Icing the Grump (Ice Hearts)

Chapter 8

CHAPTER

EIGHT

C hase

The puck slammed into the back of the net, and the crowd erupted. I raised my stick in triumph, my teammates crashing into me with whoops of joy. It was a picture-perfect moment, the kind I'd dreamed about for months during my rehab. My comeback game, and I'd just scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

So why did I feel so empty?

As the team skated off the ice, slapping backs and trading congratulations, my eyes scanned the stands. I knew she wouldn't be there, but I couldn't help looking, anyway. Trinity. The woman who'd pushed me, believed in me, made me want to be better not just as a player, but as a man.

And I'd pushed her away.

"Hell of a game, Callahan!" Coach bellowed, clapping me on the shoulder as we headed to the locker room. "Knew you had it in you, kid."

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Thanks, Coach. Feels good to be back."

But it didn't. Not really. Because the one person I wanted to share this moment with wasn't here. And it was all my fault.

As I showered and changed, my mind raced. I'd told myself I was protecting Trinity, that pushing her away was the right thing to do. But now, with the adrenaline of the game fading and the hollow victory settling in my gut, I realized how stupid I'd been.

Hockey wasn't enough. It never would be, not without her.

"Hey, Chase!" Mike called out as I headed for the exit. "We're hitting O'Malley's to celebrate. You coming?"

I paused, my hand on the door. A month ago, I would have said yes without hesitation. But now...

"Sorry, man," I said, turning to face my teammate. "I've got somewhere I need to be."

Mike's eyebrows shot up, a knowing grin spreading across his face. "Somewhere, or someone?"

The heat rose to my cheeks but didn't deny it. "I'll catch you guys later, alright?"

Before he could respond, I was out the door, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. I did not know if Trinity would even want to see me, let alone hear me out. But I had to try. I couldn't let her go without a fight.

The drive to the clinic felt like it took hours, even though it was barely across town. Every red light was an eternity, every slow driver an obstacle between me and the woman I loved.

Love. The word hit me like a check into the boards. When had that happened? When had Trinity gone from my physical therapist to the most important person in my life?

I pulled into the clinic's parking lot, relieved to see Trinity's car still there. The lights were on in her office, a beacon of hope in the gathering twilight.

Taking a deep breath, I climbed out of my car, wincing slightly as my knee protested. I'd pushed it hard tonight, harder than I probably should have. But that didn't matter now. Nothing mattered except making things right with Trinity.

I burst through the clinic doors, startling the night receptionist. "Is Trinity Owen still here?" I asked, breathless.

The receptionist, a young guy whose name I couldn't remember, blinked at me in surprise. "Uh, yeah, she's in her office, but-"

I didn't wait for him to finish. I strode down the hallway, my heart pounding in my ears. This was it. No going back now.

I reached Trinity's office door, my hand raised to knock, when I heard voices inside. My stomach dropped as I recognized the second voice. Dr. Andrews. What the hell was he doing here?

For a moment, I hesitated. Maybe this was a sign. Maybe I was too late. Maybe Trinity had moved on, found someone who could give her what she deserved without all the complications.

But then I heard Trinity laugh, that warm, genuine sound that had become my favorite thing in the world, and I knew I couldn't walk away. Not again. Not ever.

I knocked, perhaps harder than necessary.

"Come in," Trinity called out, her voice muffled through the door.

I took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Trinity was sitting behind her desk, Dr. Andrews perched on the edge. They both looked up as I entered, twin expressions of surprise on their faces.

"Chase?" Trinity said, her eyes wide. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be celebrating with your team?"

I stepped into the office, my eyes never leaving hers. "I had somewhere more important to be."

Dr. Andrews cleared his throat, looking between us with a raised eyebrow. "I think that's my cue to leave. Trinity, we'll finish discussing that case study later?"

Trinity nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Of course. Thanks, James."

As he passed me, Dr. Andrews paused, his voice low. "Don't screw this up, Callahan. She deserves better than that."

I met his gaze, nodding once. "I know."

And then we were alone, Trinity and I, the air between us crackling with tension and unspoken words.

"Chase," Trinity started, standing up from her desk. "I don't understand. What's going on?"

I took a step towards her, then another, until we were just a few feet apart. "I'm an idiot," I said, the words tumbling out in a rush. "A complete and utter moron. I thought I was protecting you, protecting both of us, by pushing you away. But I was wrong, Trin. So fucking wrong."

Trinity's eyes widened, a mix of hope and wariness in their depths. "Chase, I-"

"Please," I interrupted, holding up a hand. "Let me get this out, okay? I've been rehearsing it the whole way here."

A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, and she nodded.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "I thought hockey was everything. It's been my whole life for so long, I didn't know who I was without it. And when I got injured, when I thought I might lose it all, I was terrified. But then I met you."

I stepped closer, close enough to see the flecks of gold in her brown eyes. "You pushed me, challenged me, believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself. You made me want to be better, not just as a player, but as a person. And somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you. "

Trinity gasped softly, her hand flying to her mouth. "Chase..."

"I know it's complicated," I pressed on, afraid that if I stopped now, I'd never get it all out. "I know there are rules and boundaries and a million reasons why this is a bad idea. But I don't care. Because being out there on the ice tonight, scoring that goal, hearing the crowd cheer, and none of it meant anything without you there to share it with."

I reached out, taking her hand in mine. Her skin was soft and warm, and I marveled at how perfectly our fingers fit together. "I love you, Trinity Owen. And if you'll have me, I want to figure this out together. Because you're worth it. We're worth it."

For a long moment, Trinity just stared at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. I held my breath, my heart pounding so hard I was sure she could hear it.

And then, slowly, beautifully, she smiled. "You're right," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "You are an idiot."

Before I could react, she closed the distance between us, her free hand coming up to cup my cheek. "But you're my idiot. And I love you too."

I didn't wait for her to say anything else. I pulled her close, capturing her lips with mine in a kiss that was long overdue. She melted into me, her arms winding around my neck as I deepened the kiss, pouring every ounce of love and longing and apology into it.

When we finally broke apart, both breathless and grinning like fools, I rested my forehead against hers. "So," I said, my voice husky. "What do we do now?"

Trinity laughed, the sound warming me from the inside out. "Now? Now we figure it out."

I nodded, pulling her closer. "I like the sound of that."

We spent the next hour talking, really talking, about everything. Our fears, our hopes, the challenges we'd face. It wouldn't be easy, we both knew that. There would be questions about ethics, about conflicts of interest. We'd have to be careful, professional in public while we navigated this new territory.

But as we sat there, Trinity curled up in my lap in her office chair. I knew it was worth it. She was worth it.

"You know," Trinity said, tracing patterns on my chest, "we should probably thank Dr. Andrews."

I raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the twinge of jealousy at the mention of his name. "Oh yeah? Why's that?"

She smiled up at me, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Because if he hadn't been here tonight, you might not have had the courage to burst in and declare your undying love for me."

I laughed, shaking my head. "I think you're giving him too much credit. I would have done it anyway. Eventually."

Trinity rolled her eyes, but her smile never faltered. "Sure you would have, tough guy."

As the night deepened around us, we reluctantly agreed it was time to leave. But as we walked hand in hand to the parking lot, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something amazing.

"So," I said, pulling Trinity close as we reached her car. "What are you doing Friday night?"

She pretended to think about it, tapping her chin. "Hmm, I don't know. I might have plans with this hockey player I know. Kind of a big deal, apparently."

I grinned, playing along. "Oh yeah? Should I be jealous?"

Trinity laughed, rising on her toes to press a soft kiss to my lips. "Never. There's only one hockey player for me."

As I watched her drive away, a stupid grin plastered on my face, I felt like I could take on the world. Hockey was still important, still a huge part of who I was. But now I had something even better, something that made every goal, every win, every moment on the ice that much sweeter.

I had Trinity. And we could face anything.

I nervously adjusted my collar as I stood outside Trinity's apartment door, a bottle of wine clutched in my sweaty palm. This wasn't our first date, not really, but it felt different. More intimate. More real.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked. The sound of footsteps approached, and then the door swung open, revealing Trinity. My breath caught in my throat. She looked stunning in a simple blue dress that hugged her curves in all the right places.

"Hi," she said, a shy smile playing on her lips.

"Hi," I echoed, feeling like a tongue-tied teenager. "You look... wow."

Trinity laughed, the sound warming me from the inside out. "You clean up pretty nice yourself, Callahan. Come on in."

I stepped into her apartment, taking in the cozy space that was so quintessentially Trinity. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with medical texts and novels alike. A soft jazz tune played in the background, and the smell of something delicious wafted from the kitchen.

"I hope you like lasagna," Trinity said, leading me towards the dining area. "It's about the only thing I can cook without setting off the smoke alarm."

I grinned, setting the wine on the table. "Lasagna sounds perfect. Though I gotta say, I'm a little disappointed. I was hoping to see the famous Trinity Owen in action with a fire extinguisher."

She swatted my arm playfully. "Keep it up, Callahan, and you'll be wearing your dinner instead of eating it."

We fell into an easy rhythm, Trinity putting the finishing touches on dinner while I opened the wine and set the table. It felt so natural, so right, like we'd been doing this for years instead of having our first real date.

As we sat down to eat, I couldn't take my eyes off her. The way the candlelight played across her features, the sparkle in her eyes as she laughed at my terrible jokes, the way her hand would occasionally brush against mine as she reached for her wine glass. It was intoxicating.

"So," Trinity said, taking a sip of her wine. "How does it feel to be back on the ice? Really back, I mean."

I considered the question, twirling pasta around my fork. "Honestly? It's incredible. There were times I thought I'd never play again, and now... it's like coming home. But..."

"But?" Trinity prompted, her brow furrowing slightly.

I met her gaze, my heart racing. "But it's not everything anymore. I used to think hockey was my whole world. Now I know there's something even better."

A blush crept up Trinity's cheeks, and she ducked her head, suddenly very interested in her lasagna. "Oh yeah? And what's that?"

I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. "You," I said simply. "Us."

Trinity looked up, her eyes shining with emotion. "Chase..."

"I mean it, Trin," I said, squeezing her hand. "What we have, it's special. And I'm not going to let anything get in the way of that. Not my career, not the complications, nothing."

She smiled, intertwining our fingers. "We're quite a pair, aren't we? The hockey player and the physical therapist. Like some cheesy romance novel."

I laughed, bringing her hand to my lips for a soft kiss. "Hey, don't knock it. I'd read that book."

The rest of dinner passed in a blur of laughter, stolen glances, and conversation that flowed as easily as the wine. By the time we finished eating, I felt like I was floating on cloud nine.

"Here, let me help with the dishes," I offered as Trinity started clearing the table.

She raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? I wouldn't want you to strain that million-dollar wrist of yours."

I rolled my eyes, grabbing a stack of plates. "I think I can handle a little soap and water, smartass. Besides, I'm a firm believer in teamwork."

Trinity's laughter echoed through the small kitchen as we fell into step beside each other at the sink. I washed, she dried, our hips bumping occasionally in the confined space. It was so domestic, so normal, and yet it felt like the most exciting thing in the world.

As I handed her the last plate, our fingers brushed, and suddenly the air between us changed. The playful banter faded, replaced by a crackling tension that made my skin tingle.

Trinity set the plate down slowly, her eyes never leaving mine. "Chase," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

That was all it took. I couldn't wait another second. I closed the distance between us, cupping her face in my hands as I captured her lips in a searing kiss. Trinity melted into me, her arms winding around my neck as she pressed herself closer.

The kiss deepened, months of pent-up longing and desire pouring out. My hands roamed her back, feeling the soft fabric of her dress and the warmth of her skin beneath. Trinity's fingers tangled in my hair, a soft moan escaping her as I trailed kisses along her jaw.

"Bedroom," she gasped, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze. Her eyes were dark with desire, her lips swollen from our kisses. "Now."

I didn't need to be told twice. In one swift motion, I scooped her up into my arms, earning a surprised squeal that quickly turned into laughter as I carried her down the hallway.

"Show-off," Trinity murmured against my neck, peppering kisses along my collarbone.

I grinned, kicking open the bedroom door. "Just making sure you know you're in good hands."

I laid her gently on the bed, taking a moment to drink in the sight of her. Hair tousled, cheeks flushed, looking up at me with a mix of love and desire that took my breath away.

"You're beautiful," I said softly, running a hand along her side.

Trinity smiled, reaching up to pull me down to her. "And you're wearing too many clothes," she whispered against my lips.

We took our time undressing each other, savoring every newly revealed inch of skin with kisses and caresses. When we were finally bare before each other, I paused, suddenly overwhelmed by the enormity of the moment.

"You okay?" Trinity asked, her hand coming up to cup my cheek.

I nodded, turning to press a kiss to her palm. "More than okay. I just... I love you, Trinity. So much."

Her eyes softened, a smile spreading across her face. "I love you too, Chase. Now come here and show me."

And I did. We made love slowly, tenderly, exploring each other's bodies with a reverence that bordered on worship. Every touch ignited a fire beneath my skin, every kiss a silent promise of forever. I whispered endearments against her heated flesh, pouring my heart into each word, each declaration of love and commitment that transcended mere language.

As we moved together, finding a rhythm as natural as breathing, I marveled at how perfectly we fit. Like two pieces of a puzzle finally slotting into place, our bodies intertwined in a dance as old as time. The world outside faded away until there was nothing but Trinity and me, lost in each other, cocooned in our own private universe of sensation and emotion.

I couldn't get enough of her with the taste of her lips, the scent of her skin, the sound of her breathless moans. My hands roamed her curves, committing every dip and swell to memory, as if I could imprint her essence into my very soul. She arched beneath me with her nails raking down my back, urging me closer, deeper, and I willingly obliged.

When we finally came undone, crying out each other's names in ecstasy, I felt like I was flying and falling all at once. My heart raced, my blood sang, and every nerve ending sparked with pleasure so intense it bordered on pain. Trinity clung to me, her body trembling with aftershocks, and I held her close, pressing soft kisses to her forehead, her cheeks, her lips. I wanted to stay lost in this moment forever, wrapped in her warmth, drunk on her love.

We lay tangled together afterward, Trinity's head on my chest as I traced lazy patterns on her back, my fingertips skimming over the damp silk of her skin. The room was quiet save for the sound of our breathing and the distant hum of the city outside, a soothing backdrop to our contented silence. In that perfect, peaceful moment, with the woman I loved in my arms, I finally understood what it meant to be complete.

"Wow," Trinity said after a while, propping herself up on an elbow to look at me.

She smiled, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my lips. "You know, as your former physical therapist, I feel obligated to point out that we just engaged in some pretty strenuous activity. How's the knee feeling?"

I laughed, pulling her closer. "The knee is fine, Owen. Though I might need a full examination, just to be sure. "

Trinity's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh really? Well, as a medical professional, I suppose it's my duty to be thorough."

What followed was a night of passion, laughter, and love unlike anything I'd ever experienced. We made love again and again, sometimes slow and tender, other times frenzied and desperate, as if we couldn't get enough of each other.

In between, we talked. About everything and nothing. Our hopes, our fears, our dreams for the future. I told her about my childhood, growing up in a small town where hockey was everything. She shared stories of her med school days, the challenges she'd faced as a woman in a male-dominated field.

As the first light of dawn crept through the curtains, we lay facing each other, our legs intertwined. Trinity traced the lines of my face with her fingertips, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"What are you thinking?" I asked, catching her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm.

She sighed contentedly, snuggling closer. "I'm thinking that I could get used to this. Waking up with you."

My heart swelled with emotion. "Yeah? Because I gotta say, I'm pretty fond of it myself."

Trinity's expression turned serious for a moment. "Chase, what are we going to do? About us, I mean. There are still so many complications, so many potential issues with ethics and..."

I silenced her with a gentle kiss. "Hey, we'll figure it out, okay? Together. I meant what I said before, Trin. You're worth any complication, any challenge. We'll take it one day at a time."

She nodded, relaxing into my embrace. "One day at a time. I like the sound of that."

As we drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's arms, I felt a sense of peace and contentment I'd never known before. Hockey had always been my dream, my passion. But this, what I had with Trinity, was something even better. It was home.

The next few weeks passed in a blissful blur. Trinity and I spent every free moment together, stealing kisses between my practices and her shifts at the clinic. We were careful, of course. Professional in public, keeping our relationship under wraps as much as possible. But behind closed doors, we couldn't get enough of each other.

One night, as we lay tangled in the sheets of my bed, Trinity propped herself up on an elbow, her expression thoughtful.

"What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?" I asked, running a hand along her side.

She bit her lip, a habit I recognized as a sign she was nervous about something. "I've been thinking... maybe it's time we talked to Dr. Frost. About us, I mean."

I sat up, suddenly alert. "You sure? I thought we were going to wait until the season was over."

Trinity nodded, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. "I know, but... I don't want to hide anymore, Chase. I love you, and I'm proud of what we have. Plus, the longer we wait, the worse it's going to look if someone finds out."

I considered her words, my mind racing. She was right, of course. Keeping our relationship a secret was taking its toll, and the risk of discovery grew with each passing day.

"Okay," I said finally, pulling her close. "Let's do it. First thing tomorrow, we'll go talk to Dr. Frost together."

Trinity's face lit up with a mixture of relief and excitement. "Really? You're sure?"

I kissed her softly, pouring all my love and commitment into it. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life, Trin. You're it for me. Whatever happens, we'll face it together. "

The next morning, we walked into the clinic hand in hand, hearts pounding and our heads held high. Dr. Frost's expression when we told her was a mix of surprise, disappointment, and something that looked almost like resignation.

"I can't say I'm entirely shocked," she said after a long moment of silence. "But I hope you both understand the seriousness of this situation."

We nodded, Trinity squeezing my hand reassuringly. "We do, Dr. Frost. And we're prepared to face whatever consequences come our way. But we wanted to be upfront about it, to show that we're committed to handling this ethically and professionally."

Dr. Frost sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Well, I appreciate your honesty. But this complicates things considerably. Ms. Owen, you understand that you can no longer be Mr. Callahan's therapist, correct?"

Trinity nodded, her voice steady. "Of course. I've already begun transferring his care to Dr. Andrews."

I felt a twinge of jealousy at the mention of Andrews, but I pushed it aside. This wasn't the time for petty emotions.

"And Mr. Callahan," Dr. Frost continued, fixing me with a stern gaze. "You realize this could potentially affect your standing with the team? There will be questions about the timeline of your recovery, about potential favoritism..."

I met her gaze unflinchingly. "I understand, Dr. Frost. And I'm prepared to answer those questions honestly. Trinity's care was always professional and above board. What developed between us happened after my recovery was well underway."

Dr. Frost studied us for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she nodded. "Alright. I'll need to inform the ethics board, of course. And there will be an investigation. I appreciate you coming to me with this. It shows integrity."

As we left her office, the weight lifted off my shoulders. There were still challenges ahead, still hurdles to overcome. But we'd taken the first step towards building a future together, out in the open.

"You okay?" I asked Trinity as we walked to her car.

She smiled up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "More than okay. I'm proud of us, Chase. For doing the right thing, for fighting for what we have."

I pulled her close, not caring who might see. "Me too, Trin. And whatever comes next, we'll face it together."

As I watched her drive away, heading to her shift at the clinic, I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future. Our future. It wouldn't be easy, but nothing worth having ever was.

And what Trinity and I had? It was worth everything.