Chapter 21

Jensen

It had been a good couple of days.

Between the new intimacy with Bailey and me, winning a game at home last night, and having something other than drudgery to look forward to, I felt lighter than I had in a long time. So much so, Ivan noticed and said something at practice.

“What have you been up to lately? Something is different.” He fixed me with a suspicious stare.

I chuckled. “Maybe.”

“You met someone.” His eyes twinkled with amusement.

“Maybe.”

“Stop being an asshole. You have a new woman in your life?”

“Yeah.”

“Who is she? Was she at the game last night?”

“Uh, no.” I shook my head. “She’s not ready to meet everyone.”

“Why?” Now he looked serious.

“It’s complicated.”

“And you can’t tell me?”

I hesitated. I wanted to respect Bailey’s privacy, but Ivan was my friend and my two worlds were going to have to merge at some point, even if it took a while for Bailey to get comfortable with it.

“Did you ever see the movie ‘Every Time You Look’?”

He frowned. “Yes, of course. With Manny Collette. It was very good. Won a few Oscars. Why?”

Obviously, Ivan was way more into movies than I was.

I really needed to watch the movie before I made an ass of myself.

“Does the name Bailey Walker ring a bell?”

He frowned. “Yes… she was in the movie. She played the intern, I think. She won an Oscar for the role, didn’t she?”

“Yup. That’s her.”

“Who is her?” He looked confused.

“The woman I’m seeing. It’s Bailey Walker.”

His mouth fell open, and he gaped at me. “This is a lie.”

“It’s not.” I almost chuckled at the look on his face.

“But…” He frowned. “She was the one in an accident, yes? I hear she is disfigured now, that’s why she left Hollywood.”

I shook my head vehemently. “Jesus fucking Christ. She is not disfigured. No wonder she’s gun shy about being seen in public. What makes you say that?”

“It was everywhere when the accident happened. How do you not know this?”

“I don’t follow movie stars.” I shrugged. “And I didn’t even know who she was until we met in person. We met online.”

“This is your gaming friend.”

Apparently, he remembered when I mentioned things.

“Yes.”

“And she’s… okay?” He looked both confused and concerned.

“She has a limp,” I said quietly. “She’s really self-conscious about it, so please keep this to yourself. But she’s as beautiful as ever. The limp doesn’t bother me, though I hate that she’s in pain a lot of the time.”

“I am sorry for this.” He spoke quietly. “And of course, I will not say anything to anyone. You’re happy?”

“She’s amazing.” I couldn’t help but grin. “I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

“Just tell me when. Maybe we can double date. Does she have single friends?”

I hesitated.

The only friends I knew of were Manny and Lucia, who were married.

Did she have any other friends?

How did I not know the answer to that question?

“I’ll find out,” I said to him.

“Boys, you planning to join us today or would you rather sit around and shoot the shit until lunch?” Coach gave us a dirty look.

“Right away, Coach!” Ivan gave him a mock salute as he skated onto the ice.

I followed more slowly, not particularly interested in anything Coach had to say.

It was extremely bad form to think your coach was not just inept but an asshole to boot, but it was the truth. I didn’t like him, and worse than that, I didn’t respect him. He’d lost the respect of most of the room, and it showed on the ice. No one in upper management seemed to give a shit, though, and despite last night’s win, we were a sorry looking bunch.

That wasn’t my job, though.

My job was to play hockey to the best of my ability, so that was what I would do.

Then I would go home to my awesome new girlfriend.

Girlfriend .

Was Bailey my girlfriend?

I hadn’t used that term in a couple of years.

I’d had dates and hookups, but nothing had stuck. There hadn’t been anyone I’d been into enough to give a title to.

Until now.

We’d made love last night, and discussed the distinction between that and fucking, so it seemed like we had more going on than casual dating or hooking up. She’d been clear that if we were going to be intimate, it had to be in a relationship, and I was a thousand percent down for that.

Despite Coach’s yelling, I grinned as I started doing drills.

Hopefully, two hours from now, I’d be on my way to pick her up.

I was taking her and my mother for a drive down to the beach. Bailey had mentioned once that she hadn’t been to the beach since she’d sold her house, so I hoped this would be a pleasant surprise for her.

I didn’t tell Bailey where we were going, and she seemed content to chat with my mom as we drove.

“I love L.A.,” Mom was saying, “but I’m ready to go home. I miss my kitchen and my bed.”

“No mention of Dad, huh?” I teased her.

She laughed. “I miss him every minute of every day, but he’s getting ready for the Frozen Four, so this is his busiest time.” The Frozen Four was the biggest college hockey tournament, and the team Dad coached had made it.

“I figured you’d be on your way to Leif next,” I said, trying to keep a straight face.

“Oh, that’s the plan. But I have to spend a little time at home first. Wouldn’t want to neglect my wifely duties, you know. Your dad is still a healthy, virile man.”

“Mo-om!” I couldn’t do anything but laugh since I knew she said things like that specifically to get a reaction out of me.

“I think it’s wonderful that you’re not just happily married, but still physically attracted to each other after all these years,” Bailey said.

“God, yes. It’s better than it’s ever been now that we’re empty nesters. We can swing from the chandeliers if we want. And we do.”

I huffed out a laugh.

“Thanks, Ma. I love having that visual in my head.”

“Your visuals are not my problem.”

“Where are we going?” Bailey asked, looking around. “This is the exit for Manhattan Beach.”

“It is.” I looked over at her since she was in the passenger seat and Mom was in the back. “I thought we’d go to the beach. You said you hadn’t been in a long time.”

“The beach?” Mom sounded confused. “It’s chilly out, Jensen.”

“We’re not going swimming,” I said. “Just a walk on the shore or maybe a drink somewhere, overlooking the water.”

“That sounds lovely.” Bailey was quiet, staring out at the horizon, and I couldn’t tell if she was happy or sad.

“Do you not want to?” I asked, reaching for her hand. “We don’t have to.”

“No, it sounds wonderful. Thank you.”

She curled her fingers around mine but didn’t say anything else as I found a parking spot.

“I can’t use my crutches on the sand,” she said when I helped her out of the SUV.

“You can leave them here and I’ll give you a piggyback ride,” I said. “Or you can bring them and we can just stay on the pier.”

She hesitated. “You’ll have to hold my hand when we’re walking. I get a little unsteady on streets like this.”

“I was planning to do that anyway.”

“This is lovely, Jensen,” Mom said, wrapping a scarf around her head since it was windy.

“I used to live right around the corner,” Bailey said as we crossed the street and headed toward the water. I had a tight hold on her hand, and we were walking slowly, but it felt good to be out with her.

“It’s gorgeous,” Mom said. “I can see why you wanted to live here.”

“I love my house now,” Bailey said, “but I miss the beach.”

“Maybe we can get a room down here in the off-season,” I suggested. “Just for a couple of days. Soak up some sun and enjoy the water?”

“That sounds fun.” She said the words but didn’t sound overly enthusiastic.

This might not have been such a good idea, after all, because she seemed sad.

“You want to walk by the shore?” I asked her. “I was serious about putting you on my back.”

She hesitated, but then nodded. “I’d like that.”

“I’ll stay here with your shoes,” Mom said, as if sensing we needed a little time alone.

“Thanks, Ma.” I slid off my socks and sneakers, rolling up my jeans a little, and Bailey did the same. Then I crouched down. “Can you climb up?” I asked her.

“I think so.” She held on to my shoulders and I hefted her up, pulling her legs around my hips.

I stepped onto the sand and walked toward the water.

The wind was pretty strong today, whipping through our hair and sending sand flying, but I found it exhilarating.

“Am I too heavy?” she yelled in my ear.

I laughed. “That might be the silliest thing you’ve ever said.”

She laughed too, hooking her arms around my neck. “Fine. Then take me for a ride, cowboy.”

“Careful what you wish for, darlin’.” I tried for a southern accent, but it just sounded like it was my first day with a new tongue, and she giggled in my ear.

I spun us around, walking to the shoreline and splashing in the water, even though it was cold.

“Jensen!” She squealed as a little water splashed over us.

“Wanna go for a swim?” I teased.

She nearly choked me as she tightened her grip around my neck. “No! Don’t you dare!” Her laughter rang out and it was infectious. Whatever had been bothering her when we’d first arrived seemed to be dissipating as I repeatedly pretended to attempt to toss her in the water. Every time I acted like I was going to throw her in, she’d tighten her grip and I’d gag like she was choking me.

In the distance, I was pretty sure my mother was taking pictures, and while part of me was grateful we’d be able memorialize something so sweet, another wanted this moment to be private. Bailey had been slowly opening up to me, talking about the past and allowing me to see her pain. We needed more opportunities like this, where we could just be together and find our footing as a couple.

As fast as things were moving between us emotionally, the romantic relationship was still fairly new.

“Babe, I’m cold,” she whispered against my ear when we’d been messing around by the water for about twenty minutes.

“Yeah, me too. Let’s head back.” I turned and started walking back to the pier, where Mom was waiting.

“Aren’t you frozen?” she demanded when we reached her.

“A little. But there’s a place about a block from here that has the best hot chocolate,” Bailey said. “Let’s go there and warm up.”

“Sounds great.” We sat on benches brushing sand off our feet and putting our shoes back on.

“You want to get on my back again, or can you walk?” I asked her.

“I can walk as long as we go slow and you hold my hand.” She got to her feet, sliding her hand into mine just as a man approached us.

“Bailey? Is that you?”

She looked up and froze, the color draining from her face.