Lake, do you realize, you're right in the middle of living your greatest story yet... just before the really "big thing" happens... "those people" show up in droves... strangers know your name... friends place you on a pedestal... wild animals befriend you... and Oprah calls? Do you?!
The legend has begun,
The Universe
Chapter Thirty Six
“She looks like ass, something I never thought I would say.” Ryan and Summer stood conspiring outside Chuck’s black Mercedes as they watched Lake walk towards them in her skinny jeans, knee high beige suede boots and pink chiffon blouse. “Bony, like she needs a sandwich. I barely even recognize her. Josh might not still want her looking like that. I vote we conduct a memorial service to mourn the loss of her sexy curves.”
“I know. It’s pathetic.”
Chuck could have driven Lake or Summer’s car but Ryan wanted to put Lake inside the vehicle that she and Josh had borrowed for their first date to weaken her. It was a brilliant move, to take her back to that place and force her to face her feelings. She could simply buckle up for the trip down memory lane. Of course, Chuck agreed with his plan so it had been easy to enlist his help. It was time to put her at ease until he laid the hammer down. Ryan met her in the middle of the driveway with his arms outstretched, then he wrapped her tiny body in his and squeezed.
“I’ve missed you.” As he planted a kiss on her temple, his voice caressed her, soft and soothing.
“Me too. You look fantastic! I’m so grateful to see you looking so much like yourself.”
“Absolutely. It would take more than a bullet to keep me down for long.” As he chuckled, he took her hand in his and led her towards the car where Chuck and Summer waited.
****
Summer grabbed Lake for a quick hug and whispered in her ear. “You should have gone for the boot cut, Lake. You’re making yourself look even skinnier.”
Distress settled in the lines of her face. “Should I run in and change? I guess I hadn’t considered my outfit. I just wanted to be comfortable.”
“No, it’s fine. We told you to be casual and comfortable.” Lake thought it peculiar that Summer wanted to express concern about her wardrobe. She hadn’t given her jeans much consideration but the shirt draped against her skin and the baby pink color choice made her feel closer to him ever since he’d mentioned it was his favorite.
After a quick hug for Chuck, she slid into the driver’s side back seat with Ryan to her right. She felt ashamed that she’d avoided Chuck. She missed his company and their conversations. He was going to do the driving that evening at Ryan’s request.
As Chuck guided the vehicle out onto the street, Lake noticed the heavy tension that made the air thick and dark. Why were they treating her with kid gloves? They were just grabbing a bite to eat for goodness sakes. Maybe the atmosphere was strained because they wanted to talk about him but were afraid she might shatter into pieces if they did. “I worked in the barn today helping Chad with the chores so I didn’t have a chance to check in with Summer. Where are we headed? Somewhere good, I hope. I’m famished.”
Chuck caught Ryan’s eye through the rear view mirror. It had become obvious they were plotting something that she didn’t know about and wouldn’t like. Funny, how they’d nominated the most charming one as the designated spokesperson for their covert operations.
Ryan turned towards her and looked her straight in the eye as he spoke with his smooth, sexy drawl. “The Coyotes are in town so we thought it would be fun to catch the game together. I scored us great seats close to the ice. Don’t say you won’t give me a chance to impress you lovely ladies with my superior knowledge.”
Lake slid deeper into her seat as though the butter soft leather had dissolved underneath her and she was careening down a black hole into the abyss. “No!” Her arm shot out to grab for the door handle. She found it locked, offering zero chance of escape.
Summer looked annoyed as she glanced back over her shoulder. “Good God, Lake. They’re playing the Stars tonight. What’s the big deal? Chuck’s not going to compromise your safety by letting you jump out into the street at thirty miles an hour and become road kill.”
“I can’t believe you would do this to me, plot behind my back! Aren’t you supposed to care about me and want what’s best for me? I don’t have ignorant tattooed across my forehead. I ordered the NHL network for this season. The Coyotes are playing the Blackhawks tonight!”
“Uh, oh. Busted.” Summer turned back towards the windshield and remained silent.
****
With her subtle concession, relief coursed through Ryan’s veins and he’d gladly take on her righteous indignation. The lady might protest too much but if she’d watched Trash on cable and knew his schedule, she still cared. Perhaps going to the game wasn’t such a hair brained idea after all. They might just get their happy ending tonight. He planted the famous Roberts smirk on his face and decided to back her even further into a corner.
“Why ever would you order the NHL network for this season, gorgeous? A sudden interest in a bunch of sweaty, toothless bastards fighting over a black disc? Or, could it possibly be something else?”
“Oh, please, just shut up!” Lake fell forward over her lap, her face covered by her long fingers and her wavy hair. He hoped the confines of the luxury car covered her like a gilded cage with nowhere to hide. She needed to stop running.
Chuck sighed and spoke with deliberate intent. “Lake, sweetheart, it’s time for you two kids to stop arguing.”
“We’re not arguing. We’re not anything!”
Ryan had to interject. “Oh, you’re something alright. You’re both so stupid you’d stare at an orange juice can just because it says concentrate.”
“I hate you.” Her angry words and expressions would not stop him.
“In the words of someone almost as good looking as me, frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn!”
Lake twisted her entire body towards the window, and didn’t say another word the entire ride to Jobing. Even Chuck gave up trying to include her in the conversation and just looked somber. Ryan was certain Chuck had no clue what had happened that day in the hospital with the engagement and subsequent rejection and he wouldn’t betray Josh’s confidence by spilling the beans now. When the car pulled in to a parking place and Chuck shifted into park releasing the locks, Lake jumped out and slammed the door. Ryan tumbled out after her and clenched her shoulder as he turned her to face him.
“Don’t even think about walking away from me.” He hadn’t wanted to play this card, but she’d forced him to it. “After everything I’ve been through for you, you owe me. You will come with me. You will smile and laugh. You will put your sexy ass in the seat and enjoy this hockey game!” Whispering towards her ear so only she could hear, he continued. “You will not put, Chuck Adams, one of the greatest men I have ever known, in an uncomfortable position. Are we clear?”
Summer twirled around, threw a hand on her hip and cocked her head to the side. “Quit with the demanding tone. It’s turning me on.”
He appreciated her attempt to lighten the mood but Lake’s behavior bordered on the ridiculous. If those two stubborn jackasses ever got together, the Catholic Church would declare it a miracle. They deserved one another, if only to keep two rational people safe from their foolish antics. Was there any wonder he didn’t want to be involved in a serious relationship? They always morphed into just too damn much work. He reached into a duffle bag he had placed on the floor and yanked out his college jersey from Michigan with his last name and number, fifteen.
“Put this on. It will look like a dress on you. Pull it up over your head for all I care. Then maybe, he won’t even be able see you. Not that he would want to, the way you’re behaving.”
For a second, he thought Lake might throw the jersey back in his face but she must have decided he looked angry enough not to take the chance. That and the censure about making a scene in front of Chuck had made her pause. Good. Let h
er be worried about how pissed off he looked. It took a lot to get him there but this scenario could try the nerves of Mother Theresa. She wriggled through the head and arm holes and smoothed it over her slight body. He’d been dead on. It almost came down to her knees. Even without binoculars, Trash would be able to keep an eye on her.
Ryan glanced at his watch and noticed it was 6:45. Great, they had plenty of time to purchase refreshments since they weren’t really going out to dinner and get Lake to her seat so he could institute the second phase of the plan. The group made their way into the arena and handed their tickets to the section usher after grabbing chips and beer at the concession stand. Stopping at the top of the stairs, Ryan let out a sigh of relief that no one had recognized him. He didn’t trust Lake not to overpower Summer and Chuck and flee the scene to grab a cab while he spent time signing autographs or posing for pictures.
He kept Lake in front of him as they descended the steep cement stairs to their seats. As he stared out over the chilly surface of the ice, he found he looked forward to the coming evening and cheering on his team. He didn’t get to be a spectator often in the stands, relegated to a box if he attended a game for his own safety. Now, being retired and never playing for the Coyotes, this should be okay. If anything, they might throw a beer at his head. He’d take one for the team but if the Coyote fans started haranguing the other three, all bets were off. It probably didn’t help that Lake sported his jersey and his name in bold letters like a beacon in the night.
Chuck navigated the row first and then Lake, so Summer and he could sit together. He wanted Lake sandwiched in between them. She still looked irate, her face a cold mask of granite. He wondered if Trash had spotted them yet. His phone hadn’t vibrated inside his pocket so he doubted it. He swallowed his beer in a couple of gulps, then turned to Summer and gave her a wink only the two of them could see.
“I’m going to grab another beer and hit the men’s room.”
“Sounds great. Can you bring me a bottle of water to go with my Mountain Dew? These nachos with cheese are hot.”
“Not as much as you are, hot pocket!”
He’d placed his foot on the first step when he heard Lake’s frantic voice behind him causing him to glance back over his shoulder.
“Where is he going?”
“He’s going to get me a bottle of water and another beer for himself. Do you want me to put a leash on him?”
In response, Lake snuggled into her seat as if it could camouflage her so she couldn’t be seen. Ryan knew Lake thought he was up to something and probably hoped it wouldn’t be a public spectacle. She’d do her level best not to face Josh tonight, but if it happened, it needed to be in private. He wished he could set her mind at ease about deliberate embarrassment but didn’t want to give her any excuse to leave the arena.
He turned around and climbed the steps two at a time. As Ryan reached the top, he dialed Trash from the recents on his iPhone. He decided against going to the press box in person. Doing that would take too long and Lake would expect something coming that she needed to avoid. He wanted to keep the evening calm and easy for as long as possible.
“Roberts, what’s up? I’m doing pre-work before the broadcast. I haven’t been able to look out yet and find you.”
“Trash, there’s good news and bad news. Which would you like first?”
“The good.”
“The good news is that she’s here. On the drive over, she accidentally admitted she ordered the NHL Network this season and she’s been watching you. She knew the Blackhawks were in town tonight so our plan did get slightly waylaid and she’s pretty pissed at the blatant deception. Your dad had to lock the car doors to keep her from jumping out onto the freeway. I didn’t let her escape, though, and we’ve got her body locked into her seat.”
“If that’s the good news, I’m afraid to hear the bad news.”
“The bad news is that she looks horrible. She’s so skinny and frail. I barely recognized her. Kind of like someone else I know.” Ryan left the implication hang there between them.
“Shit. I just need to get this done then so I can plump her back up. I’m fond of her old body.”
“Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t see it tonight and whatever you do, don’t let it show on your face. She’s pretty fragile physically and emotionally. She’d grasp at anything to reject you again. It’s going to be your toughest challenge ever to pick through the stone wall she’s erected. If you thought her first one was bad, this one looks like the work of ten thousand expert masons. Are we still on for the first period intermission?”
“We’re on. Are you prepared?”
“As I’ll ever be. Summer plans on using the ladies room as an excuse to leave so it will just be me, Lake and your Dad down there. She says she’s not yet ready for prime time.”
“Excellent, I’ll see you after the game. Thanks Tree Rat, you don’t know what this means to me.”
“Actually, I do. You two pathetic losers need to end the needless suffering of yourselves and everyone around you. Get it done.”
He hung up the phone and hit the men’s room. On the way back to the stairs, he grabbed another beer and Summer’s water. Once he returned to their row, relief coursed through him to find Lake still seated. Her beautiful face sported a look that said she’d rather be facing the gallows than this hockey game. Fine, he had no problem posing as the executioner but wouldn’t hide his face under a black hood, even for her.
He checked his watch again and found it was game time. Being a natural hockey fan, Lake couldn’t help herself and started to enjoy the game. He even caught her cheering and smiling at times. He sensed it killed her to have them near so she couldn’t stare up into the press box without getting caught. When would these two throw the foolish pride to the side? The fact that she remained so angry and scared solidified in his mind what he already knew. She still loved Trash. The opposite of love was indifference. Apathy would never be the word used to describe how Lake Harrison behaved tonight.
A puck hit the glass hard and caused a dangerous crack. The arena crew made the necessary repair during the break in the action. He heard the familiar notes of “Kiss Me” come over the loud speakers. The media team utilized the kiss cam to keep the fans engaged during a lull. Summer tried to distract Lake by pointing up at the giant media screen showing a woman with her young son who must have been ten years old. She pecked the little boy on the cheek which caused the fans to sing out a chorus of ‘cutes’.
****
As she turned back towards her left, Summer noticed Lake’s face had become frozen in shocked silence. That couldn’t be what Josh had planned? A reunion via the kiss cam? If he thought that would work, he was mistaken. That strategy would send her conservative sister straight over the edge and she could have warned him to avoid the fall out. Lake did not like public displays that might embarrass her in front of people she didn’t know, let alone the entire Coyote fan cotillion.
She glanced up again at the jumbo tron and grinned as she realized the screen featured Ryan and not Josh. Someone must have tipped off the camera man that Ryan sat in the stands with two beautiful women. Without warning, he wrapped his strong, muscled arms around her body and his mouth swooped in to capture hers. This kiss wouldn’t be g-rated like the mother and sons had been.
For a delicious moment, she forgot she stood in a crowded arena as his full lips masterfully captured hers and she felt his rock hard body pressed against her for the first time from head to toe. The crowd erupted into a loud storm of whistles and cat calls which broke the spell. Even Lake jumped up and clapped. Holy shit, a crazy sensation out of nowhere took hold over her entire body. Where had it come from? She had always been the one in complete control.
There's always been something about you, Lake, that gave me goose bumps and, finally, I think I'm able to put a finger on it.
Without you, Lake, who else would the angels point to when speaking of "our kind - only braver"?
Y
ou inspire us each and every day.
With deep pride~
The Universe
Chapter Thirty Seven
Josh searched through his high powered binoculars during a glass repair and commercial break and learned that his friend’s declaration hit it dead on. She looked like hell. In spite of the skinny body and dark circles, he still found her beautiful, more than any other woman he’d ever seen. Her willfully wearing Roberts’ jersey rubbed him raw. He wanted to rip it off her body and tear it to shreds. Even though he and Roberts had both agreed to have her put it on so he could find her more easily from the booth, it still burned like a punch to his gut that it wasn’t one of his game jerseys. Someday, she’d be in United and ADAMS would be branded across her back and his ring would be back on her finger.
The physical ache gave away how much he missed her and it took everything he had not to run down the steps and sweep her up into his arms. He knew her too well and recognized the moment he saw her again that their conversation must take place in private. He had faith in his dad, confident that he’d get her up to the box after the game ended. Now, as the period came to a close, it became time for Kevin to set the stage by working his magic. Kevin possessed such a wonderful affability. Those talking to him found him impossible to refuse. He planned on using his connection with Lake to their advantage. If Kevin’s unique scheme worked, Josh would remain forever in his debt.
Content to stare at her all night, he snapped out of his reverie when the crowd began some frenzied screaming. What the hell ... no action transpired during a commercial. Maybe a fight had broken out in the stands. He glanced at the jumbotron just in time to see Roberts lay a passionate kiss on the unsuspecting Summer Harrison. Go, Roberts! He knew something had developed between those two. Josh hoped for their sakes and Lake’s it wouldn’t just be a one night stand or a couple of booty calls. He planned to have a talk with Roberts. It’d be awkward if he used Summer for sex and then cut her loose. He should be keeping their friendship in mind and not his overactive dick. Although, Summer could hold her own. Roberts might have finally met his match.
Closing The Gap (Dangerous Pasts, #1) Page 23