Roman (Cold Fury Hockey #7)(61)

And damn, how can just that simple movement make him look even more gorgeous than I normally think he is? I’m surprised I don’t swoon on the floor right there.

But then my stomach sort of drops when I realize that Roman is not smiling back at me. My gaze slides to Gray as she walks toward me, and while she looks happy and relaxed to see me, I note her shoulders are a bit stiff with tension.

“Hey,” I say as she reaches me, and then I’m surprised when she steps in for a quick hug.

“Hey,” she says back, but as we release she says in a low, frustrated voice, “Sorry to keep Roman for a few minutes. I’m clearly not happy with him and we had to have a word.”

I’m a little shocked by this statement, and why she would say that to me. I know she’s no fan of his, but she also seemed to support my decision to see him. I glance over to Roman, still standing at the door, his face grave but patient while I talk to Gray.

When I look back at my sister, I can’t help but ask, “Not happy about the fight he had with that other player?”

“Pretty much,” she says softly, and in a tone that says I should be agreeing with her on this.

But I don’t know why she would, because I’m not sure what he did wrong.

So I ask for clarification. “I don’t understand, fighting’s allowed in hockey.”

Gray gives me a patient look and explains. “Fighting is tolerated in hockey, and only when two players equally participate while play is alive, and even then it’s penalized. That is not what happened tonight.”

“Oh,” I say, my mind trying to replay what really happened out there. It all took place so fast that I’m not really sure. I just know that other player was near where I was sitting on the ice, sticking his tongue out I think at me but I wasn’t sure. Then Roman was on top of him and I knew for sure. But I’d watched them have scuffles all night and figured there’d be a fight.

“Roman cross-checked him from behind, which isn’t only disallowed, it can come with a suspension,” she explains further, and by the look on her face, I know she expects me to join her in her disappointment with Roman.

But I’m not sure I can. We’ve talked about his style of play and how he pushes at the rules. It’s what makes him good. And what also makes him feared…his unpredictability. It’s who he is.

“Look. I just wanted to say a quick hello,” Gray says hastily, giving me another quick hug, but there’s no mistaking the distaste in her voice when she adds, “I know you have plans tonight.”

What the hell? I thought she was on board with Roman and me, and I get that as a general manager, she might be mad at him right now, but she actually makes me feel stupid for being with him. Her tone of voice implies I should know better.

But I don’t say anything to her about it, because now isn’t the time, and also, our relationship is new and I want it to stay on track. Maybe tomorrow night we’ll be able to chat in a more relaxed atmosphere.

“Well, thanks for coming by to see me,” I tell her gratefully, giving her a hard return hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

She pulls away, stares into my eyes with a gentle look…almost nostalgic. “Okay, see you tomorrow night. We’ll have so much fun and I can’t wait to hear you perform.”

“Same here,” I say, and then watch as she leaves the family room. Roman doesn’t give her a glance but pushes away from the doorjamb before she reaches him, walking by without a word.

My gaze slides to his and he’s looking at me with raised eyebrows as if silently asking, So…what did your sister have to say about me now?

I turn and grab my purse from a small table where I had set it and cross the lounge to him, which is almost empty. When I reach Roman, I immediately step right into him and it feels natural and right. His arms come around me, although his gear bag makes it a bit awkward.

As I hug him, I whisper, “You okay?”

“I’ve had better days,” he admits in a tired voice as he releases me. “Ready to go?”

“Sure,” I say as I hitch my purse strap up a bit and smile at him tentatively. “What do you want to do?”

I ask because our plans hadn’t been firmed up. We had discussed going out to a nearby hangout where the rest of the team goes, or going for a few drinks somewhere quiet. I’m fine with either, to be honest.

“I’m kind of beat,” he says as he takes my hand and leads me out of the lounge. When we hit the hallway, he says, “How about I just take you home and we call it a night?”

I stop suddenly and pull my hand forcefully from his. He turns to look at me in surprise.

“Oh no you don’t, Roman Sykora,” I snap at him as I cross my arms over my chest. “You are not going to pull away from me because you had a shitty game and probably a shitty encounter with my sister.”

I half expect him to get mad, but instead his lips curl slightly in amusement. “Oh yeah?”

“Yes,” I say softly, and then step back up to him. Resting a hand on his chest, I tell him, “I’m sorry you had a bad game. I don’t think I really understand what happened tonight. All I know is you look unhappy, and Gray was clearly unhappy, and I’m now not happy because of that.”

“See, that’s what I hate about this shit,” Roman says in frustration. “Whatever this shit is between Gray and me shouldn’t touch you.”