Kiss and Don't Tell(127)

Winnie: Karate chop, maybe?

Pacey: Nah, this boy uses fists.

Winnie: Oh, how could I forget all of the fighting in hockey?

Pacey: It’s one of the reasons hockey fans tune in.

Winnie: Was there a fight after you got injured?

Pacey: Not right after, but after I was taken off the ice and the game resumed, Hornsby crushed McAllister, the guy who did the slap shot, right into the boards. A cheap shot, and then that turned into a brawl.

Winnie: I can’t see Eli fighting. He doesn’t seem like that kind of guy.

Pacey: He’s really good at not getting hit in the face. Not sure if it’s height or what, but in all the years I’ve known him, I’ve seen him with one black eye. And don’t let his easygoing attitude fool you, the man is a killer on the ice.

Winnie: I guess I’ll just have to believe it when I see it.

Pacey: Plan on watching some games this fall?

Winnie: Won’t hurt me to tune in.

Pacey: Who knows? Maybe you might find a favorite player.

Winnie: Maybe . . .





Pacey: Guess what?

Winnie: What?

Pacey: I found a four-leaf clover today.

Winnie: Send a picture.

Pacey: [picture]

Winnie: Wow, you really are good at finding them. Where are you?

Pacey: The park. Thought I’d take a walk.

Winnie: Risky since you’re often recognized.

Pacey: Needed out of the house. Feeling restless today. I’m not used to being here over summer so I needed some fresh air. Luckily, only one person recognized me.

Winnie: Well, looks like luck is on your side today.

Pacey: You think so?

Winnie: I do.

Pacey: If that’s the case, can I ask you something?

Winnie: Sure.

Pacey: Think I can FaceTime you tonight? Totally okay if you’re not cool with that. Just thought it would be nice to see your face.

Winnie: I would like that.

Pacey: Cool. I’ll call you later, then.





“You’re sweating,” Hornsby says. He just got back from Banff and is in town for a few days. He has meetings with his agent about different sponsorships.

“Of course I’m fucking sweating.” I wipe at my brow. “I’m seeing Winnie for the first time in over a month tonight. I’m nervous.”

“What are you going to say to her?” Posey asks as he takes a bite of fudge. Hornsby spoils the guy.

“I don’t know, regular things.”

“What are regular things?” Hornsby asks.

“Like . . . how’s the job, what’s the weather like, those kinds of things.”

“Oof, that’s boring,” Posey whispers. “Good luck, man.”

I lift my eyes to him and point to my front door. “Out. Both of you.”

“Touch-y,” Hornsby says while he gathers Posey and they head to the front door. “Just remember, be cool and don’t break the patience rule.”

“Fuck your patience rule,” I say as I sit down at my dining room table and prop the phone up. My dinner is in front of me and I’m ready for a conversation. Earlier, I asked her if it was okay if I called her around dinnertime. Told her I would be eating and she’s more than welcome to eat with me.

She said that would be fun.

And that’s when the sweating began.

My front door clicks shut, I take a few deep breaths, wipe my hands on my shorts, and then I call her up on FaceTime.

Be cool, man. Be cool.

After three rings, she answers, and my heart nearly beats out of my chest when she comes into view.

Fuck, she’s so goddamn beautiful.

“Hey,” she says shyly.

“Hey, you,” I say, taking her all in. Her almost platinum hair is down and straight, she has mascara on, highlighting her eyes, and she’s wearing a simple blue top that makes her eyes seem even bluer, if possible. In front of her is a plate of tacos. I’m not surprised. “Tacos?”

She nods. “I can’t help myself. What about you?”

I tip the phone down. “Salad.” I bring the phone back up. “It’s a pretty lame dinner, but the diet Doc has me on has been helping, too.”

“Are you going to be jealous watching me eat my tacos?”

Only because your tacos get to touch your mouth and I don’t.

“Very jealous,” I say.

“Well, you can live vicariously through me.” She pushes her hair back and then lifts up one of her hard-shell tacos and takes a bite. The crunch makes my mouth water. “Mmm,” she says in a teasing tone.

“Brutal,” I say while I stick my fork in my lettuce and bring it to my mouth.

“That looks appetizing.” Her voice drips with sarcasm.

“It’s not.”

She laughs and, fuck, I’ve missed that sound, that smile, the way she so easily meshes with me.

“So how is the new job?” I ask her.

“Hard. It’s challenging, which is a good thing, but I feel like I’m doing a lot of studying right now, making sure I know what I’m doing. The materials are easy to understand, nothing new about creating enriching environments, but there’s more information to remember than I was expecting.”

“Ah, you know what you’re doing, but I understand the need to reaffirm that. But you’re liking it so far?”