Chapter 15 Henry
FIFTEEN
HENRY
I APOLOGIZE ON BEHALF OF THE MALE POPULATION.
There was nothing like hockey. I loved every bit of it. Putting on my gear and stepping onto the rink. The sound of the edges of my skates against the ice. The moment where it was just me, my stick, and a puck against the world.
Whether it was a game, practice, or even for fun, hockey was my heaven. My safe space. My everything.
Every bone in my body ached after the conditioning drills Coach made us do.
Still, when he said we were going to end it with a small area game after the atrocious loss we had against the Dallas Riders, while the guys groaned in pain, my adrenaline spiked with excitement.
Any time I found to spend time on the ice, I was fucking grateful for, considering I was still benched.
All I looked for was that brief moment when the noise inside my head quieted, when I was at peace.
“Anderson,” Hayes shouted as he dodged a check from Morgan and quickly skated toward the center, where it was open.
As I glided behind Parker, Hayes passed the puck through Parker’s legs before he could react.
I took a quick breath, gripped my stick, caught the pass in one smooth motion, and fired a quick snapshot.
That brief window between hitting the puck and waiting for it to meet the mesh was like a drug. Adrenaline ran through me like jet fuel in my veins. It was fast, and hot, and I loved every goddamn moment of it.
The puck slammed into the back of the net, making the mesh jump.
“That’s three. We win,” I called out, grinning as I skated in backward swizzles. “Maybe I should have played with my left. This was far too easy.”
“You cocky motherfucker,” Parker mumbled under his breath and slashed my stick with his.
“Good to see you’re still a mouthy motherfucker even though you’re benched, Anderson,” Morgan quipped.
I barked a laugh as I skated to the bench, peeled off one of my gloves then my helmet, and took a seat.
The gear felt like it weighed a ton, sweaty hair clung to my forehead and nape of the neck, and I smelled like death, but…
fuck. If they’d let me, I would have done another round. “You all love me that way.”
“We don’t,” Owens deadpanned, peeling off his helmet.
“Make sure you all rest, we have a long stretch coming soon, and we need to get our shit together if we want to make things happen this year,” Coach said gruffly.
“If only I weren’t benched,” I murmured.
Coach shot me one of his death glares. “What was that?”
Shit. I meant to say that inside my head.
Before I could answer, Hayes chimed in, “He said you look intimidating when you glare at us. In a hot way. But, like, respectfully.”
This fucking idiot. Knowing Coach Sloane, Hayes was going to pay for that with a few laps.
The rest of the team chuckled. Except for Owens, who rolled his eyes. The grumpy motherfucker had been in a mood for a few days, and we still couldn’t figure out why.
“Go do ten laps for that smart ass response.”
“Worth it,” Hayes mumbled through a giggle, stepping back into the ice.
“Make that twenty,” Coach barked. “The rest of you are dismissed.”
After taking a shower, I stopped by Kennedy’s office to see if she wanted to have lunch. I hadn’t seen her that morning at the apartment, so I guessed she had an early start, but when I knocked on her office door, she wasn’t there, and the door was locked.
“Come in,” Valentina said after I knocked on the door to her office.
She looked up and gave me a kind smile. There was always something so peaceful about Valentina.
She had the energy and personality to work in marketing.
She was a people person, always willing to help and very creative, but she was also extremely nice.
Some say too nice—and yes, this was me quoting Owens.
He thought people took advantage of her too often because of her kindness. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “I was wondering if you’ve seen Kennedy today. I went by her office, but she wasn’t there.”
“She texted me this morning saying she wasn’t coming in because she’s not feeling well.”
My pulse quickened, and worry settled at the pit of my stomach.
I almost bombarded Valentina with a thousand and one questions, but I stopped myself.
I didn’t know if Kennedy had told her about our special arrangement, and I didn’t want to be caught in a lie.
If I were her real boyfriend, of course, I would have known she was sick and wasn’t going to come in.
I cleared my throat. “Oh, right. I’m such an idiot. She told me this morning, I just forgot.” My laugh was forced and awkward. “Thanks anyway.”
Once I said goodbye and stepped out of her office, I shot Kennedy a quick text.
Me
How come you didn’t tell me you were sick?
Kenny
Why would I tell you?
Me
Kenny, Kenny, Kenny… I’m your boyfriend, remember? When I went by Valentina’s office to find out where you were, I was like a deer caught in headlights when she told me you were sick.
Kenny
Oops. I’m sorry, I’ve been in and out all day.
Me
What’s wrong?
Kenny
It’s lady stuff you don’t need to worry yourself with.
Me
I’m a grown man. You can use the word period.
Kenny
Most men gag if you even mention it.
Me
I think you meant to type *boys.
Kenny
Tomayto, tomahto.
Me
Have you eaten anything?
Kenny
I’m not hungry, and I’m too tired to even get out of bed to get something.
Me
I’ll be there in a few with some things.
Kenny
No, thanks. I’m good. This will pass, and I’ll be all new by tomorrow.
Goddamn, this woman was stubborn. Always refusing help. Good thing I was one stubborn motherfucker, too.
“Kenny?” I whispered as I knocked on her door softly. “You awake?”
“Yeah. Come in,” she croaked.
I opened the door and found Kennedy underneath the comforter. Captain Sushi was curled beside her, peacefully sleeping. That cat was more hers than mine at this point. He was practically her shadow. Anywhere she went, there he was, right behind her.
“You okay?” I asked, leaning against the doorframe and crossing my arms.
Kennedy sat on the bed and leaned against the headboard with a wince. “Been better. I usually don’t call out at work when this happens, but today was extremely bad.”
“I will never understand why women don’t get time off. Periods sound like a nightmare.”
She looked exhausted. Her lips were a bit chipped, like she hadn’t been hydrating herself, and her eyes were puffy, with dark circles.
But man…she was still so goddamn beautiful.
Her hair was in a messy bun, so her curls were in all sorts of directions, with a few wild strands framing her face.
Kennedy had always been stunning, but there was something about seeing this real part.
No makeup. No suits. Just the girl with a strong personality and big, beautiful brown eyes.
It was debilitating how perfect she was.
She snorted a laugh, but then her face cringed, and she wrapped her arms around her abdomen, like she was in pain. “And give society another reason to say women deserve to be paid less because of shit like this? No, thanks. I’d rather take my chances.” She sighed.
“I’m sure the only people who say stuff like that are ignorant boys.”
“You’d be correct.”
“I apologize on behalf of the male population.”
She laughed again. “Stop making me laugh!”
“Never,” I said, softly. “I love your laugh.”
Why the fuck did I say that out loud?
Her eyes settled on me with a puzzled expression. My heart stammered against my chest, and it took everything in me not to say something else that was probably going to be equally as pathetic (if not more so).
“I brought you some stuff,” I blurted.
“I told you I was fine.”
I let out a short laugh. “Good thing I don’t listen to stubborn people.”
“I’m not stubborn.” She rolled her eyes as she stood from the bed and headed to the kitchen. I was right behind her, and we almost bumped into each other when she suddenly stopped.
I gripped her waist so she wouldn’t fall on her face.
“What’s all of this?” Kennedy asked, her tone shaky.
“I brought you some soup, which good thing I did, because I bet you’re dehydrated.
” I started taking everything out of the bags.
“I also wasn’t sure what kind of treat you like when you’re on your period, so I brought a few options.
Some chocolates, sour gummies, and even salt and vinegar chips. Oh, and some flowers.”
“Flowers?”
My cheeks heated, and I avoided her gaze in embarrassment. I hadn’t thought this through when I was at the store. What the hell was I thinking? I wasn’t her real boyfriend, so why the fuck was I doing this? She probably thought I was mad weird.
“Yeah,” I said, sheepishly. “I know you like sunflowers since I see them in your office all the time, and I thought they would cheer you up.”
The silence that fell between us was deafening. I inhaled a shaky breath as I took care of the bags and put some stuff away. I’d also gotten a few things for the cat, like food and some other treats.
Every bit of my body tensed, and my eyes snapped to hers when I heard her sniff. I dropped everything quickly and closed the distance between us in two quick strides, gripping her shoulders. “Hey, hey. What’s wrong?”
“It’s stupid.” She tilted her head and wiped her eyes with her knuckles.
“If you’re crying, I’m sure it isn’t stupid.” I squeezed her shoulders in reassurance. “You can tell me.”
Her eyes brimmed with a fresh set of tears. “Uhm, no one has ever gotten me flowers.”
Well, that wasn’t what I was expecting.
“I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable, I—”
She shook her head. “No.” Her eyes settled on me, they were bright and, fuck, I was instantly enthralled. “Thank you, Henry.”
A tear escaped her, and I brushed it away with my thumb softly. “Any time, Kenny.”
She picked up the flowers and smelled them, letting out a wistful sigh. And though she tried her damndest to keep her smile in check, she failed.
My chest puffed with pride.
Damn. I fucking did that. I made Kennedy Jones feel good. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was dying to do it again.