The Sport of Romance: A Multi-Author Box Set

by Cari Quinn

  Darren hadn’t thought of that and now his skin flushed, embarrassed. Cody’s first job had been in a mechanic shop. But if he’d called Cody, he couldn’t have had Val come back with him. Not that he’d done it on purpose. He’d forgotten to take his phone.

  The right thing to do would be to get Cody to look at it now, but even though Cody was married, he didn’t want his friend anywhere near Val. Possession twisted in his gut, wrenching his stomach so hard that he almost ran to the bathroom. He forced himself to remain rooted to the spot. He had no right to be possessive.

  “Stop that, dude.”

  Darren jerked from his thoughts to find Cody scowling at him. “What?”

  “That creepy, caveman stare. You really like this girl?”

  Darren blinked. It took him a moment to comprehend exactly what Cody had said.

  “I just got a divorce. Like is a strong word.” Like. It was a good word for how he felt.

  “Please, that marriage was only a year. And you were separated for five months of it.” Cody shrugged. “I like the bar girl. She’s cool people.”

  “So glad I have your fucking approval,” Darren growled. He jerked to his feet, plagued by a need to find her. When he turned, Val stood in the doorway, uncertainty wafting from her in soft waves of tension. She had a healthy post-orgasm glow that made her skin shimmer. He met her halfway. The awkward vibe coming off her slapped him in the face. What had just been sexy and warm was now icy to the touch.

  “Do you mind if I hang out a while longer?” Her voice was quiet, her eyes nervously casing the room. “Nick’s out on a date. No one else is picking up their phone right now.”

  “No, that’s great! Come, I’ll introduce you to the guys.”

  He didn’t give her a chance to protest. He took her hand. Gavin and Misha were fighting over who got first player on the game they’d put in. Gavin’s Italian temper was making his face redden, but it vanished as he saw Val.

  “Val, that monster in the chair over there is Cody. He’s a Highlander goalie. Cody, this is Valerie.”

  Cody stood, wiping his hand on his jeans before offering it to her.

  “Nice to meet you,” Cody smiled at her, his boyish grin lowering the tension in her shoulders. Cody had that nice guy feeling about him. Darren had noticed it before, at team events. He especially had a way with kids. Despite his large size, he had a way of putting them at ease.

  He turned to Gavin and Misha, who had temporarily stopped their bickering. He’d figured Gavin would, having been brought up in an Italian household with parents big on protocols and etiquette.

  Gavin held out his hand to Val. “Gavin Ferrara. Tu sei provocante.”

  Darren frowned and tightened his hold on Val’s left hand. She glanced at him for a second before she answered Gavin. “Hello. So, you’re a hockey player too?”

  He nodded. “Yup. Even the rookie here.” Gavin slapped Misha on the back, ignoring the glare he got in return.

  “Idi na xuy husesos,” Misha muttered.

  “That’s Misha. He’s Russian. Ignore his rudeness.” Darren pointed to the younger man. Misha didn’t offer his hand, instead waving from a safe personal distance. His cheeks were a little redder than normal, the dark stubble on his face standing out from the flushed skin.

  Val turned to him. “Can we talk?”

  “Yeah, you want a beer?”

  “No,” she said, her face stoic. He glanced at her, her eyes shifting around the room, everywhere but at him.

  He set his beer down and glanced at the guys, who’d returned their attention to the game on the screen. “I’ll be back, guys.”

  He headed into the hallway, but Val stopped and shook her head. “Maybe outside?” He nodded and turned toward the other way, back out the front door to the porch.

  * * *

  With summer slowly bleeding off, the temperatures had cooled somewhat. Val followed Darren out to the front porch. Trepidation made her want to hide, and she was so damn exhausted anyway.

  She was confused as hell. But the orderly brain inside her head didn’t want to continue this—whatever this was—without a set plan. Were they dating? Were they fuck buddies? Friends? She needed to know that they were defined. Losing her job had her world on end, but she at least wanted some kind of order where Darren was concerned.

  Darren glanced around, turning his large body around in a circle. He sighed. “Sorry, must have trashed the porch furniture.”

  The dejected look on his face reminded her of a child who’d been denied a cookie. Then another thought crept in her brain, planting insidious thoughts she couldn’t seem to set aside. How many months had it been since Darren’s divorce? Three? Four? One didn’t get over a marriage in a few months.

  “Darren…” She huffed out a frustrated sigh. “This is hard.”

  “That sounds like the beginning of a breakup speech, Val.”

  “We’d have to be in a relationship to breakup.”

  “I thought we were.”

  Val’s gaze shot to Darren. A relationship. He thought they were in a relationship? Sex didn’t equal a relationship, did it?

  “You know, Val, I get that your world is all a-flutter right now. I’m sorry you lost your job. I’d like to know you better.” Darren took her hand. “I like you.”

  “It’s too much for me. And for you. You just got a divorce.”

  “I know,” Darren nodded, placing his hands on his hips. “What if we took it slow?”

  “Slow? What we just did in your office is slow?” She laughed but it came out more like a croak.

  “Well, no,” he admitted. “I meant from here on. Look, Val, I like you. But I think you might be on to something when you say that we’re not ready for a hot and heavy relationship.” His expression turned thoughtful.

  “Should we stop?” That question shouldn’t have hurt her gut so much to ask.

  “It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing thing. What if we… I don’t know.” His brow furrowed. Then his brow shot up and his lips turned up. “We should date.”

  She stared at him, mouth agape, speechless. That was not what she expected. “You’re serious?”

  “Well, yeah.” His tone had a little bit of a “duh” factor laced in it as he laughed. “I’m a hockey player, chica. I don’t know how to bullshit people. But I do know how to fight for what I want. So what do ya say?”

  She frowned, still feeling a little unsure. She leaned against the wooden railing.

  He smiled and stepped up to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Here’s what I’m thinking. Let’s do a real date, an official one. We can decide after that if we want to keep doing it.”

  “What did you have in mind?” Val asked, curiosity taking over. She hated to admit it, but she wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Darren. But she shouldn’t have been thinking about it. She had enough to deal with. But there was a small part of her, slowly growing, that wanted more from Darren Moran.

  He grinned, “Now, mi querida, that’s for me to plan. Yours to enjoy.”

  “I don’t like surprises,” she said in all seriousness.

  “Yes, but that sounded better than saying ‘I don’t know yet’ didn’t it?” He winked at her. “Come sit with me for a bit while the guys play. Unless…” He paused. “Do you want me to take you home?”

  She shook her head. “Nah. I’m good.”

  “Cool, because I was going to con Cody into looking at your car. But I need to give him at least two more beers.”

  She laughed. He spread his arms wide, inviting her in. She melded herself against his side, wrapping her arms around his waist. He was so warm, so firm and strong. A year ago, she’d have jumped to have Darren chasing after her like this. But now everything was different. He was divorced and she was… well, she was just a mess.

  * * *

  Val wanted to laugh at her boss’s plight but with the mood he was in? She didn’t dare. The man was seriously jonesing for a cigarette. Nick slammed the cabinet doors below th
e bar top shut.

  His daughter, Zoey looked up from the notebook she was writing in, a frown on her face. Soft blonde curls fell over her shoulders as she scrutinized her father.

  “Shit. I need the money drawer!” Nick stalked without waiting for a response to the back room, where the safe was.

  Val sighed and grabbed her tray with the tabletop drink menus to go set them on the tables.

  Zoey turned. “What’s up with Dad?”

  Val chuckled as she walked around the room, setting the menus on each table. “Girl problems.”

  “Oh is it that photographer chick who’s been coming in a lot?” Zoey grinned, an excited glow taking over her expression. “She’s cute.”

  Val nodded. “Yeah. Jen’s good people.”

  “So what’s the problem?” Zoey asked.

  She looked back at the doors he’d stormed through. Nick might end up killing them all in the mood he was in. But there was always the possibility of using Zoey as a shield. The guy wouldn’t hurt his own offspring, right?

  “He quit smoking,” Val giggled. “Because she said she didn’t like the smell.”

  “Oh!” Zoey snorted. “That explains the sudden cleaning spree he went on. You know, I’ve been telling him to quit for months.”

  “It’s a little different when it comes from someone you swap spit with.”

  “Ew, Val, that’s my dad.” Zoey made a face of pure disgust. Her face changed and she leaned forward. “So, I hear you’re dating a hockey player.”

  Val’s cheeks burned. “I wouldn’t say dating.” She cleared her throat. “I should go make sure your dad didn’t torch the place back there.”

  “Dude, Val. You have to tell me everything.” Zoey turned on the stool so she stared right at Val. Val shook her head. “Oh, come on. I never get any of the good stuff. Dad certainly doesn’t tell me anything.”

  “I just talked about them kissing and you were all ‘ew!’” Val laughed. “Do you really want to know about his sex life too?”

  “Well, no. Ew.” Zoey scrunched up her face in a grossed-out grimace.

  “See?”

  “But we’re not talking about Dad here, we’re talking about you. You’re not related, so it’s okay.”

  “You’re nuts, Zoey,” Val chuckled.

  “So, who’s the boyfriend?”

  “We’re not dating.” At least, they hadn’t done the whole “date” thing. That was coming, apparently, but until then? She still didn’t know what to call it.

  “Right. Okay. Who?”

  Val stopped. Zoey might be legally an adult, but she acted more like a teenager. But she seemed intent on knowing. What was the harm in it?

  “Fine. You know Darren, right? One of the hockey players that come in?”

  “Oh!” Zoey’s eyes widened. “He’s hot! All my friends love him. Is he a good kisser? Is he pretty well endowed?”

  Val stopped what she was doing and turned around. “What? We’re not talking about that, Zoey.”

  “Oh, come on, Val!”

  “Not kissing and telling!”

  “Aha!” Zoey jumped in the seat and pointed at her. “So there is kissing!”

  “Zoey…” Val sighed. Zoey’s face fell and she sat back down. “What’s really bugging you? You never have shown this much interest in your dad’s love life, let alone mine.”

  She slid into the stool next to Zoey. Zoey glanced at her from the corner of her eye. “Nothing.”

  “Liar.”

  “It’s just…” Zoey blew out a breath of pure frustration. “I met a guy.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Val scooted closer. “Who?”

  Zoey’s eyes darted around. “Just a guy. It doesn’t matter anyway. He’s gay.”

  “Oh, honey. I’m sorry.”

  “He’s really cute. And sweet. And he comes from a good family. Dad would like him, I think.”

  “You can’t chase after a gay man, honey. You don’t have the right parts. Too much software.”

  “Yeah.” Zoey slumped. “I know. I figure, if I can’t be happy, I’d at least like you and Dad to be happy.”

  “You are eighteen, Zoey.” Val turned on her professional voice. “You have a lifetime to find someone.”

  “There’s nothing saying that I can’t have a gay husband, right?” Zoey asked.

  Val snorted. “You’re silly, Zoey. Just be patient.”

  “Right. Patience.” Zoey rolled her eyes in that oh-so-teenage way that she hadn’t quite out-grown yet. “I’m gonna go to the library. Will you let the Angry Bald Monster know when he comes back?”

  Val laughed. “Yeah. I’ll tell him.”

  “Thanks, Val!” Zoey collected her things and shoved them in her bag. As she walked out of the bar, Val flopped back onto one of the bar stools.

  She was exhausted, both mentally and physically. And in twenty-eight hours and fifty-four minutes, she was going to be on her “first date” with Darren.

  * * *

  Val looked like she was going to hurl. It wasn’t going quite how Darren had pictured it. He’d hoped that taking her ice skating would help her to see that there was more to him. An ice-breaker of a sort, as a prelude to the date he wanted to take her on.

  He held her hands in his, feeling the warmth of her fingertips even through the knitted purple gloves she wore. Her eyes were glued to the ice, her unsteady feet moving so slowly.

  “I don’t like this,” she said, her voice shaking. It was the daytime public session, so there was just them and a six year old figure skater who seemed to entertain herself by skating circles around them and giggling.

  “It’s just like walking, except with a little more glide,” the girl said while demonstrating with ease. Val glared at her. Darren pushed his skate out, propelling himself backwards, and taking Val with him and away from the girl. Her skates wobbled and she gripped his hands tighter.

  “There you go. One foot in front of the other.”

  “What possessed you to think this was fun?” She grumbled, but he knew she wasn’t serious. A faint upturn of her full lips gave her away, even as she stared down at her skates.

  “Don’t look down,” Darren admonished her, releasing one of her hands to lift her chin. He made her keep eye contact with him. “It ruins your balance.”

  “All right,” she sighed, her dark orbs never leaving his eyes. “Let me try.”

  He didn’t let go immediately. Instead, he let her get her own bearings. She loosened her death grip on his hands, little bit by bit. She blew out a breath, her mouth o-shaped. He wanted to lean over and kiss her, but he was both afraid of screwing up her concentration and making her fall. He was also stuck in that awkward want-to-kiss-her-but-what-if phase. The longing to touch her more ripped through his soul with every squeeze of her hand on his.

  It had been a few days since that talk on the porch. He’d tried to keep himself from mauling her every chance he got. But a week without more than a quick peck on the lips was wearing on him. He’d tasted her sweetness, and reveled in the feel of her naked body on his. He wanted more.

  He flipped around on his skates so she was at his side. She glared at him. “Showoff.”

  He laughed and took her hand again. “I’m not a showoff.”

  She wrapped her arm around his, content to let him guide them around the ice. He liked this, how easy it was between them. He liked sharing even a little of his hockey life with her. “It must be an adrenaline rush for you on the ice every night.”

  He laughed. “It can be. Mostly, skating is just like running or walking now. I’ve done it so long it’s like second nature.”

  “Now why is it from you that’s hot, but from her,” she paused long enough to glance at the skating girl on the other side, “it’s annoying as hell to hear it.”

  “Because you like me?” He grinned.

  “I could see that.” She glanced around at the large rink. It was where the Highlanders practiced, but today was an off day. Even so, there were a few people in the stan
ds he knew would be ambushing them as soon as they stepped off the ice. They were probably wondering who Val was. He pulled her closer, his protective desire to see her safe from his fans rearing its head. Not that the fans were dangerous, but he didn’t want anything to scare her off. He had a feeling she’d be skittish in a large crowd.

  He took a deep breath, because for the first time in forever, he was actually nervous about asking a girl out. Even one he had already been sleeping with for weeks.

  “So, I was thinking about where we could go on our date,” he began.

  Val looked at him in confusion. “Wait, I thought—” She pointed around them.

  He separated from her, slicing across the surface of the ice into a Mohawk turn, and took her hands. Skating backward, he pulled her along with him.

  “You thought I took you ice skating for a date? I may be a dumb jock, Valerie Chase, but I’m not an idiot. I just thought you might enjoy doing something like this. You know, as a friend.”

  “So what did you have in mind then, friend?”

  “Okay, maybe not a friend. That makes my skin crawl,” he replied. “You’re more than a friend, obviously.”

  “What’s our first date?” She smiled.

  Darren grinned. “The team is doing a benefit for a local charity in a couple weeks.”

  “Oh? What charity?”

  “I don’t remember. I’d have to look at the invitation. So I was thinking maybe you might come?”

  “That’s like, a black tie thing, isn’t it?” Her tone was wary.

  “I think so.” He shrugged. He hadn’t really looked at the invitation.

  Val bit her lower lip. “I don’t have anything to wear to something like that.”

  “I’ll buy you a dress.”

  “No,” she frowned. “That’s too much money.”

  “Please, Val?” He put forth his best puppy dog face for her. “I don’t want to be alone at this thing. And I want to spend time with you.”

  Her frown deepened. “I don’t know…”

  “Please?” He was close to begging. He slowed his skating down so much she nearly bumped into him. Arms outstretched, she had no choice but to come closer to him, or let go. He lifted her and balanced her skates on top of his. Together, they twirled around a graceful dance, across the ice until he stopped them with the whisper of his blade against the ice.