Page 9 of Breakaway

“Sorry.” He lowered his egg wrap and took a bite as inconspicuously as he could.

Today was not starting off well at all. It could only go up from here, right?

EXITING THE PRACTICE facility the same way he’d came in, through the lobby, he had to dodge all the little kids filing in for their hockey games. Usually, towering over others at six foot one worked in his favor. But that wasn’t the case in this sea of kids. If he wasn’t careful, one was likely to take him out at the knees. That was the last thing he needed in the middle of the season.

Almost at the door, a pint-sized hockey player zig-zagged in front of him, causing his hockey bag to go rogue bashing him in his knee, and the kid’s stick hitting him in the crotch.

Sucking in air, he tried to only swear under his breath with all the young ears around. “Holy Mother of?crap!”

As he was gasping for air, the tiniest child ran by him grinning and repeated “CRAP!” The adult that he assumed was the little one’s parent glared at Travis, as she ran after her child.

Little did these parents know, their kids would be learning words much worse than crap on the ice, soon enough. He seemed to remember learning lots of new words at age ten, when he played Pee-Wee.

Once the pain subsided, Travis took a deep breath and straightened his posture. What he caught out of the corner of his eye made him forget all about his unfortunate encounter with the hockey stick. It was that girl with the amazing blue eyes.

She was seated behind the receptionist desk, talking and laughing. Her blue eyes sparkled every time she tossed her head back in laughter.

So, the mystery woman worked at the reception desk.

“Yo, Anderson! You riding with us or what?” Ben called, holding the doors open for him.

“Yeah.” He hurried towards the exit. “Let’s go.”

Now he had another reason to look forward to the next practice. And he’d make sure he brought his wallet.

“Anderson!” his teammates called impatiently.

“Coming.” Travis hurried outside. Maybe his day was finally starting to look up.

CHAPTER FIVE

Travis

Travis woke up early—long before practice started. His racing thoughts of the beauty at the practice rink had kept him awake more than he should’ve been. At least eight hours of sleep were needed for him to be his best on the ice. He had picked up good lifestyle habits from his grandmother, but the other kids also made a big impression on him, when he started playing ice hockey. He would watch what the other dads were teaching their kids. He had fallen in love with hockey the first time he set foot on the ice, and he had wanted to learn anything that would make him better.

Travis had accomplished a lot in his career and was trying to make something for himself. But that goal would only be possible if he kept his head down and his nose to the grind.

Which was why the beautiful, blue-eyed girl had him so off his game. She was in his head. Logically, he knew he should steer clear of her?of anything that had the potential to derail his focus on hockey. But that girl. He couldn’t deny there was an attraction he hadn’t felt in a long time, or ever. Her laughter behind the desk when she was supposed to be working made him think she had to have a great sense of humor. Then there was the cool way she’d stepped in and helped with his cash problem. She was obviously thoughtful and kind. Gorgeous, too, of course, with her crystal blue gaze. But there was also an air of mystery, and he was curious to know everything about her.

He quietly made his way through the halls of the hotel and hurried to the practice rink. Spying her at the front desk, he pulled his cap down and dipped his head. He snuck past the desk and to the locker room area. It was still early, so the only guys here were a few of the veterans, and they were in the gym.

After tossing his gear in his locker stall, he hustled back to the lobby and went straight to the coffee cart. Checking his back pocket to make sure he’d remembered his wallet this time, he ordered two coffees. The coffee cart had a display of decorated flower sugar cookies. With a grin, he added one to his order.

Straightening his posture, shoving his broad shoulders back, he strutted up to the receptionist desk.

He gulped, as she tossed her dark blonde hair and he caught her glance. It was as if her blue eyes were looking at his soul.

“Hi, again.” Travis stood in front of her, grinning like a fool. “I bought you a—”

As he stepped closer to the desk, his slide caught on a tear in the carpet, and one of the coffees spilled all over him as he caught himself from falling.

She stifled a laugh. “I hope that one”—she pointed at the intact coffee—“is mine?” Humor filled her voice.

“It is now.” He laughed, trying to hide his embarrassment and annoyance with how stupid he became around this girl. He set the full cup of coffee on the desk in front of her. “I saw this flower cookie, and it reminded me of you.”

Oh geez, why do I turn into a complete tool when I get near this chick? He swiped his forehead and took a breath.

“A cookie?” She pursed her lips.