Hot Damn (Hot as Puck #3)

18. Beckett

Beckett

C licking my fob as I walk toward my truck, I wave at a few of the guys left lingering in the players’ carpark. Training went well today, like it has most days since we took to the ice together.

We’re playing as though we’ve played together for years and it’s lifting our spirits as much as the fact we’ve remained undefeated through our pre-season games. The day after tomorrow we play our first away game in a week.

The season opener against the Miami Steam.

Everyone will be there. The Rogues org has arranged for any family member or Rogues employee to travel to Miami for our first regular season game in the league.

It’s a big day.

For us and the league.

And we’re ready.

Excitement, determination, and confidence pump through all of us, and I know being away from home won’t change the way we play.

Because we aren’t about home turf. Our home turf is the team, the guys, the coaches, the equipment staff, the trainers. As long as we’re together, we’re home.

Tossing my bag in the back, I hop up into the driver’s seat and crank the engine. Hot air blasts through the vents and I quickly hit the buttons for all the windows hoping to rid the interior of the suffocating heat faster.

A glance at the clock has me swearing under my breath. I was supposed to pick up Whit five minutes ago.

Since the incident with her tires and finding out the culprit was none other than Kenneth Dupre, the reporter who knocked on my door the day after, I’ve been taking her to and from school when I can and someone from the Rogues does it when I can’t.

Usually Cami does it. But Chase has done it a few times when he’s picked up his sisters, even the Rogues GM picked up Whit and the twins one day and brought them to the practice rink when a video viewing session ran long.

They told me to embrace the Rogues family, and I have, but it’s more the other way around. The other players’ partners have helped out. Front office staff, even the arena staff have pitched in. And it’s not just me they’re helping. I saw a cleaning staff member walking Chase’s baby sister up and down the corridor the other day. Everyone pulls together when someone needs a hand.

It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever been part of and I’m happier than I ever remember being.

And Whit is blossoming.

Watching her grow is one of my greatest joys and she’s doing it in leaps and bounds here.

Maybe it’s her age, but I think a lot of it is the people we’re surrounded by. They’re the family I could never give her on my own.

A family of cousins, aunts, and uncles. Hell, even Pa, Oakley’s grandfather, has taken on the role of grandfather to all. Child or adult, it doesn’t matter, and he’s in his element doing it.

It’s bittersweet.

On one hand I’m thrilled Whit has this now. On the other I’m sad I hadn’t found this for her before.

The Bluetooth in my car sparks to life scaring the shit out of me. A look at the screen has my heart lurching into my throat .

Hitting the button on the steering wheel to connect the call, I demand, “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Whitney is fine. Cami Nelson is here with her.”

“Why is Cami there?”

“Ms. Nelson was talking to the tenth graders about journalism. We’re having a few people from various occupations coming in throughout the year talking to the sophomores in preparation for choosing subjects for future careers,” Mr. Dalton explains.

“That doesn’t explain your call.”

A sigh fills the space around me. “When Ms. Nelson left this afternoon, Whitney was with her, thankfully, because a reporter was waiting outside and tried to speak to your daughter. Unfortunately, he was a little aggressive and when Whitney stepped back, she bumped into Ms. Nelson, who was moving to intervene, causing her to miss the top step and tumble down them.”

“Fuck! I’m on my way.” Shoving the truck in reverse, I squeal out of my spot then slam the gear stick into drive while pressing down on the accelerator. Screeching tires and a revving engine accompanying me out of the parking lot. “Is Cami okay?”

“Yes. The EMTs are looking her over now but I believe she’s come away with only a few bruises.”

“And the reporter?”

“Ah, well, he didn’t stick around after Ms. Nelson fell.”

“Did you call the police?”

“Of course. They’re here now. Talking to witnesses.”

“I’m ten minutes away but I’d like to talk to the police when I get there—can you make sure they don’t leave before I arrive, please?” How I remember that small piece of my manners when my heart is racing faster than my car I haven’t a clue.

“Certainly. And I’ve called the investigator who looked into the incident with your daughter’s car. He’s on his way too.”

“Thanks. I’ll be there soon.” Disconnecting the call I debate calling Natalie Redding. But then I think about the PI and figure he’ll have done that; if not I can do it after I check that Cami is okay. Check on Whit .

It takes a lifetime to get to Whit’s school. In reality it’s less than the fifteen minutes it usually takes to get from the practice rink to Hannon Grove. I have to remind myself I’m entering a school and slow down even though every instinct I have is screaming for me to go faster.

Pulling up in front of the admin building I barely get the truck in park and the brake set before I’m bounding out the door.

Cami is sitting on the steps, her butt on the third from bottom, feet on the ground and the look she’s shooting the EMT would have a lesser person backing away. When I get closer, I can’t stop the slight curl of my lips.

“I told you I’m fine. I did not hit my head and the only things bruised are my butt and my pride.” Cami sees me coming and her eyes immediately dart to the right.

Following her gaze, I see Whit talking to a couple of men in plain clothes. It doesn’t take a uniform to tell me they’re the police. Stopping next to Cami, I lower myself to a crouch.

“Hey.”

“Hi.” The smile she gives me is strained.

“You sure you’re okay?” My level of concern for this woman is something I’ve only ever felt for three people. The first betrayed me in the worst way, the second proved my trust was well placed, and the third is the light of my life.

“Honestly, I’m fine. But I broke my heel. And I think my laptop is toast.”

“Your laptop?” I look around and see the computer on the ground about ten feet away. “What happened to your laptop?”

“She had it in her hand when we came outside. Part of the reason she fell all the way down the stairs was because she tried to throw it at the guy who grabbed my arm.”

I look up to see Whit standing beside me, a frown on her face. Glancing back at Cami I say, “You threw your computer at him?”

“Well, I didn’t have a baseball bat handy, so yes, I threw it at his head.” She grins, the curve of her lips somehow wicked and I’m reminded again how much she’s done to protect my daughter.

“I’ll buy you a new one.”

“Don’t bother, I’ve got a couple and thankfully that’s the oldest of my collection. Besides, I’d gladly sacrifice a laptop to protect Whitney.” Turning her gaze from me to my daughter she says in a tone meant to convey Whit better not argue, “Sit down and let them check your arm and chin.”

“I’m okay. You barely bumped me with your elbow on the way past and his grip didn’t really clamp down before I pulled away.”

I’m on my feet, finger pointing at the stairs. “Sit. Let them check you out. Now.”

Whit rolls her eyes but does as I say.

“I’ll be back in a sec. I want to have a word with the police and the principal.” Who all happen to be talking over where Whit had been when I first noticed her.

Marching over, adrenaline still pumping through my veins despite seeing Cami and Whit are okay, I’m sure I look like a tiger hunting its prey.

Except these men shouldn’t be my target and with great effort I use the skills from years of taking the ice where tempers can flare at the drop of a glove, and tone down the anger vibrating through every cell.

“Gentlemen.” I hold out a hand. “Beckett Higgison. Whit’s father, Cami’s…friend.” I stumble over the last because it suddenly occurs to me I don’t know what Cami and I are. Technically she’s my boss but she doesn’t have anything to do with my job and?—

“Higgison, we spoke the other night. Detective Clark. And this is my partner, Detective Anders.” The tall blond shakes my hand, his grip firm.

Shaking the dark-haired Anders’ hand, I say, “I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet you both but as you can imagine… ”

“Yes. I would much have preferred attending last week’s fan event over this.”

Not wanting to get sidetracked, I ask about the reason they’re here. “So what do you know? Have you found the man who grabbed Whit?”

“No. He’s still out there but we know who we’re looking for.”

“You do?”

“Yes. Ms. Nelson identified the man as Kenneth Dupre.”

“Shit.” My gaze darts back to the girls. “She’s sure?”

“Yes. Is there something we need to know about him?”

I return my gaze to Detective Clark. “He came to my house the other week. Cami arrived not long after. There was a little hostility between them when she asked him what he was doing at my place. He said something about wanting an interview and she reminded him that he needed to go through official channels for that.”

“And that’s it? He just left?” Detective Anders asks.

“Well, no, it took some convincing, a reminder that he was on private property and if he didn’t leave we could call the police because he was trespassing.”

“Would you say he felt threatened by that?”

I look Anders right in the eye. “Yes. Because it was a threat.”

“Would that explain today’s incident?” Clark asks.

“No. Because from what Mr. Dalton told me, he went after Whit, not Cami.”

“True. True.” Clark rubs his chin, his gaze over my shoulder where I know he can see Whit and Cami. His eyes widen, and he says, “Is that Chase Hawkins running this way?”

I’m already turned around by the time he finishes speaking because his wide-eyed look had fear ricocheting through my chest. With a sigh of relief, I say, “Yeah, that’s Chase. His twin sisters go to school here too.”

We stand, quietly watching, as Chase races up to Cami and Whit, says a few words, then heads in our direction.

“Hey. When the twins got home, they said something happened to Whit. Then Gem called and asked me to come over here because she’s across town.”

I know who he’s talking about but I’m sure the detectives are clueless so I explain. “Gem as in GM. Of the Rogues org.”

“Ah, right.” Detective Clark holds out a hand to Chase. “Detectives Clark and Anders. Nice to meet you. Or it would be if…”

“Yeah, they’re both okay, though, right?” Chase glances back at where Cami and Whit sit, heads huddled together.

“They’re okay.”

“Can I take them, then?” His gaze returns to us. “I can drive Cami’s car to my house, take Whitney, if you’re all finished with them,” he directs at the detectives.

“Whitney has given her statement but we still need to speak to Ms. Nelson.”

“Take Whit. Get Cami’s keys off her and take her car. I’ll wait with her and follow after she’s done.”

I don’t miss the speculative glances the detectives give me but I ignore them. I don’t care what they think. I’m not leaving Cami here to deal with this alone, especially when she was hurt protecting my daughter.

“Okay. I’ll see you at my place when you’re done. And don’t worry about dinner, we’ll organize something for all of us. Plus I wouldn’t be surprised if Blake and Oakley turn up at some point.”

“Shit.” I look at Cami. “Should I call them?”

“I think Gem’s on that.”

“What about her parents?”

“Don’t know about that but let her do it after she’s finished giving her statement.”

“Good idea.” I put a hand on Chase’s shoulder, give it a squeeze. “Thanks for coming. And for taking Whit.”

“No problem. Got a cardio workout in.” He grins at me and I find myself smiling back.

“You sprint all the way?”

“Of course!”

I laugh. The tension inside me easing with every second.

“I’ll leave you to it.” He tips his head at the detectives before heading back to the girls.

“You’ve got a good friend there,” Anders says.

“He’s more than a friend.” I watch as Cami hands over her keys, pauses then hands her bag to Whit. “He’s a brother.”

It isn’t until I hear those words out loud that I realize Whit isn’t the only one getting something from our move to Baton Rouge. We’re both surrounded by the Rogues family.

Chase dropped everything to run here— run! —to support me and Whit in any way he could. He didn’t have a clue what he was running in to. Didn’t have to come at all. We’ve formed a bond on the ice, yes, but this…

This is something Whit and I have never had.

A family who supports us unconditionally.

The emotion that sweeps through me is overwhelming, clogs my throat, and makes my knees wobble, and it doesn’t matter how isolated I’ve kept myself and Whit over the years, how safe that made me feel, I’ll never go back to that.

Even with this reporter causing trouble.

I’ll gladly take him on because I’ve got a family who’ll stand at my side when I do.