Best Laid Plans (Colorado Black Diamonds Book 2)

Prologue

“That sounds like a great plan, sweetheart.”

“Are you sure? It’s not too lame?” I ask my mom on the phone.

“I know the team has been away, so I think Duncan would love spending some quality time with you.”

“I’ve missed him.”

The life of being a pro hockey player’s girlfriend. My boyfriend and the Black Diamonds have been gone on a thirteen-day, six-game stretch. The team was dominant. You couldn’t have asked for a better start to their season.

“I know when your dad played, I hated the away games. And that was only a few days.”

“I just hope he likes this surprise.”

“Trust me, he will.” I can almost hear my mom’s smile through the phone. “Tell Duncan we said hi.”

“I will. Love you, Mom.”

“Love you too.”

I end the call and shoulder open the door of my small car. Grabbing the bag of groceries on the front seat, I head into the lobby of Duncan’s building.

It’s one of the more modern buildings in downtown Denver. The lobby is all glass and marble. Sunlight beams through the lobby in the early afternoon. It’s way too fancy for my taste, with an ornate gold fountain in the middle of the outer courtyard, but Duncan likes it. Mainly because of the doorman. Because what professional athlete doesn’t need security, he told me.

“Hi, Miss Fields.”

“Hi, Ray.” I wave to the older security guard who mans the front desk. “How was your family reunion?”

He gives me a big toothy smile. “It was wonderful. Happy to see all the grandkids come in from Texas.”

“I’m glad you had a good time.”

“Thanks for asking. I’ll buzz you up.”

“Thank you.” I give him a smile before hoisting my purse higher up on my shoulder as I wait for the doors to open.

The elevator to the penthouse condo opens and I step in. The ride to the top of the building is swift. With each floor I pass, my nerves grow.

It’s always like this after a stretch of away games. All I really get during these times is a few texts here and there. Duncan says he likes to stay in game mode and not break his concentration with phone and video calls.

I don’t get it, but I don’t want to mess with the mojo.

The elevator opens and I head to the one door on the top floor of the building. Windows look out over the bustling city. It’s the perfect fall day in Denver.

Grabbing my key, I open the door to Duncan’s place. It might not be one of the most exciting ways to welcome him home, but I love cooking. And it’s one of the ways I love showering Duncan with attention.

Dating a hockey player is something I never thought would happen. But when I started working for the Black Diamonds, I couldn’t resist Duncan.

Those green eyes and that blond hair drew me in. I was a goner by the end of the first date.

Unlocking the door, I nearly trip over something in the entryway. Kicking it out of the way, my eyes are drawn to it.

A red lacy bra.

“What in the world?”

It’s then a sound hits my ears. The deep moans of my boyfriend. And a second voice shouting his name.

Dropping the bag on the floor, I follow the noise.

I shouldn’t. I know I shouldn’t.

But what in the world is going on?

I take a deep, centering breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. Opening the door to his room, I’m greeted by his bare ass sticking up in the air. With a woman lying below him. Completely naked.

“What the fuck, Duncan?!” I shout.

“Shit.” He flies up off the bed, dick sticking out between his legs. “What are you doing here, Piper?”

“Oh my God!” I recognize the female voice.

It takes me a second to place until she pops up to pull the sheet over her breasts.

“Ava?” My roommate. And supposed friend. “What in the hell are you two doing?”

“Better question is what are you doing here?”

“Me? You gave me a key!” My voice is bordering on shrieking.

“Not to use whenever you wanted.” Duncan shifts a pillow over his steadily deflating cock.

“I thought you were going to be at the arena for a few more hours, and I wanted to surprise you.”

“Piper…”

“Look, Piper?—”

Ava and Duncan both talk over one another.

I hold up both my hands, not wanting to have this conversation with two naked people in a room that smells like sex and cheap cologne.

“Duncan, can I talk to you? In the living room?”

I leave the room. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wipe that image out of my head. Of Duncan’s bare ass sticking up in the air as he was fucking her.

My boyfriend and my roommate. How could I have been so stupid?

Stalking out, I’m a raging mess. When I talked to Duncan last night, he said he had practice today. Practice. How many times has he used that excuse and was instead fucking Ava? How many times had she blown off girls’ nights to be with him?

Duncan struts into the living room in a pair of boxers. Ones that I gave him for his birthday. What an asshole.

For someone who just got caught cheating, he doesn’t have an ounce of remorse on him. Not a single bit of regret. There’s scratches down his chest and marks on his pecs.

“What in the world is going on, Duncan?”

“Babe, look…” He moves closer to me, but that’s the last thing I want.

I wave my hands in front of him. “I mean, I know what was going on, but why?”

“Piper, babe.”

“Stop calling me babe!” I scream. Duncan and his stupid nicknames. “You were fucking Ava! My friend!”

Duncan leans against the table, crossing his arms over his bare chest. His overly waxed chest. God, what did I ever see in this guy?

“I told you things weren’t serious between us.”

“You gave me a key,” I tell him like it’s the most obvious statement in the world. “Why else would you give me a key?”

“Piper, I can’t be tied down.”

“Can’t be tied down? What does that even mean?”

Duncan scoffs. “Exactly what it sounds like. I’m not meant to be with one person.”

“So instead of telling me like a grown-up, you decide to let me see you fucking my friend?”

Duncan at least looks a little remorseful at those words.

“Piper. It just wasn’t meant to be.”

I roll my eyes. “Thanks, Duncan. I’m so glad that you decided your dick couldn’t stay in your pants and you had to go get action elsewhere.”

“It was fun while it lasted, Piper, but I just don’t see things working out between us.”

“You know, I guess I should be thanking you. At least you saved me from wasting more time on this relationship.”

Ava chooses this moment to walk out of his room. Her dark hair is still disheveled and she looks even less remorseful than Duncan. “Everything okay out here?”

“It’s fine,” Duncan tells her, wrapping an arm around her. She’s wearing one of his shirts hanging down over her thighs.

How was I ever attracted to someone like him?

“You need to find somewhere else to live, Ava.”

Bright side is it’s only my name on the lease. She moved in with me when her place fell through at the last minute. Now I have an idea of what might have happened.

“I can stay with Duncan.” She drags a black-tipped fingernail down his chest.

“Sure thing, babe.” He drops a kiss on her lips.

“God, you two were made for each other. No class at all.”

“Piper. Have some respect.”

I roll my eyes, ready to slap the man standing in front of me. “Like the respect you’re clearly giving me?”

“I think it’s time for you to leave.”

“Don’t worry. The last thing I want is to be here a minute longer.” I shake my head, walking to the door and grabbing my purse.

“Piper?” Duncan asks from behind me. I don’t turn around, resting my hand on the door.

“What?” I’m seething.

“Things don’t have to be awkward if we don’t let them be.”

“So what, now you want me to respect your decision and make it easy for you?”

“Easy for us both.”

This time, I turn around, giving him the best fake smile I can muster. Digging his key out of my purse, I shove it at his chest. “Sure, Duncan. Easy for both of us. I’ll make sure things are just peachy.”

“Thanks.”

He turns his attention back to Ava, missing the sarcasm dripping from my voice. I storm out of his place and head for the elevator.

This was not how I expected my night to go.

Dinner and maybe fooling around with Duncan, sure.

Walking in on him and my friend?

So much for surprising my boyfriend. I guess I was the one in for a surprise.