Trouble in paradise? Maybe. I honestly didn’t care so I didn’t ask. I climb in the rental truck next to Conner, resigned tothe fact that this is happening whether I like it or not. I’m not a fan of confrontation, but I would like that lamp back.
I explain the situation to Conner as he drives to the address, a trail of three cars full of his teammates, and my dad’s car behind that, following. A deep smirk starts to spread across my man’s handsome, scruffy face. He is the sexiest man ever, but I’m not thrilled he’s enjoying this. “Con, I don’t want my last moments in Silver Bay to be with Beckett.”
“Okay. You wait in the car. I’ll handle it,” he replies and I scowl. He doesn’t take his eyes off the road but he feels it. He starts to laugh. “Princess, you deserve that lamp. It’s yours. The end.”
We pull up in front of the small square apartment building and all the players get out of their cars. Jordan has caught a ride with my dad. Apparently, he didn't want to miss this. I groan as Conner gets out of the car and I watch them all lumber toward the front door. Then I quickly unlock my seatbelt and hop out of the truck to join them.
This is my problem and I should handle it.
My father has already rapped on the door and by the time I make it there, Beckett has opened the door. He's in jeans and a sweater and his eyes are the size of saucers as he stares at half the Portland Riptide and my dad and Jordan Garrison on his stoop. "Can I… Can I help you?"
“Hey TP, Mac left a lamp here. Can we get it back please?” Conner says before my dad or anyone else can speak.
“Ex… excuse me?” Beckett sputters.
“My stained glass table lamp,” I call out from the back of this wall of muscled men. “It was on the hall table when I lived here. You didn’t give it back when you returned my things.”
Beckett’s eyes find me in the group and he frowns. “My fiancée may have thrown it out. I believe she called it tacky.”
“You better hope she didn’t TP,” Conner replies.
“Is that a threat?” Beckett tries to sound tough as he pushes out his chest, trying and failing to look intimidating.
“Kid, just go look for the lamp before you hurt yourself,” Jordan says calmly.
Beckett tries to glare at Jordan but then gives up when Jordan doesn’t so much as blink. His shoulders slump a little. His scowl deepens. “Wait here.”
He slams the door, hard. Abbott Barlowe looks at Conner. “His name is Beckett? Why do you call him TP?”
“Because Mac does,” Conner replies. “It stands for toxic person.”
“And trash panda and toilet paper,” I add. “And tiny penis.”
“Stop talking, I beg you,” Dad says and everyone laughs.
The door re-opens Beckett steps onto the stoop and shoves his hand toward my dad. My lamp is in it, looking exactly as I remember. I smile when I see it and push my way to the front of the group. Conner has already taken it from Beckett and he hands it to me. “This will look great in your new place, princess.”
“Princess?” Beckett echoes but his tone is dripping in disbelief.
Conner turns to him, his hazel eyes cold and hard. “You have something you want to say?”
My father and the rest of the team had started back to their cars but now they’re all frozen a few feet away, watching us with rapt attention, and tense muscles. Beckett looks out at them and back to Conner. “Nope. Not a thing. Are we done here?”
"Oh, we are so done," I promise him. Conner wraps an arm around my shoulders and kisses my cheek.
“I’ve got some hockey games to win and then a vacation to go on with Doctor Larue,” Conner says and leads me back to the truck.
I hear Beckett slam his front door as I climb into the truck. “Vacation?”
Conner grins at me. “Not how I wanted to tell you but… I booked us a house on the beach in Hawaii. Well, I have it on reserve. The date will be set when we know how far this playoff run stretches. We’ll go when I’m done. To celebrate your graduation.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I’m going to need some sunshine and time alone with you,” Conner replies starting the truck and pulling away from the curb to start the drive to Portland. “And you don’t start work until August, right?”
"Right." I am so excited I'm grinning from ear to ear. "But that's… I mean it must be pricy."
“Yep. And if you dare argue or try to pay I will spank you,” Conner warns. “And not in a good way.”