Rush: The Season (Austin Arrows Book 1)(51)

I watch as she heads over to one of the tables currently occupied, greeting people and asking if they need anything.

I don’t move for a long minute, staring at her while she works. I know I should go home and go to sleep. I should go home, go to sleep, and forget this crazy notion that I need to make a move on this woman before I never have the opportunity.

Unfortunately, I have never been good at taking directions. Not even from myself.

“Hey, Rush! How ’bout some shots, man?”

I turn toward the guys at the back. We have a game tomorrow, so shots are out of the question for me, although I’m slightly tempted after that erotic shoulder massage that has me worked up more than it should.

Giving in would be stupid, but for a few minutes, I actually weigh my options.





16

Bianca

Saturday, October 22nd

When my mom mentioned that Kingston wanted me to go with him to the children’s hospital, I wasn’t about to say no. I’ve visited that place so many times over the years, usually with Kingston, but sometimes with Uncle Optimus. They both tell me how proud they are that I’m willing to give a part of myself and not ask for anything in return.

Honestly, I’ve never thought about asking for something in return. I don’t know why someone would. It makes me sad sometimes to see the kids when they’re really sick, but a lot of the time I get to laugh and talk, and it makes me feel good. I don’t think I’d feel good if I was expecting something back.

Because Kingston had morning skate before his game tonight, I’m waiting for him to show up. I texted Gabby to let her know that we’re still on for the game and that we’ll be by to pick her up at seven. She seems excited, but it’s only because she wants to see what Josh Locke looks like in person. I told her we probably wouldn’t get to see him play because Kingston is in goal. But we will get to see him sitting on the bench, which is cool, too.

“Bianca! Kingston’s here!”

I grab my phone and bounce up from my bed. My eyes immediately go to my laptop sitting on my desk. I run over to check it, making sure I’m logged into the right Facebook account. I don’t want my mom to get curious and find the other one. I know she likes to look at my accounts from time to time. She’s nosy like that.

“Bianca!”

“Coming!” I yell back, verifying that I do have the right account open, then running out of the room and down the stairs.

“Hey, kiddo,” Kingston greets when I reach the bottom of the stairs.

We bump knuckles and he throws his arm around me.

“I’ll have her back in two hours. I have to make this short today because of the game.”

My mom nods at Kingston, and I notice the way she’s looking at him. I can tell she really likes him, but I’ve thought that for a while now. She always says nice things about him, and I know she tells Noelle that she thinks he’s cute. Still, I can’t help but think about what Gabby said. If my mom loves Kingston, will my dad not want me?

I don’t want to think about that right now. I’ve been thinking about it too much as it is. It doesn’t even matter unless my dad actually sees the Facebook post and knows that I’m alive.

Once we’re in Kingston’s truck, he points to the radio. “It’s all yours,” he says.

Smiling, I reach over and change the station, turning up the volume while he rolls down the windows. It’s what we do. He might not like my choice in music, but he pretends to because this is our thing.





Ellie

Although my usual seats are up higher so that I can get a good view of the entire rink, this time I opted for seats down close to the ice. Since Gabby is with us, I used her as an excuse, but in reality, I wanted to get closer to Kingston. I’ll get to see him up close for two periods, and the girls will get a better view of the guys on the bench.

When the lights in the arena go out, I find myself sitting on the edge of my seat. I’ve got a beer in one hand and the other is gripping my phone tightly. My eyes are glued to the place where the players will come out. I’ve been to hundreds of games in my lifetime, but oddly, this one seems like the first. I don’t know what it is or why I’ve developed some crazy childish crush on Kingston, but I have.

The announcer’s deep baritone echoes throughout the darkened arena: Okay, hockey fans. Let’s give it up for your Austin Arrows!

People are on their feet, thunderous applause, along with the whistles of true fans, making it impossible to hear. I love this part. Every time the guys come out on the ice, a thrill races through me.

I keep my eyes peeled for Kingston as the players filter through the giant LED alien head. Well, technically it’s a skull, but it looks like an alien head to me. My heart skips a beat when he comes out on the ice. I can’t look away as he moves over to the net directly in front of me. He looks so focused, so intense. Part of me wishes he would look my way, but the other part doesn’t want him distracted. This is only the fourth game this season, and there are seventy-eight more after this, but to a player, I know that every single game matters.

“Mommy! He looks so cool.”

I glance over at Bianca. She’s staring at Kingston, as well.

And she’s right, he does look cool in all that gear. His helmet is the coolest. It’s black with Arrows written across the front, just above the mask that protects his face. The entire thing is airbrushed with a mountain design on one side, which includes his number. On the other, the Arrows logo. There is something about a goalie mask. It’s just so … hot.