Page 8 of Shot on Goal at a Second Chance (Midlife Meet Cute #6)

Zach

Ibrought Rebecca to the beach to see the sunset, but in comparison, she’s the better attraction in my mind.

The young girl I remember is still there, but she’s stronger, more sure of herself.

And standing at the shoreline, looking out over the water while an ocean breeze dances through her hair, she’s the epitome of beauty and poise.

Plus, I can’t stop checking out the curve of her lips, remembering what they felt like on mine.

“You’re staring at me, Zach.”

A hint of ire tinges her humorous tone. “Would you think I was ridiculous if I said I can’t help myself?”

She wrinkles her nose. “Not ridiculous. More like cliche.”

I chuckle. “Then guilty as charged.”

“I thought we made a deal.” A smile plays at her full and very kissable lips.

“Remind me of the terms.” I’m teasing her…like I used to.

She turns her face toward me, staring at me over her shoulder. “Just friends catching up.”

“Right, guess I forgot for a moment.” I slip my hands into my shorts pockets as the water laps at my bare feet.

When we dated, she used to meet my teasing with a spark in her eye and a sharp reply.

I remember going back and forth with her for hours until we stopped talking and expressed ourselves in other ways.

True to her word, Rebecca asked me to stop at her condo so she could change into gauzy shorts that revealed her shapely legs and a tank top that fit her to perfection. Thankfully, I had my gym bag in my trunk and changed into shorts and a T-shirt at her place, saving my suit from the sand.

She turns away from the explosion of colors painting the sky to face me. “I’ll start. Why did you stop returning my calls?”

I blink, then raise my brows, though I shouldn’t be surprised. Becks never was one to pull punches, and apparently, she still isn’t. “I was young and stupid?”

A soft snort escapes her before she turns her gaze back to the water. “I already knew that.”

Revealing the truth about her father’s request would hurt her, but not telling her might jeopardize building something new between us.

I can’t tell her about the part her father played, but I can share one reason I stayed away. “I knew my career would interfere with yours, so it seemed best to let you go.”

She whips her head around to face me. “You didn’t even give me a choice.”

Nodding, I tuck my chin, unable to meet her eyes. Back then, she could read me like an open book, and I suspect she still can. But I can’t stand the thought of hurting her by tarnishing her father’s memory. “I know, and I’m sorry. I should’ve let you decide.”

And I would have, but Sam insisted on making that decision for her, even when I argued otherwise. I respected his judgment because he’d always steered me on the right path, and I figured he knew what was best. But I always regretted it.

She crosses her arms. “I never heard if you got married or anything.”

I shake my head, choosing my words carefully because I want her to know what she meant to me. “Never met anyone else that interested me like that.”

Surprise flashes over her expression. Her mouth opens, but she says nothing. Is she simply processing what I said, or is she struggling to believe me?

“What about you?”

With a wry smile, she lifts one shoulder. “I was with someone for a while. Fell apart after we were engaged.”

I frown at her. “I don’t think it’s supposed to work that way.”

She snorts. “True, but thankfully, we realized we weren’t right for each other before we got married.”

Getting our past entanglements out of the picture shifts something in the conversation, and we spend the next thirty minutes more at ease, sharing details from our lives under a blazing sunset and the sound of the waves as our backdrop.

I fill her in on my transition from hockey to becoming a sports analyst, and she shares her challenges to be taken seriously in a male-dominated sport, especially when it comes to management.

When the sun finally dips below the water, we head up the beach toward my car. “Any chance I can talk you into that burger?”

She sighs. “And he’s back to pushing.”

I let out a soft chuckle. “What’s the saying? A girl’s gotta eat?”

“Yes, but this girl is meeting her potential new coach in the morning and needs to prepare.”

I open the car door for her. “I could help you with that.”

“I think I can figure this part out on my own, Zach.”

“Rebecca,” I catch her arm, stopping her from getting into the car. “I know. I just thought…”

“Thought what?”

“My knowledge and experience in this area might be helpful.”

Her brow furrows. “I’ve worked in the sports world for as long as you have.”

The last thing I intend to do is make her doubt herself. Quite the contrary, actually. I only want to help. “That’s true. However, I’ve given recommendations and helped several coaches and teams by analyzing stats and data.”

I’m practically holding my breath as I wait for her next reply. She’s right. I’m pushing too hard.

A soft sigh escapes her lips. “You’ve analyzed my team, haven’t you?”

I hold my hands out. “It’s what I do.”

She glances toward my back seat. “Do you have a notebook in that briefcase of yours?”

“And a pen or two.”

She studies me for a moment. “Good. Let’s brainstorm over some burgers.”

Our empty plates sit on the table, pushed out of the way as we finish discussing not only Gabe’s interview but potential strategies for her team, which include replacing the team’s captain.

Becks finishes writing the last item on the list we created and then closes the notebook. “I’ve spent some time studying the players, but I’m not seeing a clear candidate.”

“Let Gabe worry about that.”

She slumps in her chair. “Wouldn’t it help the team to have that settled as soon as possible?”

“You know how this works, Rebecca. The team needs to have a say in who their captain will be.”

“So they take ownership.” She sits back with a sigh. “Exactly what I’m hoping they’ll do.”

I can easily see Rebecca getting the vote for best owner in the ECHL. She has her team’s well-being at heart. “If you hire Gabe, let him and Jack work with the team to pick the right guy.”

She fiddles with the corner of her discarded napkin. “I’m not sure Jack will be on board with any of this.”

I make a gamble by covering her hand with mine. “Follow your gut, Becks. You know what you’re doing.”

Doubt still lingers in her eyes, but she smiles. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

I reaffirm my resolve to do whatever I can to help her succeed. Guess I’m team Rebecca, and it feels good. Like I have a greater purpose than just analyzing stats and reporting on my findings.

“Anytime. You got this.” My phone buzzes next to me on the table—Laney. “I should take this.”

Rebecca drags her eyes from my phone and nods.

I answer my niece’s call as I step outside the restaurant. “What’s up, peanut?”

“I sent you an email from the college. Something they want signed by my guardian.” Sarcasm coats her voice, and I’m sure she’s thinking she’s a grown woman who doesn’t need to be told what to do.

Laney has always been the most independent female I’ve ever met, even from a young age.

When she hit fourteen, she made me promise to only call her ‘peanut’ in private, and I reluctantly agreed.

By sixteen, she had her entire college plan mapped out with a list of colleges she planned to apply to, including her first choice, Yale University.

By eighteen, she had her acceptance letter in hand for their bioethics and law program.

I bet she and Rebecca would hit it off big time.

“How soon do you need it?” I glance through the window to where Rebecca sits, scrolling on her phone. “I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

“Ooooh, a hot date? Please tell me you’re on a date, Uncle Zach.”

“Why?”

She gasps. “I’m right, aren’t I? I knew it!”

“Laney, It’s not a date. Just dinner with an old friend.”

“He or she?”

I hesitate at first. “She.”

“An old flame from your past?” Excitement fills her voice.

“Maybe.”

She squeals. “About time.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Your email—when do you need it?”

“Oh, that. Not until the end of the week. Just needs a digital signature.”

“I’ll take care of it. No problem.”

“Thank you! Now go back to your date.”

“Not a date.” But I think she already hung up.

Once inside, I return to my seat. Rebecca sets her phone aside, appearing uncomfortable. “Someone you’re seeing?”

Seeing her discomfort over a possible romantic entanglement sends an odd streak of satisfaction through me. “My niece. She needs something signed for college.”

“Oh.” She slides her hands from the table to her lap. “I was so sorry to hear about your sister.”

I never knew what to say to people when they said that after her death, and I still don’t, so I simply nod.

Hesitating, she blinks, appearing nervous. “I called.”

“I know.”

Lips pursed, she straightens in her seat. “But you didn’t call me back.”

“I know.” I take a deep breath. “I didn’t know how to juggle more than playing hockey and taking care of a five-year-old.”

Her eyes widen. “You raised her?”

Running my finger through the moisture on the side of my glass, I nod again.

“I never saw anything in the news.”

“Because I made sure Laney was never in it.”

Her gaze softens, and she smiles. “She’s so lucky to have you.”

“And I her.”

An awkwardness settles between us.

Rebecca glances at her watch. “It’s getting late. And I have an early morning, as you know.”

Is she being honest or pushing me away again? “Would you mind if I sat in the interview with Gabe?”

“Why?” She eyes me suspiciously.

“In case you need help with Jack.”

“Oh, that.” She sighs. “That would actually be nice.”

“Then I’ll be there.”

She fidgets in her chair. “Thank you.”

“I’m glad to help, Rebecca. I want to help.” I sound like a broken record, but I’ll keep repeating myself until she believes I’ll do anything I can to assure her success.

Our gazes lock until she blushes and looks away.

After I take care of the bill, despite Rebecca’s insistence that she pay for herself, we leave the restaurant and drive back to her place.

When I open my door to walk her up, she touches my arm and shakes her head. “Don’t get out. I’m right there. I’ve got it.”

The temptation to cover her hand with mine almost overwhelms me, but I see this for what it is. She thinks I might try to kiss her. And she wouldn’t be wrong.

I push a smile onto my face. “Then I’ll see you in the morning.”

Although she’s smiling, disappointment flickers in her eyes before she pulls her hand away. “Thanks again for today. You really helped a lot.”

Something warms, then swells in my chest as I give her a quick nod. I didn’t expect her appreciation to affect me that way. I feel like I just earned a small place in her world.

She slips out of the car and walks the short path to her front door, then gives me a brief wave before she goes inside.

I barely sleep, but I don’t care. Thinking about Rebecca is definitely my new favorite thing to do.