I blinked quickly, trying to hide my shock. How could he tell that?
“Well, growing up, my sister, Emma, and I relied on a lot of these programs. Mom worked herself to the bone, but there wasn’t much left after everything was paid for. I know how Tim and his friends feel.”
“Kendra, you’re—” Tyler was interrupted by the sound of the door unlocking. Jane, the administrator, welcomed us inside.
“Want to go in?” I asked.
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
The ice rink was simple and modest, nothing like what I assumed the Chicago Blades’ arena looked like, but it made the kids happy anyway. Tyler glanced around appraisingly, leaning against a handrail.
“This is a great place to train.”
“Glad you like it. So… how about you?" I asked, eager to know more about him. "How did you get yourself in this mess?"
I instantly knew it was the wrong thing to ask. His eyes darkened for the first time. His smile faltered. "You didn't see the video?"
"I did, but I think there's more to it, right? I mean, you couldn't exactly tell the context from just seeing it. It just seemed like that guy was looking for a fight, and he got it."
"Yeah. The bloody context." He laughed, but it wasn't filled with humor.
"Bloody?" I asked in a teasing tone.
“‘Fucking’ is my choice of swear word when things are moderately annoying. ‘Bloody’ is next level.”
"Interesting choice. Forget I asked. It's bothering you, so you don't have to talk about it." I leaned against the railing on the opposite side, watching him closely.
"That's fine. I think you're the first person who actually asked about what happened."
"What do you mean? Didn't your management want to know the details?"
"No, management was too pissed off because the sponsors weren't happy with me." After a brief pause, he added, "That guy was my cousin's ex-fiancé."
"Ouch. I already hate him."
That brought the real smile back. "I like you, Kendra."
"Thanks."Is that my stomach cartwheeling just because he said he liked me? Yes, yes, it is. Oh, for goodness’ sake!
"It’s not my place to say why they broke up. But they were supposed to go into business together to open a spa in a building that belonged to my grandmother. Anyway, he wanted to get on with the business after hurting my cousin, even knowing my gran didn’t want him anywhere near her building. So my whole family fought against it. He showed up there thinking… Honestly, I don't even know what he was after. But the way he spoke to my cousin… I just couldn't stand by and watch without doing anything. It was the wrong way to react, but I take full responsibility for that."
His whole demeanor changed. Even his voice sounded determined and protective, and it affected me on a visceral level. He cared a lot about his cousin and his grandmother.
And so, I couldn’t help myself. I moved from the railing, stepping up beside him, leaning slightly in, like I was sharing something in confidence. "I'll let you in on a secret, Tyler. I like you too."
He laughed, throwing his head back. "You're my kind of person, Kendra. You're the first one who has had this reaction when they hear the full story.”
“I can’t believe that. Management?—”
“Was pissed, and I'm pissed in return. I love hockey more than anything in this life, but dealing with management is a pain in my ass."
A very fine ass, my brain supplied helpfully. I pressed my lips together before the words slipped out.
"What's that?" Tyler asked. "You look like you wanted to add something."
I shook my head. "No, no. Nothing."
He cocked a brow, keeping his gaze trained on me. “Kendra…”
