Page 14
CHAPTER 14
North
I sit in my truck outside Rafferty’s building, fingers drumming the steering wheel as I wait. The morning sun has burned off most of the frost, leaving behind a pale, clear winter sky. There’s more snow in the forecast for tomorrow and I wonder if I can talk Farren into another snowball fight.
It’s currently cold but not the bone-deep cold of Calgary that Farren is used to. Still, I’ve got the heat blasting because as I’ve gotten to know her, I expect she’ll step out in just a hoodie, claiming she’s “fine” while secretly freezing her ass off.
I check my phone. She’s running late, and I don’t know if that’s typical for her. That’s part of me still learning her, and now that she’s relented slightly into a more open and conventional dating arrangement, I’m eager to figure her out.
Finally, the condo lobby door opens, and she steps out, confirming my guess. She’s wearing black leggings, sneakers, and an oversized gray hoodie. No coat, no gloves. Her dark hair is pulled up in a high ponytail, a few strands escaping to frame her face. She’s carrying a water bottle and looking at her phone as she walks, completely oblivious to my presence.
I reach over and honk the horn, startling her. She jumps and glares at me, but a smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.
“Real mature,” she says as she climbs into the passenger seat, slamming the door shut behind her.
“Good morning to you too.” I grin, cranking up the heat even higher. “You forgot your coat.”
She rolls her eyes and holds her hands in front of the vents. “What are you talking about? It’s balmy today.”
“Yeah, well, Pittsburgh’s not Calgary,” I shoot back, chuckling at her mischievousness. “And you’ve got nothing to prove.”
She smirks but doesn’t argue, which I count as a small victory.
“So,” she says, leaning back in her seat and giving me a sideways look. “Where are you taking me? You’ve been annoyingly vague about this whole thing.”
It’s true. She texted me three times trying to get me to divulge where we’re going. The most I would tell her was to dress casual and for comfort, which she’s obviously done.
“You’ll see,” I say cryptically, pulling away from the curb .
“Ugh, I hate surprises,” she grumbles, but there’s a spark of curiosity in her eyes. The radio plays classic rock softly in the background and Farren reaches over to change the station. “What are you, old-man adjacent?”
I glance over at her, an eyebrow lifted. “Old-man adjacent?”
“Yeah, you know… exhibiting characteristics of someone who’s old,” she says slyly. She lands on a Taylor Swift song and I suppress a grimace. I found our first thing we don’t have in common.
“I’m like only two years older than you,” I complain, glancing at myself in the rearview mirror. I make a dramatic show of looking at my face and proudly proclaim, “Not even wrinkles around my eyes.”
Farren snorts. “I didn’t say you were old, just that you acted old.”
“Listening to classic rock isn’t acting old. Those are some of the most badass tunes around.”
We launch into a heated debate about musical tastes, and I manage to point out her hypocrisy when she admits to a keen enjoyment of Barbra Streisand, something that has me laughing so hard my ribs hurt.
She’s so involved with arguing with me, Farren doesn’t even notice I’ve brought the truck to a stop in a parking lot. She looks up at the building and then to me. “Rock climbing?”
“Yup,” I say, unbuckling my seat belt. “It’ll be fun. ”
She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You know I’ve done this like only one time before, right? And it wasn’t exactly a great experience.”
I pause, resting an arm on the open door of my truck to meet her gaze. “Yeah, you mentioned that. But you’ve never done it with me. Trust me, it’ll be different.”
Her expression softens for a split second, but then she rolls her eyes again and gets out of the truck. “Fine. But if I fall and break my ass, I’m blaming you.”
“Deal,” I say with a grin.
Inside, the gym smells faintly of chalk and rubber, and the sound of climbers calling out commands mixes with the soft whir of fans overhead. Farren looks around, taking it all in, and I can tell she’s a little intimidated, though she’d never admit it.
We check in at the front desk where an instructor named Kyle gives us the rundown on safety and equipment, although I have been doing this sport for years so I’m pretty proficient. Most of my summers I spend time out west, climbing anything I can get my hands on.
Farren listens intently, nodding along, and I can’t help but notice how serious she looks.
“You good?” I ask as we gear up, slipping into our harnesses.
“Yeah,” she says, letting Kyle help her tighten the straps around her waist. “Just trying to remember not to look down.”
“You’ll be fine,” I reassure her. “I’ve got you.”
Kyle leads us to a beginner wall, explaining the basics and how to belay properly. Farren pays close attention, brow furrowed in concentration. I’ve seen that look before—she gets it when she’s focused, like when we played pool at Stevie’s and she was determined to beat me.
“All set?” Kyle asks after a quick demonstration.
Farren nods. “Let’s do this.”
She steps up to the wall, her fingers testing the holds, and begins to climb. At first, her movements are hesitant, but she quickly finds her rhythm. I manage the rope below, keeping a close eye on her progress.
“Left foot up,” I call out. “There’s a good hold just above your knee.”
She glances down, her ponytail swinging. “You sound like a back-seat driver.”
“Yeah, but I’m right,” I shoot back.
She says something under her breath but follows my advice, reaching the top of the wall a few minutes later.
“Nice job!” I call up, giving the rope a gentle tug. “You crushed it.”
She looks down at me wearing a triumphant smile. “Not bad for someone who disdains climbing a flight of stairs, huh?”
“Not bad at all,” I agree as she slowly glides down to the ground.
When she reaches the floor, she unhooks the carabiner and grins up at me. “Your turn, show-off.”
I smirk, stepping up to the wall. “Try to keep up, Abrams.”
The climb feels natural to me, my hands and feet finding holds with ease. Because of my experience, the muscle memory kicks in immediately. I glance down at Farren as I climb, and she’s watching me with a mix of awe and exasperation.
“Stop making it look so easy,” she calls up.
“Can’t help it,” I reply, reaching the top in record time.
When I rappel back down, she shakes her head. “You’re obnoxiously good at this.”
“I’m all right,” I say, grinning. “Ready for round two?”
Her smile is game. “Let’s do it.”
We spend the next hour climbing different walls, taking turns belaying for each other. Farren grows more confident with each climb, and I can see the tension in her shoulders ease. She even starts to crack jokes, teasing me every time I give her advice.
“Is this your way of flirting?” she asks at one point, pausing mid-climb to look down at me.
“Maybe,” I reply with a smirk. “Is it working?”
She snorts and keeps climbing, but not before calling down to me. “Baby… you just have to crook your finger at me and I’ll jump in your bed anytime.”
I flush hot, immediately looking around to see a handful of people heard her as evidenced by the smirks on their faces.
“Could you have said that louder?” I ask, not bothering to temper the volume of my voice. The cat’s already out of the bag.
Farren’s husky laugh floats down to me and fuck, I even like how wide open she is with her desire for me, even if it’s slightly embarrassing.
By the time we take a break, she’s flushed and sweaty but grinning from ear to ear. We sit on the padded floor, drinking water and catching our breath.
“I’ll admit,” she says, stretching her legs out in front of her. “This is actually kind of fun.”
“Told you,” I say.
She glances at me, her expression softening. “You’re full of surprises.”
“How is this a surprise?” I ask. “I told you before this was one of my hobbies.”
“Yeah,” she says, running her finger down the condensation on her water bottle. “But I think most guys would rather have just taken me to their house to have sex. Instead, you took me somewhere we could spend quality, non-sex time together. And you took the gamble that I’d enjoy doing something like this. It’s just… su rprising.”
I put my hand behind her neck and pull her close. My lips are very near hers, although I have no intention of kissing her. I do lower my voice though, so that only she can hear. “I still intend to take you back to my house and fuck you.”
Farren’s eyes flare and she hums low in her throat. “That better be a promise.”
“It is,” I assure her, releasing her just as quickly, causing her to startle as I know she was expecting a kiss. I jump to my feet, grab her hand and haul her up. “But first, one more wall to climb.”
The tallest wall in the gym looms ahead, a towering challenge with holds spaced farther apart and a few overhangs that require some strategy to navigate. Farren stands at the base, craning her neck to look up at the top. Her lips press into a thin line, and I can see the hesitation creeping in.
“That’s really high,” she says, her voice wavering slightly. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough.”
“You never know until you try,” I say, stepping closer. “I’ll guide you the whole way. You trust me, right?”
She glances at me, her expression guarded, but after a moment, she nods. “Yeah, I trust you. I just don’t trust myself.”
“Well, lucky for you, I’ve got your back,” I say with a reassuring grin. “One step at a time, Farren. That’s all it is.”
“I’m scared,” she admits, averting her eyes. “I mean, that’s really tall.”
I take her hand and give it a squeeze. “I said I’ve got your back. Always.”
She exhales slowly and nods again, determination flickering in her eyes. “All right. Let’s do it.”
I double-check her harness and knots, making sure everything is secure. “You’ve got this,” I say, giving her shoulder a quick squeeze. “Take your time and don’t overthink it. Just focus on the next hold.”
She steps up to the wall, her fingers testing the first few holds before she begins her climb. Her movements are slow and deliberate, every step calculated. I keep the rope taut, my gaze locked on her as she makes her way up.
“You’re doing great,” I call as she clears the first third of the wall. “Keep your weight close to the wall—don’t let your hips drift back.”
“Easier said than done,” she yells, but there’s a hint of humor in her voice.
She continues upward, her confidence growing with each successful move. When she reaches the first overhang, she pauses, looking down at me. “What the hell do I do here?”
“Lean back slightly and shift your weight onto your feet,” I instruct. “Use your legs to push up and grab the hold above you with your right hand. It’s solid.”
She hesitates then does as I say, her movements tentative but steady. When she clears the overhang, she lets out a breathless laugh. “Holy shit, that worked.”
“Told you,” I reply, grinning. “You’re a natural.”
Her progress slows as the holds become smaller and farther apart. I can see the strain in her muscles, the concentration etched on her face. Sweat beads on her forehead, and she pauses to shake out her hands.
“You’re almost there,” I encourage. “Just a few more moves.”
But then it happens. Her foot slips off a hold, and she lets out a startled yelp, her body jerking to the side. My heart lurches but the rope is secure and she’s not going anywhere.
“You’re okay!” I say calmly. “You’re not going anywhere.”
She clings to the wall, her chest heaving as she catches her breath. “Shit,” she exclaims, looking down at me with wide eyes. “I thought I was going to fall.”
“You’re safe,” I say firmly. “You’re not going anywhere. Just take a moment and breathe.”
She nods, her knuckles white as she grips the holds. After a few deep breaths, she steadies herself and looks up at the next hold. “Okay. I’m good.”
“All right,” I say, my voice calm. “You’re doing great. Just take it slow. One hold at a time. ”
She starts moving again, her movements more cautious but no less determined. Every inch she climbs higher, I swell with pride. I don’t know what demons she’s running from, but she’s clearly strong and brave enough to overcome her fears. She’s resilient and works hard, and I respect the fuck out of that.
When Farren finally reaches the top, she slaps the edge of the wall and lets out a triumphant shout. “I did it!”
“Hell yeah, you did!” I call up, grinning from ear to ear.
She sits at the top for a moment, looking out over the gym, her expression a mix of exhilaration and disbelief. Her eyes meet mine and the sparkle of mischief has me bracing. “Can we go have sex now?” she calls down.
I groan in embarrassment and start to help her with her descent. She rappels slowly with controlled movements, and when her feet barely touch the ground, I’m taken aback when she throws her arms around my shoulders. “That was amazing! Thank you for pushing me to do that.”
“You killed it,” I say, unable to hide the admiration in my voice as I squeeze her. “That was all you.”
“Not all me,” she counters softly, and it feels like the rest of the noisy gym fades away. It’s just us, standing on solid ground after climbing higher than I think either of us expected. “Team effort.”
The irony isn’t lost on me that she viewed us as a team today, when she’s been so averse to identifying as part of a couple. I don’t point that out though.
“Let’s do it again sometime,” she says, her smile widening.
I chuckle. “You’re on, Abrams.”
And at that moment, I know I’m not just helping Farren climb walls—I’m breaking hers down, one step at a time.
We turn in our equipment and head out to the truck. Once I have it started, I ask, “What do you say about staying at my place for the next couple of days? It’ll save me from driving back and forth, and we can spend more time together.”
She glances at me, her eyes narrowing slightly in mock suspicion. “Are you inviting me to stay over just so I’ll cook for you?”
I grin. “You caught me. My fridge is woefully understocked. Plus, I want sex.”
She laughs, but there’s a flicker of something softer in her expression. “How many nights are we talking?”
“Well, we’ve got the home game tomorrow, then a day off before we head to New York and San Diego. So, three nights?”
She considers, then tilts her head. “All right, but only if you promise to do the dishes if I cook. ”
“Deal,” I say, grinning. “But only because I’m terrible at saying no to you.”
We head out of the parking lot and I aim for Rafferty’s condo so she can pack some stuff. Her hand rests on the center console and I itch to take it in mine, pull it over and rest it on my thigh. But that’s just the sort of romantic move that might freak her out, so I resist.
I wonder what she’s thinking as her fingers absently tap against her thigh. She has a thoughtful furrow in her brow.
“So,” I say, breaking the silence as we merge onto the main road, “was today what you expected?”
She turns her head, a faint smile playing at her lips. “Honestly? No. When you said we were doing something fun, I thought maybe it’d be, I don’t know, bowling or mini golf. Not scaling walls like a wannabe Spider-Man.”
I chuckle. “You’re welcome. But come on, admit it—you loved spending time with me outside the bed.”
“We don’t always have sex in a bed. There’s the wall, the couch and the floor.” Her smile widens a fraction. “But it wasn’t terrible just hanging with you.”
“That’s high praise,” I tease, glancing at her.
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t argue. Instead, she rests her head back against the seat, her gaze fixed out the window. “It was different. Good different.”
I shift in my seat, feeling a tug of pride. “I’m glad you gave it a shot. Not everyone’s brave enough to tackle a wall like that on their first real try.”
Her laugh is soft, almost self-deprecating. “Brave, huh? I don’t know about that. There were definitely moments when I thought I was going to fall on my ass.”
“But you didn’t,” I point out. “You pushed through. That’s what counts.”
She doesn’t respond right away, her fingers stilling on her thigh. After a moment, she says, “You’d told me it was a hobby of yours, but have you always been into climbing? You seemed way too comfortable up there.”
I nod, a grin tugging at my lips. “Yeah. My dad got me into it when I was a kid. He used to take me to this outdoor climbing spot near our house. At first, I was terrified, but he was patient. Taught me how to trust the gear, my footing, my hands. It kind of stuck with me.”
“Your dad sounds like a good guy,” she says, her voice softer now.
“He is,” I say simply, glancing at her again. “What about you? Did you do anything like this growing up? Sports? Hobbies?”
She snorts lightly. “Does reading history books and conducting science experiments in the basement count?”
“Depends,” I say. “Were you good at it?”
“Very,” she replies, her tone dry but amused. “I was a brainy nerd to the core.”
“Like how brainy? ”
“Near genius IQ,” she replies with what almost sounds like bitterness.
“I’m not surprised,” I say.
She blinks at me. “Really? I’m an unemployed bartender mooching off her brother. Pretty unambitious.”
“What does that have to do with intelligence?” I ask. “I mean, anyone who talks to you for ten seconds can tell you’re on another level of smarts. And can’t there be smart bartenders?”
“I suppose,” she drawls hesitantly.
“I don’t buy you’re not ambitious either. I bet you have all kinds of secret aspirations.”
My eyes move from the road to Farren, and I catch the look of confusion on her face, tinged with a slight bit of panic.
Getting too close so it’s time to pull back but she changes the subject on me.
“You know,” she says thoughtfully, “it’s weird. I’ve done a lot of enriching experiences in my life—bartending stories, traveling, hobnobbing with famous hockey players.” She shoots me a wink and I can’t help but laugh. “But today felt different.”
“How so?” I ask.
She hesitates, as if trying to find the right words. “I don’t know. Like I wasn’t just passing time. I was actually… present, I guess? Does that make sense?”
“It does.” I nod and it makes me hopeful that she’s seeing the plus side of having someone. “Sometimes it’s not about what you’re doing, it’s about who you’re doing it with.”
She glances at me, her expression unreadable, and I wonder if I’ve pushed too far. But then she smiles—a small, genuine smile that tightens something in my chest.
“Maybe,” she says, her voice quieter now.
We pull up to Rafferty’s condo and she unbuckles her seat belt. “Give me a minute.”
Before she gets out, I reach across the console. “One more thing. A few of us are going dogsledding on Friday. They’re calling for snow tomorrow and it should be perfect conditions.”
Farren’s eyes round. “Dogsledding here in Pittsburgh? You’re kidding me.”
Chuckling, I nod. “There’s supposedly a cool place not far from here. Want to come?”
She freezes, one leg already out of the car, and turns back to me. “It would be outing us as dating.”
She says the word dating as if it’s a curse word, the grimace behind it amusing more than anything.
“If you’re worried about the whole ‘us’ thing, I can set the stage with them. They’re cool—it won’t be a big deal.”
“They’re going to have to find out sooner or later.” Her brow furrows slightly as she processes this. “You’ll just tell everyone we’re seeing each other? ”
“Yeah,” I say simply. “Why not? No drama, no secrets. We’re adults, and honestly, they’re probably going to give me shit for waiting this long to say anything.”
She bites her lip, clearly weighing her options. “And you think it’ll be fine? No weirdness?”
“None,” I assure her. “They’ll just be happy you’re hanging out with us. Plus, Rafferty is on board and isn’t that what matters? I’m thinking tomorrow when I see the guys at the arena before the game. I’ll casually bring it up.”
She looks like she might say no, her lips pressing into a thin line. But then she sighs, a small smile threatening to break free. “All right. I’ll go. But if anyone makes a big deal out of it, I’m out of there.”
“Deal,” I say, my grin widening.
She hops out of the car and turns back toward me. “Give me five minutes. Don’t fall asleep out here.”
I chuckle as she jogs into the building. Sitting back, I let out a slow breath. There’s something about this moment, her willingness to take this step with me, even if it’s small—that feels monumental.
I’m not just spinning my wheels with her anymore. This is progress. And damn it, I’m going to keep moving forward, one step at a time.