Deadlines & Red Lines: Fast Ice Sports Romance

by Stephanie Julian

  Sugar had been dreading this conversation. She’d wanted to have it yesterday but had never found the time to get Georgie alone. Sugar had literally walked into the kitchen, put her apron on, and shuttled food for ten hours.

  She shouldn’t have been worried. Georgie’s response shouldn’t be a surprise. Most people were kind, wanted to lend a hand. Sugar just wasn’t used to taking the help. She was always the one being asked for help.

  “You okay, Shug? You look a little overwhelmed. Crystal, give the girl one of those sticky buns. Those things have enough sugar to juice you for days.”

  “Thank you, Georgie.”

  As she took the cinnamon- and icing-laden roll from the bakery chef, Sugar hoped Georgie knew that gratitude wasn’t just for the food.

  “Not needed. Just eat your bun then open the door. Oh, and I need you to run the lunch food over to RJ’s camp today. Our regular runner called in sick and Janine’s having trouble with her foot so she can’t drive.”

  Which was how she found herself, four hours later, shivering next to a huge sheet of ice, watching RJ skate backwards, followed by about twenty kids of various sizes, most of them screaming wildly. RJ’s smile made her heart pound and her mouth water.

  How could doing something as simple as skating make this man so damn sexy? And she wasn’t the only person who noticed. She’d been standing there watching him for several minutes, the rolling cart she’d used to bring in lunch forgotten by her side, pretty much oblivious to everything that wasn’t RJ.

  The not-so-dead women sitting in the stands, stainless thermal mugs clenched in their manicured hands, finally registered on Sugar when she heard one of them say his name.

  “I would love to get that man in a bed. RJ goes to my gym and, holy crap, he is built like a fucking Greek god. I can’t believe he’s single.”

  “That won’t last forever. Some skinny blonde puck bunny’ll tie him around her finger.”

  “He’s such a nice guy. Have you talked to him? He just seems like he’s genuinely interested in whatever you’re saying.”

  “If I ever got the guy alone, we wouldn’t be talking.”

  Their conversation was barely loud enough for Sugar to hear over the noise of the kids on the ice, but once she tuned into them, their voices became clear. She assumed they were there to watch their kids, though she couldn’t blame them for wanting to take a bite out of RJ. She certainly did.

  And tomorrow, you’ll get to.

  She grinned, taking a few more steps to reach the glass. RJ looked over at that moment and spotted her, the smile creasing his lips making it hard for her to breathe.

  “Who’s he smiling at?”

  “My god, could that man get any hotter? Seriously.”

  “Kinda young for him, isn’t she?”

  That last one threatened to suck a little of the joy out of her, but she refrained from responding, even though she was pretty sure they knew she’d been listening to them. And what did it matter? She was the one who’d been in his bed Sunday night. And hopefully would be again Wednesday night.

  Holding up his forefinger in her direction with a question in his eyes, she nodded, knowing he’d asked her to stay.

  The lunch rush was probably in full swing by now, but Georgie wouldn’t have sent Sugar if she couldn’t spare her. Not that Sugar would stay that much longer, but she didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to talk to him, even if it was only for a few seconds.

  Less than a minute later, the kids skated for the benches and the ice crew opened the large doors where she was standing. Moving to the side so they could do whatever they needed to do, she watched RJ bend down to pick up a little girl who’d fallen on her way. The little girl beamed up at him, talking nonstop as he got her caught up to the rest of the group.

  “Okay, everyone, take off your skates and put on your sneakers and we’ll get some lunch. Coach Jake’s going to go with you, and I’ll be there in a few minutes. Good job this morning. Get some food in you and we’ll play a couple of games this afternoon.”

  The cheer that went up from the bench made Sugar laugh, her first natural laugh all day. RJ turned and skated back to her, taking off his helmet as he closed the distance between them.

  But before he got to her, the moms called him by name, waving him over with smiles. She expected him to go. Instead, he nodded, waved, and skated over to Sugar.

  “Hey, this is a nice surprise.”

  “The delivery guy had an emergency. You look like you’re having a good time.”

  “I am. I forgot how much I love working with the little ones. They’ve got so much energy.”

  “I can’t believe how coordinated they are. I’d be falling on my ass.”

  “Then we’ll have to get you on skates, see how much you remember.”

  “I’d love to.”

  “They’re having an open skate Sunday morning. If you don’t work, we could come by then maybe go for brunch?”

  She wanted to say yes, but it would mean leaving Cookie most of Sunday because she was scheduled to work from three to eleven at Nero’s. Cookie would roll her eyes and tell her to go.

  When she didn’t answer, RJ continued. “Unless you have something else to do?”

  “I might. I have to work at three but… Can I get back to you? I just need to check something.”

  “Sure. No problem.”

  The words she needed to say burned the tip of her tongue. She wanted to tell him about her sister. Didn’t know why she kept putting it off, but it wasn’t something that came up in conversation easily. Especially not while they had an audience.

  The women who’d wanted to talk to him had moved closer, clearly listening to their conversation while trying to make it look like they weren’t.

  She shouldn’t care what they thought. Shouldn’t care what anyone thought.

  “Well, I should get back to work.”

  Nodding, he watched her take a few steps backward. “See you tomorrow, Sugar.”

  Turning, she hurried out before she could make a fool out of herself and steal the kiss she desperately wanted.

  “You bringing Sugar tomorrow night? You know she’s gonna be the center of attention, right? The women will be all over her. You sure you want to introduce her to everyone at once?”

  “She’ll know Tara. And the guys are all supposedly adults. Hopefully they’ll be on their best behavior.”

  Brody’s eyebrows rose. “Have you met our team? When are they ever on their best behavior? You’re the only one with any manners.”

  RJ didn’t respond because Brody wasn’t entirely wrong. “At least Straka won’t be there. He doesn’t get back ’til August.”

  “Small favors. I like the guy, but…”

  “He’s an ass.”

  Couldn’t argue with that either.

  “You give Dad an answer yet?”

  “No. And I know I need to. I just…haven’t figured out what to tell him.”

  “Still leaning toward no?”

  “Actually, I think I’m going to say yes.”

  Brody didn’t bother to hide his surprise. “Good. Now you’re more like yourself.”

  “I feel more like myself.”

  “Getting laid regularly will do that for a guy.”

  Brody grabbed the throw pillow he’d been resting his arm on and threw it at his brother, laughing when it caught Brody off-guard.

  “Dude. You mess up Tara’s decorating and she will kick your ass.”

  Brody and Tara had recently moved in together and Brody’s once-barren apartment, decorated only with books and hockey-related apparatus, had transformed into an explosion of color and comfort. Throw pillows, soft rugs, and actual pictures on the walls.

  And Brody was happier than RJ had ever seen him. All due to Tara.

  “Tara likes me. And she’d totally understand if I had to mess up her decorating to kick your butt.” His phone buzzed in his pocket and he checked the number. “Shit.”

  “What’s wrong?”<
br />
  RJ turned his phone toward Brody so he could read the screen.

  Brody’s expression turned hard. “You need to block that number. And don’t even think about answering that.”

  “I have no idea what she’d be calling about. I haven’t talked to her in almost a year.”

  Marisol had made it clear the last time he’d talked to her that she wanted a clean break. No contact. No late-night hookups. No nothing. He’d agreed, even though he’d felt blindsided. Better to have no contact at all.

  “Then you don’t need to start now.”

  He was about to send the call to voice mail when it stopped ringing on its own. Shaking his head, he shoved the phone back into his pocket.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not interested in revisiting that relationship in any way.”

  “Glad to hear it. You seeing Sugar tonight?”

  “No. She’s working until eight and she has stuff to catch up on.”

  “Guess you can’t just have sex all the time.”

  “You do have to eat sometimes.”

  “Are you sure you’re going to be okay? I don’t want to leave you if you’re not feeling well. What if you go into labor?”

  Cookie rolled her eyes as she lay on the couch, looking so damn uncomfortable, Sugar cringed just watching her try to position herself.

  “If I go into labor, I think you’re gonna have enough time to get home before I deliver. Most first-time pregnancies take forever so even if you’re an hour away, I think you’ll get here in plenty of time.”

  Sugar worried her bottom lip, torn between leaving her sister alone for the night and going to a party with RJ. On one hand, she knew Cookie was right. She’d gone with her sister to her appointment yesterday morning and the baby doctor had said she probably had another two weeks to go. On the other, her sister was nineteen, pregnant, and alone.

  Except for the diner full of people downstairs and Janine’s and Georgie’s numbers in her speed dial.

  “Okay. But I want you to call me if anything changes. I mean anything.”

  “Yes, of course. If I actually pee longer five seconds, you’ll know. Seriously, I’ll be fine. I’m actually looking forward to having an entire night of alone time.”

  “I’m not sure I’ll be out all night—”

  “Oh please. Why wouldn’t you spend the night at RJ’s? When you have to spend the night at home alone, all you do is mope. Please. Just have a good time.” Then she pointed at her belly and grinned. “But not too good.”

  Shaking her head, Sugar looked out the window at the street, trying to see RJ’s car. She’d told him to text when he got there, and she’d come down to him. She wondered if he thought it was weird they never came to her place. Then again, they’d already tried her bed and found it didn’t fit them.

  “Should I be worried that I want to spend all my time with him?”

  Sugar could see Cookie’s reflection in the mirror, saw her sister’s expression fall, and immediately wished she could take back the question.

  “No, I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be, if you really like someone.”

  “I really like him.”

  “Yeah, I kinda figured that out. We were all really worried about you after Bobby’s death. It’s nice to see you starting to live again.”

  “I didn’t stop living. I just…” She shrugged, not knowing how to express how she’d felt. “I just couldn’t find anything to be excited about. Does that make sense?”

  “Of course, it does.”

  “RJ excites me.” Her sister’s grin kicked in again. “And I don’t just mean that in a sexual way, so get your mind out of the gutter.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Although he’s really freaking good in bed. I mean, like, oh my god, amazing.”

  Cookie’s laughter rang through the small apartment just as she caught sight of RJ’s car pulling up to the front of the building.

  Pulling out her phone, she texted she’d be right down and turned to grab her purse.

  “How do I look?”

  “Like you plan to have sex all night. You look fine, Shug. You better get going or he’s going to park and come looking for you. And I’m guessing you don’t want to surprise him with the pregnant sister he doesn’t know you have. And before you take that the wrong way, I’m not up for company, so get a move on.”

  Shit. Sugar looked down at herself, wondering if she should change for, like, the hundredth time. RJ had said they’d be outside, and it was summer in the city, so she’d worn a pretty, purple cami dress with a ruffled hem that hit midthigh, left most of her back bare and plainly showed she wasn’t wearing a bra. And didn’t need one.

  Since she wouldn’t know anyone other than Brody and Tara, she was a little afraid she was going to stand out.

  Screw it.

  Walking to the couch, she hugged Cookie before heading for the door.

  “I’m not ashamed of you, you know that, right?”

  “I know. Have fun tonight. Forget about the fact that I turned your life upside down for a few hours.”

  Like that was going to happen. “Love you. Call me if you need anything. An-y-thing.”

  Her sister saluted her as she headed out, knowing if she thought about this anymore, she wouldn’t leave. But every step that took her closer to him, her heart felt a little lighter and the weight on her shoulders lifted.

  And when she stepped out of her building, not even the soupy humidity of Philadelphia in August could drag down her spirits. The platform sandals made her feel even more feminine than the dress and when she stepped up to RJ, waiting for her by passenger door, she could almost kiss his chin if he tilted his head down and she tilted her head back. Almost.

  “You look beautiful.”

  She’d never had anyone say that to her.

  Stopping in her tracks, Sugar stared up at RJ, momentarily speechless. What was she supposed to say to that? All she could think of was, “Thank you,” but that didn’t seem enough. Not with the way those words in his voice made her feel.

  But she said them anyway then tried not to let it show that she actually felt tears welling in her eyes. Everything she’d been keeping bottled inside wanted to spill out, but he’d probably think she was crazy. So she forced herself to smile, which wasn’t that hard when she took a good look at him. Wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a dark blue t-shirt that stretched across his chest and made her want to pet him, he looked like every single one of her teenage fantasies come to life.

  She’d never fallen for the bad boys. She’d been smart enough to know those boys only led to heartache. Of course, her first love had broken her heart in so many other ways. But RJ was the whole package. Sweet, smart, kind, considerate. A decent guy.

  And while some girls might find that boring, she’d just smile and think about all the ways he was not boring in bed.

  “I totally want to know what that smile is for but before we both melt, why don’t we get in the car in the air conditioning? Then you can tell me what you’re thinking.”

  Opening the door for her, he helped her into the leather passenger seat of his Grand Cherokee before shutting her door and getting into the driver’s side. He stuck the key in the ignition but didn’t start it right away.

  Instead, he turned to look at her as she sat there and ate him up with her eyes.

  “How was your day off?”

  Perfect opening to tell him about Cookie. Except the words got stuck in her throat. “Busy, catching up on stuff around the house. Laundry. Cleaning.” Obstetrician visit. “How was camp?”

  His smile stole the air from her lungs. “Great. I love working with the little guys. So much fun. And you remember Danny, right? From the diner?”

  When she nodded, his smile got even bigger.

  “He’s got a boatload of natural talent. I mean, the kid’s only six but he can skate like he was born on ice and he can handle a stick while he skates, which is amazing at his age. I need to talk to his mom about getting him i
nto a league this winter. Gotta figure out a way to funnel the money so his parents don’t feel like it’s charity, but it would be a damn shame if that kid didn’t play.”

  Then he leaned across the middle console, put his hand on her chin, and kissed her with enough heat to make her thighs clench.

  “I wanted to do that all day.” Then he grinned. “But we better get going or we’ll get arrested for public indecency. Have I told you how great you look?”

  Then he turned the key, started the car, and pulled away from the curb. Even with the air blowing full blast, she felt like she was on fire from her core out.

  “I want to apologize in advance for some of the guys,” he said as he navigated through the city toward West Philadelphia. “Some of them aren’t as civilized as they pretend to be.”

  “Will the whole team be there?”

  “No. Some of the guys are still on vacation or visiting family. There’ll probably be about thirty people, including the WAGs.”

  “Wags?”

  “Wives and girlfriends.”

  Did she fit into that designation? The girlfriend designation?

  “A lot of the guys who’ll be here tonight played together in Reading, so they’ve known each for years. Come to think of it, I’ll probably be the oldest guy there.”

  “Does that bug you?”

  “That I’m older than most of them? Nah. I’m pretty comfortable with where I am in my life right now.”

  “At the top of your game?”

  He flashed her a smile. “Been checking out the ESPN blog?”

  Why did such a little thing like his smile make her forget her damn name? “Maybe I saw something scroll through my feed the other day and maybe I decided to read it.”