Free Slap Shot by Rhonda Laurel Page A

lemonade, the most potent thing they had in the house, from the fridge. She put it on a silver serving tray with some glasses and marched back into the living room. Derek and her grandmother were sitting rather cozily on the couch chatting. Charisma poured everyone a glass of lemonade and took a seat in the armchair across fromthe couch. She always felt comfortable sitting in it. It had been her grandfather’s favorite chair.
    “So you’re the one responsible for turning my family into raging hockey fans?” Grandma said to Derek.
    “I’m the culprit.” He laughed. “Seth and I are good friends. I met your grandsons, Jared and Robert, through him, and we became friends too.”
    “You’re a friend of Seth’s? That’sa ringing endorsement if there ever was one. He’s wonderful and he loves my Morgan something terrible. He’s the only man on the planet that could convince her to have four kids.” Grandma went over to the mantle and retrieved the picture of Morgan and her family. “Don’t they make a fine family?”
    “Yes, they do. I’m teaching the boys how to play hockey. Connor has a real knack for it, but Ithink Seth’s discouraging it.” He grinned.
    “Seth wants to make sure one of his boys will carry on his legacy.” She patted his hand. “I’m sure some day you’ll be looking for your kids to follow in your footsteps.”
    Derek cleared his throat. “I’m too busy with hockey and my bar to think about things like that yet.”
    “I read your bio on your team’s sports Web site. You were born inRussia?”
    “Yes. My family moved from Moscow to the United States when I was three.”
    “I used to know a charming Russian man named Boris. He used to read me love poems by Alexander Pushkin. Muse was my favorite. You remind me of him. He was gorgeous. He had that black, luscious wavy hair and these intense eyes. One time—”
    “Grandma!” Charisma almost choked on her drink. “We haveto go. We’re bound to hit traffic.”
    “Charisma’s right, Mrs. Reed. But I wish I didn’t have to. It’s been such a pleasure chatting with you.” Derek held out his hand and helped her up. “I promise she’s in good hands with me. I will have her home at a decent time.”
    “I appreciate that, Derek. My baby has been having an awful time lately, and I think she needs to take it easy, whethershe wants to admit it or not.”
    What were they, sixteen? Charisma went over to the rocking chair and retrieved her wrap and purse. The end result of grandma’s makeover wasn’t one of her normal lavish get-ups, but she still felt good. All was well until the doorbell rang. From the chatter she could hear on the porch, it was her cousins Melina and Dana.
    She opened the door then grabbedDerek’s hand, who barely had a chance to blurt out a hello, and hustled him out and down the steps. She was out of breath by the time they reached the sidewalk.
    “What’s the matter?” He gave her a quizzical look, hit a button on his remote, and the lights on his car flashed. “You ashamed of me?”
    “No, it’s not that. My cousins have been giving me a hard time since that tabloid article.I didn’t want you to see us sniping at each other.”
    “I apologize for that whole scene in my office. It never should have gotten that far.”
    She bit her lip. “I’m partly to blame. Once you get a bad reputation, people never want to give you a second chance.”
    “Well, we both know the truth, and I happen to be a big fan of second chances.” He opened the car door for her and helpedher in. “We’re going to have a good time tonight. You won’t regret it.”
    “So aren’t you going ask?”
    “Ask what?”
    “I’m sure you’re dying to know why you had to pick me up at my grandmother’s house.” Charisma looked him in the eye. “Truth is, I live with her.”
    “I already knew the answer.”
    “You did?”
    “After a very difficult relationship you went back to the one placeyou felt the safest. I have a close