Page 73 of Tough Score

"Because what I've heard about Reeve is that he's one of the nicest hockey players on the team, but I can tell he doesn't care for me much and I can't think of anything I've done besides pull off a difficult surgery to save his career."

I'm relieved that he's asking because he thinks he sees the desire to be together in Reeve's eyes… and not because he just caught it in mine.

"What do you mean? He usually seems pleasant around you whenever I've seen you two interact."

"Yeah… at face value. But then I see his shoulders tense and his jaw tighten."

"I think you're seeing things," I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

I haven't witnessed any of that, but I can't promise that Jaxson is seeing things. He could be reading Reeve correctly.

"I'm a doctor. I'm acutely aware when someone I see has a muscle tic. And Reeve seems to only have one when I'm standing near you. It's an occupational hazard to notice things about people. It could save a life if I can diagnose a health issue quickly."

"What do you see when you see me?" I ask, laying down my fork and resting my hand on my chin with my elbow on the table.

"You're attracted to me," he says with a sexy smile, and then it falters slightly. "But you're playful with him. He puts you at ease. An ease that I don't usually see you in, not at Oakley's, not on the soccer field, and not with me."

It seems he sees more than a doctor looking for health concerns, but he's not wrong.

"I've spent more time with him than I've spent with you. I'm easier around people and places I know well."

"Okay, I'll accept that. But why are you tense at your uncle's bar that you know well or on a soccer field which you seem to know better than half the players on the city league combined?"

Okay, he might have a point.

Being around Reeve does something to me. I can't deny that.

Maybe it's because I feel safe with him?

But I can't admit any of that to Jaxson because then he'll think there is something going on between Reeve and me, that isn't.

I like Jaxson—a lot, actually.

We have a lot in common, like the medical field, soccer, and shithead dads.

It also doesn't hurt his case that my uncle really likes him,which can be a hard sell—and he's a hot surgeon.

"I think it's just that large crowds make me uneasy. I'm always worried that someone in the sports world is going to find out who I'm related to and judge me for it. Which is also why I can promise you that nothing would ever happen between me and Reeve. It would kill his career."

His eyebrows raise. "That's a heavy statement. Plenty of us have shitty parents. What's so great about yours that they would end up killing a highly-ranked NHL goalie's career?" he asks

He pulls his water glass toward him and then takes a sip.

I take a deep breath. I don't exactly want to admit this to him but at the same time… I feel like I might explode if I don't tell someone. And besides, if this relationship is going to continue, he's going to find out soon enough. I can't keep my history from someone I'm seeing seriously, forever.

And if this thing with Jaxson turns into forever, will he be mad when I tell him that my uncle Oakley is going to walk me down the aisle instead of my dad? Since my dad spent most of my life in prison? Especially because Jaxson was so open about his family with me.

No, I should just tell him now and get the secrets out of the way.

"My dad used to work for the mob," I say.

"Oh…" Jaxson pulls back in surprise. "I wasn't expecting that. Maybe your family situation is worse than mine," he says with a polite chuckle.

"Yeah…" I nod, reaching for my wine glass.

I swirl the last of the red liquid in my glass, watching as it glides close to the rim.

"I could see how that could be considered tabloid catnip but I don't think it would even make it to the front page. And I don't see how it would end Reeve's career."