Page 6 of One Good Puck (Denver Bashers #5)

Gavin

I wrap my arms tight around Abby, my chest aching at seeing her like this.

Her beautiful face is streaked with tears, twisted in pain.

I still can’t believe I grabbed her and hugged her. I’m not a touchy-feely kind of guy. The only person I hug and am affectionate with is my daughter. But with everyone else, I’m hands-off. I shake hands. I smack helmets and pads during practices and games. That’s it.

But with Abby, it was instinctual. I saw her slumped against the wall, tears streaking her face, clearly upset, and I wanted to go to her. To hold her and comfort her. Despite her saying that she was okay. I could tell she was just saying that to minimize herself.

I breathe in and get a whiff of whatever perfume or shampoo she’s wearing. It’s sweet and citrusy. Light and musky at the same time.

We stand like that for what feels like a minute, and not one second of it feels awkward or weird, at least not for me .

My chin is propped on top of her head, and it’s like she fits me perfectly.

“I’m sorry, Gavin,” she whispers before stepping back and out of my arms.

She wipes her eyes and looks at my chest. “Crap, your suit jacket. I got makeup on it.”

“It’s fine,” I say without even looking down.

“It’s not fine. That’s probably a really expensive suit.” She lets out a breath, and her delicate shoulders fall. Like she’s defeated. “I can take it to get drycleaned. I know this really good place near my parents’ neighborhood…”

She trails off when I shake my head. “You’re not doing that, Abby. I have a million suits. I don’t even really like this one that much.”

A chuckle falls from her mouth. It sounds so light and happy. God, it feels good hearing her laugh after seeing her so sad.

After a moment, her expression falls. She crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m sorry for falling apart in front of you like that. I’m so embarrassed.”

“You don’t need to be embarrassed. What happened? Do you want to talk about it?”

She hesitates for a second, her hazel-green eyes big, clearly surprised at what I’ve said.

“I’m not going to make you listen to me ramble.”

“You’re not making me do anything. I want to listen to you. If you’re comfortable talking about it.”

She’s quiet for a second, her gaze on me curious. Almost like she’s in disbelief.

She sighs. “I just got off the phone with my landlord. I have to move out of my place at the end of next month because he’s selling it, and I’m just really stressed about finding a new place. ”

She goes quiet for a second, then lets out a weak laugh like she’s embarrassed. “Wow. When I say it out loud, it doesn’t sound all that bad. Everyone deals with this at some point in their lives. I sound like kind of a drama queen.”

She tugs a hand through her sandy blonde hair. It’s styled in long, loose curls. The other times I’ve seen her, she wears her hair in a ponytail. She looks beautiful either way, no matter what she does with her hair. But tonight she’s breathtaking.

She’s wearing this long, shiny, flowy light-green dress that shows off her legs. I saw her when she first walked in and almost choked on my drink. I was stunned at her beauty.

Even now, she’s still so beautiful, face red from crying, a hesitant smile playing on her lips.

I shake my head. “You’re not a drama queen.

Having to move unexpectedly can be unsettling.

I had to move a bunch of times when I was a player in the league, and I hated it.

Sometimes we’d only have a week to find a new place to live in the new city we played in. It stressed me out every single time.”

She looks at me for a long moment, and I instantly regret what I said. I sound like I’m trying to one-up her.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean for it to come off like I’m trying to make it about me,” I mumble, embarrassed.

“You didn’t. It’s honestly nice to hear you say that.

I hate moving. It’s the worst. Especially with how expensive things are in the city nowadays.

” She glances off to the side. “The place we live in now is pretty perfect. And affordable. And the landlord was great too. Really kind and helpful. I just got a little overwhelmed thinking about having to look for a new place. So many apartments are out of my price range. My budget can’t take many more surprise expenses. Gotta love single parent life.”

She lets out a sad chuckle. I’m quiet as I process everything she’s said. I figured she wasn’t rich since she’s a teacher. Most teachers are paid way less than they deserve.

I don’t know anything about her daughter’s dad, but I assumed he paid child support or helped her out in some way. He should—every father should support their child, no matter what. But it sounds like she’s the primary parent, and she doesn’t get much help from him or anyone.

This poor woman. She’s working her ass off and can’t catch a break.

She closes her eyes and shakes her head.

“Oh my god, I’m rambling.” She takes a breath and opens her eyes again. “I should head back out to the party. Thanks for letting me cry on you and listening to my ranting.”

She lets out another embarrassed chuckle, then starts to walk off.

“You could live with me,” I blurt.

She immediately stops walking and turns around to face me. She’s frowning like she’s never been more confused in her life.

“What?”

“You could live with me,” I say again, just now realizing how insane that sounds.

I don’t know Abby well at all. We’ve hung out maybe a dozen times, always with other people around. The only time we’ve ever been alone was the other week when I randomly ran into her at that dive bar.

I probably sound like a creep offering up my house to her and her daughter to move into.

“That probably sounds nuts.” I let out a nervous laugh .

A sweet smile pulls at her lips. “A little. But it’s also very generous of you to offer up your house to me.”

I shove my hands in the pockets of my suit pants and shrug, relieved that she doesn’t seem creeped out, mostly amused.

“It’s a pretty big house. Way more than I’ve ever needed.

There’s even a guest house on the property that I’d offer up to you and your daughter, but it’s a loft.

Closer to a one-bedroom, but there aren’t any walls around the actual bedroom area.

I’m sure you and your daughter would like to have more space than that,” I say, then instantly regret that too.

I sound like I’m bragging about my massive house to a single mom trying to make ends meet.

But judging by the warmth of her smile, she doesn’t take it that way at all.

“Wow. Your place sounds awesome. But I can’t accept, Gavin. Thank you for offering. I’m sure I’ll find something else.”

Disappointment gnaws at my gut. Yeah, I like Abby. I have a crush on her. But that’s not why I want her to stay in my house.

The thought of her having to move into some rundown place in a terrible neighborhood with her daughter makes my stomach churn. I don’t want her to have to go through that.

“Just come over and look at it. No pressure,” I say to her. She turns around again. I keep my hands in my pockets so I don’t come off too strong. I’m a big guy, and she’s five feet six inches tall.

“Bring your daughter and see if she likes it. If you don’t end up liking it, it’s all fine. You won’t hurt my feelings, promise.”

Her expression turns thoughtful, like she’s considering it. “Okay. Can I come over later this week and take a look?”

I smile. “Yeah, of course.”