Chapter 6 #2
“So, Evan,” Carter began, “you want to tell us what went on today between you and Bianca? She looked pretty intense, as if you had pissed her off or something. Tell us, did we witness a lovers’ quarrel?”
“Yeah, and I noticed you two were in a rather intense conversation last week in the training room. I didn’t want to say anything then, but now that the question’s out there…was it?”
I should have known they’d notice something.
These guys noticed everything, but it was hard not to when we spent as much time with each other as we did.
They’d been watching me like a hawk ever since I’d taken that hit at the end of the season when I’d lay motionless on the ice for five seconds too long after being shoved into the boards in Vancouver.
“It was nothing,” I answered.
Carter and Logan looked at me.
“Callahan. Don’t you hold out on us.”
I already knew there would be no getting around this. We always told one another everything, and I knew I needed to tell someone, even if I could barely process the situation I was in.
I sat back against my chair and looked at my teammates.
“Bianca is living with me,” I said, trying to sound casual. “It’s temporary. Her condo flooded.”
The boys went silent, and Logan froze, his glass halfway to his mouth, while Carter’s eyebrows climbed toward his hairline.
“Bianca Alan,” Logan said, “the trainer, Coach’s daughter. That Bianca?” Logan asked.
“Yes, the same girl you thought I was having a lover’s quarrel with.”
“She is moving into your place?”
“Has…yeah.”
“Jesus…” Carter chuckled. “The same Bianca you were just eye-fucking an hour ago while simultaneously treating her like she has some disease.”
I swallowed hard. “I haven’t—”
“Bullshit. You look at her like she is a bottle of Gatorade after you’ve been running drills all day, but whenever she gets close to you or wants to speak with you, you turn into an asshole. We have all noticed.”
“Does the coach know she is staying with you?” Cromwell asked.
I ran my hand through my damp hair, wincing from the motion and the question.
“He knows. He set it up. Apparently, I’m a safe option because I’m her colleague. He also thinks there is no possibility of anything ever happening between us.”
The guys all let out a laugh.
“Oh, hell, this is beautiful. Alan thinks you’re safe? The guy who looks at her like he wants to fuck the hell out of her every time she’s around,” Logan said.
“Shut up. I do not,” I said, swallowing hard, hoping I wasn’t that transparent.
“Bullshit…even the rookie picked up on it.”
“He’ll murder you,” Carter said. “You know that. If you touch his daughter, he will bury you under the ice and force us to run drills over top of you just to prove a point.”
“I won’t touch her,” I said, noticing the roughness in my voice. “This is all temporary, practical. Nothing will happen, and the coach won’t kill me because I’m keeping my hands to myself. Besides, she is a thorn in my side.”
“Oh, I’m sure she is. Probably just not the type of thorn you’d use that reference for, but I don’t know if you’ll keep your hands to yourself.” Logan chuckled.
“Yep, that is why you look like you’re about to crawl out of your skin every morning,” Cromwell added.
Fuck, I hated how perceptive these guys were, and each one of them was right. The thought of Bianca in my space, my apartment, sleeping only a couple of doors away from me, was almost too much for me to comprehend.
“So, care to enlighten us on how this is going to work?” Carter asked. “You two living together when there’s…. whatever this is going on between you.”
I shook my head. “I told you, there’s nothing.”
“Evan, please. It’s us…”
I looked at my three teammates. These were the only people in my life who saw past my performance, whom I’d actually allowed into my life. These guys were my best friends, and there was very little, if anything, we kept from one another.
I leaned forward and let out a breath.
“I’m attracted to her. I won’t lie. I have been ever since I saw her, but it’s complicated,” I said.
“Complicated because of Coach,” Logan said.
“Because of all of it. She is really smart, great at her job, and I respect the hell out of her.”
“Well, maybe you should try showing her that,” Carter said, taking a drink.
“Perhaps, but we all know getting involved with a teammate or coworker is a disaster waiting to happen, especially when her father is who he is.”
“And…” Carter prompted, because he always knew there was more.
I sat back, looking at my friends. They already knew that while my answers might have been true, they weren’t the real reason, and they all sat there looking at me, waiting for me to give them the answer.
“The three of you already know I don’t do relationships. I don’t do vulnerable, and a girl like Bianca deserves way better than what I can offer.”
“That isn’t you talking,” Logan said.
I looked at Logan, then at Carter.
“He’s right,” Carter said. “That’s your father.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t change the reality.”
The guys sat forward, each of them looking at me with sympathy.
“The reality is you are not your father. You’re allowed to want things and want people,” Carter said firmly. “It’s time you opened up, especially if you really do like this chick. She could be the one.”
“Yep, I agree! Even if Alan will castrate you for it.” Logan chuckled. “Which he absolutely would, but at least you’d get to use it on her at least once so you could remember how it feels.”
I couldn’t help but smile. This is why I loved these guys.
“Thanks for the support.”
“This is what we are here for. However, all joking aside, are you doing okay with her in your space? It’s a lot for someone who guards their privacy like the Stanley Cup.”
“I’ll survive. After all, it’s temporary,” I said, trying to keep it light.
“What’s temporary?” Carter questioned.
I closed my eyes, hoping that it wouldn’t have come up.
“Nine…”
“Nine weeks? Oh god, you’re laughing, that’s nothing.” Logan said, sitting back.
“Months…nine months,” I said.
“Nine months?” Logan said, his jaw dropping.
“Whoa, are you sure you’re going to survive, because there’d be no way in hell I would,” Carter said.
“Yep. I agree. And what happens when she’s walking around in her skimpy pajamas and you have to pretend you’re not affected, keeping a pillow over your hard-on? Will you still be fine then?” Cromwell asked.
The memory of this morning hit me with unwelcome clarity.
Bianca standing in my kitchen, in those short shorts and the tank top that left little to the imagination.
Watching her bend over to take those muffins out of the oven and practically being able to see the color of her hard nipples through her tank top.
“I hate you,” I muttered.
The guys looked at me and laughed.
“No, you don’t, and judging from the look on your face, you’re wrong. You’re going to lose your mind.”
Cromwell was right on both counts.
The table grew quiet as the server brought over our food, placing it down in front of us, making sure we had everything we needed before leaving. I was about to dig into the pile of wings in front of me when I noticed Carter watching me.
“How’s your shoulder?” he asked.
“Bad,” I sighed. “The pain sometimes makes me see stars, and lately it’s pretty much there all the time. I’ve been having trouble sleeping. My range of motion is decreasing, and I have been noticing a little weakness in my hand.”
The boys looked at me with concern.
“Have you been seeing Bianca about it?” Logan asked, his expression laced with concern.
“No, but she’s been watching me, and she knows something is wrong,” I said, rotating my shoulder, an action I immediately regretted. “She tried cornering me into a full evaluation, but I refused, telling her I was fine.”
“She’s living with you, which means she is going to see every wince, every careful movement, and every time you can’t lift your arm.”
“Not to mention every time you ice it,” Carter added, shoving a fry into his mouth. “You need to get that checked out before it goes from bad to career-ending.”
The thought of doctors, diagnosis, and potential surgery made my skin crawl.
“If you want, one of us will go with you, be there for support,” Cromwell added.
“No, it’s okay. I will talk to her.” I sighed.
“When? Because you have been saying that ever since the end of last season when it happened. You told us then you’d go when it got worse, and clearly, it’s getting worse,” Cromwell said.
I looked down and focused on my food, really wanting this conversation to end.
“I don’t know, but I’m working on it,” I answered.
“Evan, look at me,” Carter said.
I slowly looked up and met his eyes.
“We won’t say anything to the coach or management. That is your call to make, but you can’t keep playing with a fucked-up shoulder. You’re going to do permanent damage.”
“I know, but I can’t…” I stopped, the words getting stuck in my throat.
“You can and you will because you’re not an idiot. We get it. We know how hard this is for you,” Logan said.
“Especially after watching what happened with your dad,” Cromwell added.
They knew. They all knew the truth thanks to the night after that game with one too many beers.
The boys had listened without judgement about what happened to my father, the devastation it had on his marriage and on my childhood.
Not one of them tried to come up with a solution for me.
They’d just been there to listen. Just like now.
“I think Bianca could help if you let her,” Carter said.
“Yep, and she’ll report it to her dad. Not going to happen,” I said, shaking my head.
“She has to abide by patient confidentiality, which she takes seriously. Plus, it’s her job, and because I think she cares about you. She’d help because she wants you healthy.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“You’ll do more than think about it, because we don’t want to watch you destroy your career because you’re too stubborn to ask for help. Got it,” Logan said firmly.
I looked at all three of them. “Got it.”
“Good, now let’s eat. Oh, and how about we try to be nice to Bianca. You know, get to know her, maybe spend some time with her aside from when you’re being an ass at the rink?” Logan chuckled.
“Yeah, take her out for breakfast or dinner, try to get to know her. You know, maybe even take her on a date like a normal person,” Cromwell added.
“All of you are terrible friends.” I laughed.
“Terrible best friends, and you know it.” Cromwell laughed.