Chapter 64 Parker
PARKER
With Linc and Kodie working late, Casey invited me back to their place for dinner.
The second I step through the front door, all I hear is giggling.
It’s infectious, and I soon find myself smiling with them as I kick my sneakers off, abandon my purse, and head for the kitchen to find out what she and Sutton are up to.
I find both of them sitting at the kitchen island with face masks on, and more nail polish than I’ve ever seen scattered across the counter.
“You two look like you’re having fun,” I say as I move closer.
“Parker?” Sutton squeals, hopping off her stool and racing toward me.
“Watch you don’t cover Parker in a face mask goo,” Casey calls.
“We’ve got one for you and Freya, too,” Sutton happily tells me as she wraps her small arms around my waist and squeezes tight.
“Is that right?”
“And Freya is bringing the food. She’s got loads of desserts.”
“Can’t wait. I’m starving,” I say, joining them at the island.
“Good day?” Casey asks.
“Busy,” I say. “Those guys know how to keep me on my toes.”
“I guess that’s what happens when you’re the best they have and they all want you.”
I let out a sigh. “There are worse problems to have, right?”
“Absolutely. So, what are we doing here?”
“Girls’ night,” Sutton squeals excitedly.
Casey smiles at her before turning to me with a shrug.
“It's like you knew how much I needed some pampering. Your daddy and his team are exhausting.”
Sutton giggles. “All boy hockey players are hard work. Girls are way better.”
Casey laughs. “She’s got a point there,” she says confidently. “I’d definitely choose to coach Sutton’s girls’ team over the Vipers.”
“Which one do you want, Parker?” Sutton says, offering me a selection of face masks.
I select a watermelon one that is meant to brighten my skin and offer it to Sutton to put on.
She rolls her eyes. “You need to take your makeup off first.”
“Ah, yes. Silly me,” I tease.
“Here. Face wipes. Then mask.”
“Right. Got it. Good thing you’re here.”
Sutton is halfway through applying my face mask when the doorbell rings.
Casey hops up to let Freya in, leaving me with Sutton.
“There,” she says once she’s happy with her work. “You’re going to look even prettier after.”
“I hope so,” I tease.
“Linc will think you’re really pretty.”
“Oh?” I ask on an exhale.
She smiles, and it makes my heart beat a little faster. “Daddy says that when you’re standing by the rink at training, all Linc does is stare at you.”
Happiness explodes within me, sending tingles shooting through my body.
“I’m sure that’s not true.”
“It is. Daddy wouldn’t say it otherwise. He said he’s a lovesick fool and needs to do something about it.”
Suspicion weaves its way through me. “Sutton, were you eavesdropping?”
She glances away, giving me all the answer I need. “They were talking really loudly.”
“And where were you?”
“Sitting at the top of the stairs,” she says quietly.
“Sutton, you know you shouldn’t do that. Casey and your daddy were having a private conversation.”
“I know. I just…I couldn’t sleep, and I like listening to their voices. It’s soothing.”
My heart aches for this incredible little girl.
“Aw, come here, sweet pea,” I say, holding my arms out to give her a cuddle. “I won’t say anything. But you can always tell me everything they say about Linc.” It’s naughty of me, but I’m more than happy to hear more about how much I distract him at practice.
“What about what he said himself?” Sutton asks. “He was here the other night and—”
“Holy cow, how much did you make?” I blurt when Casey and Freya walk in with arms full of food.
“I may have gotten a little excited,” Freya confesses, her cheeks burning red, as she lowers the trays stacked in her arms to the counter.
“It all looks incredible,” Casey says.
“Freya, it’s time for face masks,” Sutton calls.
“I’m all ready for you.”
“You took your makeup off already?” Sutton asks, shooting me a look that makes me roll my eyes.
Chastised by a child. What is my life coming to?
“Yep, good to go.”
Freya takes a seat opposite me and allows Sutton to get to work. Her eyes meet mine, and she smiles by way of greeting.
“Sutton and I made virgin margaritas,” Casey explains as she lowers four salted cocktail glasses in front of us before returning with a jug.
“Sounds perfect. Fill those babies up.”
Once Freya is masked up, she begins talking us through our dinner.
She’s made moussaka with a fresh Greek salad, and then, as Sutton said, she’s made three desserts. A salted caramel cheesecake, brownies, and very British apple crumble.
The second she begins showing it all off, my stomach growls loudly.
“Am I okay to use your oven?” Freya asks.
“After bringing enough food to feed us for a week? Yes, knock yourself out.”
We all sit around the island, sipping on our mocktails, listening to tales of Sutton’s elementary school. As always, Freya’s food is incredible, and we all eat way more than we should.
Eventually, Casey manages to convince Sutton that she needs to go to bed. Seeing as she’s practically falling asleep in her second bowl of apple crumble, she doesn’t argue and instead wraps herself around Casey when she lifts her into her arms and carries her from the room.
Freya and I make ourselves useful while she’s off telling bedtime stories by cleaning up the kitchen.
Before long, Casey is back, and we move to the living room.
“I think I’m going to go back to school,” Freya blurts.
“Oh, that’s exciting,” Casey says, giving Freya her full attention.
Freya has been back at her parents’ for a few months now after going through a pretty awful breakup. When it first happened, she fled to England and spent some time hiding out with her cousin, but she came back at the end of last summer, not knowing what to do with her life.
She met him in Las Vegas, and he completely swept her off her feet, showed her the world, and dropped her as if none of it meant anything before continuing on his way.
She’s doing better now, but she’s still struggling to move on. She gave up her purpose in life, her dreams, to be with him, and she’s been left with nothing, no direction.
“What for?” I ask, already guessing her response.
“I want to do something with food,” she predictably explains. “Being in the kitchen, making things for people...it’s becoming my happy place. I want to see if I can turn it into something.”
“You don’t need to go to school to learn how to cook,” I point out.
“No, I know. I’m thinking more nutrition, dive into the science behind it all.”
“Oh, you should do sports nutrition. It’s huge and pays incredibly well. Diet is so important to pro athletes. We could hook you up with Jade Easton, the team’s nutritionist. She’s really lovely. I’m sure she’d be able to answer questions if you were interested in going down that route.”
“Maybe,” Freya muses. “It’s a big commitment. I want to make sure it’s the right decision.”
“Anything that makes you happy will be the right decision,” I assure her.
“You’re coming to the game tomorrow, right?” Casey asks.
“Sure am. Dad is super excited about the tickets you secured.”
“Aw, he’s so welcome. It’s going to be a good night.”
“Possibly not for Rett and the Bandits.”
“That’s because our boys are far superior,” Casey states. “Have you told him you’re living with Linc yet?”
“No,” I say on a groan. “And I don’t intend to until after the game.”
“Yes, Monroe,” Killer shouts, as he manages to steal the puck from Linc and dart around toward the goal, where Handsy is waiting for him.
He pulls his stick back, ready to make a slap shot, but Linc has already recovered and is faster.
The second Monroe leaves the puck unattended, Linc steals it back.
“Motherfucker,” Monroe curses, taking off behind Linc again.
I’ve been sitting here watching them run drills with Hayden now for almost an hour.
The kid is exhausted, but at no point has he lost the smile on his face.
He was born to be here, there is no doubt about that. But he’s a rookie, and the guys surrounding him have years of experience playing.
Linc skates closer, and the second his eyes lock with mine, he winks.
I feel like a schoolgirl all over again. Only now, he’s giving me the attention I always craved.
I used to sit like this, watching him and Rett, always begging for him to look my way.
He suddenly turns, and I shriek when he hits the boards.
“You should join us,” he shouts.
“What?” I ask, assuming I misheard him.
“Go and get some skates.”
“That’s crazy. I can’t. You’re practicing.”
“We finished hours ago. We’re just putting in extra time.”
“Exactly. You’re working.”
Sure, I’ve been on the ice fairly recently. Casey and I brought Sutton here while the guys were away last year, but that’s stopped now that I’m travelling with them. But despite all my years playing, there is no way I could hold my own against them.
“Aw, come on. We’ll take it easy on you.”
I want to stand my ground. But when he looks at me with those puppy-dog eyes, it’s hard to remember what my point is, let alone why I’m arguing with it.
“Casey has full gear in the closet with the kids’ stuff.”
“Oh no, I’m not—”
“We wouldn’t want to hurt you, babe.”
“Then maybe I should stay right here.”
He quirks a brow.
“It’s been years since we were on the ice together.”
“Yeah, and you’re even better than you were back then. I don’t stand a chance.”
“Linc, you doing this or what?” Handsy barks.
He holds up a gloved hand.
“Trying to convince Donnelly to join us.”
Kodie and Monroe head over.
“You play?” Monroe asks.
“She used to play with Casey,” Kodie fills in.
“Then you should definitely join us. Casey is incredible.”
Kodie beams at Monroe’s words.
“Some might say she’s better than you.”
Monroe scoffs.
“Well, what are you waiting for. Go and grab some skates and let’s goooo,” Monroe says, pushing away from the boards and skating backward to join the others.
“So…” Linc prompts.
“Fine,” I hiss, pushing to my feet. “But if I break anything, you’re telling Jarad and Grady why their guys’ favorite trainer is out of action.”
“Not going to happen, babe. You know I’ve got your back.”
Kodie glances between us with a knowing look in his eyes.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I mutter before turning my back and walking away from them.
There are whoops and hollers on the ice as I head toward the storage closet, where I’ll find everything I need.
It takes me longer than I ever remember getting dressed. The protective equipment is heavy and uncomfortable, but in a weird, familiar kind of way.
Once I’m sorted, I stand on my skates and glance in the cracked mirror that hangs in the empty visitors’ dressing room I’ve made my own. I give myself a double take.
It’s been years since I saw myself dressed like this.
It feels like another lifetime.
As I walk toward the ice, nerves erupt in my stomach.
I’m not nervous about not being able to play, skating is like riding a bike; you never forget. But I’m about to step onto the ice with a bunch of NHL players. Is there anything more intimidating than that?
“Oh shit,” Linc gasps the second he sees me.
He skates straight over, but the second his eyes drop to my shoulders, his expression tightens.
“Why are you wearing Rivers’ jersey?” he demands.
“Because, as you know, I’m borrowing Casey’s gear.” I fight my smirk. I could have chosen Casey’s Polar Bears jersey, but that seemed too easy.
This is a whole lot more fun.
“Nah, that’s just fucking wrong. Take it off,” he demands, his voice leaving very little space for argument.
“W-what?”
“Take it the fuck off. Monroe,” he bellows. “Go and get my spare practice jersey.”
“I’m kinda busy here,” he dares to argue.
“I don’t give a fuck. Go and get my spare practice jersey, or all extra training sessions are off.”
“Linc,” I soothe, reaching for his arm in the hope of calming him down.
“Take it off, Parker. I’m dead fucking serious right now.”
“What if I’m not wearing anything beneath?”