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On the way over to the bar, Phoebe was quiet. Streetlights flashed across her face, but she wasn’t her bubbly self.
I cleared my throat. “What did you think of the game?”
She snapped her head to look at me like I’d interrupted her thoughts. “It was action-packed. And you guys won. Seems like that happens more now. Throwing stuff at you really works.”
I chuckled. “Yeah. Well, if it takes being pelted by ice to get my feet going, I’ll do it. I’ve gotten by so far, but I’d like to end on a good note.”
Phoebe focused on me. “End?”
I shrugged. “Probably another four to five years in the league before I choose to retire. But if I’m no good, I won’t get a contract. I’d hate for it to end that way.”
She nodded slowly. “Improve or sudden death? Wow.”
He grunted. “It’s my reality. Piercing Tides will give me something to fall back on when my hockey career is over.”
She kept staring out the window. “That cause will always be close to your heart.”
Stopping for a stop sign, I checked both ways. “Damn straight. The monthly reports on how much plastic we’ve removed from the oceans make me sick. As much as we’ve taken out, more goes right back in. I fucking hate people sometimes.”
She put her hand on my forearm. “You’re doing your best. In hockey and to clean up the ocean.”
I harrumphed. “Never feels like it’s good enough.”
I glanced over to see her give me a weak smile. “I know the feeling, Chief.”
Angling into a spot in Gilly’s lot, we hopped out of the truck and I followed Phoebe inside. I knew she’d like the atmosphere. The stainless steel. The hard rock. The place was packed with people. This was far more her thing than mine. I came because she was excited to be out in her new hairdo. I loved how she looked when she just let go of her insecurities and was just my Raven. The pushy girl who pulled open my window and shoved her way into my heart where she stayed all these years.
A bunch of the guys were already in the back. Maddy was with Hank, sitting on his lap until she saw Phoebe. Then she popped up and hauled Phoebe over to a couple empty chairs. Hank looked at me like I was to blame. I just lifted a shoulder. Wasn’t my fault the girls wanted some time. Maddy was already fawning all over Phoebe’s hairstyle and how amazing she looked.
When Joy danced her way into the bar, I bit back a curse. Another thin woman to remind Phoebe of Neve. Damn it! But I was surprised to see how taken Phoebe seemed to be with Joy. They already looked like old friends, comparing nail polish and gushing over each other’s hair. Made me wonder if Joy was with her at some point today. Maybe she’d tell me later. Maybe she wouldn’t. I really had no idea where I was with Phoebe anymore.
“Pretty quiet over there, even for you,” Hank drawled. “You piss off your girl?”
I grunted.
He huffed. “What, talking’s too hard for you?”
I sighed. “She’s not mine.”
Hank gave a knowing nod and leaned back. “Ah, so that’s why you look like that.”
I grabbed one of the bottles on a tray in the middle of the table and took a pull.
Hank chuckled. “Little friendly advice? Don’t give up. And learn to talk. The whole grunting thing won’t get ‘er done.”
I knew he was right. Didn’t mean I liked it. “What if she doesn’t want to hear what I say?”
Hank took a pull of his beer. “Hell, usually just makes me say it louder the next time. Maddy ain’t big on listening neither. Just keep at it. Say it loud and often. Eventually, she’ll hear you and accept that’s the way it is.”
While Phoebe hung out with the group of women and Kyle who showed up gushing over her, she seemed happy. Even though her cheeks reddened at the attention, she seemed to soak it up.
Had Phoebe been healing when I was busy? Was she willing to take compliments now? Maybe I’d try it tonight and see. If I kept showering her with compliments, like Hank said, maybe now she would glow under the scrutiny instead of shrinking away from me.
When her eyes met mine, I realized I’d been staring at her. She tilted her head a little when she caught me and my eyes focused on her. But instead of turning away, looking or feeling embarrassed for getting caught, I held her gaze and let her see a little of what I was feeling. Her lips parted before she clamped her mouth shut and chugged her drink.
As the night wore on, I felt the fatigue start to set in. I expended a lot of energy today and with being up early, it was time to get going. Phoebe seemed to notice and said her goodbyes.
As I drove home, silence prevailed until I glanced over at her a few times. “You have a good time tonight?”
