Maybe other parts of me were swoony, but I blocked those thoughts out.
When Arne started to get irritable, it was time for me to step in.“We should go now.”
Arne pouted.
I narrowed my eyes.“We’ve taken up enough of Mr.Justin’s time.”
The pout stopped, and I didn’t need to send a warning glance to Justin.He nodded.“You might find your ankles and feet get a little achy after this.”
Arne was ready to deny it, but I told him mine were and we headed to the gate.
Arne liked skating, and not because he was with a bunch of other kids all having fun with sticks and pucks.He knew it would be hard work, but he hadn’t been discouraged.This moment had been bound to come.Now I was prepared.That was good.I had to repeat the message because my brain was panicking.
I undid Arne’s skates.Then he rushed to help Justin unlace his, which he was awkwardly doing with his left hand.I was not prepared for another twist in my heart when I saw them working together.
I was in so much trouble.Arne and hockey, me and Justin.What the hell was going to come out of this?
Chapter22
A TV Drama
Justin
This meetup with the team had been a mindfuck for both Mia and me.I needed to talk to Cooper about some things the guys had said, and Mia had a problem with her son.Arne loved skating, and for a complete beginner he did unusually well.He had natural coordination and balance, along with a willingness to listen and learn.If I was coaching young kids, I’d happily have Arne join my team.
Hockey camps might be filled up for the summer, but I could pull strings and get him into one.I could also cover the cost without even noticing it.But the time constraints Mia had I couldn’t help with, and Mia wouldn’t let me pay.Would her ex be able to help at all?
Worrying about that was a distraction.When we’d returned the skates and Carlos put mine back in my bag, he gave it to me, since I’d need it for on-ice workouts they’d scheduled starting next week.Arne gave the bag a long look, and I expected a lot of questions about it.He was quiet though.Mia checked him in the rearview mirror, so the quiet concerned her.
I was quiet too, so there wasn’t much discussion on the way back to the house.I offered to let her leave early.I couldn’t help Mia with her upcoming hockey problem, but I could give her some free time.She’d looked so happy skating at the rink, like she’d temporarily dropped a burden.More like the girl I’d dated.That raised dangerous feelings.
Which was not what I was supposed to be focusing on.That old Mia was gone.Instead, she was a woman with a kid and an ex-husband, and a family still weighing down her shoulders.A woman who was not in love with me.I was a client.An old friend.No dwelling on the kiss.
I had other problems to deal with.Like what the team wanted these additional assessments for, and why they asked some of the questions they did.If they were playing mind games with me, or if there were some real things to worry about.The first of July was getting closer, and I wasn’t confident about what the team intended.
Once Mia and Arne were gone, I called Cooper.
“JJ!”
Someone was happy to hear from me.“Coop.How’s the leg?”
“Frustrating as hell.Callie’s threatening to work more overtime.”
I believed him.She wouldn’t take crap from anyone.Since a lot of people would bend over backward for Cooper, she was good for him.
I relaxed on the couch.“At least you can shave yourself.”
“Fuck, I hadn’t thought of that.You can’t?”
“Not without risking slicing my neck.”
He laughed.“Probably not a good idea.Are you going the lumberjack route, or have you gotten some help?”
Memories of Mia shaving me were not good, so I moved that on as quickly as possible.“A little of both.But I called about the team guys who were out here today.”
Cooper’s voice lost its teasing note.“I knew they were planning to check on you.”
“They did.”