10. Ian

Chapter 10

Ian

I left Hazel’s apartment over an hour ago, but I still felt prickles of heat on my palm from when we shook hands. It was incredibly confusing, so I chose not to think about it at all. The lack of sleep was probably already starting to get to me.

That was also my excuse for why I couldn’t stop picturing Hazel in her shorts and tank top. My mind replayed the moment she opened the door so many times that I was tempted to soak my head in a bucket of bleach.

So, what if I found her somewhat attractive? It was just a normal reaction to a woman. It didn’t mean anything.

I repeated that statement up until the moment I shut my eyes. Sadly, not even sleeping could get Hazel out of my head. She followed me into my dreams, still dressed in those tiny shorts and the lacy tank top. Her exposed skin glowed under the moonlight of my dreams.

One of the straps slid off her shoulder, giving me a view of her smooth skin. It fell lower and lower until…

I woke up immediately. I had to startle myself awake. Not even in my dreams did I want to imagine ever doing anything at all with Hazel. That was never going to happen.

I got out of bed and headed to the kitchen where I poured myself a glass of water. The cool liquid did nothing for the fire burning within me. It took everything I had to fight off the weird thoughts about Hazel. It was bad enough that I was forced to work with her, I didn’t need to dream about her too.

I just needed to hold out for a little while. Soon Emily would be found safe and sound. Then Hazel and I could go back to avoiding each other. I missed the peace I felt when we kept our distance. I couldn’t wait to have it back again.

When I woke up the next day, all thoughts of Hazel had been successfully banished to the darkest recesses of my mind where they belonged. I didn’t want to leave my apartment because I wasn’t in the mood to answer anyone’s questions, but I also wanted to visit my sister’s yoga studio. I hadn't been there in a while. Jade told me she’d renovated recently, but I’d yet to see it for myself.

I managed to make the journey to her studio without anyone asking me questions. I stared up at the black sign that hung outside and read: Carter Energy Center. My eyes widened when I pushed the door open and walked inside. I thought when my sister said renovation, she must have meant she’d gotten new yoga mats. I didn’t know she meant a full-on renovation.

I stared at the elaborate floral decorations that graced the walls and the clay pots holding tall plants that sat beside Jade’s yoga mat. Then I looked up at the candle-shaped lamps that hung above the studio. They lit up the dim room, casting a warm glow that made the place seem more inviting. Several yoga mats with matching pillows covered the floor, and a shelf filled with other equipment sat by the wall.

“This was some renovation,” I said to Jade when I saw her walk out of a door in the corner. The last time I was here, her studio only had one vase of flowers and three pillow-less yoga mats. I’d offered to help, but she insisted on doing it on her own and I respected her decision.

She smiled. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s incredible. You really outdid yourself.”

“Thank you.” She sat on the yoga mat in front and gestured to the one directly in front of her. I took a seat. “So, what brings you here?”

“First, I have to ask, when’s your next class?”

Jade looked at the clock behind her. “Not for another hour and a half.”

I sighed in relief. “Thank God.”

“Terrified of a few yogis?”

“I’m actually trying to avoid people in general.” Even as I spoke, I glanced at the door as if I expected one of Jade’s students to burst through and attack me with questions.

“Why?”

I told Jade all about my recent problem and how her best friend’s article was ruining my life.

“It can't be that bad,” Jade said when I was done telling her everything.

“Yeah, that’s what Hazel said but actually it is that bad. It’s so bad that George called me about it.”

Her eyes widened. “Wow. What did he say?”

“He wants me to do something about it, which is how I ended up agreeing to work with Hazel. Two of us have to find Emily so I can—”

“Wait wait wait. You agreed to work with Hazel?”

“Yes, I did.”

“This is great. Well, obviously not the disappearance of that poor woman but you and Hazel working together. Maybe this is what will finally help you guys get along.”

“I highly doubt that” I said.

Jade sighed. “Lord knows I’ve tried. I’ve been trying to bridge the gap between you two for years. I hoped you would one day come around to each other. After failing so many times, I had to give up on that hope. But now that you two are working together, maybe there is hope after all.”

“I seriously doubt that.”

“Just let me dream of a brighter future,” she said as she dramatically placed her hand on her chest.

“So, a brighter future for you is one where Hazel and I are friends?”

“Also, one where mom doesn’t tell me about her latest scheme to bring you home.”

“She’s still on that?” I asked.

“She never left it. One of these days she’s going to lock you up in your room and never let you leave again.”

“She does know I was always going to leave right? I’m a grown man.”

“Of course, she knows that. I guess she just didn’t expect that she wouldn’t get to see you. You’re barely home. You come to Cloverhill like twice a year and you usually don’t stay long. It’s only natural that she misses you.”

A deep sigh poured out of me. “You’re right. I haven't been home a lot.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s kind of hard coming home to a town full of fans. Running into them on a random day is one thing but seeing them everywhere is a whole other. They're people who only came here because of me. Do you know how much pressure that puts me under? I swear not even the actual hockey game makes me feel all this pressure.”

Jade was silent for a while. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were going through that. I can't imagine what that’s like.”

“I know it’s not an excuse but I—”

“It’s fine. I understand. And I’m sure Mom does too.”

I sighed again and leaned back until my head hit the pillow at the top of the yoga mat. “Do you ever think about when times were simpler?” I asked. “When we were in high school, I was just that kid who was good at hockey. No real pressure.”

“Yes, I think about it.” Jade made a sound, and I knew that she was also lying on her yoga mat. “Back then you were just a high school hockey player but now you play the big leagues. I guess it’s normal for the pressure to increase.”

“Life was so much simpler back then.”

“It really was. I miss being able to go to all your games.”

“I miss having you in the top row, screaming stuff I can't hear. I just hope they were words of encouragement and not a bunch of curse words. ”

Jade laughed. “I’ll never tell.”

“I’m sure mom misses that time too. Back then, I always came home but now…”

“But now, you’re chasing your dreams and mom couldn’t be prouder.”

I turned my head and stared at the four yoga mats beside me. Three more lay on my other side. “Speaking of chasing your dreams, when did you get so many members?”

“It happened shortly after I renovated. It was slow at first but then the number started to grow quickly. I had to buy out the shop beside me so I could expand the place. That alone cost me both my arms and legs.”

I sat up and she did the same. “You really didn’t have to do that alone. I wanted to help you. I offered, but you turned it down.”

“That was youthful pride talking, brother. Trust me, I’ll never make that mistake again. Just remind me never to reject your money again.”

I laughed. “Sure thing.” I paused for a moment before I spoke. “Did you ever find out what brought in more members? I mean whatever it was you have to do more of it. Maybe you could run a marketing campaign to advertise it.”

“Unless you want me to slap your face on a few posters, then forget about it,” she said. Jane explained further when she saw the confused look on my face. “You’re the reason I got more members. Somehow it got out that Carter Energy Center was affiliated with the great Ian Carter. Before long this place was brimming with fans. I know they’re mostly here because of you but honestly, as long as they’re paying, I don’t mind.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her statement and soon she joined in. I stayed with my sister until twenty minutes before her class. I made sure to leave before anyone else got there.

I spent the drive home thinking about my deal with Hazel and wondering what it would be like to work together. We were meeting up tomorrow to plan how we would find Emily. It was the first time we’d ever agreed to meet each other. Each time we saw each other over the years it was a result of someone else. We’d never actually met up before and certainly not when it was just the two of us.

I had no idea how tomorrow was going to go. My only prayer was for us to make it through the day without strangling each other. Hazel and I had come close to that on many occasions, but we’d always been able to hold back. It would be different now because we would be working together. That meant I had to see and talk to her a lot more than I would have liked to.

I sighed as I stopped my car at a red light. I tried to convince myself that working with Hazel wouldn’t be that bad. Maybe we would finally get along as Jade hoped.

I shook my head at that thought. There was no way Hazel and I would ever get along.

It was impossible.

We disliked each other too much for that to ever happen. And nothing would ever change the way I felt about her.