Chapter 25
Chapter
Lennon
“Are you trading me or something?” I asked.
Sweat erupted from my pores, and my hands shook. The last time I’d walked into a room filled with a select group of teammates and my coach, I’d been sent to Houston. That had been my preference, and I was happy to be back in my hometown, but I hadn’t expected it.
I was playing well—really well—and we were on pace to place in the top three. We were definitely contenders for the Stanley Cup. So a trade…
Wait.
That wasn’t possible. It was past the deadline.
My friends and coach went from staring at me to gawking at Cormac. “And what’s he on about?” I asked, gesturing to Coach. “Why were you singing the crab song?”
Stolly snickered. “Crab song.”
“Sounds dirtier that way,” Naese said, laughing.
“Never say that to Trix,” Coach said. “It’s called ‘Kiss the Girl’. And I didn’t plan to trade you until you made a sweet Disney moment into a sexually transmitted-disease ad.”
I shook my head in confusion. “What is happening right now? And why does Cormac look like he’s a half-second from a stroke?”
“I’m thinking,” Cormac mumbled.
“Finally,” Maxim said, throwing up his arms.
“Oh, as if you were any help,” Naese grumbled.
“I was,” Maxim snapped.
“You threatened to rip off my arm and told us we were doomed,” Naese replied.
“He’s Russian,” Stolly said, as if that made any kind of sense at all.
“Close the door, Lennon. I don’t need Maxim’s violent tendencies broadcast to the whole organization,” Coach said on a sigh.
“What’s going on here?” I asked again.
“We’re trying to come up with a way for you to win over Vivian so we aren’t defeated again by our wives,” Coach said.
“Defeated?” I asked. I perched on the edge of the couch. “So you’re not trading me?”
“Nope.”
My shoulders slumped forward. “Good, because my mom’s in chemo, and I can’t leave her.”
The guys all nodded, offering me their condolences and help. I frowned. “That’s why Vivi’s here—to help my mom. But you guys are trying to matchmake us?”
“We’re not trying,” Stolly said. “We’re doing it.”
“And well…ish,” Naese added with a nod.
I groaned, shoving my palms against my eyes. “That’s why you’ve been asking about my dates. How we met, what happened after?—”
“You fucked up,” Maxim said.
I dropped my hands and turned to my line mate. “You think I don’t know that? You think I haven’t been trying to fix it?”
“You need to do it faster and better,” Maxim said.
“Before our ladies get more involved and take credit,” Stolly said.
“Hana and Vivian are friends. That gives them an in to all the emotions and crap,” Naese explained.
I rose from the seat and pointed a shaking finger at the guys. “You leave Vivian and me alone—you and your wives. Whatever happens between us needs to be because we wanted it.”
“You’re failing,” Maxim said.
“Come on!” I protested. “How could you possibly know that?”
“That’s not true,” Naese said.
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
“He’s just being slow and methodical—” Naese continued.
“Like the way he irons,” Stolly interrupted. “It’s the most boring thing ever.”
Cormac clapped his hands together to get everyone’s attention. “This meeting is off the rails.” He looked over at me. “Do you, in fact, want a long-term relationship with Vivian?”
“Yes.” I gave a decisive nod.
“Goal established. Now, you need to improve execution. That’s why we’re here and why we’ve been helping you—like getting Vivian to move to Houston.”
A lightbulb went on, and my eyes widened. “You’re paying Vivian’s salary.”
Cormac shook his head. “We’re supplementing it. Your mother’s handling half, through her insurance.”
“I worked with her on that,” Coach Whittaker said. “It’s a solid plan.”
“And a worthwhile investment, as long as you don’t fuck up,” Maxim said.
“Stop telling him he’s going to fuck up! That’ll make him fuck up.” Stolly glared.
“Back to the execution,” Cormac said. “You need to romance her.”
“Woo her,” Naese added.
Maxim nodded. “Lock that future down tight.”
“What I want to know,” Coach said, “is what that has to do with dogs.”
Cormac grinned. “I’m so glad you asked.”