So her phone was turned off in her purse, and she had half a mind to switch her number just to avoid the angsty stress of waiting for a call that might never come. She was a mess. Other people survived dating just fine. Why couldn’t she?
Rocco’s smile came into her mind. For the first time ever, she’d met a really great guy. She didn’t think she’d meet someone like him again, and she didn’t want to lose him.
But she didn’t feel like she really had him.
She was a mottled knot of emotion, and her phone was not coming out of her bag until she got home from work.
This fellowship would be amazing. She couldn’t let the possibility of a relationship with a man, who didn’t even call when he said he would, keep her from pursuing her dream. They weren’t anything official. He was just awesome. But she couldn’t wait around for something awesome to happen. Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn’t. She still had a life to live.
She began the application process right then. But she couldn’t hit submit.
The library was especially busy that morning. They had a storyteller for the children, and two adult groups were meeting in the conference rooms. They had taken the Christmas decorations down, and the place was a busy, goal-setting wonder. Summer left her office to go check out the goal clouds of all the kids participating in their contest. Each paper cloud had the number of books they wanted to read and their name. Everyone who met their goal would come to a cloud party and be entered to win prizes. It was a fun idea, and the local schools were really jumping in to support it.
Summer laughed at one boy’s goal to read one book. He had to start somewhere, she supposed. Maybe it was that child’s first book, or maybe he struggled with reading, or maybe he didn’t like reading and the teacher made him have a goal.
“Summer.”
She sucked in her breath. Rocco. Her slow turn was meant to give her time to prepare to see him, but her heart still stuttered at the sight of his warm face, those deep brown eyes, his towering stature that made everything around them seem small. He was supposed to be a smaller hockey player. He’d never seemed little around Summer.
“Hey.”
He held up two bags from her favorite takeout place. “Wanna eat lunch?” He checked his watch. “Or late breakfast?”
He had come! She tried to calm her voice before it came out as a squeak. “How are you even in town?”
“Plane just landed. I came straight over.” His eyes held an apology. His hands held delicious food. And who was she to try to resist either?
She smiled. “Okay. Let me grab my coat.”
“Are you a hockey player? My brother says you play hockey.” A hopeful young boy’s voice sounded from behind them.
Summer laughed as she rushed back to grab her coat. They had a homeschool group there as well that morning. And it sounded like they’d found Rocco. A few minutes later, she and Rocco walked out together, the entire library watching. Summer would have some explaining to do when she got back, but she told her coworkers she might be out for a while.
Rocco held the door but didn’t say anything until they were outside. “Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For seeing me. Letting me take you out.” He led her to his truck. “Let’s just go somewhere pretty and eat in the truck.”
“Okay.”
He took her up toward the mountains, up past the last road, and onto an off-roading trail.
“How do you know about this place?”
“Jed told me.”
She laughed. “He would.”
He drove up to a ridge and parked, facing outward. The whole of the valley spread out in front of them.
“This never gets old. How do we live in such a gorgeous place?” Summer breathed in the beauty.
“It’s all new to me. I’m happy it doesn’t get old.” Rocco handed her a takeout bag. “Autumn nut salad?”
“I love this salad.”
“Oh good. The lady said it’s popular.”
They unpacked their food. Rocco took a huge bite into his panini. As she watched him wipe mustard from the side of his lip and take another bite, he looked so normal and down-to-earth Summer couldn’t remember why she’d been upset with this man.
“Can you forgive me for my regrettable timing? For being out with my very ex-girlfriend on the day of our first kiss?” He raised an eyebrow. “Which was epic, by the way, but we’ll get to that.”
She almost choked. “Well, you don’t ease into things, do you?”
“I can’t stand waiting anymore to talk about this. I’ve been wanting to explain for days now.”
“I know. I’m sorry it’s been hard to reach me.”
“You have every right to be as available as you want to be. I’m just happy I have this chance.” He took a drink. “So what I need to say is this: Millie was doing a shoot in Jackson Hole when Dad saw her at our restaurant. He invited her home, and I got roped into driving her all the way back to Jackson. On the way out, she wanted to stop somewhere for food. Which was ridiculous since she’d just eaten at my parents’ house.” He shook his head. “And I knew it was going to be a nightmare even before it started, but I thought I would be able to talk to you about it.”
“I saw you.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. I was with the twins, pulling into the parking lot, when I saw you go in with her. I wanted to turn around and leave.”
“But Jed and Jake had other plans.”
She nodded. “Yeah, sorry if they caused trouble for you.”
“No, it was great. Though her whining about being wet lasted the whole drive.” He reached for Summer’s hand. “I’m sorry. I’m not that kind of guy. That night with her meant nothing to me; in fact, I lost a good night’s sleep and gained a tension headache. I hope I haven’t wrecked what we started.”
Summer toyed with her salad for a minute. “I knew there was nothing going on. Jed made it sound that way. But I worried a little and spent a couple agonizing nights wondering why you hadn’t called.” She no longer saw the view in front of her, her worries of the last few days clouding everything else. “Like last night. Why didn’t you call like you said?”
“I should have texted. I just didn’t want to wake you. Declan and the guys were getting deep. He’s having issues with his team, and we were trying to get ready for the all-star weekend. And then Trane called us with a bombshell announcement. It was a long night with the guys, so it was super late by the time I had a minute to talk.”
“I know you don’t owe me anything, and I’m not used to thinking of myself as overly needy, but I waited for you.”
“Yeah, you said you would. You’re right, a text would have been the best move. On both counts, really. Though I don’t know how I could have easily texted, My ex-girlfriend is in town, and my dad is making me take her out.”
She laughed. And a new set of worries nudged her. “So, your dad really likes her?”
Rocco hesitated, and Summer knew she might not love what he was about to say.
“He loves that she is Italian. And that, at one point, she was probably Catholic.”
Summer nodded slowly.
“But they’re not like that. My parents.”
“Not like what?”
“You know, like, ‘You have to marry an Italian.’ They’re cool. My mom loves you.”
Summer logged that information away. “Okay. I’ve never done this before—tried to have a long-distance thing. It’s gonna take some adjustment.”
“So, we have a thing?”
She shifted in her seat to look at him. “No, we don’t have to have a thing. I’m not trying to define or rush…” His eyes sparkled at her, and she paused.
“I would love to have a thing with you.”
What did that mean? Summer didn’t dare ask. She felt silly enough that they were already defining their relationship. But at the same time, she felt relieved. He wanted to keep seeing her, felt she was important enough to have a thing with her, w
hatever that meant.
They finished their brunch, and Rocco collected all the trash. “So, the gala, the all-star game…”
“Oh right. That’s tomorrow.” The past week had been rough in many ways; it felt like months had gone by.
“Yup. I have to fly out tonight. You can come, or I can get you a flight first thing in the morning if you’re still up for this.”
“I am, if you still want me.”
“If I still want you?” He tossed his keys up on the dash. “Hop out for a sec.”
“Okay.” She followed his lead and stepped out of the car.
They moved to the front of the truck and stood on the edge of the ridge, looking out over everything. The wind whipped the air around them, but Summer didn’t feel the cold. Rocco’s eyes were intense as he reached for her and pulled her into his arms.
“You asked if I want you.” His eyes looking down into hers were filled with something serious, enticing. “I want you.”
When she tipped her face up to look closer, his lips found hers immediately. A flood of happiness filled her. Warmth started in her toes and tingled its way up to her heart. Her hands moved up behind his neck. His lips were gentle, intent. He pulled her closer and ran his tongue along her bottom lip, just a tease before he covered her mouth with his own.
“I want us,” he murmured against her. And then he pulled her to him for a hug. “There’s something special about you, Summer, and I want to see where this goes. I’m sorry I haven’t been the best at showing that.”
She swallowed, totally overcome with feelings. They rushed through her in torrents, like the wind that whipped around her as she stood cocooned in his arms.
“I want us, too.” She grinned, her cheek against his chest.
She stood in his arms for a time, just counting his heartbeats as they slowed from their mad pace and he rocked her a little bit.
When she stepped back, he grinned. “So, are you coming tonight or tomorrow?”
The energy in his expression made her laugh. “Tonight.”
“Yes! Okay, great. I’ll get you on my flight.”
She looked at her watch. “I better get back and clear some things at work. And then I need to get home to pack.” She mentally started reviewing all the dresses she had that would work for a gala and wondered if she should take some time in Chicago to find shoes.
“Oh, and bring your skates.”
“Really?”
“You won’t regret it.”
“This sounds awesome. I’m really excited. Am I going to meet the Pit?”
“Yes, you will. And I apologize now for anything they tell you about me. Or, really, anything they say.”
“I thought they were your best friends.”
“They are. And once you’re in with one, you’re in with us all. They have your back, Summer Davis. I’d trust them with anything.”
She considered that and knew it was no small thing. How would it be to have friends like that? She’d had friends growing up, but all of them had left Star Valley and most were married, too busy to have anyone’s back. “That’s a precious blessing.”
“It really is.”
He tugged her hand, and they made their way back to his truck. “Time to get you back, I assume?”
“Yeah. I have to get ready for tonight. I’m looking forward to it.”
He drove her to the library.
“I’ll just get out here.” She didn’t want to deal with more talk when everyone saw him again.
“You embarrassed of me?” He winked.
“No! Not at all.” Her face heated.
“Come here. I’m just messing with you.” He reached a hand to her side and tugged her along the seat until she was pressed up against him. Then he lifted a hand to her hair. “I’m so happy I’m taking you with me this time.”
“Me too.”
His lips looked soft. His jaw nicely scruffy. He dipped his head and kissed her, and the warmth of it swelled in her. It ignited a gentle yearning. More. She wanted more of this new man in her life.
But now, she had to get out of the truck and walk back into work, and that was the worst.
17
When they arrived in Chicago, Rocco dropped Summer off at the hotel and watched her walk through the revolving doors. She swung her hips with a little sauce before she turned to smile at him and lifted her fingers. Summer was with him. He grinned and waved back.
He had to meet up with the guys. Hal Fenwick, their Northbrook coach, was calling an evening practice over at the old Northbrook rink. The team would be out on the ice again. Together. Rocco rushed to the old Northbrook Center. Even though he’d been back a few months ago to help with fundraisers, it still felt like ages since he’d been in the arena. And to actually play again on the ice? He itched to get out on it.
He pulled into his old parking spot and grinned. The other guys were in their spots, too. At least, he assumed that’s who was parked in the random spots around the lot. No one else was supposed to be there.
His eyes lifted to see the parking spot closest to the door. Coach Fenwick’s car was there. A lump rose in Rocco’s throat. He owed so much to that man. Rocco shouldered his duffel and picked up his pace as he entered the rink that served as a home away from home for all his middle school and high school years.
Someone was already out there, and he guessed who it might be.
He smiled when his guess was confirmed. Trane. Coach had him in a goal, working on his reflexes.
“Here comes a fast one.” Then he hit a floater and laughed as Trane jerked to catch a fast puck.
Rocco hurried to get his gear on.
By the time he was skating out onto the ice, Trane was huddled with Coach, having some kind of serious talk. And if it was anything like what Trane talked about the other night, Rocco slowed so they could finish. But Coach lifted his hand, gesturing for him to come over. Rocco hurried to his side. The man pulled him into an embrace, and Rocco grabbed his face and kissed his cheek. He loved this man. “Good to see you, Coach.”
“You too, Rock. Let’s see what you got.”
“What? Seriously?”
“Come on. Time to score off this big lug. The Diesel is a force, but nothing you can’t handle.”
Rocco laughed. “Says you.” But he circled out, grabbed a puck with his stick, and prepared to be disappointed as he tried to score on Trane. “Okay, here we go.”
He sent about twenty pucks at Trane without scoring one. But he noticed a new opportunity. If he hit Trane just right, the puck rebounded back out, and he could keep it in play. He raced toward Trane and slammed the puck right at his chest. It bounced back off at the angle he’d hoped for. He caught it again and slammed it in the left corner. Goal! He pumped his fists in the air. He’d just scored on Trane. By himself. With a rebound.
“That was cool!” He smiled. “Mind if I use your chest for a couple hours to practice the move?”
Trane laughed, and the sound could have shaken the ice. “That was a good shot, Pebble.”
“Hey, thanks, man.” Rocco turned to the coach. “It’s good to be back, Coach. Thanks for doing this all-star thing with us.”
“I’m excited to see you guys. You know, your batch was one of my favorites.”
“One of his favorites.” Rocco scoffed. “Do you have any other group who all made pro like we did?”
“Making pro isn’t everything. There are some great players who aren’t pro.” He circled the two of them on the ice. “What did I always say? Be a man before a pro.”
“Be a man before a pro.” Rocco had tried to do just that. Coach was always telling them they were only as good as their heart. He asked them all the time, “How’s your heart?”
Although Coach never fully explained what he meant by that, Rocco interpreted it to be about his desires. What did he really want? And most of the time, the answer to that question was that he wanted to go pro. He wanted to be there for his family. And he wanted his team to be a family. Whatever
team he was on, he worked for that.
“Did we miss the early meeting?” Zane skated up, and Rocco grinned. And here they came. His first hockey family.
“You know me, Zamboni, I’m just trying to get a shot off Diesel, here.”
“Yeah, good luck now that I’m here.” He pranced around on the ice in front of Rocco and made him laugh.
“For one night, we don’t have to go against each other. You’re on my team again, dude.”
Zane held out his hand, and they slapped and then knuckled. “It’s good to be back.” He embraced Coach. “Good to see you.”
Coach Fenwick hugged him back and then grunted. “I’ve been watching film of you. You’re too emotional on the ice.”
“What? You sure you’re not talking to Rocco?” Zane circled the goal.
“That last game. If you didn’t get all heated, you’d have blocked the shot.”
Zane frowned. “That putz.” He elbowed the plexiglass.
Declan skated out toward them.
“Dice is here.” Rocco skated to meet him.
“Declan is not at the mercy of chance.” Coach waved Declan over. “You’re a good player, son. Talk out there. Use your teammates.”
“Yes, Coach.” They embraced next.
Clint showed up next. He was a real solid guy who deserved the shot he’d gotten on the Hawks.
Rocco skated over and embraced him. “Good to see you, man.”
“You too. When do we play the Steers?”
“Not soon enough, it feels like.” He skated with him over to Coach. “Where’s Jax?”
“I’m here, Pebble.” Jax joined them, running into Rocco and catching him so he didn’t fall.
“Good to see you, man.” Rocco hugged him too.
The coach skated out and stood in front of the goal like he used to. Trane moved over to stand at his side.
“We have a real special opportunity here.” Coach took a minute to look at each of his players. Rocco loved that about this man. He cared about his team by caring for each player.
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