Chapter 21
Chapter
Twenty-One
West
I’ve just gotten to my hotel room in Nashville when I feel my phone buzz in my pocket.
SERENA: Hey, handsome. Whatcha doin’?
We’ve talked and texted every day since I’ve been gone. I’ll be home the day after tomorrow and I’m looking forward to seeing her. Sleeping next to her. Touching her. I didn’t realize I’m addicted to touching her. But I am.
WEST: Hey, angel. Just got to the hotel.
SERENA: Tired?
WEST: A little. Not too bad. Plan to get a good night’s sleep tonight.
SERENA: I can let you go.
WEST: Not this early. I’m going to shower and talk to a gorgeous redhead I know for a while. Then I’ll get to bed.
SERENA: Do I know this redhead?
WEST: You ever hear of a show called Dusty Peaks? She used to be on that.
SERENA: Really?! How cool is that? You should introduce me.
WEST: LOL Deal.
SERENA: Well, the redhead in your life has a surprise for you.
WEST: Yeah? Do I get any hints?
SERENA: Let’s just say that I’m doing half of what you asked but the other half is a surprise.
I have no idea what she’s talking about but that’s okay. Any kind of surprise sounds like fun.
WEST: I can’t wait.
SERENA: And I’ve already arranged for Joey to sleep with Lindy, even though it’s a school night. Going forward, we can’t keep doing that because I think he keeps her up, but I explained our situation to Jayne and she was willing to let it happen.
WEST: Then we definitely owe Jayne one!
SERENA: We do.
WEST: Hey, have you heard anything about your car?
There’s a longer hesitation than usual before I see the three little dots indicating she’s typing out a response.
SERENA: It’s not good. The repairs will cost more than the car is worth. I told him I had to wait for you to get home, because I’m not sure what to do. Technically, I can afford a car payment. The question is, what kind of car?
WEST: Let’s table this until I get back, okay? I’m going to think about some possible options, and we can figure it out together. Deal?
SERENA: You’re really a good friend, West. I don’t know what I’d do without you right now.
WEST: You don’t have to worry about that, angel. I’m not going anywhere.
SERENA: Hurry home…
WEST: Two days until I get to touch you.
SERENA: I’m really looking forward to that.
WEST: Any news on your apartment?
SERENA: Rudy texted me this morning to say the electric is finally back on but all the pipes are frozen, so he said it’s better I stay where I am until he can get a plumber out there.
WEST: Damn. One thing after another.
SERENA: I know. I hope I don’t have to impose on you too much longer.
WEST: You’re not imposing. Have things been okay with you and Jayne?
SERENA: Things are awesome. I take Lindy to school with me and bring her home on the days Jayne has to work late. I cook dinner, and then Jayne cleans up while I spend time with Joey. It’s been really nice.
WEST: I knew you guys would get along.
SERENA: Did you know she wants to open a bookstore?
WEST: No! Is that a serious thing?
SERENA: She has a whole plan. It’s a really cool concept. My friend Holly is coming over tomorrow for brunch and her background is finance, so maybe she can help her figure out the money part of it.
WEST: I want to hear all about it when I get home.
SERENA: Don’t say anything to Bodi. I mean, he knows about the bookstore but not that she’s meeting with someone who might be able to help with the financial part of it.
They kind of tabled it because the start-up costs are extensive, but Holly thinks she might have some ideas.
Anyway, Jayne doesn’t want to say anything until they talk.
WEST: I won’t say a word.
SERENA: Okay, well, I’m going to read for a little while and then crash.
WEST: Forty-eight hours, angel.
SERENA: Talk to you tomorrow.
I put my phone down and pad into the bathroom.
I don’t know what she has planned, but I’m already excited.
The road trip went well. We won all three games, and everyone is in high spirits on the flight home.
Our new head coach, Jamie Teller, is sitting in the back with a group of us playing poker.
He’s in his late thirties, with dark hair and eyes.
He’s quick to joke around and smile, and pretty easygoing in general.
Completely the opposite from our old coach. And it’s been good for us.
“Royal flush.” Coach lays down his cards with a smug grin.
“Asshole,” Bodi mutters.
There’s no hierarchy during poker, so no one’s offended, least of all Coach.
“Sorry, boys.” He scoops up all the chips.
“I cannot play.” Vik leans back, starting to get up. “I am bad.”
“You’re learning,” Coach says. “And it’s not like there’s a lot of money at stake. Sit your ass down.”
Vik sits down with a sullen expression on his face, and I deal another hand.
“You guys hear about DeMarco?” Bodi asks.
I glance up. “Now what?”
“Apparently, he and Gregori got into it. It took two trainers and one of the coaches to pull them apart.”
Coach whistles. “I’ve heard he’s a handful.”
“But going after his own teammate?” Simon asks. “That’s next-level.”
“Rumor has it DeMarco fucked his girlfriend and then bragged about it.”
We all grimace.
“The guy’s been a menace since Juniors,” I say, shaking my head. “I’ve never liked him. I think he’s the only guy in the league I genuinely can’t stand. Like, hardcore, couldn’t play with him.”
“No?” Coach looks surprised. Apparently, he doesn’t know about my condition to play in Atlanta.
“He’s toxic as fuck.”
“Noted.”
“I wish teams would stop picking him up,” Ashton mutters.
“He produces on the ice,” Coach says, “but don’t worry—he’s not on my list.”
“You planning on trading a bunch of us?” I ask him lightheartedly.
“Absolutely,” he deadpans. “And you’ll be first.”
“Thanks a lot.” I laugh with the others. Especially since I have a no-trade clause in my contract, which means they can’t trade me unless I agree to it.
Despite that, it feels good to have this kind of rapport with my teammates.
Now that Coach Morrison is gone, we’re able to breathe.
Relax. Get to know each other, both on and off the ice.
It’s not just nicer for us on a personal level, it’s also showing up on the scoreboard.
We’ve only lost one game since Coach Teller took over.
“By the way,” Coach says when the hand is over.
“Since that charity event was canceled due to weather, I’d like it if some of you could make an appearance at the All-Star weekend coming up.
It’s going to be family-friendly, so Viggo and I are bringing the kids.
They have me on a panel during the fan fest event, and they’re looking for more people who aren’t actually playing to show up.
” He looks to me. “How about it, McGregor?”
I automatically nod. “Whatever you need, Coach.”
“I can get you on one of the panels, maybe have PR set up an autograph thing? Just an hour. And then there’s an indoor carnival in the afternoon on Friday, where families can skate, play games, eat funnel cake. Everything you’d think of but with a hockey twist.”
“I’m in,” Ashton says with a grin. “Where do I sign up?”
“Good man.” Coach nods at him. “I’ll have PR get in touch. Anyone else?”
“Jayne and I are going to the Caribbean,” Bodi says apologetically. “Kelly’s going to watch Lindy. It’s our first time going on vacation together…” He lets his voice trail, obviously hoping Coach doesn’t make him cancel.
Coach laughs. “Have at it, buddy. You’ll owe me next year.”
“Absolutely.”
“I am already there,” Vik says quietly. There has to be at least one representative from each team for the event, and he was the only one chosen from the Thunder.
Most guys are bummed when they’re not chosen, but as someone who’s been lucky enough to attend twice, I was actually relieved.
I’m looking forward to some down time. Especially now that I’ve met Serena.
“You should bring Serena,” Bodi says to me.
“Who’s Serena?” Ashton asks.
“You have a girlfriend?” Another guy on the team, a rookie named Blaze Villaverde, looks surprised.
“Wait, I thought she was just a friend?” Simon asks in confusion.
I roll my eyes and then give Bodi a dirty look. “I haven’t known her long,” I say carefully. “But we got to spend twenty-four-seven time together during the ice storm because I got stranded at her place after I helped her when her car broke down.”
“Now she’s staying at our house,” Felix adds, nodding.
I want to strangle the lot of them. I don’t need the team knowing my personal business, especially this soon, but now the cat’s essentially out of the bag so I don’t have a choice.
“We were leaving on a trip and the electricity is still out at her place,” I say, like it’s perfectly reasonable. I mean, it is. It’s all true. It’s just the sharing a bed part that changes things a little. Okay, a lot. But if Bodi brings that up, I’m going to punch him.
“It could be fun,” Bodi continues, ignoring the looks I’ve given him. “Give you two a chance to get away and have a little fun instead of being cooped up in a house together.”
I open my mouth to protest but I’m not sure why. She probably can’t go because of work, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t ask. Or that it wouldn’t be fun. I could book a suite, with two bedrooms, so Joey wouldn’t have to sleep with us and—
“You look like a deer in the headlights,” Coach says, laughing. “Leave him alone, guys. It’s obvious he’s into this woman but isn’t ready to talk about it.”
Thank fuck for a voice of reason.
“What he said,” I mutter, shuffling the cards. “Okay, are we playing cards or talking about my love life?”
“Your love life is the more interesting,” Vik murmurs.
Everyone laughs.
But the seed is planted.
I’m going to invite Serena to the All-Star weekend.
And once I do that, I don’t think ‘casual’ will be part of our equation.