Crista McHugh - Breakaway Hearts

“Coming right up. My name’s Cindy, by the way. If you need anything, just holler.”

As if to prove her point, the next table down called out her name. She flashed them a grin on her way back to the kitchen. “Be there in a second, sugar.”

Ben leaned back in the booth and scratched the stubble along his jaw. Maybe he’d just read her wrong. Maybe her reaction was more an “us-versus-them” thing. That still didn’t explain the nagging questions in the back of his mind.

Or the overwhelming rush of attraction. If she’d shown him the slightest bit of warmth, he’d be half hard and hoping he could get her back to his place. Even under her glare, he’d wanted to touch her, to press her body against his, to kiss away that frown and make her moan.

I must be getting desperate if I’m getting all worked up over her. But he still couldn’t deny his physical response to her when he’d seen her out of her gear.

He went back to searching his photos, ignoring the shouts and cheers around him as the other people in the bar watched his former team play. He didn’t want to be reminded that he would’ve been the goalie tonight if he hadn’t been taken out by a mucker on the warpath. He was more intent on solving the mystery of the first hockey player who’d captured his attention since the collision.

Cindy came by with his dinner and wordlessly dropped off a fresh bottle when his was empty. The cries from the rest of the bar told him the Whales were losing, and by the end of the game, he shared their frustration, but for an entirely different reason. He’d searched through all his photos and hadn’t found a single one with her in it.

“Care for another one before the deal ends, sugar?” Cindy asked as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

He peered across the bar to where Hailey was delivering another round to a table so they could dull the pain of the Whales’ loss. Maybe if he stayed here long enough, he could get some more information from her stepmother. “Yeah, I’ll have one more.”

When Cindy brought the bottle to his table, he put his plan into action. “I got to watch her play earlier tonight.”

Cindy’s eyes widened, and she slid into the booth. “Are you a scout from Hockey Canada?”

He chuckled. “No, not at all, but I do recognize a good player when I see one.”

“Could you please pass that on to the women’s hockey coach?” Cindy took his plate and wiped the table under it. “Poor Hailey’s been training like a madwoman during the last year for a chance to go to Sochi, and we’re all rooting for her.”

“Olympic aspirations?”

“That’s putting it mildly. The girl lives, breathes, and sleeps hockey. And we all figure this is her final shot at a medal.”

“She didn’t try out for the Vancouver games?”

Cindy’s face fell, and he felt like a door was being slammed in his face. “No, she had other things to deal with then.”

Once again he’d run into the townsfolk looking out for their own. Whatever had happened in her past, they all wanted to protect her by keeping him from finding out about it.

She stood up, his plate still in her hand, and asked, “Can I get anything else for you?”

“No, that’ll be all for tonight.” He’d struck out so far, but maybe he’d find the answer after a good night’s sleep.

“I’ll be back with the check.”

Cindy went back into the kitchen, leaving him alone to observe Hailey. It was her smile that fascinated him. A grin carved a dimple into her left cheek while a full-out smile created a matching set. She seemed to know everyone there, waving good-bye to each of them as they left and flashing that charming grin.

He wanted her to turn that grin on him, but when she looked his way, it twisted into a scowl.

“Here you go, sugar.” Cindy dropped off the check and went back to the bar, planting a kiss on the bartender’s cheek before disappearing into the kitchen.

Ben picked up the check and released a quiet laugh. At least there was one highlight of the evening. This was the cheapest meal he’d had in years. He fished out a hundred-dollar bill and left it on the table before easing out of the booth.

Unlike the other patrons, his departure didn’t receive a farewell call from the owners. Just another reminder that he was an outsider in this small town.

He sat in his Land Rover and waited for it to warm up before starting the drive home, the nagging in the back of his mind even louder than before. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the seat. He doubted he’d be able to sleep until he discovered how he knew Hailey.

Time to call in reinforcements.

He dialed the number for his older brother, Adam. “Do you have a minute to talk?”

“Sure,” Adam replied, even though his voice seemed a bit higher than normal.

“Is this a bad time?” He switched the phone to Bluetooth so he could start the drive along the steep, winding road to his cabin.

“No. Lia and I were just talking about our day.”

He snickered. He seriously doubted any words had been exchanged between his brother and his girlfriend. On any other day, he might’ve ribbed his brother, but he had too many questions about a certain hockey player to enjoy some teasing at Adam’s expense. “Do you remember me having anything to do with a blonde with dimples?”

“You usually don’t like blondes—that’s more Caleb’s taste.”

“Exactly, but I saw this woman here in town, and I swear to God I know her, but I can’t remember how.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “That’s why I’m asking you.”

“Doesn’t sound like any of your former girlfriends.”

“She’s a hockey player. I was thinking about scouring my old yearbooks, but I don’t think she went to Shattuck-St. Mary’s.”

“Did she give any indication that she knew you?”

“Adam, I’m one of the most recognizable players on the Whales. Or at least I was before my haircut.” He ran his fingers through his short hair, wondering how long he’d be able to fly under the radar once it started to grow out.

“Yes or no?”

“Yes, and she makes that player who took me out six weeks ago look kind.”

“Bruins fan?”

He laughed. “Nope.”

“Then maybe she’s pissed off because you quit the team, and now they’re about to get eliminated from the playoffs.”

Ben drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. It would be all too easy to dismiss it as something as simple as that, but it didn’t soothe the knots in his gut. “No, it’s not that, and I have no idea what I’ve done to piss her off.”

“I’m drawing a blank, too. Maybe you could snap a picture of her and send it to me. If I saw her face, maybe I could help you out.”

“Good idea. I’ll do it tomorrow.” He was almost home and didn’t want to make another descent in the dark after three beers. “Until then, I’m going to keep searching.”

“Sorry I wasn’t much help.”

“No worries.” He shifted in his seat, wondering if he dared to ask another question. “Mom told me you asked for Grandma’s ring.”

The muffled sound of a door shutting filled the air, followed by a pause. “Yes, I did.”

“That serious already?”

“Yeah,” Adam said softly. “I know it sounds crazy, especially since Lia and I’ve only known each other for a few months, but have you ever met someone where everything feels so right?”

His mind flashed back to a girl with bright blue hair. No woman had ever come close to her. A wave of memories washed over him. The silkiness of her skin. The taste of her pink nipples. The scent of ice that had clung to her. The dimples that cut into her cheeks when she smiled at him.

Shit!