools. She crossed her arms in front of her, clenched her jaw, and watched Kenny. Waiting.
Except he was just standing there, his posture a mirror image of her own. Time stretched around them, quiet and tense. Lauren finally blew out an exasperated sigh and raised her eyebrows. “Well? Talk.”
His jaw worked, the muscle tightening and smoothing over the sculpted bone. He opened his mouth, shut it, took a deep breath. He glanced over his shoulder then back at her. Anger still shone in his dark eyes, but she could see other emotions as well. Confusion. Bewilderment. Hurt? Maybe she was just imagining that last one.
“Why do you think I slept with your sister?”
“Because—” Lauren stopped. Because Lindsay had told her as much. Lindsay, who was completely out of control. Lindsay, who never took responsibility for anything. Had she taken up lying as well?
An image of Lindsay’s face popped into her mind. Her anger at Casino Night. The calculated gleam in her eyes and the not-quite-hidden smirk on her face when she told Lauren she’d gone home with the man in front of her.
How Lindsay had bragged about their graphic phone calls, telling Lauren she hoped Kenny called during the day so she wouldn’t be home. Except Kenny hadn’t called. At any time.
Lindsay had stolen her credit card, had bid on tonight’s event using Lauren’s name. Why? Did it have something to do with the man in front of her? Did it matter?
No, not really. And that answered Lauren’s question about whether or not her sister was a liar. She was, she’d already proven as much. But why? Why would she lie about this?
“Why do you think I slept with your sister?” Kenny repeated the question with more patience than she would have. Lauren took a deep breath and ran a hand through her hair, pushing it behind her ear.
“You didn’t leave with her last weekend? After the Casino Night?”
“No. The last time I saw her, she was hanging all over—” Kenny stopped, his jaw working again. He cleared his throat and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “She was hanging all ov
er someone else.”
Who? Lauren thought about asking then decided against it. She didn’t really want to know, and she didn’t think Kenny would tell her even if she did. She wasn’t sure she could blame him.
She watched him for a few quiet minutes, surprised he didn’t fidget under her scrutiny. Maybe he knew she was trying to work things out in her head, trying to assess the truth of his words. She had to give him credit because he just stood there, his somber gaze never wavering from hers as she studied him.
Did she believe him? She wanted to say no. Wanted to think that he was the one lying instead of her sister. But Lauren’s gut was telling her that the man in front of her was completely innocent—at least of her sister’s accusations.
Pain sliced through her, sharp and bitter. How sad was it that she believed someone she didn’t really know over her sister? That, more than anything else, brought home the painful realization that she didn’t trust Lindsay, and hadn’t for quite some time.
“Dammit, dammit, dammit.” Lauren closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She reached up and pinched the bridge of her nose, squeezing hard with her thumb and forefinger. She owed him an apology. She took another deep breath and raised her head, meeting his gaze with her own direct one. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…I’m sorry.”
“Why did you think I left with her?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Kenny raised a single brow in her direction, the gesture telling her better than words that he didn’t agree with her. “Is that what your sister told you?”
Lauren shook her head, leaving it up to him to decide if she was denying it or just refusing to answer. Some of the tension and anger left him, his expression softening just a little bit. But she saw the truth in his eyes and knew that he had guessed correctly, had guessed that she was repeating what Lindsay told her.
He finally shifted, moving just a little closer. He didn’t actually step toward her. It was more of a leaning, just enough that the warmth of his body invaded her personal space. “For what it’s worth, I haven’t seen anyone or been involved with anyone for over a year. And I sure as hell have no interest in someone like your sister.” There was a slight edge to his voice, letting her know that he was still a little upset about her accusation. His eyes turned a little warmer, a little more serious. “You were the one I was looking for that night but you disappeared.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you.” He grinned, the movement curling one corner of his mouth and lighting his eyes. “I was going to see if you wanted to grab a coffee or something.”
“Oh.” Was that the best comeback she could come up with? Apparently so. But he had just completely surprised her, catching her off-guard. At least she wasn’t stupid enough to ask why—although part of her really wanted to.
“So I take it you didn’t have your sister bid on tonight for you?”
“Uh, no. She apparently swiped my card without me realizing it. I don’t think she’s realized that I found out about it yet.”
“Lindsay did what?” Dale’s angry voice made her jump and she looked behind Kenny, surprised to see her brother standing there. How had he managed to sneak up on them like that?
He stepped around Kenny, ignoring him as he turned and faced her. Anger flashed in his eyes as he stared at her. “Lindsay stole your freaking credit card? Did I hear you right?”
“Dale, not now.”
“Dammit, Lauren. When are you going to learn? Did you at least report it?”
“I called the credit card company, yeah.”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.” Dale’s brows snapped together. “Of course you didn’t report it. You didn’t even dispute it, did you? That’s why we’re all here tonight.”
“Dale, please—”
“No. Lauren, when are you going to learn? Lindsay doesn’t care about anyone but herself. She’s using you, and won’t stop until there’s nothing left to take. You know that.”
“I don’t know that! She’s our sister. Why do you always have to be so cynical?”
“It’s part of my job.” He leaned closer and placed his hand on her arm, understanding and sympathy flashing in his eyes. “Lauren, I know you think you’re helping her but you’re not. Nothing is going to change if you keep supporting her. Enabling her. I know you don’t want to hear this but it’s time you kicked her out.”
“No. I can’t.” Lauren shook her head in denial. Not just at Dale’s words, but at the realization that he was right. He had been right seven months ago, when he told her not to let Lindsay move in. But Lauren didn’t want to admit that. She couldn’t, not yet. “She’s our sister, Dale. I can’t just…no. I can’t do it.”
“Dammit, Lauren, why can’t you admit—”
“I’m not doing this, Dale. Not now.” She glanced to her side and saw Kenny still standing there, trying to look like he wasn’t listening to every word they said. But how could he not hear them, when he was a foot away?
She brushed Dale’s hand off and stepped around him. “We’re not discussing this now.”
Lauren kept walking, wondering if she should head back to the lanes or change direction and walk out the door. No, if she did that, she’d be waiting outside in the cold until Dale decided to follow her. As upset and impatient as he was with her right now, she didn’t doubt that he’d leave her out there in some twisted attempt to teach her a lesson.
She walked past the small group of executives, forcing a smile on her face and giving them a small nod. They had to be wondering what was going on. Somehow she doubted any of the other charity outings ever turned out like this one. But it was still early, maybe there was time to still salvage this one.
Lauren took a seat on the bench and gave Rick and Cindy a bright smile, one she knew they didn’t buy. She leaned over and grabbed her cup of beer, taking a small sip as she looked around.
Kenny and Dale were still over by the concessions counter, standing close together as they talked. Both of them were watching her, and neither one was really smiling.
At least they weren’t sizing each other up or circling each other like two alpha dogs. Lauren pushed the thought away, afraid of jinxing anything. They still had a couple of hours to go before the evening ended. There was no telling what else might happen between now and then.
Chapter Ten
Kenny dragged the towel across his face, scrubbing at the water dripping into his eyes before drying off. He moved out of the shower room, ignoring the jokes and laughter echoing around him. He wasn’t in the mood for jokes, not today.
Practice had been a bitch, taking more out of him than he had expected. It wouldn’t have been too bad if his ribs weren’t still hurting from the hit last night. He was starting to wonder if he had a target on his back. It was the third time in a month that he’d been slammed from behind, catching a stick across his ribs.
In the same damn spot each time.
At the rate he was going, his bruises were going to have bruises until summer. But the trainer had looked at it, merely shaking his head before taping it then clearing him to play. Wade Reyes, the Banners’ newest assistant coach, had asked him if the injury was going to give him problems and Kenny had assured him it wouldn’t. And then he proceeded to push himself, proving it without words.
Yeah, maybe he’d overdone it. But he still felt like he was proving himself, proving to the coaches and everyone else on the team that they hadn’t made a mistake keeping him on the roster this year.
He was going to prove himself right onto the disabled list if he wasn’t careful.
“How’s the side?” Randy Michaels, another defenseman, stopped beside him, his eyes going directly to the bruise.
“I’ll survive.”
“Stop touching it.”
“I’m not—”
“On the bench, during the games. I noticed you doing that the other night. The other teams notice and they go right for you when they see it.”
Kenny grunted, knowing R
andy was right. He hadn’t realized he had been doing just that until Coach Stephenson told him the same thing. Which was embarrassing. Kenny may have been playing in the minors until last year, but he still knew better. Show no weakness.
He finished dressing then headed out of the locker room with Randy and Nikolai Petrovich. All three of them, along with Jens Ulfsson, had stayed a little later after practice, working some extra drills. He’d skip lunch with the team and head straight home to eat then take a quick nap before tonight’s game. He’d probably need it, since they didn’t usually have back-to-back games like this. His mind was so focused on his plans that he was halfway through the practice rink before he noticed the eerie silence.
“Why is it so quiet? I thought they had youth hockey games scheduled today.” He refused to admit that it was anything but simple curiosity behind the question. Yeah, he could lie to himself all he wanted but it wouldn’t make a difference. He’d been thinking about Lauren nonstop since bowling Friday night. The night had gone surprisingly well after the awkward and uncomfortable start.
After the uncomfortable conversation when he learned she thought he’d slept with her sister. His anger spiked every time he thought about the accusation. He still wanted to know why her sister had made that claim, why she’d flat out lied. He didn’t even know the woman. What on earth would possess her to say something like that? He should be surprised but he wasn’t, not after what had happened at Casino Night. He hadn’t told Lauren this, knowing it would only anger her more, but something about her sister made him wary.
He had walked around for a good thirty minutes that night looking for Lauren, thinking she was still there since her sister was. Kenny still couldn’t believe the two women were related, not as different as they were. And not just in looks. In attitude, in personality. He had made the mistake of asking her sister where she was. Instead of pointing in one direction or the other, the sister had latched onto him, her hands entirely too free as she offered to go home with him.
On Thin Ice (The Baltimore Banners Book 8) Page 7