Sneaking around with #34, page 4
“Bennie, I said no carbs. I can smell that bread all the way upstairs.” Imogen came into the kitchen and stopped when she saw me.
Our eyes met, and I told myself to look away, but I couldn’t. She was so beautiful. Definitely the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. Shiny blond hair, sparkling blue eyes, a body that didn’t have one flaw as far as I could tell. It was the first time I’d seen her out of the uniforms we wore at school, and the designer jeans and tight cropped T-shirt worked for her.
But she was Ford’s sister, and he’d made it clear she was off-limits. I had to respect the only guy who’d taken me under his wing, making me one of the most popular guys in school. And I’d only been there two weeks.
“Sorry, princess, but what Daddy Warbucks wants, Daddy Warbucks gets. And fresh bread was on the menu,” Bennie said.
She grunted and picked up a green bean, tilting her head back and dropping it into her mouth. I shifted my stance to hide my growing erection, and she smiled as if she was playing some game with me. Fuck me, did she do that on purpose?
A woman who I assumed must be Ford’s mom came in. “How much longer?”
“Can everyone get off my back?” Bennie said, from where he was at the oven.
“Sorry, Bennie.” She laughed and patted Ford on the back. “How was everyone’s day?”
Ford shrugged. “Coach is being a prick. This is Warner. Langley. Langley Wines.”
I hated that every time he introduced me, it was accompanied by a lie, but I was too chickenshit to say anything.
“Oh, the spilled wineglass logo, right?” Mrs. Jacobs put out her hand. She was night and day from my mom. Both were beautiful, but Mrs. Jacobs looked fresh and relaxed without a care in the world, while my mom always looked weathered and worn out.
Everyone’s eyes were on me, so I nodded.
Her hand ran down my arm. “No need to be shy in this household. And on account of your family, I’ll go grab a bottle.”
She disappeared while I stood awkwardly with my hands shoved in my pockets. I felt like an outsider, watching Ford mess with his sister about her friend Cici while Bennie complained about the weather outside and questioned why he hadn’t gone to Hawaii when he’d had the chance to work for another family. Mrs. Jacobs returned and opened up the wine and thankfully didn’t ask me any personal questions about a family I didn’t know.
Finally, what felt like a lifetime later, we each took a seat in the dining room that overlooked Manhattan. I was in awe of the view while everyone else at the table piled food on their plates, apparently having no appreciation for what they had.
“It’s a great view, right?” Mr. Jacobs said from my right.
I nodded. “It is.”
“Three generations have lived here now.”
I’d figured Ford was old money. There was definitely a mixture of old and new money at Lauder, but old money was easy to spot. Mostly because the new money showed it off, while the old money just had the confidence and arrogance that went along with it.
“Don’t bore Warner with the family business talk. Tell us, Warner, do you play hockey as well?” Mrs. Jacobs wiped her hands on a napkin in her lap.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said. “Left wing.”
“Actually, he plays a lot of center too,” Ford mumbled around his chicken. “Crazy fast and definitely giving us a chance at the championship this year.”
I felt my cheeks redden, and I glanced across the table at Imogen, who was looking down at her plate.
“That would be nice. Have you played long?” Mrs. Jacobs asked.
Mr. Jacob picked up his phone, mumbling something about a waste of time.
“I’ve played as long as I can remember. I’d skate as soon as the pond froze over.” I smiled at her and spooned myself a helping of the potatoes.
“Oh, how lovely that you have some acreage. It’s the one thing here I miss, living with land. Do you have ducks? What about horses?”
“There are ducks,” I answered, which, technically, was true. There were ducks everywhere in New York state. And the pond wasn’t far from our two-bedroom apartment.
“You’ll have to show me pictures sometime.”
“We have a good shot of winning it all, Dad. And if we make it to the championship and win, I’m sure we’re both looking at full rides to college.” Ford looked at his dad with a hopeful expression, waiting for a reaction he didn’t get.
His dad frowned. “You don’t need a full ride. You’re not some impoverished kid. You’ll go to Harvard for business, just like me.” There was a finality in his voice, and at that moment, I felt horrible for Ford.
Ford lowered his head and picked his fork back up without a word.
“Do you come to the games?” I asked Mr. Jacobs.
“Someone has to work to keep this view,” he said, staring out the window for a moment. “I’ve attended a few though.”
“Two,” Ford said with displeasure.
“You should see Ford now,” I said, trying to help. “He amazes me how quick he is around the net. Coach has been using us on this play that’s sure to beat out competition.”
Imogen looked up from her plate, and our eyes caught over the two lit candlesticks. She smiled softly and glanced at Ford.
“I’ll see what I can do, but I’m sure your dad told you too, Warner, there’s no future in hockey. You get injured, and it’s over. It’s fun for you two to play now in high school, but Ford will be taking over Jacobs Enterprises. I assume there’s a position for you at Langley Wines?”
“I haven’t thought much about it at this point. I really love hockey.” Again, I teetered on the edge of lying and my stomach felt sick because of it.
Mr. Jacobs shook his head. “Youth.”
“Will you be going to the game, Imogen?” Mrs. Jacobs asked.
She was pushing her food around on her plate. “I’m not sure.”
“What? You go to all the games. Why wouldn’t you go?” Morgan, their little sister, chimed in.
Imogen shrugged. “Stay out of it, Morgan.”
The rest of dinner was spent with Mr. Jacobs talking about business and Mrs. Jacobs trying to pull information from her kids about their lives. Ford and I discussed the line and some moves we thought would work. I’d never had a friend like Ford before. Someone who loved hockey the way I did. Mostly because the kids in my neighborhood couldn’t afford to play hockey and there weren’t many ice rinks around us.
Once we’d finished eating, we all got up from the table. No one helped Bennie clear the table, and it felt so weird to walk away from the mess.
Ford and I retreated to his bedroom, that was the same size as my entire apartment.
“I should probably get going soon.” I’d been fortunate that our neighbor, Izzy, had been able to watch Julien and Trinity.
“Where do you live?” Ford asked, thumbing through his phone.
“Not far,” I said, putting on my shoes and grabbing my jacket.
“I was thinking after the game, there’s this party I got invited to. Want to go?”
I shrugged. “Sure.” I wasn’t really a party guy, especially around my classmates. I was afraid I’d say or do something to out myself. But it felt rude to say no.
“Awesome. See you tomorrow.”
I walked out of his room and down the stairs to their elevator. I’d never get used to this life. I saw no one as I made my way to leave, and I wondered if they were lonely, living with so much space. Was my family so close because we were stuck together like sardines in our apartment?
The elevator dinged that it had arrived, and to my surprise, Imogen was standing inside with a plastic bag in her hand.
“Hey,” I said, unsure what else to say. I hadn’t really talked to her one on one yet, although I’d thought about it a lot.
“Hi.” She raised her bag. “Morgan was going to tattle on me for being out past curfew last night, so I told her I’d get her a carton of ice cream.”
“What flavor?”
“Chocolate chip.”
“Good choice.”
We switched spots, putting me in the elevator and her in the foyer, and a waft of her perfume hit me. I instantly fell in love with the scent, though I wasn’t sophisticated enough to know what it was.
“You should go, you know.” I pressed the lobby button.
“Go?” she asked and tilted her head in this adorable way.
The doors began to shut.
“To the game. Friday night. You should go.”
Her mouth opened slightly as the doors slid closed.
I knew I had to get my feelings under control before I lost my only friend at Lauder, but that proved impossible.
As if being on a plane with no option of escaping Warner’s presence isn’t enough, I’m standing only two people behind him, waiting to check into the hotel. Maybe I should’ve told Jana everything. She surely would’ve understood when I told her I absolutely cannot travel with this man.
Ford comes to my side, wearing a suit and carrying the brown leather bag he uses when he’s only traveling for one night. “I told Tweetie he’s on his own. We’ll bunk together.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “I’m sorry? Bunk together?”
“Don’t worry, Tweetie loves that he gets his own room. Said he wished I’d told him sooner, and he’d have invited Tedi, but whatevs. Just like old times.” He puts his arm around my shoulders.
I circle out of his hold. “We’ve never shared a room, so it’s not like old times, and I really wish you’d trust me here.”
“It’s not you I don’t trust.” His gaze drifts toward Warner.
“You need to stop this,” I whisper. “It’s embarrassing, and pretty soon every one of your teammates is going to know what happened.”
“All they need to know is that I don’t want you and him together.” Ford doesn’t move and I want to shove him in the shoulder like I used to.
“You’re not staying in my room. I’m an adult, if you haven’t noticed.” I raise my voice and the teammate in front of us turns around.
“I’ll take you to a nice restaurant after the game. You can have anything you want to eat.”
We step forward in line. “I don’t want dinner. Don’t you go out with the boys after the game?”
“Not since I got married and had a kid. I mean sometimes, but they’re going to some club tonight.” He makes a face that shows he’s not into it.
“Really?” My eyebrows shoot up and I step up to the check-in desk, giving them my name. “I think I’ll go there then. I was going to call Cici anyway.”
“You’re not calling Cici and you’re not going to the club. We’re going to the best steak house in this city.” He pulls out his phone.
“Take Tweetie, Ford. I’m going to the club.” I pass my ID to the hotel clerk.
“How many keys do you need?” she asks.
“Two,” Ford says.
“One.” I hold up my finger and scowl at my brother. “He’s in another room.”
She hands me a key card. I thank her and turn for the elevators.
Ford seethes with frustration beside me. “You’re being ridiculous. You think he can’t get a key to your room?”
We step into the elevator alone. Luckily, this is a bigger hotel, so there are numerous ones. Plus, I think people sense we’re fighting and who wants to get into a small space with no exit?
“He’s not a serial killer. He’s not even interested in me anymore. Leave it alone.”
I press the button for my floor and wait for him to press his. He doesn’t because he’s like a little gnat flying around my face and won’t leave me alone.
“Who do you think you’re kidding? You two were making out in my house. Do you think I forgot?”
I roll my eyes. “That was a mistake. I didn’t have my guard up. All he wanted to do was apologize.”
“And somehow you ended up sucking face with the guy.”
The bell dings and I step out onto my floor. So do three hockey players from the elevator to my left.
I walk down the hall, ignoring the whispered wonderings as to why my brother is treating me like a fifteen-year-old who wants to be captain of the puck bunnies.
“Listen, Ford, I understand your concern, but I got this. Warner and I are nothing anymore. And seriously…” I look right and left down the hall. “I really want this job and I can’t succeed if everyone thinks of me as your little sister who can’t handle herself. You staying in my room would say exactly that. How will they trust me if they don’t think you do?”
He blows out a breath and runs his hands down his neck, pulling as he usually does when he’s stressed. “You’re joking about going to the club, though, right?”
I widen my eyes and wait for him to take back his question.
He holds up both hands. “Fine. I’ll step back—slightly. But I have eyes in every room. News will travel back to me. You can be sure of it.”
“You do realize you’re my brother, not my father, right? I don’t owe you any explanations.”
He steps toward my door. “In that case.”
I shove him away. “Go to your room, call your wife, talk to your baby, and get ready to kick Chicago’s ass.”
“Deal.” He kisses my forehead. “Behave, little one.”
“Don’t I always?”
He raises his eyebrows, swivels on his dress shoes, and heads down the hall.
Once I’m settled in the hotel room and I know for sure that Ford is at the rink, preparing for the game, I call Cici. She moved to Chicago three years ago when she met the man of her dreams.
“What the hell? Do you have the wrong number?” Cici answers.
I laugh. “It goes both ways.”
“I know. Sorry, it’s been crazy. How are you? Heard you’re working for the Florida Fury with Warner Langley now. Feed me all the gossip.”
“Well, first of all, I’m in Chicago.”
She squeals and I pull the phone away from my ear. “Drinks.” She muffles the phone, but I can still hear her. “Mario, I’m going out!”
“To a hockey game,” I add.
She groans. “Never mind, hun.”
“Come on. I really want to see you and I have to go for… well, we can discuss when I see you. You owe me for moving away and never calling anymore.”
She laughs. “Guilt-tripping me? That’s how you’re going to get me to agree, huh?”
“And there’s the added bonus of an ice rink full of hot hockey players.”
“I’m married,” she says.
“So? You can be married and appreciate a good-looking man.” I really don’t want to go by myself, and although I told Ford I could handle all this, I’m not sure I can. To sleep literally on the same floor as Warner will drive me crazy tonight.
“Can you get Mario a ticket?”
“Sure.” I’d wanted it to just be Cici and me, but getting to know Mario a little better will be nice.
“Okay, we’ll come get you. Where are you staying?”
I give her all the information and tell her I’ll meet her by will call at the arena. There’s no reason why she should come here first. Then I set out to look the best I can, because although I’m totally over Warner, I am female and he is my ex. He needs to see what he gave up all those years ago.
After we’ve said our hellos, we go inside the arena, and I lead Cici and Mario down to the first-row seats. Mario’s arms are full of nachos, candy, and beer. I have a suspicion that Cici is pregnant and not telling me since she declined a drink, but I’ll wait for her to feel comfortable. We slide into our seats just as Chicago announces their starting lineup.
“There’s Imogen’s brother.” Cici points Ford out to Mario.
“Nice. He’s big.”
“They’re all big, babe.” She laughs and looks at me like get a hold of my man.
“Do you watch hockey?” I ask him.
“I watch soccer. The better sport.”
We all laugh, and the puck gets dropped, Aiden Drake passing it to Ford. The two go back and forth until Aiden passes it to Warner, who slides around the back end of the net and taps it in. The red buzzer goes off and Warner’s arms go up in the air.
We all cheer. What a great start to the game. And the business side of me can’t help but think this will help in our efforts to make him the “it” member of the Fury.
“Still the king, I see,” Cici says. “I can’t imagine this is easy on you.”
I don’t want to talk about Warner and me, I just want to enjoy the game, but it’s hard to concentrate on anyone but Warner.
The game continues and Drake scores another point for the Fury, but Chicago comes back with a point in the second period. Cici explains hockey to Mario throughout, while my eyes stay trained on number thirty-four.
Warner still has that little smirk when he beats another player from the opposing team. And when he shoots and scores his first goal of the game, he still looks for me in the stands. When we were younger and no one knew about us, everyone thought he looked at his classmates in the stands, but I always felt his eyes on me.
This time it’s brief, but as soon as the buzzer goes off, the first thing he does is lock eyes with me. My stomach somersaults, wishing I could give him my secret sign—licking my lips—but instead I turn away, not having the heart to see him strip his gaze from me.
“You’re in so much trouble.” Cici elbows me. “You still have the hots for him. I mean, I get it. I do. Look at him. He’s all man now. But you have to remember what he did. It’s unforgivable, Imogen.”
“I know. But I can’t control who I find attractive either.” I take a sip of my drink.
“Can we relax on discussing how hot another man is while I’m in the vicinity?” Mario chimes in. He’s no slouch. The man is gorgeous with a capital G. Dark wavy hair, olive complexion, and speaks with a delicious Spanish accent that makes anything sound romantic. Especially when he speaks Spanish in a low voice to Cici and she blushes.
