In college, people liked to congregate. It was the thing to do. They find a suite on their floor and never seem to leave, and Taylor had the immense pleasure of living in that popular suite. Her suite-mates seemed to revel in it. They were making new friends by the boatload. Taylor knew no one ever makes as many friends as quickly as they do during their freshman year of college, but she didn’t care. She wasn’t interested.
Most of the people around her were a year younger because of her year off, but it seemed to her there was so much more separating them.
Taylor rolled her eyes as she walked past the group of people surrounding Abigail in their common room and slid into her room, shutting the door behind her. The noise was immediately quieted. She breathed a sigh of relief and set her bag on her desk.
Grabbing the sweatshirt off the back of a chair, Taylor pulled it on and kicked off her shoes. Her phone rang, and she reached into her bag to pull it out.
“Hi, Mom,” she said.
“Hey, honey, tell me all about your first week!”
Taylor knew her mom wanted nothing more than for her to be excited about it. College was something she’d been looking forward to for years. Every high schooler dreams of the day they get to leave lockers and homerooms behind for something better.
“It was good.” Taylor tried to infuse some kind of emotion into those words. For her mom, she decided it was time to start acting like she was happy. Then the questions and looks would stop. Then her mom wouldn’t be so worried all the time.
“I need more than that,” her mom huffed. “Tell me about your classes. Have you made tons of new friends?”
“School is fine. Stupid, boring freshman classes,” Taylor replied.
“And?”
“And I’m working on the friend thing.” It was a lie, but a lie with good intentions.
It seemed to appease her mom, and they talked for a few more minutes.
“I forgot to tell you,” her mom said suddenly. “Your dad is out of town for a preseason game, but his opening night is next week and I know it’d mean a lot to him if you were there.”
“No.”
“But, honey, it’s his first game here in Columbus.”
“I said no.” She flopped back on her bed. “I gotta go.” She hung up without a goodbye as her breath caught in her throat. She pushed it out and then lay there with her chest rising and falling rapidly until the door opened.
Abigail came in, laughing and talking to two boys who were right on her heels.
“Tay!” she squealed as if they were long-lost friends finally reuniting. “This is Colin and Anthony. Anthony really wanted to meet you.” She tried to wink, but it caused half her face to scrunch up awkwardly.
“Hi, Taylor.” Anthony shuffled his feet nervously.
“They’re sophomores,” Abigail said, as if that was a huge selling point.
Colin sat on Abigail’s bed and pulled her into his lap as Anthony continued to stare at the ground. The color rose in his cheeks when she finally looked up.
Taylor removed her glasses, cleaning them on her shirt before replacing them. Abigail’s giggling pierced the silence, and Taylor couldn’t take it anymore: the sound of Abigail’s southern voice, the expectation in Anthony’s eyes, the noise coming from the common room.
Suddenly, the room felt suffocating and the massive school seemed way too small. Taylor grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. Anthony watched her as she left. He was probably the only one of the three that noticed.
Not for the first time, Taylor was grateful that her parents let her have her car on campus. It was an easy getaway. She threw her bag in the passenger seat of her old, boxy, eyesore and pulled out of the parking lot at the base of the tower.
Taylor hadn’t done much exploring of her new city. She knew of very few places she could go, especially since she wanted to get off campus. There were only two routes she knew by heart: the way home to her parents and the way to the diner she met her dad at. That was as good a place as any.
High Street took her from campus straight into the arena district. Taylor didn’t look up at the arena as she turned the corner. Luckily, it couldn’t be seen from the diner. That was probably why her dad chose it the first time.
Cutting the engine, she got out and went inside, finding a booth in the back. She didn’t know why she came. These sudden urges to be alone weren’t anything new, but she wished she could understand them. She wished she could move past them.
Pulling out her Kindle, she touched the screen where it showed an icon for the first book in the Outlander series, wanting to disappear into the eighteenth century Scottish Highlands for a while.
“You’re doing well, kid,” Olle said, placing a hand on Josh’s shoulder as Josh bent over with his hands on his knees.
They were finishing up some skating drills before calling it quits for the day.
“Thanks,” Josh wheezed.
“I mean it.” His Swedish accent had lessened a bit over his years in North America, but it still colored his words. “This could be your year to show them you’re more than they say you are.”
Josh straightened up and grinned. “With that kind of pep talk, maybe you should be captain or something. Oh, wait…”
Olle knocked him upside the helmet. Josh reached up to straighten it as he followed his captain off the ice. Most of the team was away at the final preseason game, but Coach decided a few of them deserved a rest before regular season started. Josh had argued that he wanted to play, but Coach wouldn’t hear of it. He said it was a reward for an excellent preseason.
A couple of nights off. That’s what coach ordered. Josh didn’t know what to do with free time. Mack was off with the rest of the guys. So was Carter. It was only him, Olle, and a couple other veterans that stayed home. They all had families. Josh had hockey.
After showering in the eerily quiet locker room, he decided some food was in order. His favorite diner was within walking distance so he headed out.
On the way, he pulled out his phone and dialed Michaela. He hadn’t talked to her since he finished training in New York and left for the memorial service in Portland. He hoped she wasn’t in class.
The phone rang three times before her familiar voice filled his ear.
“Don’t you have a game tonight?” she asked immediately. “You never call on game days.”
“Keeping track of my schedule?” He laughed. “Your transformation from a Rangers fan to a Jackets fan is complete.”
“Dude, it was complete the day you were drafted.”
“I miss you, Mic.”
“And I you, Joshy.” She sighed before speaking again. “How was the memorial service?”
“As you’d expect it to be,” he answered. “A lot of fake celebration.”
“I’ll bet.”
“Sorry I haven’t called in a while. Training camp is kicking my ass.”
“I seriously doubt that,” she said.
“Yeah, well, there’s that, and Ethan’s been calling me.”
“Yeah?”
“I haven’t answered,” he said quickly.
“Josh, he’s your brother. Maybe it’s time you guys patched things up. I don’t want there to be a rift in your family because of me.”
“It’s not because of you. It’s because of him.”
“People can change.” She sighed.
He matched her sigh. “New subject please.”
“Okay, on to better stuff.” Her voice rose an octave. Josh was always amazed at how quickly her mood could shift. “The wedding!”
“Oh yes, the big day. Have a date?”
“First, Jason had a question for you.”
There was some rustling and then the voice on the other end changed.
“Josh, man, how are you?” Jason asked.
“I’m good. You?”
“Just ask him,” Michaela yelled in the background.
“You up for being a groomsman?”
“Sure, dude. Sounds co
ol,” Josh answered calmly.
“That’s it?” Michaela stole the phone back. “'Sounds cool’?”
“Michaela,” Josh laughed. “We’re guys. I’m not going to go running down the street screaming in excitement.”
“Fine. Well, forgive me if I offend you, but you’re not going to be an All-Star this year, right?”
Josh barked out a sudden laugh. “I don’t think so, no.”
Michaela was still laughing as she explained that they wanted to have the wedding over All-Star weekend so he could be there.
“I wouldn’t want to do this without you,” she said.
Josh walked through the door to the diner and stopped when he saw a familiar face near the back wall.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Josh said into the phone. “Look, Mic, I’ve got to go.”
He hung up and shoved his phone into his pocket before looking at the girl again. The last time he saw her, she had long hair and was soaking wet. This girl had her hair styled short and a pair of glasses sat snuggly on her face. But, the sharp eyes behind those glasses were unmistakable.
He knew she lived in Columbus now. Sarah asked him to watch out for her and he didn’t even try. Everyone kept telling him this was his year to break out. He’d been focused on that.
His feet moved of their own will as he crossed the diner, stopping in front of her booth. She was too engrossed in her book to look up.
“Must be a good story,” he finally said.
That got her attention. She jumped in surprise and then her gaze slid up his body, finally stopping on his face. Recognition lit in her eyes.
Josh slid into the booth uninvited and leaned over the table. “What’re you reading?”
She stared at him for a second. “Outlander.”
“Oh, those are good. I read the series last year.”
Her eyes widened like he had just sprouted a second head, and he chuckled softly.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
He knew she didn’t mean in this diner.
“I live here.”
“You didn’t tell me that before.”
He shrugged before waving down a waitress. “Can I get a coffee and a chicken sandwich with mustard, lettuce, tomato, and onion?”
“Eating healthy?” Taylor asked, glancing down at the burger, fries, and milkshake in front of her.
“I have to.” He stole one of her fries and leaned back, not wanting to elaborate. When you tell someone you’re a professional athlete, it tends to change the way they see you. For some reason, Josh didn’t want Taylor seeing him in that light. “I like the hair,” he said after a few moments of silence.
“Thanks.” She ran a hand over the top of her head, but didn’t smile.
Josh caught her stealing a glance at him before looking down at the table. He grinned, not taking his eyes from her as they ate.
“I don’t know how you do it,” he said seriously, watching as she drew a breath in sharply.
She finally met his gaze. “Do what?”
He let the tension stretch between them before he couldn’t stop his lip from twitching. “Eat fries without ketchup.”
She let out a relieved sigh and shrugged.
“It’s just weird,” he continued.
Looking down at her plate and then back at him, she picked up a fry and threw it at him. With quick reflexes, he caught it mid-air and stuffed it in his mouth.
“Throwing food now?” Feigning disapproval, he reached over and stole another fry. “I’ll be taking this as an apology.”
When he tried to take another one, she grabbed his hand and pressed it to the table.
“Those are mine,” she challenged, finally giving him a small smile.
Her hand was smooth against his calloused one, and he suddenly didn’t want her to let go.
“If I release you, will you behave?” she asked.
He flipped his hand over so they were palm to palm and threaded his fingers through hers. She froze for a long moment then snatched her hand back.
“Sorry,” she said.
“You don’t have to be sorry.”
She looked at him with clouded eyes while reaching out slowly to squeeze his hand one time before scooting out of the booth.
Before leaving, she turned back. “Can we… do this again?” She studied her feet, waiting for an answer.
“Yeah,” Josh said with a soft laugh. “I’d like that.”
Chapter Five
Taylor met Josh at the diner every night for the rest of the week. Being around him made her realize just how lonely she’d been. It was her own fault. She’d pushed everyone away with her sullenness. Josh didn’t seem to mind.
Abigail constantly had people in their room, so Taylor wanted to be anywhere but there. She knew she should be trying to get to know her roommate and the other people on their floor, but it was too overwhelming. All they seemed to want to do was find the best parties on the weekends. That wasn’t Taylor’s scene.
She called her best friend Sarah on her way to the diner and listened to her squeal into the phone. They hadn’t talked since Taylor moved to Columbus. Sarah tried to call a few times, but Taylor wasn’t much for talking and Sarah was one of those people where a quick conversation wasn’t possible unless you had a good excuse to get off the phone.
“I’m so glad you called!” Sarah said.
Taylor held the phone away from her face to prevent her ear drum from bursting. “Hey.”
“Oh my gosh, you have to tell me everything. How’s OSU? How’s your family? Have you met your dad’s team yet? NHL players - swoon!”
“Sarah,” Taylor said slowly. “Calm down.”
“You’re right. Sorry.”
“I can only talk for a minute. I’m on my way to meet someone.”
“Please tell me it’s a guy.”
“Just a new friend.”
“Okay, I need all the details,” Sarah said. “What’s he look like? What’s he do? Does he like you? How big is his-?”
“Sarah!” Taylor yelled.
“Bank account,” she continued. “I was going to say bank account.”
“Yeah right.”
“Just answer my questions.”
Taylor sighed. “Fine. I’m not telling you. I haven’t asked. How should I know? And I don’t care. There. My answers for you.”
“How am I supposed to live through you if you won’t give me anything?” Sarah asked.
“You aren’t,” Taylor answered.
“Oh, right.”
“Look,” Taylor started. “I just got here and don’t want to keep him waiting.”
“Fine. Fine. I expect a full report.”
“Friends, Sarah. That’s it.” Taylor pulled into the parking lot and shut off the car.
“For now.” Sarah hung up without another word.
Taylor leaned her head back on the headrest and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. Sarah’s words freaked her out. and it took every ounce of willpower not to pull out and drive away.
Josh appeared at the door to the diner and looked straight at her. She didn’t have a choice now. Sliding her seatbelt off her shoulder, Taylor opened her door and stepped out. A grin spread across Josh’s face, instantly putting her at ease.
“Hey there,” he said when she joined him at the door.
“Hi,” she replied, following him inside and to their usual booth in the back.
The place was a little busier than the usual, Friday night traffic. They placed their orders and then Josh leaned back, studying her.
“It’s Friday,” he said. “You’re in college. Shouldn’t you be at a party with your friends?”
“Friends?” She wanted to kick herself as soon as she said it. It sounded so pathetic. The girl with no friends. Josh’s expression didn’t change. He cocked his head to the side and gave one small nod. Taylor suddenly found the table very interesting. “Not my scene,” she muttered.
“Mine either.” He smiled and Taylor lifted her
eyes to meet his.
“So, you know I’m a student, but I don’t know what you do.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly, considering something. “I work downtown,” he finally said.
Taylor let it go at that. He obviously didn’t want to talk about it and she wasn’t going to pry. Downtown probably meant he worked in one of those high-rise office buildings.
“I bet you’d look good in a suit,” she blurted, her face immediately going red. “Oh my God.” She covered her mouth with her hands. “I can’t believe I just said that.”
Josh’s smirk spread as he leaned forward with his elbows on the table. “I bet you look good in everything.”
Her face grew even hotter. It’d been a long time since someone looked at her the way Josh did. She squirmed in her seat, and Josh chuckled softly before focusing on paying the bill.
“You ready to go?” he asked.
Taylor drummed her fingers on the table nervously. She wasn’t ready to go back to the dorms yet, not when being around Josh felt so comfortable.
“Sure,” she said quietly.
Josh walked her out to her car and waited as she got in. Sparse raindrops hit the windshield. She put her keys into the ignition and turned. The car sputtered and then went silent. She tried again, pressing lightly on the gas pedal this time. The sputtering lasted a little longer, but ultimately died once again.
“Dammit!” She banged her head against the headrest.
“Dead battery?”
“Can’t be.” She sighed. “The battery’s brand new and it’s not like I left the lights on. It’s probably the alternator. It’s not the first time I’ve had problems like this.”
Josh pulled a card from his wallet, dialed a number into his phone, and then spoke to someone for a few seconds before hanging up. “Tow truck will be here soon.”
They waited for half an hour before the truck arrived. After Josh gave the driver instructions on which garage to bring the car to, he loaded it up and was on his way.
“Come on,” Josh said. “I live nearby. We can grab my car, and I’ll drive you home.”
Dreams: A sweet hockey romance (New Beginnings Book 3) Page 4
