Spinning to the Goal (Desert Ice Hockey #4)

Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

ACE

I t was mid-week, and I was at the Ice Den, getting ready to have a meeting with the Coyotes coaches in a conference room at the back of the facility. My agent would be on speaker during the meeting. I’d gotten out of my morning skate to be here, and Archer and Mason should be around somewhere training and would probably be hitting the ice soon.

I sat in my best gray suit with my fingers twined on the table, my heart trying to crash out of my chest. Fuck, this whole thing was an anxiety-producing mess. Since the drive home with Zoma from Colorado, I’d been waking up every night and staring at my ceiling for hours.

Archer popped his blond head into the room. “Ace, you are here.” He jogged to me, still in his athletic gear from the gym, and held out his fist. “God, I hope this works out.”

With a grin tugging at my lips, I bumped my fist on his and stood at the long table centering the room. “Yeah, you and me both, brother.”

Mason strutted into the room and his gaze locked on mine. “Dude, you’re really here.” He strode to me, wrapped his arms around me, picked me up, and then dropped me. “Damn, you’re heavy. You put on a few pounds over Thanksgiving?”

“Does it matter?” I beamed at him. God, it was good to see these two. If only I could work something out with the team here.

“Are they going to let us shoot pucks at you today?” Mason’s eyes twinkled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve nailed you with a puck.”

“And a longer time since you’ve gotten one past me.” I slapped his shoulder. “I wasn’t asked to bring my gear, so I think they just want to talk.” Maybe with me being at their back door, literally since both ASU and the Coyotes were playing games at Mullett Arena right now, they didn’t need to see me play here. Then, of course, there was plenty of footage last year of me playing with Mason and Archer, so there was that.

“I’m sure we’ll be seeing you on the ice come September.” Archer threw me a wide grin.

Mr. Keller walked into the room, followed by Coach Henderson, the infamous head coach for the Coyotes.

“Be seeing you, Ace.” Mason up-nodded the two men as he left, with Archer following and sneaking a peek at me before disappearing behind the door jamb.

Mr. Keller held out his hand to me. “Ace, I’m glad you could make it. This is?—”

“Coach Henderson, yes, I know the Coyotes coaching staff,” I said, shaking Mr. Keller’s hand. I hadn’t stalked all of them online… Oh yes, I had.

“Nice to meet you, Ace.” Coach Henderson shook my hand and took a chair opposite mine. “Our goalie coach is on his way.” He tented his hands on the table as Mr. Keller dropped into the chair next to his.

Another man, this one with a wide build and dark hair, entered the room. “Sorry I’m late.” His blue-eyed gaze met mine. “Ace McAdams? It’s a pleasure. I’m Coach Cooper.”

“Yes, sir, and same here.” I stood again, shook his hand, and sat, my pulse beating into my throat. I knew who he was…

“Let’s get your agent on the phone.” Mr. Keller pulled a conference phone centered on the table toward him and dialed.

The phone rang once and clicked. “Hello, this is Todd Daniels.”

“Hey, Todd. We’ve got Ace here and the coaching team, so we’re ready to start.” Mr. Keller leaned back in his chair.

I flicked my gaze between the coaches. Who was going to talk first?

“Ace, you know our situation with Sampson.” Coach Henderson winced.

“Yes, I know what’s going on.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Was there even more to his condition than I’d been told?

“We think you’d make a good addition to this team, but we know you’re talking to the Red Wings.” Coach Henderson focused on me.

“I am.” My mouth went dry. They didn’t bring me in here to tell me talking to the Red Wings ruined any chance of a deal here, did they? I glanced at the speaker. If it did, I was going to kill Todd.

“We also understand you’d like to play here.” Coach Henderson studied me and shifted in his chair. “You, Hopkins, and Carlson were part of the best team in ASU’s history, and the hockey fans in this town know that. The question is, is staying here and playing with your friends more important to you than signing with an organization that consistently makes the playoffs and is third in line with most Stanley Cup wins?” Peering at me, he folded his hands in his lap.

I took a hard swallow. This guy wasn’t mincing words. “I guess it depends on how much ice time I’d get.” There, I’d start with my only beef about the situation. “I don’t want to sign onto a team to be a duster, no matter how many Stanley Cups the team has.”

“Ace is good enough to start in the NHL. I think we’ve all seen what he can do,” Todd said.

“Uh-huh.” Coach Henderson narrowed his eyes further. “Don’t pick a team because you want to play with your friends. You never know when your friends might be traded.”

“I know that.” I clenched my jaw. But fuck, even if it were for one year, it would be the best year of my life. Especially now, with Zoma in it. I had to come up with something to convince them. “I want to stay here and be a part of this organization. You said it yourself. The hockey fans know me.” I shrugged. I’d go for money. “You’ll probably sell more seats at the games with me here.” I hooked a brow. “Maybe even sell out with me, Hopkins, and Carlson all playing together. You know the ASU alum will be more likely to go to games.” It was a long shot, but what the hell.

“You’ve got a head for business. I like that.” Mr. Keller offered me a grin and then focused on Coach Cooper.

Clearing his throat, Coach Cooper said, “Ace, the fact is I’ve watched you play at the ASU games when we’ve been in town.” He dipped his head, and his attention drew back to me. “There’s no question in my mind of your ability?—”

“Then give me an offer. Let’s see what we can pull together. Work with me here.” I planted my forearms on the table. Did I sound desperate? Maybe I was.

“Ace, how about we let them talk.” Todd freed a stuttered chuckle. “Gentlemen, what would the logistics be of bringing Ace into the organization, and what chance does he have of starting games?”

With a long exhale, I slumped in my chair. I was not a negotiator, and I’d probably just shaved another hundred grand off anything they were going to give me. Could I make this any harder on myself?

“Yes, well, we need to do some assessments and talk to management, but it all depends on the situation with Sampson. When he’s doing well physically, he’s our starter.”

I brushed my fingers in a circle over the table. “So this all depends on if he needs surgery for sure.”

“It does, but a lot of teams start out the season with three goalies on the roster.” Coach Cooper leaned toward me. “If you prove yourself, you could be the number one when the season starts.”

Fuck me. I could sign with them for a reduced salary and then have to prove myself? I gritted my teeth and rubbed my jaw.

“Let’s see what we can come up with, but remember, the Red Wings are still in the picture,” Todd said.

I left the meeting disappointed, but I had afternoon classes to get to. I’d kept my mouth shut the rest of the meeting and let Todd talk, but even with my stats as the best goalie in the NCAA again this year, it was clear they were still holding out hope of keeping Sampson going.

As I climbed out of my car at home, my phone buzzed in my breast pocket. I answered the call as I opened the door to the house. “Hello.”

“Hey, Ace. Are you done with Coyotes? How’d it go?” Zoma asked.

“Not great.” A knot rolled in my gut. Zoma had been so supportive, but I knew he didn’t want to move to Detroit, and at some point, it might cause problems between us. I strolled into my bedroom, set the phone on speaker, and shrugged out of my jacket. “I think they’re trying to keep Sampson on the ice. Why, I have no idea.”

“Sampson is the goalie with the hip problems?” Zoma asked. “So he doesn’t need surgery?”

“They still don’t know.” I sat on the edge of my bed and hung my head. “I was practically begging them to sign me. I think my agent about lost his mind.” I choked out a laugh. I was sure I’d hear from him later.

“I’m sorry, babe,” he said.

“Yeah, thanks.” I kicked off my shoes and tossed my socks to the floor. I didn’t know what else I could say to him, and now I was in a foul mood. “Hey, listen, I’ve got classes to go to. I’ll see you soon?” We had an away game this weekend, but we’d be together on Sunday.

“Yes, I’ll see you soon and call me if you hear anything. Even if it’s from your agent telling you that you’re an idiot. Okay? I’m here for you.”

“I know.” I freed a sharp chuckle. “Love you, Zoma.”

“Love you too.”

We said our goodbyes, and I ended the call.

On Sunday, we had a rare day where everyone was in town, so we decided on a video gaming session with the squad. The only one missing was Jonah. I sat at the corner of our sectional with Zoma next to me while Mason and Archer took up positions on the other end.

Leo stood in the kitchen, blending margaritas for us all. “Who wants one?” He grabbed plastic Solo cups from the cupboard and poured one.

We all raised our hands.

Myles and Tyler jogged out of the hallway to the bedrooms, shouting, “Me!” They surrounded Leo, Tyler patting him on the back. “I haven’t had one of these in a long-ass time.” He picked up a glass and drank it.

“What do you think?” Leo smiled at Tyler. “I made it from scratch with real juice.”

“That’s my man.” Archer picked up a controller from the coffee table and threw Leo a charming grin.

Tyler tried the drink. “Oh yeah, that’s good.”

“Thanks.” Leo handed out margaritas to everyone and dropped in beside Archer, throwing an arm around his shoulders. “Now all we need is the pizza.”

“Yeah, I’m starved.” Tyler sipped from his glass and glanced out the window to the front yard.

“Why don’t you invite Mackenzie over here sometime?” Drinking his margarita, Myles stepped to Tyler. “I mean, you two are spending a lot of time together, aren’t you?”

Tyler twisted his lips, “Yeah, we’re in a class together.” He opened his mouth and shut it. “He’s, uh, he’s a pretty open-minded guy, isn’t he?”

I twisted, resting my arm on the back of the couch. What the hell was Tyler going on about? “Didn’t you two take him to the gay bar one time?” I barely remembered it. I’d been so caught up in my own shit with the contract situation that I hadn’t been paying much attention to Tyler and Myles.

“Yeah, and he was fine with it. But…” Tyler tapped his lips. “Naw, it’s nothing.” With a swift grin, he walked to the front door. “Pizza guy is here.”

“No, you’re not getting out of this conversation that easily, Hodge.” Mason rose from the couch and strode to Tyler. “What’s going on with this Mackenzie guy?” He planted his hands on his hips, watching Tyler grab the pizza from the delivery driver.

Walking the pizza to the kitchen table, Tyler said, “I don’t know yet, and I’m not going to say.” He set the pizza down. “Then you can’t mess with me about it.”

A wide smile spread over Myles’s lips. “Tyler has a crush on a maybe-not-straight guy, eh.” He sipped his drink.

With his eyes widening, Tyler flicked his gaze to Myles. “I only told you he’s hot. I never said anything about liking the guy.”

“Uh-oh. Watch out there, Tyler. When you hang out with a hot guy who might be questioning himself, shit could happen.” Archer dipped his head to Leo’s shoulder. “Like you could end up together in a secret relationship.”

Leo’s brows snapped together. “Only for a few months.”

“Nothing is happening with Mackenzie. Drop it.” Tyler gave Mason a pointed look. “Don’t say any more.”

My phone buzzed on the coffee table, and I picked it up, Todd scrolling across the screen. “Shit, it’s my agent. Everyone be quiet.” I hadn’t heard from him since the day of the meeting with the Coyotes and had figured he’d needed some time to cool down. “Hey, Todd.”

Zoma edged in closer to my side, taking a sip of his drink and watching me.

“Hi, Ace. I’ve got news. Are you sitting down?” Todd asked.

“I am.” My pulse ran rampant through my body. Holy shit, this was it. I glanced at each of the guys, all focused on me.

“I’ve been busy going back and forth between the Red Wings and the Coyotes since last Wednesday. I tried to use the Coyotes visit as some leverage with Detroit,” he said.

I bit the lip of my cup. “Okay, and?” Maybe he’d just been too busy to call me sooner?

“You have two options. The first is to sign with the Red Wings and be assured a starting position and top dollar.” He sighed. “The second is to sign with the Coyotes, take about a fifteen percent salary hit, but also have a chance at starting if you can prove yourself in training camp, which I’m pretty sure you can.” He chuckled and went quiet. “Sampson needs surgery. They’re doing what they can to finish the season with Stoll, but they don’t want to risk picking up another goalie right now and losing you.” He sucked in a breath. “They want you, Ace.”

I stared at the dark television across the room. “They want me…?” Fuck, I should say yes right then and there, but I had to talk to Zoma and the guys first. “Can I call you back?”

“Of course. I figured you’d need time to think about it,” Todd said. “Call me as soon as you figure out what you want to do, and I’ll give you the numbers and logistics.”

“Thanks, talk to you soon.” I ended the call and turned my stare to Zoma. “We have a decision to make.”

“What did he say?” Zoma placed his hand on my thigh and set his margarita on the coffee table.

“He said I can go with Detroit and be assured a starting positing and a nice salary, or I can go with the ’Yotes, take a lesser salary, and fight out my position in training camp.” I rubbed my forehead. Fuck, this was hard, but I wasn’t in this for the money. Either way, the money would be more than enough. Maybe even enough to help Zoma start a real training program at the Ice Den? Maybe.

Everyone gaped at me, and then Archer said, “What do you want to do? You know, if you were in training camp today, you’d hand Sampson’s and Stoll’s asses to them. You’d be the top guy, Ace.”

Mason lifted his Solo cup. “Hell fucking yes.” His gaze fixated on mine. “Ace, come out and play with us. Don’t make me ask your mom.” A soft snort rippled out of him. “I can’t wait to hit you with pucks at camp.”

“Shit…” Biting my lower lip, my heart danced. I could do this. I knew I could. “Zoma? What do you think?”

“Babe, the decision’s all yours. I’ll support you either way.” He pressed a soft kiss on my mouth.

“Dude, take the deal with the Coyotes. You know you want to. There’s no way they’re going to leave you on the bench. They’d be idiots.” Tyler scoffed and drank his margarita.

I snapped my gaze to Myles. “What do you think?” Their opinions meant the world to me. If anybody knew hockey, these guys did.

With a shrug, Myles howled like a coyote, throwing his head back.

“It’s settled then. I’m taking the deal with the ’Yotes, and I’ll start next season.” My shoulders relaxed as if a heavy weight was lifted from them. Yes, this felt right.

“Fuck yeah!” Mason held up his glass. “Let’s all toast our new goalie, the one and only Ace McAdams.”

With whoops and hollers, the guys tapped their glasses together and took a drink.

Zoma threw his arms around my neck, squeezing me to him, and kissed my cheek. “I’m so happy for us, Ace. I know you can do this, and you’ll help bring the team to greatness.”

“With you by my side, I can do anything.” Grabbing the back of his head, I planted my forehead to his. “I love you, Zoma. Together, we’ll make a life here, and now, we can go at our own pace and don’t have to rush off to move to a different city.” I’d call Todd back tomorrow and solidify the deal.

“We can.” He kissed me softly.

The Christmas holiday was here, and Zoma and I had flown up to Helena, the closest airport to my family ranch. Eli was picking us up. After grabbing our bags at baggage claim, we made our way to the arrivals curb. The place was packed, especially for a small airport, and at least of foot of snow lay on the ground, crunching underneath our boots and the vehicle tires as people were picked up.

Zoma stood next to me, a black peacoat wrapped around his slender frame. He exhaled, and a cloud of hot breath floated in the afternoon sunshine. “Yep, cold like Colorado.” He rubbed his leather-gloved hands together.

“Except we’re a lot farther north than Colorado, so it might be even colder.” I made to wrap an arm around him and stopped myself. We weren’t in Tempe anymore, and I wasn’t prepared to deal with crap from some old cowboy.

“Yes, but Colorado Springs is at six-thousand feet.” He stomped his booted feet in the dirty snow.

“Got news for you. It’s four-thousand feet here, so not much difference.” Shaking my head, I chuckled. Were we going to argue about which place had colder weather?

“Oh really? I had no idea.” He scanned the vehicles crawling in traffic. “What sort of enormous truck are we looking for?”

“A big white Ford dually.” I swayed my head, looking for Eli. He better not be late.

“With a McAdams Ranch logo and steer on it?” He pointed at a ranch truck creeping our way.

“Yup, that’s the one.” A broad smile swept over my face. I was bringing the love of my life home with me.

The truck stopped and Eli hopped out and then ran at me, his long brown hair fluttering on his head and a thick red-and-white flannel jacket wrapped around him. “Ace! It’s so good to see you.”

As he reached me, I gave him a bear hug and picked him off the ground. He was the slenderest of us all but still had some height to him. “It’s good to see you too.” I let him down.

Eli’s gaze flung to Zoma. “You must be the boyfriend.” He held out his hand. “Good to meet you, Zoma. My mom has told me a ton about you.”

Zoma shook his hand. “She has? It’s very nice to meet you as well.”

“My mom likes to gossip, so I’ve been giving her things to gossip about.” I picked up both our bags and threw them into the truck bed.

“Yeah, I’d love to see you skate, Zoma. Maybe we can go to the rink one day with Ace, and you could show me a few things?” Eli opened the back cab door.

“Certainly. I didn’t bring my skates, but I’m sure we can find some rentals.” Zoma climbed into the back seat of the truck.

“The rink I practice at when I’m home has rentals.” My chest bloomed with warmth. We were going to have so much fun on this holiday.

Eli hopped into the driver’s seat and put the truck in gear. “Mom is beside herself. She put all sorts of fancy soaps and candles in the guest room for Zoma. Looks like a spa or somethin’.” He let out a sharp laugh.

“The guest room?” I stared at my brother. Shit, Mom wasn’t going to let Zoma and I sleep together?

Zoma set his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll find a way.”

With his brow arching, Eli said, “Your secret will be safe with me.” He made the motion of zipping his lips. “I’m just happy as fuck Ace finally has a boyfriend. Hoo-ey. And he’s going to play for the ’Yotes next year? Goddamn, brother.” He patted my thigh. “You have made it in the world.”

As I shifted in my seat, I looked out the windows at the freeway and land sprawled out before us, the rolling white hills spotted with short pines and the mountains in the distance. It had only taken about five minutes to be in ranch land. This was where I was born and raised. One thing was certain. I’d never fully leave this place behind, but I had found a new life in Arizona.

A little while later, Eli drove through the automatic gate with the ranch logo etched into the iron, the beams over top of the entrance tall enough for all the trucks that came through here. “Almost home.” He threw me a grin as he drove the truck down the long drive.

“Look, there are the cows.” Zoma pointed out the window at a few cattle hovering around a bale feeder filled with hay.

“Yep, there they are.” I glanced at the area. It was a smaller grazing pasture in the warmer months. I wasn’t going to say a word about how these were the cattle that had been too young yet to be sent to the slaughterhouse. Triggering Zoma with his parents had been funny, but with my brother? I didn’t want to embarrass him.

Eli pulled the truck up to the garage doors, set in the walls made of stone we’d pulled from the grounds and sitting underneath the main part of the two-story home that had been added onto over the years.

I gazed up at the steps leading to the long front porch. Mom had added fake pine boughs and lights as Christmas decorations to the hand-hewn wooden beams and a thin layer of snow covered the cedar shingles on the roof. I climbed out of the truck.

“Holy shit, Ace. This is your ranch?” Zoma stood next to the truck and looked over the building. “You know what this reminds me of? The place they filmed that movie with Brad Pitt, what was it, Legends of the Fall ?”

“Yeah, guess it does give off that vibe.” I chuckled and draped an arm around his shoulders. With Brad Pitt looking so damn good in that movie, who hadn’t seen it?

“You know it’s not his ranch. It belongs to the family.” With a smirk, Eli tapped Zoma’s stomach. “Which, I guess you’re a part of now, right?” His smirk widened as he jumped into the bed of the truck and handed us our luggage.

“Ace? Oh my God, you’re here.” Charlotte came barreling down the steps, her brown hair curled and bouncing on the shoulders of her long, puffy jacket. As she reached me, she flung her arms out.

With my chest warming, I scooped her up and spun her around. “Baby sister, it’s so good to see you.” I set her down. “How did you do in the last rodeo?”

“I got first place.” Her blue eyes twinkled at me as her smile grew. Her gaze swept to Zoma, and she looked him up and down. “Is this the figure skating boyfriend Mom told us about?”

“It is.” Placing my hand on the small of Zoma’s back, I pushed him toward her. “Zoma, meet my sister Charlotte. She’s a barrel racer and kind of a big deal in the rodeo scene around here.”

“It’s a pleasure, Charlotte.” Zoma held out his hand.

“We hug around here.” She grabbed him and gave him a squeeze around the waist. “Oh my, aren’t you adorable?” She brushed a lock of hair off Zoma’s forehead. She was probably an inch taller than him.

His cheeks pinked and he dipped his head. “Thank you.” His gaze found mine. “This place looks amazing.”

“Yeah, Ma’s been decking it out for the holidays. You know this is the first time Ace has brought anyone home? Like ever?” Charlotte wound an arm around Zoma’s. “I think she’s trying to impress you.”

“Oh, I’m impressed just being here.” Zoma flicked a grin my way.

“Let’s go inside.” Eli waved us along and grabbed our suitcases.

Holding Zoma’s hand in one hand and my sister’s in the other, we all strolled up the steps and through the large hand-carved wooden door.

The scent of Christmas floated on the air in notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. “What is Ma making?”

“Cookies right now.” She waltzed through the front room, done up with Christmas decorations on the rustic wooden tables surrounding the leather couches. Damn, it was good to be home. It looked the same as it had since I was in high school.

“Mom’s probably in the kitchen.” I hauled Zoma past the heavy wooden dining table we’d sat at for every family meal, the window next to it looking over the sprawling hills of the ranch, dotted with trees and a small pond.

Eli set down our luggage. “I’ll leave these right here,” he said. “I’ve got some chores to take care of, so I’ll see you both later.”

“See you, buddy.” I up-nodded him as he walked outside. He was probably going to go check on the cattle or feed something. There were always chores around here.

“Ace, seriously, this house is amazing.” Zoma angled his head back. “I mean, look at the beams in the ceiling and the posts. They’re all natural wood with only the bark shaved off. So cool…”

“Yeah, they came from the property.” I pulled him along and into Mom’s kitchen, which opened to our family room, pretty much a replica of the front room, except, in here, a stone fireplace raged with a crackling fire and her Santa Claus collection was on display over the mantel. A huge Christmas tree sat in the corner. She’d never scrimped when it came to appliances and such. It was all high-end commercial grade. But then, she always had a lot of mouths to feed.

Ma stood at the gas range with six burners and a griddle centering them, bent over with the oven door open, wearing a cable-knit sweater and jeans. Oven mitts covered her hands.

“Ma, I’m home.” As a smile grew over my mouth, I stepped to her. I hadn’t seen her since August.

“Oh, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” She pulled a tray of gingerbread man cookies out of the oven and set them on the stove, shucked off the oven mitts, and threw her arms around me. “It’s so good to have you home.” She shook her long brown hair out of her dark eyes.

I gave her a hug. “It’s good to be home.” Releasing her, I held an arm out to Zoma. “Ma, meet Zoma, my boyfriend.”

“Oh, aren’t you a handsome young man?” She gave him a quick embrace and grabbed his hands as she let him go. “You can call me Mary.” Looking him over, she said, “I am so happy Ace found you. I was wondering if he was going to be single forever.”

“Well, I’m happy I found him. I’m pretty sure my mom was thinking the same thing.” He threw a grin at me. “But Ace is the best.”

Austin strutted through the kitchen, his jeans and flannel shirt soiled, and with thick socks on his feet. “Thought I smelled cookies.” He strolled by, snatched one up, and stuffed it in his mouth. “Ow, hot.” He parted his lips and waved his fingers over his face.

“Dammit, boy, those just came out of the oven.” She gave his arm a soft backhand.

He flinched. “Yeah, I gathered.” His gaze cut to Zoma. “Hi, new boyfriend, I’m Austin.” He pushed his hand to Zoma.

Zoma shook it. “Nice to meet you. I’m Zoma.” He gave Austin a charming smile.

“Dude, what have you been doing?” I waved my hand at Austin’s side. “You smell like the barn.”

“That’s because I’ve been working in the barn. The shit ain’t gonna shovel itself.” He ticked a brow at me. “Could use a hand out there once you’re settled.”

“Austin, they’re guests, not new ranch hands.” Mom tsked. “You boys go and unpack, then meet me back here with something warm on. I’ve got a treat for us all, and I’ll have your father join us.”

“Sure, Ma.” I kissed her cheek, threw a look at Austin, and guided Zoma to the door and our waiting bags.