Tripping (Iced #2) - Kristine Allen Page 0,48

had to cover my smile. Reluctantly, he stopped in front of Bleu’s house and killed the motor. Then he reverently stroked the steering wheel and the dash.

I unbuckled and watched him.

“Maybe someday, huh?” he asked wistfully, then gave me a look that said he needed me to tell him anything was possible.

“Look, I can’t promise you that you’ll be able to afford a car like this someday. That wouldn’t be fair. But what I will tell you is that when I was your age, I was billeting with a family that had a really cool vintage Camaro. I loved that car.

“I knew I was going to play for the Amurs because I believed it with everything in me, even if I had to start with a two-way contract with their AHL team at the lowest pay. Beyond that, my secret hope was to one day afford a car like that, but never in a million years would I have imagined being where I am right now. I probably would’ve played for half what they pay me. My point is, you have to have faith, drive, and determination. With those things, anything you set your mind to is possible. The only things that are truly unattainable are the things you never try to accomplish.”

“Whoa. Dude. You are so much deeper than I would’ve guessed.” He stared at me with wide eyes, and I shook my head with a smirk. “Here I thought you were just a pretty face that knew how to chase a puck.”

Shooting him a stern look, I couldn’t hold it long before I snorted a laugh.

“Nah, I’m simply a realist and a believer in motivation and determination.” I reached for the door.

“Hey, Cameron?” he asked, and I paused, looking over at him.

“Yeah?”

“Thanks. That seems inadequate, but you probably just made my life.” He grinned before caressing the interior of the car once more.

“You’re gonna have way bigger things in your future than driving this Porsche.”

“Speaking of the future….” He trailed off as he grew serious and stared out the windshield. Then his gaze lit on me. “You really like my sister, huh?”

Taken aback, I dropped my head to the seat. “That might be an understatement,” I said, casting my eyes in his direction as I still faced forward.

It had been the last thing I’d expected that home game that she fell over the railing. I’d thought I was perfectly happy with my life. One redheaded woman dropped into my life—literally—and that was all it took to show me that something had been missing.

“This is gonna sound corny, but I think I was so set on getting to Texas to play for the Amurs because deep in my soul, I knew she was here waiting. That this was where my real future was. Hockey is great. No, that’s not accurate. Hockey is life, but life isn’t complete without Bleu in it. Someday, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. Don’t go telling anyone I just spewed all that philosophical bullshit, okay? Can’t have my rep being bruised,” I said, then chuffed out a breath.

With narrowed eyes he studied me, likely trying to gauge the sincerity of what I’d said. “You gonna marry her?” he asked, and I choked on my own spit. I probably coughed and gagged for a good three minutes.

“Whoa there, cowboy! Let’s not rush things!” I chuckled and coughed again. It was like this kid could read my mind. It was freaky. Expecting him to get miffed at my response, I was surprised to see him laugh.

“Yeah, okay. We’ll see about that. I think you’re still in denial about your feelings for Bleu. Everyone saw it today,” he said, then opened the car door and climbed out. Why did I feel like I’d been schooled by a fifteen-year-old kid?

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t see Bleu come out until she opened the door and slid into the driver seat. “Ooo, it’s warm in here,” she said with a happy little grin. Then she gripped the steering wheel. “Is it my turn?”

I cocked a brow. “Do you even know how to drive a standard?”

“Puhlease! You think just because we were girls that Crimson and I were exempt from driving the ranch trucks around? The first vehicle I drove was an old 1973 three-on-the-tree GMC. Jett didn’t get to drive that one.” Her expression was a smug/proud blend, and I was again struck with how beautiful she was. Jett’s parting words really made me think.

Exactly how deep in was