Filed to story: Luci Forrester and Easton Reed: Hockey Romance Story
“Someone let me in,” I reply casually.
“Syd is the only one with a key…” she mumbles, her eyes darting around the room. My two-seat bistro table is set with plates, Chinese food containers scattered around, an open jug of tea beside them, and a glass lying on its side. Candles remain unlit, adding to the chaos.
“Yes. Now, where’s your first aid kit, Luci?” I ask, but she seems lost in thought, trying to piece together what I was doing.
“Why were you here?” she presses, her curiosity piqued.
“I’ll explain everything, but first things first, Luci. You’re bleeding. Where’s the first aid kit?”
“It’s not that bad. Why were you…” I barely hear her as I scoop her up over my shoulder and carry her into the kitchen. I set her down on the counter, my hands resting on either side of her hips.
“First aid kit, Luci. I’ll be the judge of how bad it is. Those skates were filthy.”
“It’s in my bathroom cabinet. I’ll get it,” she insists, trying to scoot down, but I glare at her.
“You will keep your cute little ass on this counter until I get back.” I watch her mouth drop open, and I place my finger over her lips. “If you’ve moved when I come back, I will paddle your ass red with my hockey stick.”
“What…?” she breathes out, shock evident in her eyes. My words seem to have stunned her into compliance.
I smirk, knowing I’ve caught her off guard. “Knew that would shock you into staying.” I throw over my shoulder as I walk away, aware of my own tension as I try to maintain my usual controlled demeanor. When I return two minutes later, shaking my head, I pull out band-aids and antiseptic wipes. I take a deep breath, looking down at her arm in the light. “I can do it,” she says, reaching for the pad, but I hold it away from her, both eyebrows raised.
“Is the sassy Luci Forrester scared it might sting?” I tease, echoing her earlier words. She frowns hard before extending her arm.
It stings more than I expect, and I wince as I apply the antiseptic. “Sorry,” I mutter, placing the bandage over the cut. “Not too deep, but we need to keep an eye on it and clean it regularly. Anyone who can’t attach skate blade guards probably never checks if they’re rusty or filthy.”
“Umm, you said you would explain,” she prompts again, running her nails over her thumbs, clearly anxious.
“It was meant to be dinner, like a date, but I had to rush to the rink. How the hell did he get you there?”
“Did you say a date?” My mind zeroes in on that word, my heart racing.
“Yes, sweetness. Focus for me, please. How did he lure you into the rink?”
“He didn’t. Stormi asked me to come by there.”
Luci
Kane Brown What Ifs ft. Lauren Alaina
“Your new friend?” Easton’s eyes glance away as he thinks. “Does she know who Cole truly is? I saw her earlier during practice….”
I reach up to touch his hand as I rapidly shake my head. “No, we didn’t tell her anything other than I babysit him. Not even his last name. And Cole’s never said anything about his family to her. She only saw him at the game I swear.”
“I believe you, Luci.” He frowns angrily. “Did she pretend to be your friend? You are calling her right now. And I want to see the text she sent you.”
I feel the torn skin on his knuckle and tug at his hand.
“Easton, you’re hurt! Let me see the other one.”
His knuckles are torn on both hands but worse on the right one. “We need to clean these. The human mouth is absolutely filthy.”
His lips twitch as his eyes light up. “Some more than others sweetness. Especially with the right inspiration.”
I’m busy yanking out the peroxide and more cotton pads. “What?” I ask as again I lose focus.
“I’ll demonstrate later. You going to take care of me now Luci?”
I nod and gently press the soaked cotton to them. “You might need to be tested for rabies or something considering it was Maxton. How many times did you hit him?”
“Not enough. He was still breathing.” He says tightly.
“Sorry, am I hurting you?” I glance up at his face with concern.
“Killing me sweetness.” He answers and I stare down at the cleaned scrapes.
“I don’t think I can bandage them.”
“They’ll be fine. Not the first time I’ve done this.” He flexes them.