Rebound

by Sophia Summers

  “Nah, just a few of us and Zane. We agreed to meet after I tried to take him down.”

  “You mean while you were out there on the ice? You guys were setting up dinner?”

  “Sure. It’s just a game. We do it all the time.” He cleared his throat. “I mean, he was pretty ticked at the time, but I got the gist in between grunts.” He laughed. “Zane’s awesome. Everyone who knows him loves him.”

  She shook her head. “I live with brothers, and I still can’t understand the fighting.”

  Rocco didn’t know what to say to that. Most women he knew disapproved of the fighting in hockey, but it was part of the sport.

  “Do you care if I circle through town a bit before we go to the Sundowner?”

  “Sure, go ahead. This is a sweet ride.”

  She fiddled with the heat and the radio and then waved in his direction. “Can you get all this going?”

  He leaned forward. “Totally. Can I set your stations, too?”

  Her grin started slow, and she said, “Yeah, surprise me.”

  She took them through town, and honestly, Rocco had seen very little of the place besides his tour with the realtor. Downtown Afton was not really next door to the Star Valley Ranch community where his parents lived, but it was one of the cities in the beautiful land that was surrounded by valleys, mountains, and hills on all sides.

  “Is your family happy with the move?”

  “The move? Oh! Following me to Wyoming?” He laughed. “Yeah. They seem happy. I mean, it’s different than any of us are used to. Our family settled in New York back in the early immigration days, and then we moved to Chicago. We do pizza and Italian food. We have a chain in New York and Chicago, and now one store in Jackson Hole.” He tapped his thumbs on his thighs. “They can’t wait to see their first rodeo.”

  She laughed. “They want to go to the rodeos?”

  “Of course. They’re all about being local.”

  “A bunch of New Yorkers at a Wyoming rodeo. This I gotta see.”

  “What? You don’t think we can fit in?” He enjoyed the adorable discomfort that crossed her face.

  “I’m sure in your own unique way you can fit in. Actually, I loved your mom because she was a bit different than what I normally see at the library. It was great.”

  “Don’t worry. You’re gonna see just how we Italians do things, no matter where we are. It’s just the De Luca way.”

  “I like that.”

  “And now that my mom thinks you are someone of interest, you’re not gonna be able to get away.”

  Summer eyed him. “Seriously?”

  “Totally. Just wait. Your mom and my mom are gonna become best friends whether Mrs. Davis likes it or not.”

  Summer just nodded and seemed to be considering what he’d said. Did he know where this new thing with Summer was going? No way. But he knew his mother.

  They pulled into the Sundowner, and he hopped out to grab her door.

  The hangout was old but seemed to be bursting with locals. His dad would get a kick out of this place. Zane’s rental truck was out front. “Do you come here a lot?”

  She shook her head. “Not really, but my brothers might be in there. It’s the only place to go around here.”

  They pushed open the door, the dim lighting feeling more cozy than stifling as the smell of food filled his lungs. “Mmm. And suddenly, I’m starving.”

  “The food here is amazing. Their burgers and sandwiches especially. I’m hungry now, too.”

  “Then let’s get some food. But we gotta find Zamboni first.” Rocco waved down a server. “Excuse me, do you know where the hockey group is sitting?”

  She winked. “I sure do.” Her eyes traveled from Rocco’s shoes to the top of his head. “They’re right over there, sugar.”

  As they walked away, he leaned closer to Summer, the smell of her soap making him smile. Vanilla. “Did she just call me sugar?”

  “Oh yeah. You’re gonna be everyone’s sugar.”

  He laughed, surprised. “Even yours?”

  Summer’s cheeks colored, and Rocco was even more fascinated. “No. I can safely say you’re never gonna be my sugar.”

  “Ho ho. But maybe someone of interest?” He raised an eyebrow, watching her closely.

  “Maybe.” She stepped closer and lifted her eyes so that she could look up into his.

  That was good enough for him. He didn’t move as he searched her beautiful expression. His own maybe had come around to a solid yes as far as this new woman was concerned.

  His phone started buzzing like crazy in his pocket. “What’s this?”

  “What?”

  “The Pit. A group of guys from my old hockey club days, if you can believe it. They’re blowing up my phone.”

  They’d been going on about some footage of Rocco dropping his shoulder into Zamboni’s gut, but they’d been quiet for a while. He pulled out his screen and then laughed. Zane had taken a picture of the moment Summer’s and Rocco’s faces had been close, the moment of her coy response, and it looked like she and Rocco were closer than they actually were. The guys were going crazy.

  He sent them a mouth-zip emoji, but that just sent them into a rush of more buzzing. He pocketed his phone.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Oh yeah. It’s great. They’re the guys I grew up playing hockey with. My team back in Chicago. Zane’s a part of it.”

  Zane’s hand went up to wave them over. He had a few of the guys from his team with him. A few girls had also joined them.

  “There. Looks like a good group. I know those guys. They’re a class act.”

  “Oh good.”

  “Summer!” A very loud, deep voice made Summer jump.

  “Oh boy.” She turned.

  Rocco recognized two of Summer’s brothers, the twins, and they had Stefano with them. Rocco’s brother.

  Zane frowned and lifted his hands. Their table wasn’t large enough for everyone.

  Summer’s oldest brother was not with them, maybe still trapped with Rocco’s mama in her kitchen as she wrapped up leftovers for him to take home. Rocco knew she’d talk him into cannoli at least. He smiled. And he’d be happy she did.

  These two looked like locals. Rocco studied them, determined to fit in at some point in this crazy town. Flannel. No fanfare. Were they wearing Wranglers? Did cowboys really wear Wranglers? He dipped his head to look at their feet. Boots. Worn, comfortable-looking boots. Their group was drawing plenty of attention from the women in the room. Rocco stepped closer to Summer.

  She looked up at him. “You saw these two at the game. They’re my brothers. Twins. This is Jed and Jake.”

  Rocco shook some solid and friendly hands. “I remember these guys.” He found himself approving with very little to go on. “And this is my brother, Stefano.”

  “You know I am!” He held out his hand to shake Summer’s. “The only De Luca with no fame, no money, and a worthless lifestyle.”

  Rocco might agree with him on all counts, but he only shook his head like his brother was joking. “And this is Summer.”

  Rocco and Summer slid into the booth next to Zane.

  Someone brought over a table to join theirs. Just like that, their party of a few turned into many.

  “Ah, the woman who can outskate Rocco.” Zane’s eyes sparkled with humor. “That’s not easy to do.”

  “Some people say he let me win.”

  Rocco and Zane both shook their heads. Rocco laughed, almost to himself. “My mom included.”

  “No, he did not. I saw the whole thing. Once you grabbed that puck, he was a goner. Everything he tried, you avoided. Good moves.” Zane held up his phone. “Now the guys are wanting a selfie.”

  He took the picture with Summer, and both his and Zane’s phones went crazy.

  “Can I see?” she asked. “That’s my face they’re commenting about.”

  Rocco winced, but Zane held out his phone. “Sure. Meet the Pit. If you’re tight with one, you know us all.
We’re like that.”

  Summer peered at the texts, so Rocco brought out his phone and texted a pair of eyes emoji. Mind your manners. Summer is getting introduced to our sorry selves by firehose.

  One of the guys texted back immediately. Summer. You deserve better. Right wing? Really? How about a man with some defensive strategy? And I make a mean burger… Declan took a selfie of his post-game mug, and Zane and Rocco both groaned. He was too good-looking for his own good.

  “That’s Declan,” Rocco muttered.

  “He’s great. We cheer for him at our house.” Summer smiled, and Rocco wondered just how great they thought he was.

  “Oh? And do you cheer for Rocco here too?” Zane winked at him, and Rocco could have kissed his cheeks.

  Her face colored again, and he decided he liked a girl who blushed. It had been a long time since anyone had blushed around him.

  “Did you just ask if we cheered for Rocco?” one of Summer’s brothers called down the table.

  Zane leaned forward.

  “That’s my brother, Jed.” Summer pointed. “And Jake.”

  “Oh yeah, and Stefano’s here too, isn’t he?” Zane’s neutral tone mirrored Rocco’s exact feelings about his brother. Not that he was neutral. He had all kinds of not-neutral feelings about Stefano and his reputation, but he kept his face a mask, just like Zane’s, when talking to him in public.

  Zane waved. “Yeah, I was wondering if Rocco’s really a big deal in this town like he pretends.”

  Rocco slugged him.

  “Oh yeah. The Davises have been plotting how to meet him for weeks. Mom has plans for her book club and knitting club…for Mrs. De Luca, of course.”

  Summer laughed and looked like she wanted to erase that last comment.

  “Ah, so does that mean you’re a fan, too, Summer?” Rocco enjoyed sitting close to her. Their shoulders were pressed together, and he was pleasantly aware of every shift of her body.

  Before Summer could answer, Zane held out a fist to bump Summer’s. “Oh, stop pestering her.”

  “The way we De Lucas see it, a compliment is a compliment whether we ask for it or not. And we ask plenty.” He moved on, though, not wanting to force Summer to say anything if she didn’t want to. “Zane here was on fire tonight.”

  “Yeah, you owe me something for that low move.”

  “Just following Coach.”

  “Oh right. The coach made you do it.” He winced as he rubbed a rib. “Do you know I’m gonna be tender?”

  A player across the table, Boomer, snorted. “You’re not moaning about a bruise from Rocco?”

  “You ever gone up against the Rock?” Zane raised both eyebrows high.

  “This little pebble?” Boomer towered over Rocco. He sat about eye level to Zane and filled more than his share of bench.

  Rocco let it go.

  Then Zane texted, Someone just called Rocco a pebble.

  Rocco snorted and showed Summer. She looked from Zane to Rocco to Boomer and back. Then Rocco put his arm around her back and enjoyed her hair falling onto his wrist while they shared the phone screen.

  Oooops. Who is it? Boomer? Declan sent a stream of warning emojis. And Summer laughed.

  You guessed it.

  The face slap emojis made Rocco smile.

  We’re the only people who can call our Rock a pebble. Diesel’s rare text made Rocco grin. Especially since, next to Trane, Rocco might as well be a pebble. That guy’s massive size was envied all over the pros. Rocco had never scored off him. Well, not in the pros. He’d scored off him a few times during practice when they were playing on the same team back in their Northbrook days. But scoring on Diesel was not a good idea if you wanted to keep all your limbs during practice. So those days hadn’t been good days for him or Trane. The guy was self-critical, but no one picked on him more than his dad. Rocco hated Trane’s dad.

  Rocco thought someone should answer Boomer. “You up for a little wager?”

  “Oh yeah, like what?”

  Zane jumped in. “How about we meet early and you two go head-to-head? We’ll video it for posterity’s sake.” He sat back, clearly enjoying the idea.

  “Or for social media.”

  “Or both.”

  Zane was entertained way too much by this. “In fact, with the entire former Northbrook team as our witnesses, I say we set something up right now. Tomorrow morning. The arena.”

  Boomer fumbled a little and said something about needing to leave on an early flight.

  Summer snorted.

  Rocco was proud of her. Then wondered what she was thinking.

  Her hair was now pulled up on top of her head. And he couldn’t decide if he liked the full view of her neck more than the light that reflected off her straight hair when it fell down around her shoulders.

  They ordered their food. The waitress brought appetizers and filled their drinks more often than necessary, trying to catch someone’s eye every time.

  Rocco dropped his hand to Summer’s shoulder and resisted pulling her closer, but he enjoyed the feel of her at his side. Wow, he hadn’t felt this excited about a new woman in a long time.

  Zane lifted an eyebrow and looked between them. “So, Summer, how did you learn to skate?”

  Her brothers’ attention zeroed in on them again.

  “I don’t know. We have a pond behind my parents’ house.” She laughed. “That’s really all there is to it.”

  “Do you skate every day?” Rocco was intrigued. He loved the ice.

  “I skate often enough to know what ice smells like.”

  “Ooh.” Zane and Rocco high-fived. Rocco smiled. “A woman who knows what ice smells like.”

  “And to really appreciate that moment when no one else has been on the ice. Do you ever get to be the first one out?” she asked.

  Rocco loved her question. “I used to wait at the edge of the ice until they gave the all clear so I could be the first one out there.”

  “It’s magic.”

  Zane fiddled with his fork. “I don’t know how the Davises will feel about this, but I say we all go play some hockey on your pond before we fly out tomorrow.”

  “Yes!” Jed shouted from the other end of the table.

  Rocco laughed.

  Jed might have said more, but Jake slugged him on the shoulder.

  Summer laughed. “My parents would be thrilled to have you all. If you’re around, come tomorrow. Mom will feed you, and the ice is all yours.”

  Rocco nodded. “Only if you play, too. I’ve got to win back a bit of my pride.”

  She turned her gray-blue eyes to his. Sparks of challenge and humor flashed across her face. “You’re on.”

  He grinned, happy with yet another opportunity to get to know Summer.

  6

  At the end of an amazing evening, Rocco and Summer headed home to his parents’ house. She hoped he didn’t live with them, like she lived with hers. But he explained that his mom had wanted him to come home tonight since he was in town. Summer was happy for a few more minutes driving her new car and for more time with Rocco.

  When she pulled in front of his parents’ huge, cabin-style home, he rested a hand on her arm. “Don’t get out. It’s getting colder by the second.”

  She didn’t mind the cold. Wyoming was always cold. But maybe he had other reasons for wanting her to stay put. Like to firmly categorize them as friends.

  Rocco zipped up his jacket, pulling up the collar. “I’m looking forward to dinner. You sure we can all show up tomorrow morning?”

  “Are you kidding? I just earned my keep as their only daughter for another ten years by getting you to come over.”

  He laughed. Whenever he did, every part of his face softened. “Hey, thanks for hanging out tonight. That was fun.”

  “I had a blast. It was fun to meet the other guys, too. Zamboni is not what I expected.”

  “Yeah, he’s a softy. All the guys think you’re great. I’m glad you got to meet them.” He put his hand on the door.
“Okay, then I’ll see you tomorrow.” He stepped out of the car, a rush of ice-cold air filling the front seat. Then he closed the door and made a run for the house.

  She laughed. For a hockey player, he seemed really averse to the cold.

  As she pulled away and headed toward Afton, she couldn’t believe her luck. She vowed to never again complain about going to a hockey game with her family.

  A new car. How had that even happened? Surely Rocco let her win. There’s no way she could be good enough to outskate a professional hockey player. But no matter what, her family had probably gained a new friendship with the De Lucas and with the other hockey players, it looked like, and she knew they would be thrilled about that. She laughed, imagining Kyle’s face when she told him.

  Sure enough, when she walked into the house, Kyle was waiting for her with a big smile.

  “What are you doing up?” she asked.

  “Mom said I could wait for you.”

  She pulled him close, with an arm across his shoulder as they made their way into the living room. “Well, I think I’m in need of some hot chocolate.”

  “Oh yeah. I bet. Beating hockey players on their own rink has gotta take it out of you.”

  She laughed.

  “Was it totally awesome?” he asked.

  “It was so totally awesome.”

  “Is he cool?”

  “Yeah, Rocco is super cool.” She checked her phone.

  “Did he text yet?” Kyle was way too observant for his own good.

  “Nope. But he did promise to come over tomorrow…with some guys from the Steers and Hounds.”

  “What!”

  “Shhh. Don’t wake everyone up.”

  Her parents entered the kitchen, bundled in their robes.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you guys. Just having some hot cocoa.”

  “Make enough for us all.” Her dad pulled up a stool, and they sat at the counter. “So, Jed and Jake just came in, said they’ve been hanging around with Stefano De Luca, said you and Rocco were with Boomer and Zane tonight?”

  “Yep. We were all over at the Sundowner.” Suddenly, Summer didn’t feel like hashing out all the details of her night with Rocco. She knew her dad meant well, but she really didn’t have anything to tell. Except her one bit of news.