Chapter 5
HAYDEN
Ican’t deny that it’s infectious being surrounded by so much happiness. For the first time in weeks, I feel a little glimmer of hope that I might not forever feel like I’m drowning. I’m not sure it’ll ever fully leave, but it could get better.
And the people I was scared to see are the ones who have finally managed to put a smile on my face.
I shake my head, that grin threatening as I watch the guys fooling around at the bar, the girls on the dance floor enjoying themselves.
I no longer feel alone.
I wasn’t when I was at home—I had my parents, my family, and my childhood friends who all rallied around me.
But everyone looked at me with sympathy in their eyes.
They knew I was hurting; they understood, but none of them really got it.
Even with those who have lost people, none of them had lost a twin.
Someone who should have their whole life ahead of them, a shot at their dreams, able to have a family and a happily ever after.
We’ve known for years that Rylee was never going to get that.
She fought so fucking hard for every day that she did have, and I’m so fucking proud of her. What she went through would have broken most people. But not my sister.
She looked cancer right in the eyes and said, “Fuck you.” I just wish that were enough.
“Hey,” a deep voice rumbles. “How are you holding up?”
I turn around and look at Rett as he places a beer in front of me.
“Yeah, you know. Shit.”
“Fuck, man. I wish there was something I could do or say to make it easier.”
A sigh slips free as my eyes drop to the table.
“We’re all here for you. Whatever you need. You know we’ve got your back, yeah?”
I nod, forcing my eyes up to his.
The compassion in them makes a lump crawl up my throat.
Everett Donnelly isn’t known for his sympathy. Everyone knows him as a gives-no-shit fuckboy who loves the game, and the bunnies even more.
Or at least, that used to be the case.
Since he met Bea and discovered he’s going to be a father, everything has changed.
Although deep down, I think he was always like that, he just didn’t want anyone to see it.
He may have only been with the Vipers for a few months last season, but I saw how supportive he was of not only every member of the team, but also all the staff.
And he’s always had the patience of a saint with me.
The first time I saw him, not gonna lie, I was a nervous wreck.
Never in a million years did I ever think I’d get the chance to play with him, but to have him sitting here looking at me with concern in his eyes? Well…
“Yeah,” I force out.
“We’re gonna do it this year, and she’s gonna be right there with you.”
Fuck.
Tears flood my eyes in an instant, and I reach up to wipe them away before they hit my cheeks.
“You’re an asshole,” I mutter.
“I didn’t mean…fuck,” he breathes, sinking back in his chair. “Bea would handle this so much better than me.”
“You’re doing great. And I really do appreciate it. Who’d have thought I’d have Everett Donnelly messaging me to check in during the worst weeks of my life?”
“We’re family,” he says, reaching out to squeeze my shoulder.
Before I can respond, the rest of the guys appear and find seats.
“So, what are the plans for next week? We gotta get our asses in shape,” Calvin says, ignoring what I can only assume is obvious tension coming from Rett and me.
“Pfft, speak for yourself. I’m ready,” Kodie states, although as he speaks, his eyes are locked on Casey out on the dance floor.
I get it. If I had a girl out there, I wouldn’t be able to look away either.
“Same,” Handsy states. “Freya’s been helping me train.”
“Sexercise ain’t gonna get you anywhere on the ice, man,” Linc states. “If that were true, I wouldn’t have needed to work out since Parker moved in.”
“The fuck?” Rett grunts. “That’s my sister.”
“And my wife,” Linc says proudly. “She didn’t have a choice to be related to you. She chose me.”
“I’m never gonna fucking hear the end of this, am I?” Rett mutters.
The smirk on Linc’s face grows, and I barely manage to contain my groan.
“I can’t fucking wait for this party to be over,” he muses, mischief glittering in his eyes.
“This party is your fucking wedding, man,” Cole points out.
“Exactly. When it’s over, I get to consummate our—motherfucker,” he grunts when Rett punches him full force in the shoulder.
“Jesus Christ. I’m pretty sure Sutton’s classmates are more mature than you two.”
“How is Adrian?” Calvin asks, mentioning Sutton’s arch nemesis.
“Ugh,” he groans.
“So, still a little prick, then? I’d have thought having his nose broken by a girl would have taken him down a notch or two.”
“Casey is confident that Sutton will either kill him before they hit middle school, or he’s gonna end up being my son-in-law.”
“Childhood enemies to lovers. Classic trope.”
Everyone glances at me, but we’ve been teammates for a year now; they’re used to these kinds of comments.
“Marilyn has a point,” Cole points out.
“Jesus Christ. Not you too,” Calvin groans.
“What? There’s nothing wrong with a little romance, Calvin. Pick one up, you might learn a thing or two.”
“Pfft, there isn’t anything a book can teach me about women.”
Silence.
“Did he…did he really just say that?” Linc asks before every single one of us erupts in laughter.
“Yeah, I think he did,” Rett agrees.
“What? It’s true. I know exactly what to do to get them screaming.”
“Bet you could make it happen faster after a few chapters,” Handsy mutters.
“Wait. You really mean it?”
“Does he listen to nothing?” Kodie mutters. “Some people can’t be helped. Excuse me,” he says, draining his glass and pushing his chair back. “I promised my girl a dance.”
We all turn and watch as he stalks toward Casey. The second she sees him coming, she stops dancing, her eyes dropping to his feet and then climbing all the way up his body until she finds his eyes.
“Sutton shouldn’t be watching that,” Rett muses.
“I’m sure she’s more than used to them,” Handsy points out. “And he’s got a point. You guys are fun and all, but…” He takes off, making a beeline for Freya. Linc and Rett are right behind him.
“And then there were two. Oh, Darcy,” Killer calls as our newest trainer walks past. “You’re single, right? Come and join us.”
“Hey, uh…yeah. Sadly,” he mutters before taking one of the recently vacated seats.
“We should do shots and then choose our prey,” Killer suggests.
“This is a wedding, not a frat party,” Darcy points out.
“Exactly my point. Gotta make our own fun where we can.”
Darcy looks as unconvinced as I am.
“Take her, for example,” Killer says, pointing at a woman in a red dress on the other side of the room. “She came with that guy next to her. But,” he adds, “he’s spent the entire day staring at the woman in the silver dress.”
“Jesus Christ,” Darcy mutters, dragging his hand down his face.
“So you think I should go for the woman in red, too?”
“That’s what you took from that?” Darcy asks.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m gonna give it a shot. The guy clearly wants Silver. I’m doing my thing for mankind by letting him off the hook.”
“What if Red doesn’t go for you?” Darcy asks.
“What if she doesn’t…dude, have you seen this?” Killer says, gesturing to his body. “Of course she’s gonna go for me. I’m a hockey player. That dude is like…an accountant or some shit.”
Darcy and I both watch him go, and much to our irritation, Red spots him coming and obviously checks him out.
“Well then,” Darcy mutters.
“Yeah.”
We watch for a few more minutes, but when it becomes even more obvious that Killer is going to get his way, we both turn our backs on them.
“Hey, mind if I join you? All the couples are…coupling,” Hailee says, thumbing over her shoulder toward the slow-dancing happening behind her.
“Apparently, this has been dubbed the single table. If you’re not taken?”
“Ah, I found my people,” Hailee jokes. “But I need a drink first.”
I scramble to my feet. “I’ll go. What would you like?”
“Oh no, that’s not—”
“I owe you,” I blurt. I do, after everything she did for me earlier.
She nods once, accepting my offer without further argument.
“A glass of prosecco would be great. Thank you, Hayden.” Tingles race down my spine at her use of my name. I hardly ever hear it at the arena. I’m either Monroe, Marilyn, or Rookie. Hearing it just…well, it hits differently. And I like it a lot more than I should.
I leave Hailee with Darcy and rush toward the bar.
By the time I get back with a prosecco and a beer in hand, Darcy is walking away.
“Something you said?” I tease.
“Jared called him over,” Hailee explains, and when I look over, I find Darcy approaching the table allocated to the medical staff.
“So you’re stuck with me then. Lucky you.”
“I could never be stuck with you, Hayden,” she says, making those tingles return. And it only gets worse when her fingers brush mine as she takes the glass.
Her eyes lift to mine, and my stupid brain takes me to a place it should never go.
Did she feel that, too?
“Thank you,” she breathes, lifting the glass to her lips—her full, pink-stained lips—before taking a sip.
“Y-you’re welcome,” I stutter like a fool.
“It’s been a good evening, huh?”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I’m glad someone convinced me to come down. I’d have regretted it if I’d stayed hidden.”
“Sounds like someone is very wise. You should definitely keep them around. You know, for emergencies.”
“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I bet she’s good in a crisis.”
“Too fucking true,” Hailee says with a laugh. “Although things have been a little quieter recently. Rett settling down has done wonders for my work-life balance.”
“Just wait for the new rookies and trades. I’m sure they’ll bring some entertainment with them.”
“Entertainment. Sure,” she teases. “Hopefully, everyone will be too busy with everything I have planned to be pulling stupid shit.”
“There’s always time, Hailee. Always.”
“Ain’t that the truth. What is it they say? Never work with kids, animals, or professional athletes.”
I chuckle before spotting Rett leading Bea outside. I jerk my chin in their direction. “Where are they going?” I ask.
Hailee groans. “It’s Rett. It could be anywhere.”
We fall quiet, our eyes scanning our surroundings before we find each other again.
“So, how has your summer been?” I ask, intent on keeping the conversation away from me.
“Yeah, you know. I worked.”
“What, no luxury holiday to top up your tan? No visits home to family?”
“No, I didn’t do either.”
I shake my head. “All work and no play will make Hailee a dull girl.” I slam my lips shut when I hear the words spill free.
“Oh shit. I didn’t mean that. You’re not dull.
Not at all. You’re not a girl, either. You’re a woman and…
fuck. Stop talking, Hayden,” I mutter, reaching for my drink and downing half of it without coming up for air.