In the Defensive Zone with My Enemy (Romancing the Sun Kings #1)

1. Luke

CHAPTER 1

LUKE

“ I sn’t that the team that had that scandal last year?” I cross my arms and sit back in the coffee shop chair that barely fits my six-three frame, but the coffee’s decent, and the place is close to home here in Clearwater, Florida. When Gabe reached out, asking if we could meet, I assumed he wanted to catch up since we hadn’t really talked much over the last few months. Never expected he’d offer me a spot on the team he was recently hired to coach without even trying out.

We both left hockey roughly a year and a half ago, but for different reasons. Gabe had been playing for a while before I showed up on the scene. A bit of an old-timer, as we sometimes called him, because he had a good ten years on most of us. But then a third concussion, and his wife convinced him it was time to exit while he was ahead of the game. Pun intended.

My departure had nothing to do with an injury. A fatal car accident took the life of my mother, leaving me in charge of everything, including my sixteen-year-old sister. Our father checked out when I was eight—shortly after Kinsley was born. I didn’t see any other choice at the time, and I still think it was the right one.

“That’s why I’m here. The Florida Sun Kings are under new ownership. They brought me on a couple of months ago to help bring the team together to up our game and our rep.” Gabe turns his six-foot-two frame toward me, his expression imploring. “But I need you, Jammer.”

I rub at the growing tension in the back of my neck—the one that’s telling me to get up and walk away now. Gabe slid easily off the ice and into coaching. I’ve spent the last year or so taking care of my sister, getting her off to college, and logging as many hours as I could at the local hardware store where I used to work through high school and college before landing on an AHL team in California. That’s when I first met Gabe. I don’t even know if I can handle returning to the ice. I used to love the game, but now…

Yet the last thing I want is to disappoint Gabe. He took me under his wing from day one and became not only a friend but a mentor as well. “I don’t know, man. It’s been a while since I played.”

“You’re still young enough.” He lets out a derisive laugh. “Unlike some of us.”

I smirk. “Maybe old for hockey. Not in life.” I’m sure his wife would say the same.

“I know, but my point is, you still have time. And now that Kinsley is off to college…”

He doesn’t have to finish his sentence because he’s right, but I’m keenly aware of the guilt that chills me more than the ice ever did. Always there, always telling me I’m the one to blame. If it weren’t for me, Kinsley would have had a mother to take her shopping for her prom dress. Instead, she got stuck with an older brother who hadn’t a clue about things like dresses, hairstyles, and makeup. Thankfully, my mother’s best friend stepped in to help with all that, because I didn’t have a clue. However, I did a pretty good job making her date squirm in his tux.

Unfortunately, finances are fast becoming an issue in light of Kinsley’s hefty college tuition—the brat had the nerve to get accepted into Columbia, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. But what I managed to squirrel away during my three-year stint in the AHL and working won’t last much longer. No job is going to pay a former hockey player with an unused degree in business enough to cover our expenses. The next option is to sell our house, which would be like losing Mom all over again.

But my sister missed out on so much already. I drop my arms and sigh but say nothing. Somehow, I have to find a way to make this work.

Gabe clears his throat. “Did Kinsley get a scholarship?”

“Partial.”

He leans forward in his too-small chair. “Luke, you were on the fast track to the NHL before…” His chest expands as he takes in a weighted breath. “You could still make that happen. I told the new owner we needed a good anchor for the team. We need a strong captain.”

My pulse spikes as I frown. “Captain? I only played defense for three years.”

“And, in my opinion, you were one of the best.”

I shake my head. “The team won’t like it.”

“They’ll get used to it,” he shoots back.

“Yeah, they’ll love the brand new coach choosing a newbie as their captain.” I make sure there’s plenty of sarcasm in my tone.

He smirks. “Most of these guys are younger than you. That’ll carry some weight.”

I grunt. “But they won’t trust me.”

“Not in the beginning, maybe. But you’re a natural-born leader, Luke. I bet you’ll have them following your lead within two weeks.”

My brows attempt to shake hands with my hairline. “That’s overpromising.”

He moves his coffee cup to the side. “Just think about it, okay? The position comes with a signing bonus and a second bonus if the team makes the finals in the division. That should help pay Kinsley’s tuition.”

He’s right. It would. Even with the increase in my hours at the hardware store, we’d have to do something drastic…like sell the house.

“And this is the ECHL. Their track record for shooting guys up to NHL is growing.” Gabe leans over, pulls a folder out of his satchel, and slides it across the table toward me.

My coffee cup blocks it like a goalie. Kind of poetic when you think about it.

“That’s the offer. Look it over and let me know what you think.”

I’m tempted to shove it back at him. Probably would if it weren’t for my sister. I move my cup and slide the folder closer. Score one for Gabe.

“When do you need an answer?”

He rises from his chair. “The sooner the better. Practice starts in two weeks. If you don’t want to make the commute to Sarabella, you can stay with me and Olivia until you find something local.”

I snort. “Did you clear that with her? Aren’t you two expecting?”

His grin widens. Fatherhood looks good on Gabe. Real good. “Yeah, another girl. But not for a few months yet. We haven’t started on the nursery, so the room is yours if you need it.”

Gabe stops next to my chair and rests a hand on my shoulder. “This is a great opportunity, Luke. A chance to go after your dream again.”

The unspoken message in his tone is clear. He had to give up his dream to go national, and he doesn’t want me to miss my shot. A curt nod is all I can manage. I press my lips together but keep my head down, waiting for him to leave.

How can I tell him I’m not sure I want it anymore? The idea of returning to the ice makes me queasy to think about it. It’s my fault my mother isn’t around today because of the game. That’s too much baggage to carry back into the game.

After a minute or so, I glance over my shoulder to make sure he’s gone. I finger the corner of the folder, then flip it open and start reading.

My options are limited at this point, and Kinsley deserves to go after her dream now.

Even if it means I have to live my nightmare.

My phone vibrates in the cup holder of my SUV. Kinsley’s name shows on the Car Play screen. I tap the accept button.

“Hey, Kins, what’s up?”

There’s a brief pause before her voice fills the cabin, which spikes my pulse. Since we lost Mom, anytime Kinsley calls, my first thought is that she’s in trouble. Not sure why I do that, but I seem to always expect the worst.

“Kins? You there?”

“Yeah, sorry.” She sounds breathless.

“What’s wrong?” My tone sounds more forceful than I intend, but I’m on pins and needles here.

“Sheesh, relax, big bro. Just needed to catch my breath from sprinting across campus. This place is freakin’ huge.”

I’m glad she can’t see my head-shake, eye-roll combo. The one she calls me out on any time she gets the chance.

“Maybe catch your breath first next time?” I bump my turn signal on with a little more force than necessary.

She snickers. “There he is, The Lukinator.”

When Kinsley turned thirteen, she started calling me that anytime I got in her face about something. She entered adolescence with a ferocity that rivaled the Kardashians, and Mom needed help with her. I don’t know if she learned her sarcasm from me or if I got it from her. Either way, she wins.

“Just get on with it, already.”

She blows out a noisy breath, creating a static sound. “I hate to ask, but I need money for books.”

“I thought we took care of those at the beginning of the semester.”

“These are additional recommended readings for that investigative class I’m taking in the evening.”

“Sounds so official.”

“Nah, just intense.”

After I pull into our driveway, that familiar heaviness creeps in. The roses Mom planted still have some pink blooms, and several of the hanging baskets of orchids have flowers on them. I can picture Mom standing on the porch, misting her orchids or clipping roses from her bushes in the yard, enjoying the subtle drop in humidity that early fall brings. It’s all a reminder of the past, and a happier time.

I rub a hand over my mouth, making a scratchy sound. “How much?”

“A hundred? That will give me a little money for food, too.” Her voice squeaks out. “Sorry.”

I take a deep breath against the tightness in my chest. Gabe’s offer is looking more and more attractive. “It’s okay, Kins. Don’t apologize. I’ll transfer two hundred now.”

“I said a hundred.”

“Food’s not cheap.”

She hesitates so long, I lower my phone to check if the call dropped. “Thank you. It means a lot.”

“Don’t worry about it.” I swipe the screen on my phone to get to my bank app. “Whatever you need, let me know.”

“I could get a part-time job and work weekends. You know…to help.”

Even though she can’t see me, I shake my head. “No, stick to your plan. I’ve got this covered.”

“Are you sure? ”

I can hear the subtle relief in her voice, and that right there confirms what I need to do.

“Surer than sure.”

An ache hits my chest with the words—a phrase Mom always used to reassure us whenever things got tight or difficult. Now, being on the other end of it, I have a better understanding of what she dealt with, holding our little family together. Makes me miss her even more. I wish I’d known and could have told her how much I appreciated all the sacrifices she made for us.

Especially for me and hockey.

A soft sniffle punctuates the silence. “I miss her.”

I clear the emotion from my throat. “Me too. She’d be proud of you, ya know?”

“I know. Just wish she was here to see it.”

Like Mom had been for me through all the years of hockey…more reason for me to do whatever it takes. “She is, Kins. Mom is always with us.”

She sighs. “You know what I mean.”

“I do.” That ache in my chest doubles. I grab the folder from the passenger seat. “Listen, kid, I gotta run. Got some business to take care of.”

“Yeah, go sort those hammers.” And the sarcasm is back.

“You know it. Call me in a day or two and let me know how things are going, okay?”

“Will do.”

Once Kinsley ends the call, I blow out a noisy breath and drop my head against the headrest. Gabe asked me to think about his offer, but I don’t have that luxury. Hockey is my best option—my only option at the moment—and the optimal solution for our situation.

With a sigh of resignation, I pick up my phone and open my contacts. Might as well get it over with and start planning.

Gabe answers after one ring. “That was fast.”

“Kinsley needs books.” Heat travels up the back of my neck again. Might be the Florida heat still lingering thing time of year or this decision. Probably the latter.

“College is expensive. I’m already saving for both my girls.”

“Smart man. I’ll send the signed contracts tonight.”

“That’s great, Jammer. You won’t regret it.”

I won’t tell him I already do. “I’ll drive down in a couple of days so I can start practicing ahead of time.”

“Good idea. Olivia and I look forward to seeing you.”

After a few more exchanges, I end the call and trudge up the front steps of the porch. The contract folder weighs my hand down like one of the rocks Mom used to edge her rose bed, but I know it’s the best solution for us. And it’s temporary. That’s what I’m telling myself to make the choice more palatable. Once Kins graduates, I can move on to something…

Something.

I guess I could say there’s a silver lining to all this. I won’t have to sell the house. Now, I just have to figure out how to get on the ice without drowning in guilt.