Page 12 of A Shot at Love
Frankie slipped her hands into the pockets of her team branded sweatpants and studied Jules, looking for any sign of uncertainty or her being uncomfortable. All she got in response was another soft grin and an inquisitive gaze.
“No, it’s not weird. And I’m not completely innocent either, I never said what I did for work. I was trying something new, keeping my work life separate from everything else because I’m learning just how demanding this job is and with it being so new…I don’t know, I guess I was just thinking it might be nice to have a friend outside of this sport, someone who didn’t know how monumental it all is. Normal isn’t the right word for it but…”
Jules' gaze softened, like she understood what Frankie was saying completely, and she took another step closer. “I get it, believe me, I do, because I feel exactlythe same way. My brother is…well, you know who he is, and that can make my life complicated.”
Of course Jules would understand, of course she would know what it was like to make sacrifices for a sport they’d both spent their lives so wrapped up in, and Frankie felt a kinship in that.
“It’s just been Cam and I for most of our lives and his success happened so fast. I’ve been with him every step along the way and haven’t ever really known much or experienced much outside of that so I know what it’s like to want a bit of something for yourself, to not lose yourself to this sport all the time.”
There was something about the way Jules spoke of her experience with a kind of reverence that tugged at Frankie’s heartstrings. She knew what it was like to feel isolated, even when she was constantly around something she loved.
“I get it,” Frankie said. She swallowed and looked down at her feet, suddenly feeling a little nervous. “And I understand if y’know…” She glanced up again and pulled her hands from her pockets, crossing her arms. “You want to keep things professional when it comes to any relationship you and I have because I’m your brother’s coach.”
Jules pursed her lips and took a deep breath, like she was considering it, like she was working through something, an internal battle that Frankie could see playing out on her face.
The reality was that they didn’t have much of a relationship to begin with. They were basically strangers so nothing would even have to change if Jules wanted to keep things surface level. They’d smile at one another in the gym if their paths crossed, make casual conversation in the elevator about the Harbour’s most recent game, and go about their days as acquaintances with one thing in common; hockey star Cameron Clarke.
And Frankie would have to accept that.
Shecouldaccept that.
Chapter 8
She should say yes to what Frankie was offering. It would make things a hell of a lot easier because Jules had told herself it was what she wanted.
She wanted a life that washers, she wanted friends, work, and a love that had no relation to the sport she had given her entire life to and she hadn't even done it for her own playing career but for someone else's.
Jules had promised herself that this time, in this new chapter, in a city that before she and Cam had made the move together she’d never even been a tourist in, that she would do things differently for herself.
Becoming friends with someone more deeply involved in the sport than Jules was herself…well, that would be a mistake, wouldn’t it? It would be theoppositeofwhat she wanted but she couldn’t deny that what she also wanted was to know more about the beautiful redhead standing in front of her. Frankie was looking more nervous and timid than Jules had seen her and it was so damn charming.
There was no denying it, Jules was attracted to Frankie and there was a pull, something tugging her into Frankie’s orbit and it was so hard to fight. So maybe…maybe she wouldn’t.
“I could make an exception,” Jules said, her lips curling up into bigger smile. “But just this once. If you’re okay with being friends with Cameron Clarke’s sister then I’m okay with being friends with his coach.”
“You’re so much more than just his sister,” Frankie said, gaze narrowing, her voice steady and sure, almost as if she were making sure Jules knew shemeantit.
That wasn’t something Jules was prepared for and it made her heart skip a beat. “Hah, well…” she said, deflecting with a self-deprecating laugh. “You don’t even really know me yet.”
“No,” Frankie said with a chuckle, “but I want to so what do you say we go and finish the tour your brother started while I ask you every single question I can think of huh?”
”Oh, I…”
”I’m kidding. About the questions, not the tour.” Frankie nodded towards the door then closed the distance between them and brushed past Jules, giving her arm a light friendly squeeze. “Come on, I want to show you my favourite part of this place if your brother didn’t beat me to the punch.”
Climbing up two flights of stairs to an unassuming unmarked door wasn’t on the itinerary for Jules but with Frankie guiding her, she would go anywhere in this building.
Frankie had shown her the canteen where the team nutritionists prepared meals and provided healthy pro athlete approved snacks and the large room with a padded floor for the team to do group stretching and pre-activation. They'd peeked in on the guys doing their workout in the fitness centre and Cam had waved to Jules as he dipped into a Bulgarian split squat.
She didn’t miss the way some of the other guys looked between her and Frankie in joint confusion but she tried not to think about it for too long.
Cam had taken her to one of the two ice pads but it was choppy from a recent skate so when Frankie led her to a second ice pad, it looked like gorgeous blemish free expanse of glass and she could feel it, the familiar tug she got when she was around fresh ice.
The rink was dark save for a few overhead lights that seemed to shine like spotlights on the ice below, fresh and shining from a recent Zamboni pass, and the sight of it had Jules itching to lace up her skates and hop onto it with her stick in her hands.
It had been far too long since she’d actually played and she missed it more than she’d admitted to anyone but as she stood near the edge of the ice in one of the players benches, nothing standing between her and the pristine surface other than the door, she caught a glimpse of something on Frankie’s face.
Perception, maybe. Like Frankie could see her, could sense what she wanted, but she didn’t ask, didn’t push. She just let Jules stand there and admire the view, let her breathe in the fresh cold air that cycled throughout the rink for a few minutes before leading them somewhere else without so much of a hint as to what they’d be looking at next.
