I explain about the tree in the road blocking my exit, realizing I’d forgotten about it.
Almost as if I don’twantto leave.
Which makes no sense.
My house would be so much more comfortable, and it wouldn’t be a big deal to bring Serena and Joey with me. I could probably get us there safely if I really wanted to.
Instead, I’m content to hang out here in this tiny, chilly apartment with a redhead who dry humped me on the couch last night.
Chapter
Ten
Serena
Dinner with Rudy and Gemma is both fun and delicious. They have multiple wood-burning fireplaces so their house is warmer than mine and the baked potatoes came out great. The burgers are cooked to perfection, with melted cheese and all the condiments. Joey is happily gnawing on a hot dog and some potato chips Gemma put out for him. They open a bottle of red wine that the four of us are sipping now that we’ve finished eating.
“Storm like this only happens once every decade or so,” Rudy muses. “The last one was bad, but we never lost power.”
“It may be off for a few more days,” West says. “I was thinking tomorrow we might try to get that tree out of the road.”
Rudy nods. “Yeah, we’re gonna need supplies soon, and I saw that things are open in Alpharetta.”
“Alpharetta is where the arena is,” West says thoughtfully. “If they have power, I might have to get to work tomorrow. We’re supposed to leave on a road trip the day after, but I don’t know what’s happening at the airport.”
“Is the airport open?” I ask.
Rudy shakes his head. “Not yet, but they’re saying tomorrow.”
“Arena?” Gemma asks curiously. “What do you do, West?”
He glances at me and I give him a little nod since I’ll most likely tell them who he is anyway.
“I play for the Atlanta Thunder,” West says casually.
There’s a beat of silence.
“The new pro hockey team?” Rudy’s eyes widen. “For real?”
“Yup.”
“Well, I’ll be damned.” He eyes him like he’s seeing him for the first time. “Can’t say I know the first thing about hockey but everyone’s been talking about what happened with the head coach. He’s in jail now, isn’t he?”
West nods. “We don’t know the details but he and his wife are both in prison. Our new coach is amazing, though. We like him.”
I have no idea what they’re talking about since I don’t follow hockey at all but that’s okay. It seems like Rudy and Gemma like him, and that’s the most important thing. I’d hate it if for some reason they didn’t. I was a little worried that they’d be upset about me having a male guest, but I’m an adult and I do pay rent.
West told me he’d said we were “new” when Rudy asked about our relationship and I appreciate how protective he’s being. He was intuitive enough to worry about my reputation, even though he doesn’t owe me anything, and I’m grateful.
I also really, really like him.
I don’t want to. I want to be strong and stick to my guns about avoiding hockey players but that’s almost silly now. He makes me feel safe. Wanted. Like I’m more than some single mom stranded on the side of the road. Not that I’m expecting anything. He’ll probably disappear once the storm is over, and that’s okay.
Okay, that’s a lie.
I’m going to hate it if he ghosts me.
I’m prepared, though. And he really has been a lifesaver during the storm.