Chapter 25
Earlier on Monday while Marlie taught her second class of the day…
Damon winced as he limped into Hope’s Turn Veterinary Clinic. He had planned on texting Jeff instead of just showing up, but he’d been too agitated by the pain Morgan had inflicted.
The bastard had dared Damon to complain. Unfortunately, after all the razzing he’d given Morgan at the game yesterday, Damon could do nothing but suck up his complaints and perform all the stretches and exercises Morgan had heaped upon him.
Oh man, but those resistance bands and balance drills had made him sweat. And the step-downs and single-leg bridges had been tough enough to induce some creative swearing.
Morgan was such a dick. Yet the guy knew his shit, and Damon would do whatever he needed to in order to get back on the ice. Morgan and Damon had video-called a check-in with his doc in Portland, and Morgan attested to Damon’s speedy recovery.
Afterward, Morgan said, “You’re moving better, Damon. No doubt, if you keep your progression steady, get plenty of fluids and rest and don’t cheat on your exercises, you’ll be back for that game post New Year’s.”
“Good. We’re still contenders for the playoffs.
Team’s been keeping it together thanks to our offensive line.
Defense is getting a little sloppy though.
” And Colby had moments of freaking out Damon needed to talk to him about.
Sure, the coaches were stellar, but nothing beat a one-on-one with a guy who played your position and wasn’t a douche about it.
When coming through the ranks, Damon had done his time dealing with fuckery from senior players.
Pro goalies threatened by his talent didn’t want to help him get better.
But he’d also been mentored by some top-notch guys.
He’d promised himself that when—not if—he got into the NHL as a starter, he’d give back.
Now limping into the veterinary clinic, he saw the same chick he’d seen last week when he’d brought in those kittens with Marlie.
“Hey, Maddie, is it?”
The young woman smiled at him. “Oh, Damon. Hi. Want to see Jeff?”
“If I could.”
“Go on back. He’s on a break.”
Damon walked back toward the smell of something delicious. Leftover turkey if he had to guess. The small kitchen area looked empty, no one nearby to turn off the beeping microwave. After turning off the annoying chirp, he followed the sound of male voices.
“Jeff? Dr. Morrison?” He hobbled his way toward a back laboratory to see Will caging Jeff against the counter. A compromising position if ever Damon had seen one.
The pair froze when Damon clapped. “True love. I’m such a fan.”
“Fuck it.” Will planted a huge wet one on Jeff’s mouth then stalked by him to threaten Damon, “Mess my sister over and I’ll end you.
I still mean it.” He ran a finger across his throat.
Then he slapped Damon on the back and smiled.
“But keep coaching our team. Great job yesterday. Jeff, call me later.”
Will left, and Jeff ran a hand through his hair, looking thoroughly kissed.
And project blackmail was in play.
“You know, Jeff, I think we can help each other out.”
Jeff sighed. “What do you want? Don’t think Will and I are going to keep this from Marlie. We’re just trying to figure out how to tell her.”
Knowing how much Marlie loved her best friend and her brothers, Damon knew they’d have to tell her before she found out on her own.
“Well, I can keep quiet. For a price.”
“Seriously?”
“Tell me how to make Marlie fall in love with me.”
Jeff blinked. “Er, what?”
“Marlie. How do I get her to fall for me?”
“Isn’t she already with you?”
“Not for sex.” Damon found a chair and sat, gently straightening his knee.
“Ah, that’s better. Look, Jeff, I already have the sex part nailed down.
But your girl is skittish. I have to cut out after the holidays and help the team win the cup.
But I’ll be back. I need to get Marlie to fall for me before that so she’ll be here when I return. ”
“Wait. Let me get this straight. You want Marlie to fall in love with you?”
“Did Will scramble your brains with that kiss or what? Yes, Dr. Confused. I want your best buddy to love me long time.” He paused. “Okay, not like the song suggests. Though more sex with that beast isn’t off the table.”
“Beast? Oh, you mean Marlie.” Jeff chuckled.
“Beauty and the Beast, am I right? And I’m the beauty.” They both laughed at that, then Damon added, “I mean I need her to love me.” Like I love her.
“But why?”
“Because my future wife needs to be in love with me before we get to the altar. Duh.”
Jeff looked dumbfounded and pulled up another chair to sit with Damon. “Are you drunk?”
“Are you?”
“But… You plan to marry Marlie? Marlie Reynolds?”
“Is there something wrong with that?”
“Buddy, you just met her last week!”
“I’m a Sinclair.” God, he hated admitting it. “When we know, we know. All of us fall in love, and that’s that. No do-overs. No dating and breaking up and getting back together. You see ‘em, and you just know.”
Jeff stared. “Does Marlie know any of this?”
“No,” Damon growled. “And if you want to keep breathing on your own, you won’t tell her.”
Jeff held up his hands in surrender. “I’m on your side.” He studied Damon. “You’re really not kidding? This isn’t some joke?” His eyes narrowed. “Did she rope you into this to screw with me?”
“She’s not here. It’s just me. The woman is gun-shy because of fuckheads like Ben. But I’m a great guy. I’m hot, I’m smart—well, ice-smart—and I’m loaded. And hey, if Marlie’s with me, you and your friends will always get into my games whenever you want.”
“Will would love that.” Jeff studied him. “What do you want from me, exactly?”
“Tips on how to win her over.”
“Damon, you can’t lie your way into a woman’s heart.”
“It’s not a lie. I love her.” He sighed. “She’s so mean. And pretty. All those freckles and those dark, I-could-kill-you-so-easily eyes.”
Jeff cackled then sobered as he saw Damon’s dopey face. “Wait. You mean that?”
“I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a liar.”
“It’s just… I don’t believe in love at first sight.”
“Trust me. I didn’t either,” Damon said glumly.
“My dad’s been telling me and my sister we’d know when we know for years.
Frankly, I thought he was full of shit. If you knew my mother, you’d know she probably manipulated him into loving her.
Then I met Marlie and bam. Knocked me on my ass.
” He thought about it. “Literally, as it happens.” In detail, he relayed to Jeff how he’d first met her.
“That sounds about right and just what she told me about how you met.” Jeff stared in awe. “So you want to marry my bestie. We’re a package deal, you know.”
“Yeah? So’s my family. I accept that she’s not perfect.”
“I… Hey!”
Damon chuckled. “Kidding, man. You’re a good guy, Jeff. Help me scoop up your best friend.”
“But you can’t move her away. She can’t leave.”
“We’ll figure things out. I can’t stay in the NHL forever. Don’t want to either. But I have to go out on top. I figure another few years of play before I leave. I can base out of Portland. I know her family and career is here. I’m good with that.”
“You are?”
“Dude, my folks live here too. And if I’m with Marlie, they’ll leave me alone and fixate on Grace.” He smiled just thinking about that.
“You scare me.”
“Thanks.”
Jeff sighed. “I’ll help you. But if you hurt her, I swear you’ll pay. Her brothers will just want to beat your ass. I’m a doctor. I know all kinds of ways to kill and maim that won’t leave a trail of evidence.”
“Threat duly noted.” Impressed, Damon studied him. “Can I just say I appreciate this tough side of you, Doc?”
“Aw, how sweet.” Jeff grinned. “Okay. So you want to know how to get to my girl. First, be yourself. She hates liars.”
“Me too.” Although, he’d been pretending to be tougher than he was. “I might have given her the impression I’m a bad-boy type. I’m really not.”
“I don’t think that matters. That sounds like more of a sex thing.”
“Well, yeah.” Damon thought about her and sighed.
“Ew, stop thinking about my best friend naked.” Jeff grimaced. “Focus, Damon. Hmm. Marlie loves her family. She might not like them all the time, but she’s loyal to the bone.”
“She’s great. I get it.”
“She’s also a sucker for Christmas, food, sweets, and animals.” Jeff brightened. “And I have just the thing to help you out with door number four.”
“Huh?”
Jeff walked him to an area in the back of the office, where a few familiar furballs and their new friends lay in wait.
7:05, Monday night at Marlie’s house
“Hold on. Are those the kittens we rescued?” Marlie stared in shock at the pet carrier Damon walked into her house.
He nodded, pleased she remembered. “Jeff found a home for the pregnant calico and two of the orange ones. But the foster couldn’t take these two. They need a place to stay for a while. Since I’m on the mend, I can take care of them while I’m here.”
“At your parents’?”
“Well, no. See, that’s why I need you. I can’t have them underfoot at my parents’ place because it will stress them out, and they’re still healing. I’ll be the one taking care of the cats though. But here, I can take care of them and take care of you at the same time.”
“Explain that.” She crossed her arms over her chest, not so amused anymore.
“What did I say?”
“Why do I need to be ‘taken care of’?”
“Well, obviously you don’t. I just meant as payment for letting me use your place for the kittens, I could take care of your house and cook for you since you’re busting your ass working and getting stuff graded before the holiday.
You have finals coming, more office hours, teaching, coaching, and games, right? That’s a lot.”
“But you have your parents to help and physical therapy.”
“That’s easy. Well, not my parents. They’re a handful. But they’re mostly better. I’ll still be checking on them. But this way I can crash here, taking a break from them. I promise to stay out of your way. Unless I’m feeding you or dicking you, I mean.”
She blinked. “I’m sorry. What?”
“Feeding you or dicking you. You know, giving you orgasms.”
“Oh, well.” She blushed. “That’s okay then.” She shot his crotch a sly grin.
“See? We’ll be perfect roommates. This way you can get to know me better, and I can know you better. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Please say yes.
Seeing her teeter on a decision, he pulled out the big guns and removed the two tiny kittens from the carrier. Two stark white kittens with blue eyes, little matching snowflakes.
She immediately softened. “What are their names?”
“Your call.” He put the larger of the two in her hands, and the adorable fluff ball meowed at her.
“So soft.” She snuggled him. “Well, okay. We’ll foster them here. But you have to do all the heavy lifting. I really am swamped with finals coming.”
“I’ll cook and clean and take care of everything. You go to work and come home for sex and kittens.”
“Merry Christmas to me.” She laughed as the kitten climbed over her and shimmied down her pant leg. Then she held out her hands for the other one. “Are they boys or girls?”
“I think one of each.” Exactly what he wanted from his future wife. He smiled.
She blinked at him. “What’s that look for?”
“What look? I’m just expressing my satisfaction with the situation.”
She sniffed. “Speaking of satisfaction, what’s for dinner?”
From what Jeff had told him, Damon’s woman preferred Thai food.
“Hold on.” He returned from his vehicle with two bags of steaming food.
“Spring rolls, chicken satay, Pad See Ew, fried rice, and yellow curry. Wasn’t sure of your spice level, so I got everything mild.
” He noticed an extra box in the bag. “Oh, and pot stickers. I love those things.”
“Me too.” She bit her lower lip. “Will I have to wrestle you for the pot stickers?”
“Marlie, what do you take me for? I got three of everything.”
“Oh, I think I’m in love.”
His heart raced.
“With all this food.”
“You little witch.”
She laughed at him and picked up both kittens to cuddle. “Serve up the chow, roomie. I won’t eat too much so you can dick me soon enough.”
“Does this mean I can send real dick pics now?”
“Only if you want them up on the internet.”
“Been there, done that. No thanks.”
“What?”
“Oh, not me. Ford, one of our wings. Guy’s got sex on the brain all the time.
I tried telling him the way to a woman’s heart is not through his dick.
But I’m not married, so what do I know? Seriously?
You never saw that scandal online?” He shook his head.
“I’d show you, but I don’t want to seem like I’m bragging.
You’ve seen my amazingness. He really can’t compare. ”
“Maybe I forgot. You’ll have to remind me later.” She placed the kittens down and let them explore. “Hey, where do these guys go to the bathroom?”
Captivated by her willingness to repeat their sexual play later in the evening, it took him a moment. “Oh. I’d better get the stuff out of my truck.”
“Yeah, you’d better.” Her voice came from the hallway. “And grab a rag and carpet cleaner while you’re at it. One of them just peed on my bathroom rug.”
“Ah, domestic bliss,” he muttered to himself as he went to grab his bag and supplies from his truck. Yet he smiled all the way.