Chapter 18 #3
He threw up his hands, but I knew he wouldn’t let it go.
The hour couldn’t have gone by any more slowly.
By the point of rolling into the city, I was checking my watch every two minutes.
It was already eight-thirty, which meant performers had been on stage for thirty minutes.
While it was only a few miles from the drop-off to the theater, I’d need to fly if there was any hope of making it.
I was already on the edge of my seat by the point we were a few miles from the parking lot, duffle in hand.
“Alright, gentlemen,” Coach Stryker said. “You have a couple well-earned days off, but you still need to practice.”
Barely listening, I was close to being short of breath.
“Go. Go. Go.”
A slow rumble of someone’s deep registered voice sounded from behind me, which I barely paid any attention to.
“Go. Go. Go.” At least two voices were involved.
Hudson lifted an eyebrow, turning so he could look behind us.
“Go. Go. Go!” Now Jagger’s voice sounded in my ear.
Boots began to stomp on the bus’s floor, the chanting continuing.
The coach dropped and shook his head and I couldn’t tell if he was frowning or enjoying me being put onto some stupid throne. I didn’t care.
John stepped on it, even swerving around a slow vehicle. By the time he pulled into the parking lot, tires were squealing.
The moment he began to roll to a stop, I was on my feet, keys in hand. And I’d be damned if the guys didn’t surprise me by staying in their seats so I could be the first one off. How fucking cool.
“Go get her,” Hudson told me just before I jumped off.
I swung a look toward Jagger. “I plan on it.” I didn’t make it ten feet before out of the blue some reporters found me.
“Mr. Kendrick. How does it feel to crush the competition?” Since when had the Seattle Wild been important enough to rate a couple of news crews hanging out at the drop zone?
Okay, sure, the Reno Cougars were owned by a couple of heavyweights, a Hollywood director and some big tech guy out of LA who also owned a major NBA franchise, but we weren’t in the NHL.
“Sorry, guys. I have another commitment.” I moved through them, checking my watch. Damn it. I had to hurry.
“The Dynamic Duo cleaned house. How do you feel about working with Jagger Black?”
“He’s a great player, but I really need to go.”
“What does your fiancée think about your social media presence?”
And there it was, the reason for being hounded. I spun around again, keeping a smile on my face. “Seriously, guys? I’m not engaged. Okay? Stop believing everything you read.”
I ran toward my truck, only realizing a few seconds later someone was close behind.
Anticipating another reporter, I spun on my heel, still moving backward.
“How about no comment?” Seeing Jagger, I sucked in my breath.
“Are you here to rake me over the coals, dude? I’m not in the mood.
” At least the coaches were trying to keep the reporters from following me.
I continued backing away, refusing to allow him or anyone to stop me.
“Nah, man. I heard what you said. Not sure how I feel about all of it, but I heard you.”
“Great, Jagger. Now isn’t the time.”
He took a deep breath. “Just shut up for a minute. You don’t know our father. He is a fucking asshole. Not just a man pushing his kids but trying to control every aspect of their lives.”
“Well, at least he got you a position on a team.” My claws were showing and it wasn’t a good look. “That was shitty of me.”
“You’re right. He did. I was so angry at my father that I took it out on another player.
I almost beat him to death. That’s why I got kicked off the team.
My father intervened because he knows one of the owners of the Wild.
You see, Dad was doing me a huge favor. Sure, he tossed out a hundred thousand dollars or so to the Wild so his kid had a job.
But trust me, Cole, it came with strings attached.
He wants me to fail. He’s pretty much told everyone, maybe even the coach to make certain this is my last season. ”
“What? The coach would never do that to you. Never.”
“You so sure about that?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah. I’m positive and I won’t let that happen to you.”
Now he laughed. “Why would you do that?”
I had to think about the answer and one he’d believe. “Because we’re teammates. Your father is a jerk so don’t let him win. I’ll do everything in my power to keep that from happening. But you gotta stop treating me like your enemy.”
“You’re not so bad after all, Rebel.”
Exhaling, I snorted. “Tell your sister that.”
“Yeah, maybe I will.” He scrubbed his jaw. “So, would you mind if I followed you to the theater?”
You bet I was shocked, waiting for the punchline or just another solid punch in the face.
“Yeah, sure. As long as you aren’t going to fuck with her moment.”
Jagger nodded. “Now I deserved that. You were right. I have no clue how good she is.”
I thought about his request, especially since according to Chelsea, there was no love lost between them. “Fine. But I gotta make a quick stop first.”