Ice –skating together with Patrick Kane. They were completely alone on the rink. The smell of the ice, the sound her skates made, the cold, all that sent shivers down Haley’s spine. It had been too long since she’d really enjoyed skating with someone else. She still knew all of her moves. She’d loved figure skating as a little girl as well as hockey, but her love for hockey had grown stronger and stronger. No wonder when you’re surrounded by men who loved the sport.
“You’re looking good there.” Patrick skated past her and turned around to face her. He took her hands in his and skated backwards. ”Are you feeling alright?”
“Great actually.” She squeezed his hands, before she let go of them again. Quickly she skated past him and picked up some speed. When his arms wrapped around her middle and he picked her up from the ice, she shrieked. He held her close and only put her down when he came to a stop.
“Are you running away from me?” He tightened his grip on her hips.
“I wouldn’t even dream about it.” She gave him a peck on the lips before shoving him aside and skating away again. It was too much fun to be chased by him to stop it there.
Before he caught her another time, though, she tripped and landed flat on her stomach. She turned on her back only to see Patrick next to her, already on his knees and checking her out.
“Are you alright? Did you get hurt?” He pushed her hair back from her face. Her sweatshirt was dusted white.
Haley pulled him down to give him a kiss, before she said: “I’m more than okay. It didn’t even hurt.”
She slowly sat up. Yes, she definitely felt great despite not being alone on the ice. She’d fallen flat on her face and had just laughed it off. Things like these could happen and it wouldn’t mean the end of the world.
Once she got up again, she started practicing a couple easy jumps, before Patrick got out the hockey sticks and pucks and they practiced a couple of shots. And Patrick had to admit that Haley was really good at what she was doing there.
“I see you played with Jonny before.” Some of her movements gave that away.
“Yeah. He was my best friend and we played hockey a lot back then.”
When they got tired they went out for dinner. Since they’d both leave the city the following day and still had some packing to do, they didn’t want to cook. They stopped at Haley’s apartment first so that she could pack everything she needed for her short trip. It didn’t take her long, so they were at Patrick’s apartment in no time.
When they had to say goodbye the following morning, Patrick didn’t want to let her go. He still didn’t like the thought of her and Duncan staying at the same hotel. He’d call her that night to check up on her. After the game when they were back at the hotel.
The good thing was that Haley and Duncan were traveling by train. That way she could plug in her headphones and read a book instead of listening to him babble on about whatever was on his mind. She’d liked him a lot at the beginning, but his constant advances, and the talk about Patrick had gotten on her nerves. Still, she had to work with him, and he was good at what he was doing. Usually he wrote about sports events, but this was an important project and they wanted someone with experience on it together with Haley.
When they got to the B&B, they introduced themselves and checked in. Haley went straight to her room, put her overnight bag next to the bed, and got her camera out to take a couple of pictures. It was beautiful outside. Not really warm, but the perfect spring weather. She took her keys and headed outside. First she took photos from the entrance, then the interior and the front desk.
When she was finished, she headed out the back to look at the garden. Flowers in all kinds of colors blossomed, birds were singing and the fragrance from the flowers filled her nose. It was beautiful out here, a little paradise.
Haley found herself enchanted by her surroundings. Time flew by as she was sitting on a bench, enjoying the smell and the view. When she went back inside, Duncan was talking to the owner. They’d agreed that he’d interview her and Haley would ask a couple of the guests. And she got on that straight away. If they got everything done today, they could get back home sooner the following day.
All the people she’d asked had said the same thing. The place was beautiful, the garden enchanting and the food delicious. Haley would find out about the food in the morning. For now she found a tiny Italian restaurant where she had dinner before she headed back to her room to watch the game. A sports bar had been a good idea, but they weren’t in Chicago. And she could watch the game on the TV in her room, which was even better.
While they were still talking, Haley took off her clothes and slipped on something more comfortable. One of her Blackhawks shirts that was too big for her and boxer shorts. When the game started, she took the notes she’s scribbled down while interviewing the guests and highlighted bits and pieces. She had to start working on it now, not everything, but just a little bit of work. She’d already done more than was expected of her that day.
It didn’t last long, though. Son she put down her notes and concentrated completely on the game. In the first period, Detroit scored a goal and it took Chicago another twenty minute to even the score again. Before the last period, though, there was a knock on her door.
Haley got up from the bed and opened the door without asking who it was first. Duncan stood there, smelling of beer. He seemed a little off, but not really drunk. Maybe a little tipsy.
“What do you want, Duncan?” Haley crossed her arms over her chest, standing her ground.
Duncan let his gaze travel over her whole body, taking his time at her naked legs, groaning in agony at the Blackhawks shirt. He lived in Chicago, he wrote about sport, and he was a Blackhawks fan, but not a fan of Patrick Kane. He’d made that clear on a couple of occasions now.
“Can’t I just come by to talk?”
“No, you can’t. Because all you’ve been talking about lately is how bad Patrick is for me.”
“Because he is.” Duncan stepped closer and put his hands on her shoulders, making her tense up. “I’d be much better for you.” He dropped his hands to her upper arms and pulled her against him, pressing his lips on hers. Haley tried to push him away, but wasn’t very successful. He tried to force her to open her lips, when she finally got a grip on his shoulders and was able to push him away. Duncan grabbed hold of her shirt and ripped it apart at the shoulder, staring at her with a blank expression on his face.
“Come on. Don’t tell me you don’t want it, too.” Duncan reached for her again, but Haley reacted quickly and pushed her hand against his nose as hard as she could.
“Excuse me?” Her voice was shrill when she kicked him between the legs. “Never, ever say that again! And keep away from me!”
She shut the door with a bang before she collapsed against it, staring blankly ahead. Her hands were shaking, her heart racing. She didn’t even realize that she was crying until a few drops hit her hands. Her vision was blurry when she stood up, took off the shirt and covered her upper body in a big sweatshirt.
Slowly what had happened sank in and she realized what could have happened. Her reaction had been right. She knew that she’d have to tell her boss about this eventually, but that wasn’t what had her worried. She’d have to tell Patrick about it, and she didn’t know how he’d react or what he would do.
The loud cheers erupting from her TV got her attention. The game was over, the Blackhawks had won and were officially in the playoffs. Meanwhile Haley sat on the bed in the B&B still shaking all over. She still didn’t want to believe that this had really happened. Of course not much had happened, because she’d been able to push Duncan out of her room, but it was still terrifying to think about it.
When her phone rang not even half an hour later, and Patrick’s face flashed on the screen, she didn’t answer. She turned off the sound and put the phone away. Right now she wasn’t able to talk to Patrick. She’d have to face him the next day, and that was already too much for her. Right now she only wanted to get some sleep, and it would probably take her some time to fall asleep, if that happened at all.