Chapter 4
Georgia
Men.
No, wait. I could no longer classify my irritation with all men in one big category. Now I was able to break it out in more edible tidbits. Hockey men. Men of hockey? I wasn’t certain which because…
I didn’t give a shit about hockey.
Why was it that so many women thought hockey players were hot stuff? Okay, the Wolfman, as the coach had called him, was sexy in a just-out-of-the-shower kind of way, but his attitude sucked. However, his savage manner almost fit his nickname to utter perfection.
Except now, I envisioned him with sharp teeth, scratching at my door like in Red Riding Hood.
I watched Ford strut down the corridor, his attitude evident in his posture and long stride. He truly believed he was something special. Just before he turned a corner, he threw me a look over his broad shoulder, offering me a huge grin.
As if we’d just entered into a war.
With my breath sucked in, I fought to keep from yelling something ridiculously childish. In addition, I was furious that he’d had any kind of effect on me. He was nothing more than a client, a man I would try to help. If he would allow me to even offer advice.
A lump had formed in my throat, a strange and very unwanted wave of heat coursing through me.
Ford was handsome, I’d give him that. With his long, shaggy, and very thick dark hair, eyes casting an almost iridescent emerald haze, and a six-and-a-half-foot body made of steel, he was a ten.
Until he opened his mouth. I could certainly understand why women likely fell all over him, but to assume that’s what I was doing was… unacceptable.
Coach Stryker rubbed his jaw, laughing as if exasperated.
He should step into my shoes for a minute.
I was coming into a mostly male organization where the sale of the players’ testosterone was likely done at half time.
Or whatever the break in their games was called.
I guess I’d need to bone up on terms if I wanted to fit in around here.
My goodness, Ford had made me infuriated enough stars were floating in front of my eyes.
“Don’t worry,” Coach Stryker said almost shamefully. “His bark is typically worse than his bite.” He closed the door behind me, offering a more fatherly expression.
“So he’s your star player?”
He moved around to the back of his desk, thumping down in his chair.
I could easily tell how frustrated he was.
“One of them. Ford is one of four centers on the roster, a real go-getter. His talent matches his arrogance. Don’t repeat this to anyone since we have three other talented guys on the team making goals, but without Ford we wouldn’t have a chance in hell of making the playoffs. ”
Wow. No pressure there.
“When did the injury occur again?”
“About ten days ago. He was boarded by an opponent.” My eyes must have opened wide because he laughed. “It’s a violent maneuver. He was purposely shoved into the plexiglass surrounding the ice.”
“And the other player?”
“Well, if Ford had been himself, he would have responded in kind, but he slipped into unconsciousness.”
Ouch. That didn’t like a friendly game to me.
“Do you have any idea what his doctors told him? He’s in significant pain.”
“Ford isn’t one to care about a damn thing a doctor has to say. That’s part of the issue here. Which was why when your dad called, I jumped at the chance to have you on the roster.”
My stomach lurched from hearing the words. I quickly checked to ensure the door was closed before moving closer to his desk. “Thank you for providing a safe haven. My dad said you were a great guy.”
His eyes drifted away briefly. “Your dad and I go way back. Too bad we ended up on opposite sides of the country. I’d do anything for him. Now, for you. Are you sure you’re up for this? From what your dad told me, what you’ve been through is harrowing physically.”
He had no idea that the emotional challenges were much worse than any physical agony or hardship.
“Absolutely. I need to keep busy and at least I’m working close to my former field of expertise. Maybe I can do some good.” Physical therapy had been my second choice. Now I was down to my third, but not my desire.
“Well, I will tell you, it’ll be great to have a physical therapist on the roster.
” He threw up his hands before I could say anything.
“I know. I can’t think of you as anything but a massage therapist for the records and anyone’s ears.
Still, your knowledge will help. The guys can be…
difficult. They all think they know better. ”
“I could say the same thing about all men.” I tried smiling, but even the simple act that most people would call normal was emotionally exhausting.
“Are you certain you’re going to feel safe in North Bend?” His eyebrows arched, his concern for a stranger building, although given all the stories my dad had told me, the coach almost felt like family.
“Maybe I should ask you the same question.”
His laugh was another warm welcome, joyful and without reservation. “I assure you all the hype you’ve heard about how dangerous they are is incorrect.”
Dangerous. They? I hope he was talking about the players while on the ice and not the townspeople. Granted, while I was determined to keep my distance from men for a long time, I wasn’t dead, blind, or immune to their incredible bodies or my own dark fantasies.
I could tell there were a few things he wanted to say, more questions to ask, but perhaps he read my facial expression, instead deciding to smile. “From what I know, your house is ready for you. You should find what you need to get you started on your new life, although there’s nothing fancy.”
“You didn’t need to go to all that trouble.”
“No trouble. The house was vacant and we haven’t had a renter in a little while.
We were thinking about selling the place anyway.
” He pulled open his desk drawer, sliding keys across his desk.
“You’ll find North Bend full of friendly people.
They’re all hardworking, tightly knit. Like any small town, people gossip, but I’m sure you can handle it.
Lots of outdoor activities and if you get bored, Seattle has everything you might need or desire.
If you like coffee joints, the Velvet Roast is topnotch.
Plus, you can glean everything you need to learn about the town while sitting at one of the tables. ”
Seattle was only on my radar when working with the team. A small town would be much easier to tolerate and hopefully blend in.
The coach was warm and welcoming, everything I could ask for. At least I wasn’t going into a completely new environment all by myself. “That’s good to know. I really appreciate everything.”
“You being here is thanks enough.”
“So the playoffs, huh?”
He laughed, groaning as he did. “Yep. I have a few players determined to make the NHL, which means I’ll have to start all over again. We’re a cohesive group. The guys all get along. We were very much on track to win the Calder Cup this year. Then this damn injury.”
“The Calder Cup?”
“The AHL playoff trophy. I’ll give you a book on hockey if you’re interested. Might help in knowing how best to deal with Ford. In the meantime, rest up. The guys will give you some crap.”
“Then I guess I’ll need to give it back.” I grabbed the keys, more than eager to get a few groceries and cocoon for the night. I’d been on the road for days, taking the scenic route while ensuring I hadn’t been followed.
“I emailed you directions.”
“I received them, Coach Stryker. I’ll be here tomorrow.” I headed for the door, fighting the butterflies that had decided to take up homestead in my stomach.
“It’s Joe. You can call me by my first name. We’re practically family.”
“Then it’s Coach Stryker when I’m here. I don’t want the team thinking there’s any nepotism. Even if they don’t know my story.”
He chuckled, but I could still see tremendous concern in his eyes. “Georgia, there’s something you should know about North Bend.”
“What’s that?”
A sudden knock was followed by the door being thrown open, a girl walking in without noticing me.
“Dad, I have a couple ideas for a campaign I want to run if you have a few seconds.”
He cleared his throat, nodding toward me.
She backed away, her eyes opening wide. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know anyone was in here. I can come back.”
“Roxy. Just stay. It’s a good time for you to meet our new massage therapist, Georgia Wallace. Georgia, this is my highly intelligent, extremely social daughter, Roxanne. She handles our social media because if left up to the guys, God knows we’d have a few lawsuits on our hands.”
“Oops. About that nepotism comment,” I said, gritting my teeth.
“You’d be right except Roxanne is the best at what she does. She’s put our team on the map with her eye for selecting pictures aligned with excellent captions.”
“Now that is an introduction. Good to meet you,” I told her, shaking her hand.
She laughed. “Oh, the guys are going to love you. You did warn her about them, Dad. Didn’t you?”
“I thought I’d wait a couple days, but she met the prima donna.”
Roxanne’s eyes opened wide. “He is something. I’ll let you make your own judgment, but we call him Mr. Grumpy around here.”
“I think I have a couple other suggestions for his name,” I said, laughing. “I was just leaving.”
“Roxy will be perfect for telling you the ins and outs, including with the guys. She doesn’t take any shit.”
“Dad!” Roxanne warned.
“What? That’s a compliment.”
Seeing them together was comforting but brought pangs of both guilt and sadness. I missed my dad, but what I was doing would protect him. Or so I hoped. “I’ll leave you two alone. I have a new life to put together.”
“Take a look around before you go. The practice wasn’t mandated so pretty much no one is here.”
“Will do,” I told him.
Roxanne waved as I walked out, realizing the coach hadn’t told me what I needed to know about North Bend. I guess I’d need to figure that out on my own.