Page 52 of Breaking Point (IceHawks #1)
Grayson
KIERAN ASHFORD
can you ask Bella to give you Layla’s number
GRAYSON
absolutely not
KIERAN ASHFORD
why not?
GRAYSON
why don’t you ask Layla for it?
KIERAN ASHFORD
because I already did
GRAYSON
and let me guess she said no
KIERAN ASHFORD
I couldn’t really hear her response
GRAYSON
yeah because she was too busy running away
T he lights the photographer set up blind me.
Blinking furiously, I’m greeted with the loud back-and-forth banter of the team, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think this was our locker room before a game.
Except for the fact that Kieran is standing by the barn door looking out like he’s sucked on a lemon.
“You good?”
His lips purse. “Did Bella say something to Layla about me?”
I’m stumped, my eyes taking in the tension lining his shoulders. “Not that I know of. Why?”
“You heard her.”
“Yes…”
“She doesn’t like me.”
I’m about to snap a smart retort before I see that he’s genuinely disappointed. “She’s leaving for Germany next week. Maybe she doesn’t want to get to know someone before then.”
Kieran finally peels his eyes away. “Why is she going to Germany?”
An unsettled feeling enters my chest. I’ve never kept things from Kieran—ever. But the memory of Layla’s sad eyes as it was brought up fills my mind.
“I don’t think it’s my story to share,” I say carefully.
Kieran’s brows lower, and again, I’m shocked by the genuine concern and disappointment in his gaze.
Turning to him fully, I ignore the noise of the team behind me as I lower my voice. “She’s Bella’s best friend.”
His chin dips. “I know.”
“And you know how much Bella means to me.”
Kieran smirks at that. “Nice to finally hear you admit it, but yes.”
“Then don’t do anything stupid.”
He shrugs. “It’s for the best. Can’t have her falling for me and getting attached.”
My eyes narrow. It’s a Kieran thing to say, and yet, it doesn’t seem genuine.
“Mm-hmm.”
“Girls like that don’t do one-night stands.”
“No, they don’t.”
Silence stretches between us as he looks out the barn once more. I find myself rolling my eyes. “Why don’t you go keep them company? I’ll cover you for the photos. ”
He nods, his eyes never leaving the field. He doesn’t even utter a word, just simply walks away. I stand there, shaking my head. What the hell is up with him?
“I owe you one!” he suddenly calls over his shoulder.
Asher comes up beside me, frowning. “Where the hell is he off to?”
“I think to grovel.”
Asher’s head tips back as he laughs before he glances sideways at me and stops. “Oh shit, you’re serious.”
“As a heart attack.”
“Who the fuck has him by the balls?”
“Someone I hope he doesn’t screw over,” I mutter under my breath.
Asher whistles as we turn and make our way to where the magazine has the team lined up. “After all the teasing and taunting he’s given me over Cindy, I can’t wait to return the favor.”
I’d love to laugh and agree but I can’t. Kieran doesn’t get rejected often and Layla turned him down—hard. Something tells me it’s more about that than an actual interest. After all, it’s Kieran. Not once since I’ve known him has he ever gotten attached to a woman.
I don’t even know what he looks like when he’s into someone.
I don’t bother pretending I want to stay and chat with everyone after we’re done. I know this is my event and I should be schmoozing for donations and adoptions, but all I can think about is Bella.
The entire hour I was in that barn smiling for photos, my skin was practically itching.
And I ran out of there when the photographer said he got it like my ass was on fire .
It doesn’t take me long to find her. I spot Layla rolling her eyes at something Kieran says while Bella bites her lip to stop herself from laughing.
As happy as I am to see her, I’m devastated that her hand is still wrapped around Bambi’s leash. The golden retriever perks up, her tail thumping wildly when she spots me.
“Hey, gorgeous girl,” I coo, bending down to pat her. “No takers?”
The mood sobers. “No,” Bella answers. “We even stuck a volunteer shirt on Layla so people didn’t think we had adopted her.”
That explains that, then. I was worried Kieran had something to do with the changed shirt. I open my mouth to speak, but I stop as I find Bella assessing me.
That look in her eye is new.
Did Kieran say something?
“Why don’t you adopt her?” Bella declares. “She adores you. Look at her.”
I follow Bella’s line of sight to Bambi, her full puppy dog eyes on display, Lamb Chop hanging out of her mouth as she slowly sets her head on my lap.
“I’d love to, but it would be cruel. She has separation anxiety and I’m away a lot.”
“I can look after her.”
My head snaps up. “You’d have to sleep at my place at away games. Shuffling her back and forth would be harsh and only add to her anxiety.”
Bella bites her lip before shrugging. “Okay.”
My brain short-circuits.
Bella just said yes…to sleeping at my house .
Images of her sprawled across my bed come to mind, only to be doused with a bucket of ice water.
But what if she doesn’t stay around after the arrangement is done?
As if she had the same thought, Bella bends to my eye level, Layla and Kieran’s bickering forgotten.
Those honey brown eyes, similar to Bambi’s, pin me to the spot.
“Why don’t we take her back as a foster?
Most of the dogs got adopted, and those who didn’t have been fostered.
Everyone has a place to sleep tonight. She can’t be the only one to go back to a kennel, and I’m guessing the anxiety she feels locked in that cage is horrendous. ”
The knowledge that nearly everyone has been adopted has joy filling my heart, only to be closely followed by dread at the thought of Bambi being alone tonight.
It’s the reason I never visit the animals in the evening because even the thought of leaving them all there with no home makes bile rush for my throat.
I’d take them all back to my house and have a petting zoo if I could.
“Okay, I’ll take her in if you’re okay with helping out while I’m not at the house. It will be an adjustment to a new space for Bambi, so her anxiety will be high.”
Bella is beaming, glowing with how radiant her smile is, and I wish I had said yes sooner just to see that smile.
“I’ll also make a social media post about Bambi. Someone will want her. How could they not?”
Bella places her hand on top of mine. “I’d hold off.”
“Why?”
She looks from me to Bambi, who is currently staring at me. “Because she loves you. Give her some time with you.”
Except I think there’s more to it that she’s not voicing, especially as she gets a calculating glint in her gaze.
Checking my watch, it’s only three in the afternoon and already everyone is packing up to leave. Bella is right, the majority of the dogs have been adopted today, and the few stragglers left behind seem to be attached to someone who isn’t a volunteer.
A smile blooms across my face. “Nearly one hundred dogs found a home today.”
“Because of you.”
My gaze cuts to Bella and suddenly I hear myself blurting, “Come home with us.” Her head rears back, making me go on to explain myself. “Help Bambi get settled for the night. She seems enamored with you.”
She isn’t the only one , I want to add.
Bella’s lips part and I have a feeling it’s to say no, but Layla suddenly cuts in. “I can go check on your mom. You should go. Grayson’s right, Bambi hasn’t left your side all day.”
The look Bella sends her best friend would have me cowering, but Layla simply pats her on the head like a dog and smiles. “Off you go.”
Bella’s lips thin. “You and I will be having a word later.”
She grins. “I can’t wait. Grayson, take care of my girl while I’m gone.” At my nod, she turns to Kieran who’s leaning into her personal space. “Stop trying to spread your germs. I have no doubt you’re contagious.”
Kieran smirks. “Let me and my germs walk you to your car.”
Bella’s eyes widen. “Shoot, I drove her here. Let me just?—”
Kieran winks. “I got it.” Before Layla can refuse, Kieran is placing his hands on her shoulder, making her leap forward.
“Stop trying to infect me!”
“I’m not trying to infect you. I’m trying to drive you home.”
She deadpans, “You can do that without touching me.”
“Sorry, not sure I know how to stop.”
“Figures,” Layla mutters under her breath before waving bye to Bella and taking off.
It forces Kieran to chase after her. “Stop making me run, god damn it!”
Bella and I are quiet for a moment as we watch Layla pick up her pace, making Kieran full out jog.
“They’re going to kill each other,” Bella says.
“Most likely.” Shaking my head at our best friends, I stand. “I’ll go deal with the paperwork for Bambi, then I’ll meet you at the house? I shouldn’t be too long.”
“Sounds good. I’ll take her with me in my car.”
She takes the lead, Bambi all too willing to go with her.
At the sight of Bella and Bambi watching me walk away, something settles in my chest. A rightful feeling, one of warmth, comfort, and safety. It’s oddly familiar to how my home makes me feel.
I also have a sense that Bambi will never go back to Safe Haven Trails, and I would bet my life that the glint in Bella’s gaze has something to do with that gut feeling.