Securing the Pucking Rebound (LA Vipers #6)

1. Sienna

SIENNA

“Okay. We’re all done,” Dave, the older of the two men who have helped me move today, says, his eyes scanning the disaster that is my new living room.

This move has been the most stressful thing I’ve ever experienced.

From the moment I received notice from my old landlord that I was required to move out within fourteen days, my life has moved at a mile a minute.

And while I’ve tried to plan and be organized, the universe has thrown it all into chaos.

I tried to fight my eviction, but I realized I'd never actually re-signed my lease, so technically, I was already squatting. Who knew, huh? I certainly didn’t. And my landlord wasn’t particularly sympathetic, considering his only daughter is about to have a baby, and he wanted her to move in ASAP.

I didn’t have a leg to stand on.

But as they say, everything happens for a reason, and I guess that reason is this beautiful apartment I never thought I’d be lucky enough to call mine.

The realtor I spoke to hadn’t had a chance to list it before I called, and the second she told me which building this south-facing, two-bedroom apartment was in, I knew I had to look at it.

Hell, I was prepared to put my deposit down there and then, but she was insistent that I see it first and promised not to tell anyone else that it was available until I had.

She was my guardian angel, and I still thank my lucky stars for calling her office that morning two weeks ago.

I loved my old apartment. It was perfect for me. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t keeping my eye open for a two-bedroom place this side of the city. Not only is it closer to work, but it’s also closer to my best friend, Bea, and her fiancé. Oh, and Crown Arena, of course.

Really, who in their right mind would turn down an apartment within walking distance from the home of the LA Vipers? Okay, sure, it’s a long walk, but still.

I close the door behind the guys who have helped make all this happen, then walk straight to my couch and flop down on it with a groan. There are muscles hurting right now that I didn’t even know existed.

“This place is seriously sweet,” Garrett, my brother, says when he emerges from the bathroom.

Pride bursts through me at being able to call this place home.

Is it more expensive than I was really willing to pay for an apartment?

Yes. But as my eyes drift to the floor-to-ceiling windows and the small balcony that leads to the most incredible view in LA, I figure it’s more than worth it.

The salon is doing really well; Bea gave me a raise when she decided to step back because of her pregnancy.

And honestly, I can always sell a few feet pictures or send some creep my worn panties if I need some extra cash.

Hell, I’d pretty much do anything to stay here.

“I can’t believe you can see the arena from here.” He whistles, moving closer to the windows.

Longing oozes from him. Watching the Vipers play used to be our thing. But since he graduated and moved away for his job earlier in the year, he hasn’t managed to catch a game.

That’s all changing with this little visit, though. He doesn’t know it yet, but thanks to my new connections through my bestie, tomorrow night, we’re getting the full VIP treatment at the arena.

When he asked about going, I lied and said we’d be too busy. I can’t wait to surprise him with the tickets and the signed jersey I sweet-talked Rett into getting for me.

He’s going to lose his shit.

“Do you think this means I made it?” I ask, forcing myself back to my feet and stepping up beside him.

“It absolutely means that, Sisi. I’m proud of you. I know Mom and Dad are, too.”

“Shit. I promised to call them once we were done.”

I tug my cell from the pocket of my leggings and video call them.

“Aw, there are my babies,” Mom coos the second the call connects, and she sees us standing together for the first time in quite a while.

“Hey, Mom,” Garrett says with a soft smile. He hasn’t managed to get home since securing his job, but something tells me we’ll be seeing a lot of him with the holidays coming up.

I can’t wait for us all to be together. It’s been too long since I’ve been to Ferndale and seen them. Our parents moved out of LA when Garrett started his junior year of college, and I’ve never seen them happier.

“Sisi, you look exhausted,” Mom points out the second she fully focuses on me.

“I’m aware. Give me a week to get all this unpacked, and life will return to normal.”

She gives me one of her looks. Many might misconstrue it as a warning, but I know her well enough to know it’s actually concern.

“I wish you’d let us come and help,” she chastises.

“It’s fine. We’ve got this, right, G?”

“Oh yeah,” he teases. “This is exactly what I wanted to be doing with my days off.”

I roll my eyes. “You love me really.”

Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he gives me a squeeze.

“Shame the guys have been away for a game. You could have had the entire hockey team helping you move,” Dad says, joining the conversation.

“Even if they were here, I couldn’t do that.” Dad quirks a brow. They’re both aware of the turn my life took when Bea got herself pregnant by none other than Everett Donnelly, the star D-man for the LA Vipers. “We never would have gotten anything done because G would have fanboyed them all day.”

“I would not. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve met professional hockey players,” he argues.

“Oh yeah, when was the last time that happened?”

He mutters something under his breath that neither I nor our parents can made out.

“I saw one once in Starbucks.”

I can’t help but burst out laughing.

“That doesn’t count,” I force out through my amusement. “Three weeks ago, I hung out in Everett Donnelly’s living room with Calvin Keller and Hayden Monroe.”

Garrett scoffs, jealousy coming off him in waves. “I said I met one, not that I hung out with one. God, you always have to be better, don’t you?” he teases.

That’s not true. In most aspects of life, Garrett is far superior to me, graduating with a statistics degree, along with everything else he’s incredibly talented at.

He soared through school and college; whereas I struggled every step of the way.

I found my calling in life when I was a teenager, though.

From the moment Mom caved and allowed me to get my first eye shadow palette and lipstick, I was obsessed with beauty, and nothing has changed.

“Jealousy isn't a good look on you, bro,” I mock.

“So, let’s get the tour, then,” Mom says, putting an end to the bickering before it really starts.

“It’s just a lot of boxes right now, but sure.” I flip the camera and take them around my apartment while Garrett mutters something about getting the coffee machine set up.

“I’m heading out,” Garrett says a few hours later.

“Are you sure you want to? You know that helping me unpack will be way more fun.”

He pokes his tongue out at me as he throws his duffel over his shoulder.

“I’m very sure. I’ll see you for breakfast tomorrow, though?”

“Yeah, just message me first, because there’s every chance that I’ll sleep for a week.”

“You got it. Have a good night.”

“You too. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

He shakes his head before disappearing from my sight and, soon after, the apartment.

Despite the exhaustion and the fact that my stomach is growling, I can’t stop the smile from spreading across my face as I sit back on my haunches and look around.

This place…It’s more than I need, really. It’s an expense that I possibly shouldn’t have lumbered myself with, but…fuck, it feels good.

I feel like a grown-up in my big-girl apartment.

Pushing to my feet, I perch my ass on the edge of the couch and set about ordering my first takeout here.

I haven’t found the boxes with the plates or cutlery yet, so I decide to go with a burger and chips.

A thrill shoots through me as I update my address and delivery instructions.

For the first time in my life, I have a concierge to take in my deliveries.

No more trying to find where my parcels might have gone, or wondering if my neighbors have stolen them.

Everything will get to me safely. The man who was on duty tonight, Harold, was incredibly friendly and helpful.

His smile made me feel instantly at home here.

Once I’ve placed my order, I go back to the box I was unpacking.

I know I probably should have hit the kitchen or bathroom first—they’re the most necessary things—but I couldn’t help myself from wanting it to feel like home immediately.

So instead, I started on my photos. I’ve got so many of my parents, Garrett, and me over the years, in various locations.

There are also some of the girls and me.

Each and every one makes me smile as I find its new home, just as I did when I carefully wrapped and packed them for the move.

I’m surrounded by my favorite people in the world, including a copy of Bea’s most recent scan, because that little one growing in her tummy is already at the top of my favorite people list, right with its momma.

Then I move to the kitchen and begins on the task of deciding where to put everything. My plates get dizzy moving from one cupboard to another until I finally settle on the right location. And of course, that spot is the very first place I tried. Why must I overthink it?

Miraculously, I’m almost halfway done with the kitchen by the time my cell buzzes to say my food arrival is imminent.

Excitement flutters in my empty stomach, and I practically run toward my front door, ready to collect my meal.

I watch the guy’s progress to my building as I ride down in the elevator, and as if I planned it, the concierge buzzes him in just as the doors open.

“How is it going?” Harold, the concierge, asks once I’ve got my food safely in my arms. The scent makes my stomach growl even louder.

“Yeah, you know. A lot of boxes.”

He smiles knowingly at me. “I’m sure you’ll be sorted in no time.”

“Here’s hoping. I’ve got to go back to work soon.”

“I have faith in you.”

“Thank you. I hope you have a good evening.”

If it’s possible, his smile gets even wider. “Oh, I will. My better half is making my favorite supper.”

“Well, enjoy.” With a little wave, I head back up to my apartment before devouring my burger and chips with the kind of ferocity that would rival Rett and the guys.

I’ve just finished when my cell rings and I find Bea’s smiling face lighting up my screen.

I swipe and put her on speaker.

“Hey, how’s it going?” she asks the moment our call connects.

“It’s…going.” I laugh as I look at the chaos surrounding me.

“You know I’d come help if—”

“No. Nope. Nuh-uh. Not happening.”

“So stubborn,” she chastises.

“You’ve been on your feet all day covering my clients, and that sexy man of yours is due home any minute, right?”

“He’s about ten minutes away, I think.”

“Exactly. You have no place being here after not seeing him for a few days. Let him rub your feet.”

“Pretty sure he’ll be interested in rubbing more than just my feet, Si.”

I snigger like a schoolgirl.

“So jealous,” I confess.

“There are plenty of willing guys on the team. All you’ve gotta do is give them the right look.”

I know this. Not only has she told me before, but almost every single player on the LA Vipers roster has hit on me in the last few months. The most I’ve agreed to is dancing, though.

While I might be jealous of all the hot and sweaty sex Bea is having, I’m not interested in just being a bit of fun—especially for someone I’m going to have to spend time with over the coming years.

I distract her by regaling her with some of the tales Garrett shared today, and before I know it, those pesky ten minutes are up, and Rett’s deep voice is filling the line.

“I’ll let you go get that foot rub. Call me in the morning?” I ask.

“You got it. Enjoy the unpacking.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” As if I could forget.

“Love you, bye.”

“Love you.”

Silence fills my apartment, but I don’t have time to dwell on the lack of male-delivered pleasure in my life. I have far too much to do. And anyway, I don’t even want a man, not really.

I finish the kitchen and then move onto the bathroom, but only because I desperately want a shower.

The second I’m out, I find an old T-shirt and some sleep shorts, and I fall into my bed with still-wet hair. I don’t care, though. That’s a future me’s problem.

The last thing I remember is hearing a thud from one of my neighbors before sleep claims me.