One hand was shoved in the pocket of his coat as he strode toward the back tables. The lights glinted off a few lingering water droplets on his neck, and heat flashed through Emma’s middle. This was not good. She hadn’t had a physical reaction like this to anyone in . . . probably ever.
She cleared her throat and looked down at the chips, hoping the flush in her cheeks wasn’t as noticeable as it felt.
Compliments, hand slaps, hugs, and fist bumps sounded around her as she feigned interest in a pile of jalapeños. A chair scooted across the floor next to her, and then out of nowhere, a solid, warm arm landed on her shoulders.
“You know it was Emma that saved my ass this weekend, right?”
Emma’s head shot up, her eyes wide. Tyler was there next to her, so close she could smell his soap and could’ve licked the water from his neck. She snapped her head forward, her mouth suddenly feeling like it had been swabbed out with a handful of cotton balls.
“I dropped my licence in a parking lot, and she gave it back to me before we left.”
The whole team hooted and hollered. Sean cleared his throat, and Tyler’s grin faded a bit. He pulled his arm back and slid his chair a few inches to the side.
Kelty looked between Emma and Sean. “Did you know this?” She punched Sean’s shoulder, and he grunted. She looked back at Emma. “You didn’t feel like tellingthisstory while we were sitting together for three periods?”
Emma swallowed. “I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”
Kelty ignored her. “How did you track him down? Did you know he played on the team? I want to hear all the details!”
Tyler reached for a glass and stood, walking toward the water cooler next to the bar. Emma glanced up at Sean. He stared daggers at Tyler’s retreating back, then looked back at her. Before she turned her attention back to Kelty, he mouthed,Keep it in your pants,then reached for a pitcher of beer.
Emma’s eyes widened, and the chip she held between her thumb and forefinger crumbled, dropping black beans and a sliced olive onto the table.Keep it in her pants?Was he serious?
She drew a deep breath, her nostrils flaring. “You know, I think Sean wants to tell you his side of the story.” Emma stood and snatched one more chip layered with queso, leaned over the table, and shoved it in her mouth right in front of him. She yanked her coat and purse off the back of her chair and marched toward the door.
She was still seething when she got home, replaying Sean’s comment in her head. Was that seriously what he thought of her? That she was one of those girls with the signs sayingI’ll drop my panties for #4!
Ugh. Yes, Tyler was hot. Yes, over the past few days, she’d thought way more than she should have about his hands on his Tim Hortons cup, but that didn’t give Sean the right to tell her where tokeep her things.
This was why she’d stopped coming to the games in the first place. Ever since she broke things off with Alex, Sean was like a helicopter parent anytime he saw her out with any male with a pulse. Especially a guy with a pulse who also happened to play hockey.
Emma took the elevator up to her apartment, unlocked the door, and slipped inside, looping her purse over the hooks. She took off her coat and boots, then stomped into the kitchen and grabbed the washcloth next to the sink. A little rage cleaning always helped in situations like this.
She wiped down the cabinet doors, then moved on to the appliances, following up with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks. Her arms started to complain just as she finished. She dropped the rags on the counter and filled up a glass of water, then leaned up against the counter and gulped it down.
Her phone dinged in her purse. She set the glass down and walked over to grab it. Tyler Bowen’s name showed on the message banner. The hair on the back of her neck prickled. She swiped up and read the message.
Hey. Just wanted to apologize. I saw you leave and realized I probably made you uncomfortable. I wasn’t thinking, I’m sorry
Hope you enjoyed the game -T
Emma pursed her lips and started typing.
You didn’t make me uncomfortable. Sean was being Sean, and I have an early shoot tomorrow.
The game was a blast! I think you forgot to mention at Tim’s that you’re one of THE players on the team.
Next time, lead with that.
She pressed send and flicked off the lights in the kitchen, then walked down the hall to the bathroom. Her phone dinged again as she slipped a headband over her hair to keep it back while she washed her face.
Excellent advice. It would seem your marketing acumen isn’t limited to burgers and ice cream
Emma laughed and turned on the water. When it was warm, she splashed it over her face and scrubbed with a squirt of face wash. She reached for her towel and dried her skin, then picked up her phone from the counter. There was a second message below Tyler’s last one.
What do you mean Sean was being Sean?
She sighed. How to explain that in a few sentences?Sean is my only brother that lives close and he saw me devastated after my last relationship. He doesn’t trust me to make good decisions when it comes to men since that wasn’t my only relationship where a guy treated me like crap, so now he’s taken on the mantle of relationship advisor without my permission.Emma’s chest tightened as she tapped on the screen.
