Lainey hesitates before she answers. “I work down the street at the bakery, Love & Lattes, as the pastry chef. He came in one day while I was working, walked up to the counter and started chatting with me. Next thing I knew, he was there almost every day for the rest of the week. By the time the week was up, he was asking me on a date and I, of course, said yes. It wasn’t until the date that he told me how old he was.”
“Did it change how you felt about him?” I finally ask.
“Yes and no. When he showed up to the café every morning, I had butterflies in my stomach. He was funny and sweet. He made me feel special. Guys my age don’t really know how to treat girls, or if they do, I haven’t been so lucky. Of course, I was shocked when he told me, and I thought about how our family would react,” she pauses and side-eyes me, knowing I understand exactly what she means, “But it didn’t change the fact that I really like him and I’m happy when I’m with him.”
“Well, I’m glad you felt like you could tell us, Lain. I’m also so happy that he makes you feel special. That’s all we want for you. And if he makes you feel that way, age shouldn’t matter.”
“Thanks, Kay.” I can tell there’s more she wants to ask, so I give her a minute to collect herself. “Could I ask you to keep it a secret until at least after his birthday in December? He has plans to take me away on a weekend trip, and Ireally want to enjoy our time before I make him face our family in person.”
I reach over the table and squeeze her hand, smiling softly. “Of course. You enjoy your time with him. I want to meet him before the family does so I can stand behind you, but I’m always in your corner.”
“You’re the best sister ever.”
“I’m your only sister.”
“That’s true.” Laughter erupts from the table, and I can’t wipe the smile off my face at how happy I truly am to be surrounded by these amazing girls.
Chapter 13
Jake
Even with the season in full swing and our record looking solid so far, Coach doesn’t let up on us when it comes to practice. We’ve been on the ice for an hour now. Honestly, I feel like I’m being tossed around like a punching bag, but it’s also one of my favorite places to be.
“Good job, Maddox. Keep your weight to the front to gain more momentum!” Coach yells as Maddox flies by the bench in an attempt to keep up with the rest of his line.
I’m on the bench right now, watching as the third line gets a little more ice time and practice in.
Maddox has proven himself this season, working his ass off every day and always being one of the first guys in the locker room and one of the last to leave practice. He’s a great kid with a good attitude, and he’s a gifted player. He’s definitely going to go far in his career.
I look over to see Ramirez deke the puck to the right as Asher skates to the left like he’s going to grab it, confusing James as he takes his eyes off the puck. Maddox comes speeding around the back of the net. He hooks the puck intothe crease just under the goalie’s leg, lighting up the lamp behind them.
Cheers are heard across the ice as they all celebrate, and Coach blows his whistle, signaling the end of the play as they gather around him at the end of the bench, where he talks with them about the previous play.
“That kid has some serious skills,” Brayden says from next to me.
“He does. I think once he has more experience and practice under his belt, he could be one of the greats.”
“Yeah, he definitely has the potential.”
The rest of the team comes off the ice as we switch out, and I skate to the right of Jones as he sets up for the face off.
As I'm getting into position, I see movement from the corner of my eye.
Normally, I’m pretty good about tuning out distractions, but without even really seeing who it is, I already know it’s Kailyn. She’s in the stands with someone else, watching us practice. I can’t help but look over and see that she’s laughing with Hannah, another one of the team doctors, a huge smile lighting up her beautiful face.
God, she’s the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.
I can hear her laughter even from this distance, and it’s one of my favorite sounds, warm and rich like the taste of chocolate. I missed those moments when she would laugh at my dumb jokes, or the small smiles she reserved for me. When she left, nothing ever really made my heart light up the same, but since she’s been back, I can’t help but feel like a part of me is back, too.
I’m so in love with this girl. I’m enraptured by her presence, beauty, voice, everything. Even after all that has happened, the pain and anger I felt for all those years, she’s still the only woman to ever make me feel like this.
Things have been going well between us, and it feels like we’re sliding back into what we used to have but also something new. We’re both more open and honest this time around, which is helping to heal the old wounds etched on my heart.
It feels like the weight of my dad’s words are finally sinking in, and this is the ‘right time’ for us. It’s easy to slip back into things with her, almost like she never left, but I can also see the growth she’s gone through over the years. She’s been more open with me, communicating her worries and fears rather than bottling everything up. She’s more playful with others, more interactive instead of how shy she used to be, and she moves around in this space so easily.
There’s also a confidence in her aura that wasn’t there before. I don’t know if she would have found that if she hadn’t moved across the country and discovered herself.
While anything can happen, I hope we continue to make more progress together and this isn’t another false start between us.