She turns her head to look at the highway. The shoulder we’re on is pretty narrow. “It isn’t safe. Go out on my side,” she offers. I turn my head around to see cars speeding by.
“Okay.” I shift in my seat. I’m a big guy. It won’t be a small feat to climb over her. Before I get up, I look over to Sloane. She’s paled and shaky. “Hey?” I say softly brushing my thumb on her cheek. “We’re fine.”
“Yeah.” She nods her head repeatedly.
“We are, beautiful. We’re good,” I say, and our eyes lock. She has the most enticing green eyes I’ve ever seen. I continue to brush my thumb along the soft skin of her cheek, not thinking of what I’m doing, only feeling, wanting more.
She gazes back at me, and her gaze briefly drop to my lips before returning to my eyes. I want to tell her that I want a taste of those sweet lips again, but I don’t want to freak her out or push my luck. “I’m climbing over you now,” I warn.
Five
Sloane
As Oli shifts in his seat, I’m greeted with his package straight in my face, and maybe I should turn my head to be polite, but I don’t. I want to look at him, smell him, and take all of him in because hell, I wish he’d kissed me a second ago, but he didn’t, even though I think he was close. Now, I’ll take what I can, even if it’s just a brief moment of having his crotch in my face.
I’m a little twisted. Maybe going this many years without sex does that to a person. At least having his crotch in my face takes my mind off what just happened. Between the trauma of Chance humping me and the fear that we were going to crash, my adrenaline is spiked.
I open the door, and Oli practically falls outside and stretches himself out to his full height. He’s one handsome giant.
He’s quiet as he looks at the front wheel on the passenger side. “Fuck. It’s blown out,” he says, gripping the back of his neck.
“That’s alright. We probably have a spare in the trunk,” I state the obvious. Why is he just standing there and not moving?
He gives me a blank look, and that’s when it hits me. “You don’t know how to change a tire,” I say it as a statement.
He winces. “I spent my life on the ice. Perfecting one skill means giving up on a lot of others,” he explains like it’s an apology.
“Right. Okay! Well, we can call AAA,” I suggest, because I don’t know how to change a tire either. My knowledge ends at contents that should be in the trunk of a car.
“Ya. Although we’re pretty far out. I wonder how long it’ll take them to get here.” We both stare out at the highway a brief second. I watch the cars zooming by.
Oli pulls his cell out of his back pocket and hits a contact. The wind blows around us, and the sky looks overcast. Standing on the shoulder of a highway really isn’t the safest thing to do.
“We should wait in the car.” I tilt my head toward the car.
I let Oli climb over the seat first. I get in after him, which is a disappointment, but it would be kind of awkward if I ran to my seat first, then waited anxiously for him to climb over me.
“Yeah, I’m stuck out on the I-94 East,” he begins to explain to whoever is one the phone. “My license plate? Yeah. Car is two years’ old . . . Really? . . . No shit . . . Well, can I renew and make a call at the same time? . . . Yes please . . . Okay . . .”
I glance at him, my brows pinched together. Nothing about his conversation seems too promising. “What’s going on?” I whisper.
He covers the mouth part of the phone and whispers back, “I don’t have AAA. I have roadside assistance with Land Rover. They’re saying my car is slightly over two years’ old, so it just expired.”
“Fuck,” I sigh. This isn’t good. I rub my clammy hands along my tights. Given my luck, I’m scared to know what will happen next.
“They can sign me up and send someone . . .” He explains and falls silent.
Okay phew. We are going to be saved.
“Yes, ma’am, sorry.” He returns to speak to the lady while he reaches for his back pocket and pulls out a black wallet. He reads off his credit card number. As he does, my panic sets in. We clearly won’t make it to Canada on a spare tire, which means we need to find a place to get the tire changed. But it’s Good Friday—everything is closed. I know Flynn mentioned it was the same in Canada, which means things will be closed north of the border. My stomach sinks as I realize I may be stuck with Oli longer than I’d planned. Normally, that wouldn’t be such a bad thing, but after the kiss we shared earlier, things seem a little awkward now. The sexual tension between us is reaching combustible levels.
Oli turns to me with a smile. He seems a little more relaxed now. “Help is on the way. They said it may take forty-five minutes or so.”
I force a smile. “Phew. At least we are going to be rescued.”
I start biting my nails even though I never developed the habit. I figure this is as good a time as any to start because waiting on the side of the road with the giant hunk of a hockey player unsettles me seven ways to Friday. What if we begin to make out again? What if he wants more than making out? How will say I’m a virgin? Will he run in the opposite direction if I tell him? My skin heat, and I rip off my coat and scarf and throw them in the back seat, Chance lets out a soft squeal, and I flinch.
“Sorry, buddy.” I turn around with a sympathetic stare. Oli gave him a bit of a yell before, so he seems a little settled or maybe freaked out. I pat his head to console him, considering he’s a dog and doesn’t understand appropriate humping times and partners. I then look over to Oli, who’s gazing intently at his phone.
“I should probably call Flynn. Let her know we have a delay.” He frowns.
“Yeah,” I agree. “We also need to feed Chance and take him for a bathroom break. Even though I don’t know how we’re doing that now.” I look out to the long expanse of road in front of us and the endless fields around us. It doesn’t seem safe to just venture off into the middle of nowhere.
“We can feed him in the car,” Oli retorts, then hesitates. “Probably not a good idea. He’ll want to take a dump, and I’m not having that in my car.”
“We’re screwed.” I blow out some air.
“Maybe give him a drink and a treat. We’ll feed him soon,” Oli says, then dials his sister. I listen as he tells her we blew a tire. I hear the sound of her voice radiating through the car as she asks how I’m doing. Oli tells her I’m fine and her response is, “Just fine?”
Oli says, “Yes. Now go focus on my niece and nephew. We’ll be there as soon as we can.”
I wonder what Flynn was getting at with her interrogation. I think it’s just the lawyer in her that likes to ask too many questions.
With my coat off, and wearing no shoes, I cross my legs and get comfortable on the front seat.
“What do we do for the next forty-five minutes?” Oli turns to ask, his tone a little mischievous and playful. I’m not remiss to the fact that his eyes drop to my chest and run down my body. Normally a move like that would tell me a guy wanted me, but in Oli’s case, I figure he’s a sex machine and that’s just how pumped up hockey players look at girls.
“I don’t know. We could play a game,” I suggest.
“Oh yeah? Like what?” He rubs his hands together, clearly intrigued. I’m guessing this guy has sex on his mind twenty-four/seven.
My eyes run over his wide chest and thick shoulders in the grey V-neck sweater he’s wearing. He’s so incredibly hot that my mind immediately drifts to dirty thoughts. The wind causes the car to shake every time a car passes. The reminder that we are on the shoulder of a highway sobers me up a little since it’s really not safe.
“Um . . .” I actually didn’t think that far ahead. I know I should definitely not recommend strip poker.
“We could play truth or dare,” he suggests with excitement.
“Really? I don’t think that would be fair. Your life is public, and you don’t keep much a secret,” I retort, feeling completely uneasy about the idea.
Feeling nervous, I try to keep my voice level when I ask, “And why would you want to do that?”
“Uh-uh.” He moves his finger back and forth in front of me. “The game started. You want to know something, you ask truth, or maybe you want to dare me,” he says, his hazel eyes deepening to a forest green. Why does he have to be so adorable all the time?
“Fine, I go first,” I say, wanting to have the upper hand. Only I don’t, because what exactly do I want to know about Oli? What information do I want to know that won’t get me flustered just asking the question? Who am I kidding? I `will get flustered by anything when it comes to him.
“Ladies first.” He grins gazing at me expectantly. He’s really enjoying this.
“Okay.” I straighten my shoulders and turn on my seat so I’m facing him with my legs still crossed. “Tell me the worst date you’ve ever been on.” I say, and yes, I don’t feel myself blushing. Score! And if he asks me the same question back it won’t be so bad.
He taps his fingers against his chin, like he’s thinking, and then gives the curt answer of “I’ve never been on a date.”
My jaw falls slack. “Really?”
“Really,” he confirms. “I was drafted to the OHL at fifteen. I was always playing hockey and once I was drafted, I didn’t really need to rely on romance.” He shrugs, as if his situation is normal.
“Wow,” I reply, a little speechless.
“Seriously, Shorty, it’s probably a bad thing. I’ve never had to work to get a girl . . .” he says, and it seems like he wants to finish his sentence but pauses and closes his mouth. I want to hear what he was going to say.
“Now it’s my turn.” He smirks devilishly.
The palms of my hands come up to my cheeks, and I brace myself.
“Who was your first?” he asks, and my stomach sinks.
“My first what?” I retort, even though I know exactly what he’s referring to.
“Your first lay,” he responds, as if it’s obvious. He pushes his sleeves up revealing a strong and sinuous forearm. My vagina does a little clench, and I’m pleased to say that I think its proof my mother is so wrong about my hostile vagina situation.
“Really? Is that all you want to know, Russell?” I ask, using his family name again as if I’m one of his hockey pals. Awkward Sloane is in the house, everyone.
“Fuck yeah.” He nods. “I want details, Carmichael.” Great! Now I’ve set some sort of weird precedent.
A tow truck pulls up behind us, and I exhale, thankful that it didn’t take too long. I tilt my chin to the truck. “Our help has arrived,” I answer with a loud gasp.
He points his finger close to my face. “This game isn’t over, Shorty.” His tone carries a warning, and I cringe inside.
“Please climb out on my side. I don’t need anything happening to you,” I remind him as he reaches for the driver’s side door. I sit back in my seat to give him space to pass. Oli puts one leg over me so he’s straddling me, his package inches from my face. If it were anyone else, I would turn my head just to be polite. Too bad reason escapes me. I want him like my last breath.
He pauses to glance in my eyes for the briefest of seconds, and I’m sure he can see how attracted I am to him. I turn my head and hold my breath, because he smells like the forest and sandalwood. He opens the door and swings the other leg over me. I want to pinch my eyes shut but suddenly he leans forward, brushing his nose in my hair as he exits the car.
Um, that was weird. Like he wanted to get close to me without making it obvious. He clearly doesn’t have skill to just woo a girl. Maybe this is his way of romancing me.
I’m so high strung right now that I’m probably reading into this whole situation and seeing things that truly aren’t there. Yup, that’s it. Besides I have bigger worries.
What happens if he asks me about my first time again?
Six
Oli
After our tow arrived, it took another hour to drive into Ann Arbor, the closest city to where we were stuck. Chance sat on my lap the entire way in the old tow truck which resembled an old Chevy pick-up with a lift. The whole situation sucked ass. Except for the part where Sloane sat in the middle seat cuddled up next to me, since the driver didn’t hide the fact that he was ogling her every chance he got.
It was a relief to finally arrive at the local garage in town not only to stretch my legs, but to get my car fixed so we could get back on the road.
“Why don’t you take Chance for a walk? I’ll talk to the mechanic about changing the tire. I’m sure we’ll be out of here in no time,” I suggest to Sloane.
“Yeah, sure,” she takes Chance by his leash.
A little space from her to clear my head will be good for me right now, because my need for her is skyrocketing. She’s a mix of beautiful, smart, witty, and a little awkward. I shouldn’t find her intoxicating. She doesn’t fit my usual type. If there were an oxymoron for a puck bunny, it would be Sloane Carmichael. I blow out a breath. I’m fucking hungry and tired. I’m known to get cranky when I don’t have food in me. I just want to crash somewhere but I’m sure my sister is freaking the fuck out with being back home in Canada on her own. I can’t leave her hanging.
“Come on, Chance. Let’s go for a walk,” Sloane says, and the dog understands the word walk and jumps up on Sloane. She lets out an oomph sound. I’m just glad he didn’t cause her to topple over.
He takes off, pulling her toward the sidewalk where there’s a patch of grass along the street.
I turn to the mechanic. It’s a holiday weekend. He appears to be the only one working today, even though it’s a large garage. The old guy looks at me with his lips scrunched together and shakes his head. “No can do.”
My face scrunches up. What on earth is he talking about? I didn’t ask a question. I clear my throat. “Sorry?”
“Yous won’t be outta here in no time. A fancy car like this? I don’t have your tire size in stock. Need to order it in. Won’t get it until Tuesday,” he says, and he begins to chew on something in his mouth. I’m guessing it’s tobacco?
Fucking hell. This can’t be happening. “Sir, maybe you can put in a special order. I don’t mind paying extra for the delivery.”
He still shakes his head back and forth. “I use a local supplier. He ain’t opening his place this weekend.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. My patience is running thin. “Can we get this supplier on the phone? I can make it worth his while to open,” I say with my full-wattage smile, even though I’m bursting at the seams. I can’t leave Flynn to face our hometown on her own, and I can’t be alone with Sloane. Having more alone time with her will fuck everything up.
“Good Friday today. He may do it tomorrow, but a lot of businesses in town are closed ’til Monday,” he explains what I already know. Why isn’t he accepting my offer of bribery?
I inhale deeply, but it doesn’t calm me. “Is there a hotel close by? My friend and I can spend the night. In the morning, you can contact your supplier to see if he can get us that tire. Tell him I’ll make it very worth his while,” I repeat, adding in the word ‘very’ to sweeten the deal for him while hoping he actually gets the gist of what I’m saying.
The old mechanic grins too and showcases a mouth filled with yellowing teeth, some of them broken. “Okay, son. Come back here tomorrow, noon.”
“Okay.” I walk toward my SUV and take my duffle bag and Sloane’s suitcase and bag out of the trunk along with a bag of Chance’s food. The stuff reeks. I head toward the sidewalk to see Chance is still taking Sloane for a walk. It really is adorable to watch as he pulls her along. She’s laughing too like she’s enjoying herself.
She comes up to me. “Despite the fact that he nearly got us killed on the highway, I see the appeal of having a dog.”
I pinch my lips together.
“What is it?” she asks expectantly.
My eyes
crinkle at the corners. “There’s bad news.”
Her lips turn down. “Just great.”
“We most likely can’t get a new tire until tomorrow. Supplier is closed. I convinced this mechanic to tell his supplier I would make it worthwhile. Otherwise we would need to wait until Tuesday.” I let out a heavy breath.
“This is fucking terrible. Flynn is going to freak.” She rubs her temple.
“Tell me about it.” The only reason Myles and I could get away this time of year was for the holiday weekend. We have a game Tuesday night and need to be back in Chicago by then, since we’re approaching playoff season. “We also need to find a place to crash tonight,” I huff. This whole situation is a clusterfuck. It was supposed to be a smooth drive followed by a couple of days in Canada.
She bites her lip.
“What is it?” I ask nervously.
“Everything on this strip is closed. There was a pub I passed that was totally empty and an inn. Maybe the Inn has rooms; but it looked kind of small,” she says, and her forehead creases.
I extend my hand, indicating she should lead the way. At least the weather is holding up despite the grey skies. I’m surprised the town isn’t busier, considering it’s a college town, but I guess things are closed for the weekend. I’ve been to Detroit many times to play the Red Wings. I’ve just never been in this part of town.
Chance is his exuberant self as he yanks Sloane down the sidewalk. I lug my duffle bag on my shoulder while rolling her suitcase behind me. Her large bag sitting on top of the handle of the suitcase and the dog food sitting on top of everything.
Sloane stops at a door, and I look up at the sign. Ann Arbor Inn. Fuck, the place does look small.
We head to reception, which consists of one woman wearing a floral sweater, her hair tied in a bun and glasses low on her nose.
Butt Ending: A Big Stick Novel 2 (Standalone) Page 5
