Chapter 5
BENNETT
Tori keeps her distance for the next few days, our only interactions through text.
Bennett: Bennett here, reporting for duty
Ice Queen: Very funny.
Bennett: I dabble in stand-up
Ice Queen: Please, please tell me you’re kidding. We can’t afford THAT video leaking
I shoot her a GIF of a stand-up comedian getting tomatoes thrown at him and she actually ‘hahas’ it.
Shocking.
Small victory, but I’ll take the ‘W.’
Other than the text check-ins, life’s pretty boring without my brothers around 24-7. Both of them are on the approved visitors list, so Callum’s come over and watched film with me a few times and Weston brought me some decent towels and sheets. The linens in the condo are scratchy as hell.
I’ve also been on a shopping binge. Before, I’d play hockey and then party after every game. Free drinks, VIP sections at every nightclub, different women every night.
Not super fulfilling, but at least it killed time.
Now, with the strict curfew and the lack of entertainment, I need something else to do.
There’s hardly any furniture in the place, so I shoved the extra bed into the closet and made the guest room a makeshift gym.
So far I have a bench, weight rack, mat, full kettlebell set, and a box jump.
Helps me kill a few hours a day before mandatory lights out.
Apparently, I’m in athlete jail.
And I haven’t been able to talk my way out of it or smile my way back. Tough to win anyone over while I’m on house arrest.
I’m cranking out another set of chest presses, with Def Leppard pushing me on, when there’s a bang at the door.
Bang, bang, bang.
Then again, this time louder.
Wiping my sweaty face with the hem of my T-shirt, I walk to the door. The cheap wood paneling shakes with each thump and I have a sneaking suspicion I can guess who’s on the other side.
I tip my head up at the ceiling, huff out a quick breath. Then, not bothering to check the peephole, I fling the door open and smile down at her.
“Tori.”
“Rule number four: no loud music. There was a noise complaint against you.”
I lean on the doorframe, a high-pitched guitar riff drifting into the hallway. Knox stands next to Tori, avoiding eye contact with me.
“Really? Because the neighbor to my left is at her daughter’s for the entire month, and Mr. Monty?” I gesture across the hall. “He wears hearing aids. His batteries got delivered here last week.”
She scrunches up her nose. “You know the neighbors?”
“Of course I do. You don’t?”
“No.” She shakes her head, like meeting people who live near you is the most ridiculous thing ever.
“What if you need to borrow a cup of milk?”
“I’m dairy-free.”
“Naturally.”
“The music?” She points into my condo, the heavy bass vibrating the floorboards.
I rake a hand through my hair. “It’s pushing me.”
“Yeah, well it’s annoying me. And I’m trying to work.”
“Ever heard of noise cancelling headphones?”
“I don’t want to wear headphones in my own home.” She pops her hands on her hips and glares at me.
“It was you.” I narrow my eyes at her. “You’re the noise complaint.”
The right side of her mouth tips up a little. “Me? No.”
“C’mon. Live a little. Def Leppard never hurt anyone.”
“I fervently disagree.”
“Do you ever have fun?” I tip my head, contemplating this woman.
Knox’s shoulders quiver with suppressed laughter as Tori scowls back at me.
“Of course I have fun. What a ridiculous question.”
“Really? Name one thing you do that fits into the fun category.”
Her perfectly smooth brow furrows. “Research markets.”
“That’s fun to you?”
“Yes.” She tucks her hair behind her ear, the strong smell of roses filling my nostrils.
“Okay, fine. I’m not one to yuck anyone’s yum. What else do you consider fun?”
She bites down on the corner of her lip and my eyes instantly flick to her mouth.
For once, nothing sassy’s coming out.
“Stumped you, huh?”
“No, I’m thinking. Give me a second.”
After a long pause, she answers. “Running.”
“You count working out as a recreational activity?”
“Not all of us get paid to burn calories, Puck Boy.”
“Kind of a stretch, Sunshine. But I’ll let it slide. Anything else?”
“What is this, like a dating profile or something? Why do you care anyway?”
Good question.
Why do I give a fuck what the Ice Queen likes to do in her spare time?
“Definitely not a dating profile. And I was just making conversation. But I guess it’s against the rules to chat with the warden. I’ll let you get back to your spreadsheets.”
Irritated with her attitude, I lower my hand from the doorframe.
Tori’s one of the prickliest people I’ve ever met. No matter what I do, I can’t win her over — and that aggravates the hell out of me.
I’m a people person. It’s what I do, who I am.
I pride myself in my ability to win everyone over, especially women.
But Tori’s turning out to be quite the challenge.
I’m closing the door when her voice stops me.
“Baking. I like to bake.”
My fingers still on the knob.
So, the Ice Queen does have a hobby.
Cracking the door open, I lean my head out. “I like to eat. Just sayin’.”
Then I retreat into my condo, abandoning my workout and heading straight to the shower.
Because now she’s in my damn head—and that’s not supposed to happen.
I’m fresh off the ice, throwing on a hoodie in the locker room, when my phone buzzes.
Ice Queen: Prince’s office. Now
Bennett: Why? I’m behaving
Ice Queen: No idea. Get there
Maybe I’m finally getting out of jail.
My heart flip-flops at the possibility. I’ve done everything the league’s asked—sat the bench, stayed out of trouble. I put in my time, and now Prince is finally realizing this whole babysitting thing’s an overreach.
Slamming my locker shut, I jog down the hallway without so much as a wave to my teammates.
Freedom’s close, I feel it. My entire body’s unwinding, quads and calf muscles springy. I’m lighter than I’ve been in weeks. Ever since the fight at the party and the subsequent fallout.
I give a quick knock on Prince’s partially open door, not waiting for him to answer before I shove my way inside.
Tori’s already there, sitting across the desk from her father. He’s working at his computer and she’s tapping on her phone as usual.
“Bennett, take a seat.” Prince motions at the empty chair next to Tori and I fold my body down into the leather with a strong sense of deja vu.
But maybe this time there’s good news.
“What’s this about, Daddy?” Tori lowers her phone, the ever-present tech hovering between her hands.
“I’m off probation?” I ask, voice tipping up with hope.
“Hardly, Steele.”
My gut sinks and the buzzy energy turns into a sick feeling, rolling through me.
What the fuck? I’ve done everything they’ve asked, followed all the rules.
“You still have a lot to prove before I’m comfortable letting you run free again.
I have a franchise to consider.” Prince leans back, steepling his fingers and studying us.
“Which is why you’re here. There’s an important charity gala at the Yacht Club tomorrow night and Harbor bought the team a table as part of the Hockey With Heart campaign.
But I have an owner’s meeting I can’t miss — so I’m sending you two in my place. Donors need reassurance and you’re it.”
“You want me to take him—” she points a manicured finger at me —”to a charity gala?” Tori’s dark eyes widen, her brows lifting high. “You can’t be serious.”
And here I thought we’d made progress.
“Yes. The season ticket holders from the meet-and-greet will be there, plus a lot of important donors from the community and a few sponsors who followed us from New York. You’re a face of the franchise and Bennett’s one of our star players.
I trust you both will be on your best, most charming behavior. ”
Tori’s scarlet lips press into a tight line, frustration radiating off her body. I’m not sure if she’s more upset about the gala or attending with me. All I know for certain is she’s pissed.
“Fine.” She shoves away from the desk, grabbing at her oversized designer bag and slinging it over her shoulder. “I’ll go to the stupid gala. But I can’t stay here forever. I have a career in the city that doesn’t involve managing a grown man’s curfew.”
She storms out, leaving me and Prince sitting awkwardly at the desk staring at one another.
After a long minute, Prince huffs out a breath.
“Don’t screw this up, Steele. Remember — your job’s on the line. And I don’t want a bad report from Tori.”
I nod, my chest tight. “Heard, sir.”
Rising, I shove my hands in my pockets and shuffle out of the office more agitated than before.
The last thing I want to do is spend a long-ass night next to the Ice Queen in an uncomfortable tux, glad-handing donors and playing her perfect date.
Unfortunately, I’m already picturing her in a dress.
Yeah, I’m screwed.