“Good, because that guy was a jerk.”
“Who was a jerk?” a familiar voice asks, and my heart leaps into my throat as I glance up to find Rider and Kane standing over us. My gaze latches onto his, but he’s not smiling. No, he’s frowning as he steps closer to me and taps his finger on the table. “You need me to take care of someone?” He looks past me and scans the bar. “Someone giving you a hard time?”
“I don’t need you to fight my battles,” I say and square my shoulders, even though the ridiculously girly part of me loves his knight in shining armor attitude.
“Don’t listen to her, she’s a lover not a fighter,” Lindsay says and my gaze cuts to hers.
“What the hell?” I say.
“So is he,” Kane says and jerks his thumb toward Rider. “Unless it’s on the ice.”
Lindsay pushes a chair out for Kane and he lowers himself. “Great game tonight,” she says, changing the subject as she leans toward him, her body language displaying just how much she likes him. Kane takes a strand of her hair between his thumb and finger and begins to te
ase it, like he’s totally into her too.
“Seriously, Jules, is someone bothering you?” Rider asks in a lower voice as he flips the chair around and sits beside me. I angle my body and find it a bit difficult to think when I catch the clean soapy scent of his skin.
“No, we were just talking about my ex. He was an asshole. That’s all.” Not wanting to talk about Jason, I say, “I caught the end of your game tonight.”
His eyes light up. “I thought you didn’t like hockey.”
I give an exaggerated sigh. “I don’t. It just happened to be on the TV when I turned it on.” I don’t bother telling him I searched every station like an addict in need of a fix.
“Yeah, well, I still don’t like nurses.” He shifts a bit closer and it takes everything in me to keep my breathing steady.
“At least we’re still on the same page,” I say.
“And once again, in the same bar.” He produces that damn dimple with a smile. “I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight.”
“Sorry to disappoint.” Before he can respond, I ask, “So what brings you here tonight? Back on wingman duties?” I cast a glance at Lindsay and Kane, who are deep into their own conversation. I’ve never seen her hit it off quite so well with someone before. I really do hope Kane is one of the good guys. Lindsay could use one in her life.
“As a matter of fact, I am,” he says.
I nod toward Kane. “I think your brother might have something to say about that.”
Rider grips the back of his chair. “Who says I’m here for him?”
Oh, God was he here for me? Did he come because he knew I’d be here tonight?
No wait, he just said he didn’t know I’d be here.
“Oh, who are you here for?” I ask, working to sound causal, despite the roaring storm tearing up my stomach.
“You. I owe you a date remember.”
For a brief second I think he’s talking about the two of us going on a date, but he looks past my shoulders.
“Tall, dark and handsome, right?”
I quickly pull myself together. “That’s right, and you don’t care what she looks like as long as she has a pulse.”
He feigns offense. “I never said that. You really don’t think much of me, do you?”
I laugh to lighten things. “Okay, maybe that was uncalled for. So far you’ve been a perfect gentleman.” I scan the bar and spot a cluster of girls near the hall leading to the bathroom.
“Okay, so let’s do this,” I say.
“Can’t wait to see you in action,” he responds.