“Yes,” he replied, watching her and wishing he could know what she was thinking right now. He never pictured her as ‘easy,’ but her reaction was a surprise. “My parents have been married since they were eighteen and…”
“Nice,” she interrupted, glancing at him again. “My parents got married, divorced, and then my mother passed away. My dad hasn’t reached out in years, and I’m ashamed to admit the same.”
There was a note of something in her voice that spoke to him – and he took it as a branch extended between friends. “Maybe when things settle down in a few months, we could reach out together?”
“In ninety days, we are re-evaluating our temporary relationship,” she reminded him quietly, turning onto a long driveway.
“Of course,” he murmured, feeling slightly bothered at the reminder once again. Maybe she didn’t find him as attractive as he thought she was and hesitated. This was certainly a new feeling for him because he’d always been the center of attention, or so it felt. “I’m just trying to talk about things because the silence is a lot to handle, and I’m on edge. Sometimes talking through stuff makes me feel better…”
“I’m freaking out,” she whispered, pulling up to what looked like a rustic cabin that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Her soft words drew his attention like no other, making him realize that she was just as on edge as he was and about to flip her lid. “This. You. Me— and now we’re about to go into my home. I don’t know if you are some freak,some rapist, or anything about you, and I cannot believe we’re married. I must be stupid or…”
“Ashley,” he said firmly, his voice quiet. “Look at me.”
Her head turned slowly, and something painful took hold in his chest at her panicked, watery eyes. They sat there, looking at each other, the truck running, and he silently moved forward to turn off the engine, and she jumped.
“We are not leaving this truck with you scared of me,” he breathed softly. “I want you to google my name, take your time, and look around online. See who I am, see that I’m telling you the truth, and ask me anything you want to know. You’ve barely touched on asking me personal questions, the real personal questions and nobody is asking you to throw yourself onto some pyre. I’m a guy, grateful for your help in a matter that completely threw my life in a tailspin, and if it’s doing the same to you – that doesn’t sit well with me,” he whispered gently, his eyes searching hers as she sat there like a statue. “Talk to me. Help me understand what is going on in your head.”
He saw her swallow, tug at her collar, as she sat there deathly silent – so without a word, he got comfortable. He unbuckled his seatbelt, adjusted slightly, and laid his phone between them – face up. The screen was a picture of him on the ice that had been used as a magazine photo that he thought was cool. Her eyes looked away, darting down to the phone, and he saw her jolt once more.
“Hockey?” she whispered, tossing it out there.
“Yup,” he replied just as quietly. “I started playing when I was seven and fell in love with the fact that my buddy busted his butt on the ice right away, but I seemed to know how to skate effortlessly. To me, ice skating felt like roller skating, but so much easier.”
“It’s easier?”
“To me – yes,” he admitted. “I’ve always loved it. and hockey was a natural progression. I was awful at other sports, but hockey felt like an extension of my hand, my body. It has given me so many wonderful friendships, so many challenges, and kept me focused. I hope this new team turns out to be a good fit.”
“What made you change?”
“They asked for me,” he admitted openly, realizing it was true. “I guess it made me feel good to be wanted – and maybe that is telling. I felt like my agent had always ‘found’ me a spot… but they asked for me, kept calling, and really pressed hard – so I accepted.”
“It was an ego trip.”
“Very much so,” he confessed, chuckling as he slid a look to her. “I’m not one of those guys with an inflated ego, so it was flattering… and I made the jump.”
“I hope you don’t regret it,” she said quietly. “It sounds like it’s been a lot of changes for you in a brief time.”
“It has been, but I’m optimistic. The whole ‘when one door closes, another opens’ mantra.”
“I get that… and I’m the same, but maybe a little more wary,” she offered quietly.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. I prefer to think of it as ‘self-preservation,’ and that’s smart, Ashley.”
“Then why would I do something as stupid as marrying a perfect stranger?”
“Because maybe there is something in you that trusts something in me,” he offered gently, watching her. “And maybethatis what you are so afraid of?”
They sat there quietly, not moving.
“Two beds,” he asked, almost as if he was reminding her that he was paying attention and respecting her expectations. She snorted, a mixture of disbelief and self-disgust.
“Oh yeah. Two beds for sure.”
“Sounds fine with me.”
“It would have to be.”
“I’m notexpectinganything.”
