Page 42 of Blue Line

“Elite Edge Energy is also interested, very interested, based on what they’re offering.”

“I’m not interested in Elite,” Weston says.

“It’s a lot of money. A long-term deal. It would be good for you.” John levels him a look.

Weston leans back in his seat, arms crossed. “No. I’m not endorsing a company that puts who knows what in their products. It’s not something I’d actually drink, so I’m not doing it.”

Well, okay then, sir. I don’t know why his answer surprises me. He’s always come across as a man with high morals. I silently applaud him for not selling out.

“Fair enough,” John says with a nod. “I’ll let you know if anything else comes up. I heard PowerIce Gear might be in the market for another hockey player to partner with, but I don’t know for sure.”

“I recognize the company name but don’t know much about them, so maybe.”

“Understood. If they do end up reaching out, I’ll ask them to send equipment for you to test. Does that work?” John says.

“Great. Anything else?” Weston asks.

“Nope. Unless you have anything you want to talk about?”

Weston glances at me, and I shake my head. “No, I think we’re good.”

“Perfect. I’ll be in touch.” John gets to his feet.

We shake hands, then Weston takes my hand and leads me out of the office and out onto the street.

We don’t let go of each other until we make it to his Jeep. I tell myself it’s just in case someone sees us, but I’m not sure if I believe that anymore.

Chapter sixteen

Wes

“Did you miss me?” I yell as I walk into the house after a few hours spent at the arena.

Hadley and I have fallen into a routine over the last couple of weeks. I get up early and head to the arena to work out for a few hours and skate with whoever is around. Some days I go out to lunch with a few of the other guys who are in town. When I get home, Hadley’s usually putting away whatever she was working on, and we hang out. We might watch a movie, go for a drive, play a board game, or work on a puzzle. Just depends what mood we’re in, and how much energy we have.

I thought it would be weird living with Hadley, but I’m finding that even though she leaves shit everywhere, I’m enjoying the company. Her company. It’s made this summer easier to bear. And we’ve come to an agreement that if she’s going to leave her stuff everywhere, she at least needs to keep it in one pile. Which has mostly worked.

“In here,” she calls from the kitchen.

I take my shoes off and set my bag down before heading to where she’s standing with her back to me at the stove, the scent of freshly-baked cookies hitting my nose.

“Those smell amazing.”

She whirls around at the sound of my voice, a spatula in her hand. “Thanks?”

“I’m just saying because the last time you cooked, it did not smell this good.”

She shakes the spatula at me. “That was one time, Weston Philip. One mother fucking time I burned food. One time. And you won’t let me forget it.”

I raise my hands in surrender. “It’s a smell I’ll never forget, Hadley Jane.”

“And I was going to share the chocolate cookies I made. I don’t know that you deserve them.”

“Oof. You wound me.” I place my hand over my heart, swaying back and forth.

That earns me an eye roll, and I can’t help winking at her. She shakes her head, then turns to the stove for a second before turning to face me, a cookie in her hand.

“Here.” She holds it out to me.