Unexpected Encounter (Singleton) (10 page)

* * * *

Driscoll put away his cell as he strolled into the rink. Lila was on her way and he couldn’t wait to see her. For the last week, her schedule had made it difficult for them to spend any time together. Although today they would start out with her friends and Stuart present, Driscoll couldn’t wait to get her alone. Driscoll set down the skates he’d been holding by the strings and braced his hands on the railing as he watched Stuart maneuver on the ice. He was always impressed at how effortless Stuart made it seem when he was skating. Stuart hit a puck into the net then skated backward. He spotted Driscoll and lifted his hand briefly but went back to hitting pucks.

The sounds of voices made Driscoll turn—Lila and her friends came in laughing and talking.

“Damn, when Stuart mentioned he had an ice rink in his backyard, I never expected this.” Aja came over to Driscoll.

The others followed her. Lila stepped in to Driscoll and kissed him briefly before standing by his side.

“Wow, this is spectacular.” Lila glanced around.

Having seen the rink before, Driscoll’s focus was on Lila. He smoothed his hand along her braided hair. The sound of skating made him look toward the ice. Stuart came toward them then skidded to a stop on the other side of the barrier.

“Welcome all.” Stuart spread his arms with a wicked smile on his face. “I’m waiting for this figure skating to get started.”

It’d taken them a little while to be able to coordinate their schedule so they could all make it. Lila had asked him to come and Driscoll was looking forward to seeing her skate.

“Let’s get ready, guys.” Lila glanced at her friends then Driscoll. “Have you figure skated before?”

“I’ve done a little something, something,” Driscoll replied.

Lila’s eyes narrowed. “Uh-huh. Why am I
not
believing your act that you don’t know how to figure skate?”

“Because you are a smart lady.” He sat to put on his skates.

Lila did the same then stood. “It’s more like you get this sly look when you’re up to something.”

“I don’t get any look.” Driscoll widened his eyes comically. “I’ll have you know I’m not up to anything.”

“Such a liar.” Lila walked toward the door leading to the ice.

Driscoll followed her and he opened it for her. She stepped onto the ice and skated out and he went behind her. Aja followed by Colby then Storm whizzed past them, laughing.

“Before we school you in figure skating, show us what you got?” Lila spread her hands, skating backward.

Stuart came toward him and Driscoll met his gaze. They exchanged a look of understanding then set off. Driscoll felt the rush of adrenaline as he remembered what he had learned. He skated with Stuart and they played off each other as they went through the intricate routine. They swept across the ice, moving with footwork and spins then jumps before finishing in a flourish. Driscoll turned his head, looked at Lila and smirked. She and her friends all applauded. They came to them.

“How the hell do you all know how to figure skate like that?” Aja asked.

“We had a music video we were doing that required it.” Stuart patted Driscoll on his shoulder. “Because of this man, we all had to learn how to. Hired pros to teach us so we’d look good instead of falling on our ass. Until I had to learn about figure skating, I never knew how different it is from hockey. I never did quite get the jumps down to look as nice as the skater did.”

“I don’t remember ever seeing a music video of you all figure skating,” Lila said.

“We ended up scrapping the idea and went with another concept for
Cold Imaginings
.” Driscoll shrugged. “That one worked out better for the song.”

“That video I remember, and it portrayed the lyrics very well.” Colby skated around them.

“You all have some really great music videos. Some of the things you did in them…” Storm shook his head. “They were crazy, and how the hell did you all not freak out about it? Like the one where you fell out of that hot air balloon.”

“That’s actually a funny story.” Driscoll smiled sheepishly. “When we were shooting it, I actually fell out of the balloon.”

“How the hell do you fall out of a hot air balloon?” Lila demanded.

“It was full and I was into dancing and singing so I had no clue I was that close to the edge. I knocked into the side of the basket, spun then toppled out before I knew it. Thank God we were in harnesses and bungee cords. I swear I was a goner.” Driscoll chuckled.

“Fuck, seeing him go over, we all just stopped, horrified.” Stuart rubbed his hand over his face. “When we ran to check on him this fool had his arms out singing and acting like he was Superman. I so wanted to kill him.” Stuart pushed his shoulder.

“It was exhilarating.” Driscoll did a light hop and held his arms up. “Zooming in the air. While doing that I wondered if we could recreate it. The director and the stunt guys were game for it. The rest of the band and Bella took some convincing. But I have my charms so I got them on board.”

“It was a very fascinating video.” Lila rolled her eyes. “Leave it to you for that to happen to then you use it to make it an awesome music video.”

“I believe in using the opportunities that come. Sometimes the most unexpected things lead to something worthwhile.” Driscoll deliberately stared at Lila.

“Damn, you two, get a room.” Aja skated backward. “If you know how to figure skate, Stuart, why were you giving us such a hard time about it?”

“Because you get this really cute vein that throbs in your forehead when you’re pissed.” Stuart skated with her, pacing her.

“Cute is for puppies and kittens,” Aja retorted.

Stuart chuckled. The two taunted each other as they skated around the rink. Storm and Colby set off, playfully teasing each other. The rink was large so they couldn’t hear what the others were saying.

“Skate with me.” Lila held out her hand.

Driscoll placed his into hers and they moved around the ice.

“You lead such an interesting life.” Lila shook her head. “I can only imagine the tales you have with all you have done.”

“Everyone has interesting things that happen in their lives. It’s just a matter of perspective.” He spun her around him. “That’s one of the things I love about people. You can learn something from each person. They have a story to tell even if they think their lives are just boring.” Driscoll brought her back in front of him. “Take your assistant. She takes hikes and some of the things she has seen while doing so are fascinating.”

“She’s always taking trips and loves it.” Lila pushed into him. “I notice that you’ve gotten very friendly with her.” Lila lifted an eyebrow.

“We’ve bonded.” Driscoll winked. “I’m a likeable guy and people like talking to me. Or so I’ve been told.”

“You are.” Lila moved beside him and as they skated, she pushed her shoulder against his gently. “I like talking with you.”

“Me too.” Driscoll slung his arm over her shoulder. “So talk with me, Miss Jarvis. Tell me something you don’t usually share with anyone else.”

“I’m afraid of heights.” Lila shuddered. “Looking down makes me shake. Sometimes in my job when I have go down places to check on a body, I always have to take a second before I can do it.”

Driscoll stopped them. “Wait, when you came to rescue me when I went off the road. D—”

“Yes. Looking over to where you crashed made me fear, but I pushed it away because I had to make sure you were okay.”

“But you didn’t even know who I was.”

Lila closed her eyes then opened them. A faint smile played on her lips. “I was the only one there and couldn’t chance waiting for help in case one second could mean the difference of your survival.”

The sadness in her gaze made him pull her closer. “What are you thinking?”

“About another accident I witnessed, where I rescued someone. I was able to pull them out and they made it to the hospital but then they died anyway.” She shook her head. “When I saw your accident, it brought back those memories. That is why I reacted so strongly to the idea that you were trying to kill yourself.”

“I wasn’t.”

“I didn’t know that at the time. All I knew was I saw you swerve off the road for no reason so I came to the conclusion I did.” Lila blew out a breath. “It enraged me that someone would take life for granted like that to just end it. The kid who had the accident I saw didn’t have a chance to fully live. It was cut short. Life is precious and it is to be appreciated.”

“I know.” Driscoll cupped her cheek. “Believe me, I know.”

“Knowing what you’ve been through, I realize that now.” Lila touched his arm. “You’re a strong man, Dris.”

“Strange, I know that,” Driscoll joked.

“Don’t be glib about this.” Lila tightened her hand.

Driscoll stared into her eyes and nodded. Lila kissed him softly. Driscoll held her, loving being with her.

Lila lost herself in kissing him. Driscoll was turning out to be a surprising man and she didn’t know what to expect from one moment to the next. It was both exhilarating and terrifying all at once. And she was loving every second of it.

“Stop sucking face and skate,” Aja yelled.

Lila pulled back, laughing. “I swear I’m going to kill her.”

“I like your friends.”

“Yeah. We met in college and bonded over the ice.” Lila smiled fondly.

Driscoll got them moving again. “It’s funny that you all ended up in Singleton.”

“Actually, we all are from here originally but didn’t meet until college. It’s a small world. There I was, far away from home and feeling lonely. Then I ran into Aja and we started talking and found out where we were from. Colby we met soon after, then Storm. We became good friends and kept it up.”

“Good friends are treasures.”

“Yes they are.” Lila gestured to Stuart. “I’ve read in the media how you all met and became friends, since childhood. That you and he stuck together throughout to become a success. That’s a deep friendship.”

“He’s like a brother to me.” Driscoll chuckled. “At least at moments when I claim him. People think I’m the strange one, but he’s the one who is weird.”

“Eccentric, Dris. You’re eccentric.” Lila winked.

“See, you’re coming around to my way of thinking.” Driscoll hugged her.

“More like drinking the crazy juice.”

“Well, slurp up because I want to take you someplace after we leave here.” Driscoll bit his lip. “I didn’t know of your fear of heights at the time I made the plans. I’ll just cancel it.”

“Tell me what it is.”

“In Couric Park, there are these hot air balloon rides.”

Her heart raced and Lila nodded. She’d seen them. They were a big attraction but she’d never gone near them at all.

“I was gonna take you there to surprise you with it.” Driscoll frowned. “But with your fear of heights, it won’t be fun as I thought it would be with you.”

“I’ll go.” Lila bit her lip.

“You will?”

“Yes. I trust you.” Lila smiled teasingly. “No falling out of the balloon.”

“Nope.” He chuckled.

Lila couldn’t believe she was going on a hot air balloon ride. What she’d said to Driscoll was true—she did trust him. When she’d started to trust him, she had no idea, but in her gut she did and knew he wouldn’t let any harm come to her. She just hoped she didn’t make a fool of herself and start screaming her head off. As they went through the rest of their skating, she wasn’t really focused on it but thinking of what was coming up.

* * * *

Oh, my God, I’m gonna die.
Wide-eyed, she stared at the balloon as they approached it and she had visions of it coming to life just to mock her with her impending death for even daring to get inside of it for a ride. If she wasn’t so frightened she’d think it was beautiful. A mixture of gold, oranges and red made up the balloon, which rose into the sky.

“Just look at me.”

Lila locked gazes with him. Driscoll smiled gently and stopped them.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I want to do this with you.” Lila gave a weak smile. “Share this moment with you.”

“Think of a hot air balloon as a bronc. Just get on and ride it. Show it who’s boss. Yee haw.”

Lila stared at him then started to laugh. Driscoll wiggled his eyebrows. Lila lost it, leaning against him, tears filling her eyes as she laughed. Driscoll chuckled with her, rubbing along her back. When she calmed, she wiped her eyes.

“Another T-shirt is added to my list.”

“Make sure you get a good image to portray the Yee haw.”

“Driscoll, you are so weird.”

“Eccentric.” He squeezed her. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” She took a breath.

Driscoll led her to the balloon and she prayed as she went. He helped her in and Lila held onto the top of the basket, eyes tightly closed.

“Lila, w—”

“No, just get him to take us up,” Lila snapped. “I’m just gonna stay here and wait for death.”

“Lila, why are you doing this if you are so afraid?”

“For you.” Lila opened one eye and glared. “Let’s go already.” She closed her eye again.

She heard the murmur of voices and Driscoll’s soothed her. Lila didn’t really focus on what was being said, just on him. He slid an arm around her and she jumped then pressed into him. His strong arm made her feel safe. The sense of her belly dropping made her clutch at him as the balloon rose. She breathed hard, trying to still her shaking.

“We’re up.” Driscoll kissed the side of her face.

Lila opened her eyes and gasped, staring at the open sky. Her stomach lurched when she looked down and she turned into him, pressing her face against him. Driscoll lifted her head.

“Look at me.”

She shook her head. He repeated it again and again until Lila opened one eye then the other.

“I’m afraid.”

“I know. I’m so proud of you for doing this.” Driscoll smoothed her hair away from her face. “For trusting me like this.” He lowered his head and kissed her.

Lila slid her tongue along his, deepening the kiss. She forgot all about where she was and focused on the man with her.

Chapter Five