Page 68 of Snapping the Ice

“Sounds great.” I set my menu down and looked around us. I didn’t have to worry about lingering on anyone for too long. Lucas wasn’t a jealous control freak like Tate had been. Damn it, I needed to stop thinking about him.

“What’s going on in your head?” With a grin, Lucas peered at me.

No need to tell him the truth. “Reviewing my schedule for the week. I’ll be in the studio a lot.” After unrolling my napkin from my silverware, I set it on my lap.

“I can stay there with you after my morning skates and workouts.” He knitted his brows.

“No, it’s unnecessary. I can lock myself in and he can’t get to me.” Except he might show up as I was coming or going. Fuck. I pursed my lips.

“Don’t you need an assistant? I can help with things.” He gave me a playful grin.

Huffing a laugh, I shook my head. “Thanks, but no. You need to focus on hockey. I’ve got this.” It wasn’t fair to make him sit in my studio. He’d get bored at some point.

The server stopped by the table and took our drink and food orders.

Leaning in, Lucas focused on me and said, “Ezra, youwillcall the cops if he shows up, right? Call them and then call me.” He grabbed my hand, resting on the table. “Promise me.”

I stared at him. I had to be strong, like Stella. “I promise.” I squeezed his hand.

“Good.” Freeing my hand, he leaned back, spreading his forearm across the table. “I have a few home games this week. Do you want to go?”

The server dropped off our drinks.

“Yeah, sure.” I sipped my margarita through a straw,the fruit and lime hiding most of the tequila taste. “Damn, these are good. I can barely taste the alcohol.” Shit, would I be alone at the stadium? It wasn’t like I had any friends to go with me. I frowned.

“What’s wrong?” He cocked his head and drank his margarita.

“I’d be attending the game by myself, right?” I skimmed my fingers against the stem of my glass. Was I ungrateful?

“I’ll bet my brother and his husband would want to go. I’m pretty sure they’re home the night of the first game.” A grin teased his lips. “I want you to meet them, anyway.”

“Really?” My heart flip-flopped. This was a big step, but he’d already met my sister on the phone.

He shrugged, “Sure, why not?” He glanced at his drink and came back. “I’d rather be there when you all meet, so I can filter the shit that comes out of Mason’s mouth, but I’m sure Jett will do that for me.” He chuckled. “Mason can be a handful.”

“He sounds like a lot of fun.” And I’d be at a game with two NAPH players. How cool was that? “Will there be any media issues if we went together?” We’d be a target for the cameras, for sure.

He shifted in his seat. “Let me talk to our PR team, but I don’t think so. You contracted with the team on the calendars, so I’m sure they can spin something for the press if it comes up.”

“Okay.” I sipped more of my drink. “Let me taste your margarita.”

He slid his drink toward me. “When will the calendars release?”

“I think it’ll take a few weeks at least. Someone has to format them and then printing them can take a while.” I sucked in his margarita from his straw. It was less sweet than mine. “This is good, Lucas. Try mine.” I picked my drink up and handed it to him.

He drank it and handed it back. “Oh, sweet, but tasty.” He smacked his lips. “The first game is on Tuesday night.”

“Okay, I’ll plan for it.” My gaze caught on a man with plates in his hands. “I think the food’s here.” And it looked delicious.

The man set the plates in front of us.

“I’ll set up a FaceTime call with Mason and Jett this afternoon, so at least you’ll get to meet them virtually first.” He picked up his fork and cut into his food.

“That works.” Then I wouldn’t be as nervous at the game. I folded one of three tacos on my plate with meat, cheese, and cabbage spread over the small tortillas and stuffed it in my mouth.

CHAPTER 15

LUCAS