“And…I don’t know if you heard this part, but Rocco and Zane and a few other guys are coming over tomorrow before they all have to leave, to mess around on our ice.”
Her parents’ eyes widened.
“Is that okay?” she asked.
Her father jumped up. “That’s great!” He started pacing. “We’ll load up the barbecue and have lots of filler food. Steph, will you make your pie? No good athlete can leave this house without your signature chocolate pie.” He pulled out his phone and started typing. “We’re gonna need plenty of potatoes to make those thick fries we like.”
Summer’s mom clucked her tongue and swatted him on the shoulder. “What are you even doing, Mr. Davis? How many dinners have I planned and cooked in my life?”
“Uh, a whole lot.”
“Exactly. I got this. You worry about getting that ice as smooth as we can and getting all the gear together.” She wrote herself some notes on the nearest piece of mail. “I’ve never cooked for a bunch of pro hockey players before. The book club ladies are gonna die when I tell them.” Her eyes sparkled, and she patted the back of her bob hairstyle, smoothing it down out of habit.
Dad lifted his cup. “And hot cocoa.”
“Yes, and hot cocoa. Honey, really, I got this.”
After Dad took a sip, he turned to Summer. “And how is Rocco?” His overly eager eyes made her tired.
She ruffled Kyle’s hair and stood. “I think I’m going to turn in.”
“What! You’ve got to share the news first.”
“That’s all of it.”
“How can you say that?” Kyle’s wide eyes were so endearing she couldn’t resist pausing. “I don’t even know what they talked about. Did they get into any fights? Man, I should have been there.”
“Come on up with me. I’ll tell you all about them while I get ready for bed.”
As they walked up the stairs, he asked, “What kind of food did they order?”
“Onion rings. So many onion rings.” Another reason she was pretty certain all Rocco had been interested in was a fun, platonic night. “And burgers. The guys bought the big daddy one-pounders.”
“Whoa, no wonder they’re so big.”
“Yeah. And did you know some of them used to play together in Chicago?”
“Totally. Northbrook, right?”
“How on earth did you know that?”
“I pay attention. Zane and Rocco were on the same team there. They talked about it. Come on, Summer.”
“Okay. You’re right. I missed that.” Nothing got past that kid. “Well, anyway, they have this group message where all the guys from Northbrook still talk to each other, and they call it the Pit.”
“Hah. The Pit.” His grin made her smile. “We should have a Davis Pit, where we all text each other.”
“Do you even have a phone yet?”
“No, but my iPad texts when I’m on Wi-Fi.”
“Okay. Let’s set it up right now.”
“Really?” He raced from the room and came running back with his iPad. They leaned back against her headboard as she pulled up the messaging service on his iPad and started adding everyone’s numbers.
Then she called it the Davis Pit.
Kyle sent a text to the group. Hi.
What is this? Who is this? Jed sent a flatline emoji. Summer always wanted to tell Jed to take a chill pill.
It’s Kyle, and this is our Davis family chat. We’re like the Northbrook guys. They do this too.
Summer laughed. “Okay, off with you. I’m going to bed now.”
Kyle hopped off the bed and walked while typing.
Summer checked her phone again, and since there were no notifications except from Kyle, she turned it off.
But she couldn’t sleep. Rocco’s deep brown eyes were smiling at her. His friendly grin, the way their shoulders brushed all night, sitting so close at the Sundowner. The cool way he handled being beaten by an amateur in front of all his fans. He was a quality guy.
And he probably wasn’t interested in her. Why would he be? He could get any girl. And she’d seen how quickly other guys lost interest in her. She just wasn’t the partying, arm-candy type. She preferred quiet evenings, books, and the library.
The next morning, Dad woke them all up with a vengeance. “We’ve got some chores to do if we’re gonna have a bunch of hockey players over.”
Summer ignored them all and slipped into the shower. Rocco hadn’t texted this morning either.
She hadn’t dated anyone in a while, but if someone was really into you, they texted you after the date—not that they had actually gone on a date—and then in the morning. A good night and good morning kind of thing. But what did she know? She thought for sure if he was interested, he would have sent a quick thank you or a see you tomorrow text.
The sound of the vacuum downstairs made all her nerves tighten. They were working so hard. What if the guys didn’t show? Had they even set up a time? She looked out at the ice, and sure enough, her father was pulling in the hose. He’d poured a new layer of fresh ice during the night. And she was itching to sneak outside and skate on it.
The garage door opened. The sound rumbled through her floor. Mom must be coming back from the grocery store. She was up early, too. The Davises loved their hockey. And the thought of some pros coming over was probably the most exciting thing they could imagine.
Maybe she should reach out to Rocco, just to verify the time. She picked up her phone. “No.” She shook her head and put her phone in her back pocket. He could call her.
7
The next morning, Rocco drove his truck to a parking lot where the guys had agreed to meet. No one else had parents that literally picked up and moved because of their son’s hockey team. But he couldn’t complain. He’d slept in a king-sized bed at his parents’ house in a room with a view of the valley below.
Now, granted, he didn’t always stay at his parents’ place, but he’d known his mom would want him to tell her all about Summer, and besides, he’d wanted Summer to drop him off up in Star Valley Ranch instead of at the townhome he rented out on the edge of a golf course in Afton. There was just something more intimate about her knowing where his parents lived, knowing that their families lived in the same area. What his parents had was cool. They’d lived in New York or Chicago for most of their lives. The idea that they could own something so large and in such a beautiful place, with space all around, was still amazing to the De Lucas.
His mom claimed she didn’t like having so much space. Everyone was too spread out. She could never talk to anyone in her own house without calling for them to come down to the kitchen. But he knew she was just fine every time she did any work in her brand-new, state-of-the-art kitchen.
The guys were waiting by their cars when Rocco pulled up. A couple hopped in his truck. Zane took shotgun, and Crandall and Boomer filled the back seat. Hooligan, Cragin, and Benson all piled into a car that pulled up behind Rocco.
Rocco eyed them in the rearview mirror. “Who’s that?”
“I think it’s their Uber.”
“Ah, cool.” Rocco pulled forward, then he stopped. “Wait. I don’t know where the Davises live.”
“What?” Zane held his hand out. “Let me see your phone.”
Rocco handed it over. “Why?”
“Just start driving in the direction of town, and I’ll get the address. We have a plane to catch tonight, you know.”
“Yeah, all right.” He at least knew what direction he had to start.
Rocco’s phone dinged. “Who is it?”
“It’s Summer.”
“Okay, good. Tell her it’s you.” He eyed Zane in the rearview mirror, and his friend’s gleeful expression while his thumbs madly typed made Rocco worry. “Make sure she knows it’s you.”
Zane ignored him.
“Zane.”
“Okay, chill, dude. I’ve got you.” He winked, and Rocco felt anything but chill. “She knows it’s Zamboni.”
Rocco
grunted. What was wrong with him? Summer hadn’t texted. Not once. Even when she knew they were coming over today.
“Is she still expecting us?”
Zane raised his eyes to look at Rocco in the rearview mirror. “Oh, yeah. Sounds like it’s gonna be awesome. But, Rock, you gotta communicate more with her. You had an excuse to text her last night. Or this morning. Missed opportunity.”
Both their phones went off, and Zane checked his watch. “It’s a bit early for the Pit.” He lifted the screen. “I’ll tell you what, that Bree is a genius.”
“What’s going on?”
“She’s got us all playing in an all-star tournament. It’s a promo-type event, but the idea is she’s pulled the best hockey players from all over the NHL, based on their stats, and she formed two teams. We play each other in a match.”
“We?”
“Yeah, so that’s the thing. One of the teams is all Northbrook guys.”
He snorted. “You think anyone’s gonna believe we just all happened to have the best stats in the NHL? I know for a fact that’s not true.”
“I’ll type that.” Zane grinned. “Rocco says he knows for a fact he’s not the best in the NHL. Someone get that in writing.”
“Very funny. Did you really text that?”
“Nope.”
“What is the purpose of the all-star game?”
“The proceeds go to developmental hockey leagues. So the feeder programs into Northbrook Elite. She’s found a way to keep helping our old Northbrook Hockey arena.”
“Yup. You’re right. Genius. And maybe it’s the other team with the best stats and we just play against them, since we’re the Northbrook guys.”
The Pit was going crazy with responses. Zane pocketed the phone. “Most of the guys are excited. A couple are stressing about schedules. Looks like it’s a go.”
“Hey, this is great. The fam’s back together!” Rocco grinned just thinking about it. He’d love to send a puck across the ice to Jax again. He’d love to watch an opposing team try to score on Trane instead of having to do it himself. He’d love Zamboni on defense at his side instead of always trying to score off the guy. Northbrook back together on the same side of the ice sounded like heaven.
They drove across town with beautiful Star Valley all around. “You know, I could keep a house here, even if I get traded. This place is gorgeous.”
They pulled in front of a large farmhouse. It had gables and a wraparound porch with railing and all. The paint was white and clean. It was obvious the yard was well taken care of. The walkway had a front gate. Rocco was charmed.
“Wow, they’re the real deal. Do they have cows?” Zane closed his door, looking around.
A long, low moo came from a barn.
“Sounds like it.”
The guys gathered in behind Rocco and Zane at the front gate. “Do we just go on in? Or are you supposed to, like, knock out here?”
“What? Yes, you go in.” Rocco pushed open the gate. “I hope.”
A large German shepherd came running, and the guys paused.
“Whoa, easy, boy.” Crandall backed up a little bit.
But the dog just sniffed them for a moment and then watched while they passed. The front porch was huge. A big American flag hung from the corner. A horseshoe hung above the door, and the knocker was a spur. A saddle stand with a well-worn saddle sat off to the side. Crandall slid onto it and held a hand in the air. “And now I’m in the rodeo.”
The door opened, and Rocco loved the sight of Mr. Davis with his cowboy hat, belt buckle, and no-nonsense jeans, standing there grinning like it was Christmas. “Gentlemen.” He stepped aside. “Why don’t you all come on in.”
“Thank you.” Rocco shook his hand. “Good to see you again, sir.”
“You as well. We let your folks know we have this going on, so we might be seeing them in a little bit.”
Rocco had no doubt. “Thanks for having us, sir.”
“My pleasure. The guys are upstairs. Summer, too, I think. We’ve got a big room up there that overlooks the pond. Go check it out. Then we’ll talk about playing hockey.”
The players left their skates and other gear on the porch and followed his directions into the house. Mr. Davis’s grin grew the longer he shook hands. Rocco had to hand it to him, he knew how to roll out the welcome mat.
Kyle met Rocco at the bottom of the stairs, carrying Summer’s trophy. “Just wondered if you wanted a little reminder.” His impish grin was too much. He shook the trophy in their faces and then ran up the stairs.
Zane laughed. “I like that kid.”
“That’s Kyle, Summer’s little brother. And I like him, too.”
They followed Kyle up the stairs and out into a great room that took up a good half of the upstairs. Three of the brothers were playing Xbox at the other end of the room. They jumped up and shook hands with all the guys.
“This is an awesome room.” Rocco turned, enjoying the space. “You don’t get rooms like this in Chicago.”
“Or anywhere else.” Zane ran a hand along an arcade game machine. Pac Man.
“Except Texas.”
The guys started up games of ping-pong, air hockey, and foosball, but Rocco kept eyeing the entry. He moved to the windows that faced the pond. Kyle came to stand beside him. “That’s where Summer skates.”
“Wow, it’s pretty big!”
“Yeah, we like it. We play hockey out there all the time. Dad wants one of us to go pro, but so far, everyone does rodeo.”
“And what are you gonna do?”
Kyle shrugged with all the confidence of a ten-year-old. “I haven’t decided.”
“That’s fair. If you want, I could come skate with you.”
Kyle’s eyes widened, and his grin grew. “Really! That would be awesome!”
He held up his fist, and Kyle’s small hand bumping his warmed his heart.
Jed and Jake walked in, high-fiving all the players like they were best friends for life. Rocco side-hugged them. “How are you guys?”
“Great! Are you kidding? This is awesome.”
“Except for the early wake-up and the chores.” Jed frowned.
“You’ve got an amazing place here. I was telling Kyle I’d love to come and skate. He and I are gonna have a workout sometime.”
“And you just made that kid’s whole life.” Jake grinned.
Everyone played in the great room for about thirty minutes, and still he’d seen no sign of Summer. Rocco wandered out and made his way downstairs to the kitchen.
Mrs. Davis turned to reward him with a huge smile. “Oh, you must be Rocco.”
“Yes, ma’am. I was wondering if you could use some help.”
“Oh, aren’t you just the best. I would love some help. We’re going to do a buffet, so no need to put out place settings or anything, but let’s line up the plates and things right here on the sideboard.”
Rocco enjoyed helping out. He made careful stacks of the napkins. “It smells great in here. It sure is nice of you to have us all over.”
“Oh, we’re thrilled. And don’t you know it, I haven’t seen Mr. Davis this worked up over anything since…well, ever.”
“I know the guys are happy to have a place like this to come to before our flights later.”
“Oh goodness. We should get moving, shouldn’t we? With you catching flights.” She continued bustling about but with a little more urgency. Rocco had always admired his mother’s ability to bustle. He smiled. “Really, we are doing just fine on time.”
“That’s good, now, but I know everyone’s wanting to get out there on the ice, aren’t you?”
“We are, ma’am. But I think every guy here will agree that food has priority.” He wanted to ask about Summer, but something held him back. Where was she? “But maybe we should play hockey first?”
“Oh, now that’s a great idea! I don’t know when the ribs will get finished. Mr. Davis is out there with a new recipe. He does this when someone comes over—he always tri
es to experiment.” She shook her head, but the smile on her lips told Rocco she was proud of her husband.
Rocco gathered everyone and had them out on the ice within ten minutes. Kyle came to stand just off the rink and be the ref. The brothers were ready, even Stefano. Everyone took a couple warm-up laps and then came to the middle.
Eric frowned. “Where’s Summer?” He turned to Rocco.
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen her.”
“At all?” Eric pulled out his phone.
“Not today.”
Eric put his phone to his ear. “Hey, where are you?” The pause felt longer than necessary, and Rocco wondered if something was up. “Well, we could use a center.” Eric pocketed his phone. “She’ll be out in a sec.”
Rocco nodded. Everyone gathered in the center. The guys were dribbling the puck back and forth. Crandall tossed it up, and Eric surprised Rocco by catching it in the air and cradling it back to the ice. These Davis siblings had some skills.
“Shall we run an official pro warm-up?” he asked.
“Yeah!” Kyle shouted from the side.
They skated in formations. The Davis boys picked it up quickly. Stefano was the only one having trouble, and Rocco suspected it was mostly just to reaffirm his status as a non-hockey player.
When they were ready to get started, Summer finally showed up. She skated up, wearing fitted ski pants and a pretty little jacket. Her white skates matched the white wisps of the clouds overhead. She made her way through the group of men and took her place at center ice.
Without once looking at Rocco.
Well, that was not how this day would go if he had any say in it. The puck dropped, and she got it first, which didn’t surprise him at all. He skated up beside her. “Hey.”
“Hey.” She moved the puck away from him. Smart.
“Where you been?”
“What do you mean?” She still hadn’t looked at him. But she was concentrating on her puck now, he got that.
He skated around to her front and stayed close, very close, almost like they were dancing.
She moved the puck out to their side and tried to navigate away from him, but he stuck to her until she passed the puck to someone else. Then at last, she turned her face up to his. “What are you doing?”
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