10. Josie

10

JOSIE

" S orry to make you wait," Wyatt said as soon as he came around the rink. I wasn't sure what to do or where to go, so I stood there awkwardly, waiting until Wyatt was ready. The Zamboni driver kept giving me side glances the entire time as he cleaned the ice after the teams practice.

"No worries," I replied with a quick shake of my head. Once again, he wore a pair of track pants that made my mouth water. Something about guys in track pants was insanely attractive. He wore a simple gray Nike sweatshirt over it, and though the outfit was simple, he looked damn good. Feeling myself blush, I pushed the thoughts aside as I looked at him.

"Where do you want to eat?" I asked.

"I actually know of a good burger place not too far from here. That okay?"

"Sounds perfect." The sound of a good hamburger made my stomach growl, and I silently prayed he didn't hear it. Judging from his chuckle, he did.

"I know we could just meet there, but how do you feel about riding in my car?" His blue eyes met mine as he spoke. "I promise to keep both hands on the wheel."

I thought it was sweet of him to ask, and I had the feeling if I said no, he'd respect my decision. It made me want to say yes, all the more.

"Seeing as you could have killed me in the elevator, I think spending a few minutes alone in your car won't hurt."

"I don't know…maybe it was all an act, and I'm now about to lure you into my trap," Wyatt said with a nonchalant shrug.

"Let me eat my burger first. Then you can kill me. Deal?" I smiled up at him.

"Fair enough. Gotta let you have your last meal. Would be brutal of me to kill you with an empty stomach," he laughed, leading us out of the practice arena towards the parking lot.

"Such a gentleman."

We walked side by side out to the parking lot. With every step, the side of his arm brushed against mine. Despite our clothes, I swore I felt a tingle at his touch.

My eyes grew wide as Wyatt led me towards a sleek gray Tesla. It looked like it just came off the sales lot. Interesting he had a Tesla and not something a bit flashier. I was kind of expecting him to be driving a super expensive car like the Ferrari parked further down.

Good thing we didn't take my car.

I grimaced at the thought. My run-down Hyundai was nothing compared to this.

"Nice car," I commented as we reached it.

"Thanks. It's actually the first brand new car I've ever bought." Wyatt rubbed the back of his neck, a gesture I'd seen a few times now–one I was fairly sure meant he felt nervous. "Until a year ago, I drove an old, beat-up Ford truck that I bought for 1200 dollars," he explained.

"1200 dollars, huh?" The corner of my lip quirked up. Don't really expect a hockey star like him to be driving a cheap, beat-up truck. Especially when his contract is worth at least 12 million dollars. I liked that he was humble enough to keep driving it even if he could easily afford five cars.

"And still runs like a champ," he grinned back.

"Still?"

"My younger brother drives it now." Like a gentleman he opened the door for me. I slid into the passenger seat and was instantly hit with the same smell from the elevator.

A smell that was all Wyatt. Albeit less sweaty and more wintery.

Marveling at how comfortable the seat was, I ran my hands along the seat. I was surprised at how big the car actually was. The dark brown leather seats and black dashboard suited Wyatt—everything about the interior screamed masculinity.

As Wyatt slid into the driver's seat, I quickly stopped my gawking. "Ready?" he asked with a smile as he started the engine.

"Ready."

When Wyatt said he knew a good burger joint, I thought he meant an actual restaurant. Not a food truck parked out the front of Kmart. For a moment, I thought he was joking, but as he turned the ignition off, I knew he was dead serious.

"I promise you they have the best hamburgers in Toronto," he said, as though sensing my uncertainty. As I got out of the car, I saw there were a few tables around the food truck. There were only a few people standing around, but then again it was only 4:30 on a Monday afternoon.

Wyatt led me towards the food truck, his hand on my lower back. It was a simple action, yet my back tingled at his touch. His hand was so big I could feel it spanning up my spine. The thought of those big hands touching me elsewhere flashed in my mind before I quickly cast it aside, hoping he couldn't see my face turning red.

Before we reached the truck, I could smell the food, making my mouth instantly water. The menu was filled with so many kinds of burgers, different styles of fries, as well as dessert.

I was so busy looking at the menu I didn't notice someone had popped their head out of the window until a booming voice called out Wyatt's name. My head snapped up to find an older man with gray-streaked hair and a bushy beard covering half his face, beaming down at Wyatt.

"My boy! Been awhile since I've seen you." The guy's eyes landed on me. "And I see you brought someone with you."

Wyatt's hand pressed into my lower back a bit more as he introduced me. "Josie, this is Rick. He owns the truck and cooks the best burgers in town." The last part was directed at Rick who just laughed.

"The kid isn't wrong. Nice to meet you, Josie."

"Nice to meet you," I smiled, already liking him.

"What can I get you two today?"

Wyatt looked at me, waiting patiently for me to go first. I wasn't sure what to pick so I just quickly rattled off the first option that came to mind.

"I'll take the bacon cheeseburger with fries and a water, please." I turned to Wyatt, and as I saw him raise his eyebrows at my order, I worried I'd said the wrong thing.

"I see—Wyatt recommended his favorite, did he?" Rick winked.

"Uh, no, I didn't," Wyatt replied, and I thought I saw a little twinkle in his eyes.

"I think this one's a keeper," Rick said, and I felt myself blush again. "You kids go take a seat, and I'll bring it out to you when it's ready." Rick disappeared through the window.

"Your usual huh? Come here often?" I asked as the two of us headed for an empty table off to the side. It occurred to me that Wyatt didn't seem concerned about concealing his identity here, and I hoped it meant he felt comfortable around me.

"You could say that. I actually found this place by accident. After my first game with the Knights, the entire team went out to celebrate and I may have drunk a little more than I should have. I stumbled out of the bar and just started walking, with no idea where I was going."

I fought back a grin imagining a drunk Wyatt stumbling around.

"I ended up coming across a food truck that was still serving food at two in the morning. I met Rick and he made me something to eat, free of charge since he had watched me play earlier. It was love at first bite."

"And so, you've kept coming back ever since," I said with a smirk.

"Yep. I've pretty much tried every burger on the menu, but I always come back to the bacon cheeseburger."

"It's a classic. Even if the grease may kill us one day."

"Sometimes you just have to take the risk." I had a feeling he wasn't just talking about hamburgers as he looked at me.