26. Crosby
Chapter 26
Crosby
“ I don’t like it,” Bones says, voice rumbling and thunderous, just like his expression.
“You never like it, but we have to film,” Tex counters, stretching his legs out to cross at the ankles on the ottoman in my living room.
“Of course I don’t. It makes me fucking uncomfortable. I’m here to play hockey.” Bones leans forward on his elbows from his spot in the club chair. “But I’m not talking about the videos. I’m talking about how Vi was treated.”
There are general rumblings of agreement from the rest of The Rubber Puckies as I look around the room.
After finishing with Doc, I waited for the guys to finish morning skate. I wish I had been able to pull up the next episode of Gossip Girl to pass the time, but I wasn’t allowed that much screen time yet per Doc’s orders. Using my phone for communication was okay, but it would be another day before I could try to watch anything longer than a few minutes. The rest of Doc’s plan already has me a little agitated, but he reminded me that I have only been dealing with my injuries for a couple of days. Thinking positively and acting conservatively would only help my recovery in the long run. Doc emphasized that I’m not allowed any strenuous physical activity for another twenty-four hours, and then I can slowly work on dry land until I’m no longer suffering headaches. The ribs will continue to ache for a few weeks, but not much can be done about them. The concussion is the main concern Doc and the team want to address, and I’m not going to complain about taking care of my head. Even if being off the ice for at least a week is going to suck.
Gus stuck around for a bit after bringing me home, promising to return with reinforcements and dinner in a little while. I’m thankful for my hockey family.
When Violet showed up after work, filling me in on everything that happened with Ethan, I wanted to make her drive me back to the offices so I could get him alone. Show him what it means to be afraid. Violet just shook her head.
“Please don’t, Crosby.” Tears in her eyes as she lowers herself to the couch.
“Then at least report him, Sparks. Please?” I want to pull her into my arms, but I have been doing that too much since the injury. My ribs protest almost every move I make now. I settle for holding her small hand between mine, rubbing my thumb along her soft skin.
“No.” She shakes her head. “It would just make things worse. I like this job—so much more than I ever thought I would. I don’t want to lose it. I made a mistake, and while it doesn’t excuse the way Ethan handled it, I can make sure I don’t make another.”
I didn’t agree with her, but she looked so defeated, I didn’t want to push. She wasn’t ready for that. Instead, I convinced her to take a long bath, letting her know the guys were coming over, but she shouldn’t feel a need to socialize if she wasn’t up to it. As soon as she disappeared and the food was settled, I filled the guys in.
“I think I can make it look like an accident,” Obie states, eyes drifting off to some imagined scenario. “The next time he comes down to the rink… pucks go astray all the time.”
“No good. He knows you’re her best friend,” Gus says. He’s stretched out on the floor, feet on the arm of Obie’s chair. “It has to come from someone he wouldn’t suspect.”
“We can’t physically hurt him. Coach—and Violet—would have our asses,” I say. I’m propped up on a pillow on my smaller loveseat under the windows. I can’t really extend my legs, but I’m trying to limit my movements in general, so it works. “And I’m not sure who I’m more afraid of in this case.”
My comments draw soft laughter from the group before we lapse into silence, each of us thinking about how we can help. Suddenly, Nicky stands from where he was sitting with Tex. He paces a couple of times, all eyes following his movements.
“Natalia’s nanny quit yesterday.” He looks at all of us. Despite the subject change, we offer up words of sympathy. That has to be the third nanny since training camp who has come and gone from the Baladin household.
“Sorry to hear that, man,” I say. Nicky nods. “Any particular reason this time?”
Nicky shakes his head. “Don’t know anything for sure. She just said that Natalia stopped speaking to her. Then, she stopped doing what she was told.”
“Kids,” Gus lobbies unhelpfully from his spot on the floor. “Guess it’s back to the agency for a new nanny.” Obie gives him a what the fuck was that look, but Gus just shrugs. Obie swipes his feet off the chair. I give Obie a subtle chin raise in gratitude for dealing with Gus’ behavior. The guy means well, but his timing can be shit.
Nicky grunts in acknowledgment but turns to face me.
“The nanny quit. Not because Natalia threw a temper tantrum but because she silently and strongly protested.” A smile spreads across his face. At least, I think it’s a smile. Nicky rarely looks anything but focused or mildly pissed off. It takes a second to move past the odd facial expression and process what he’s said.
The entire room reaches the same conclusion at the same time.
“Kids,” Tex echoes.
“No shit,” Gus says, beginning to laugh so hard he has to sit up. “Nicky, your daughter is such a fucking mastermind.”
Nicky shuffles back to his spot on the couch. Bones grabs everyone’s attention when he starts planning aloud.
“We can’t start right away. It will be too suspicious. We stick to business as usual until Wellsy gets back.” He taps his fingers on his knees. “But then, we take action. Slowly at first, then we quietly stop doing what Ethan asks of us. We do what Violet says. We can’t make the target any bigger on her back.”
“We have to tell Violet. I don’t want this to negatively impact her,” I caution, agreeing that any tampering with her job requirements could end badly for her.
“Tell Violet what?”
Her voice floats in from the entryway. Every head turns to her, and a little flush paints her cheeks. She’s in gray sweats and a black tee, messy bun piled on top of her head with the hair near her face sticking against her skin. Her head is tilted slightly in question, but her eyes don’t show any signs of suspicion. I love how comfortably my girl fits in with my friends.
“Our diabolical plan to deal with that asshole you have to call a boss,” Obie says, opening his arms to her. I should be jealous, but I’m aching more than I’d care to admit tonight, and I can’t hold her the way I want to. Even if the desire still flares red hot through me. She gives me a little smile of understanding before climbing onto the small space of Obie’s chair and leaning against him.
“To be fair, it was actually Nicky’s idea,” Tex tells her.
“Natalia’s, if we’re giving credit where credit is due,” Bones corrects.
“Leave it to the pint-sized puck baby to have a natural ability in passive resistance strategy.” Gus leans his head on Violet’s knee. She looks down at him for a moment before threading her fingers through his hair, pulling it from the elastic it’s secured in. His eyes close, looking exactly like the puppy dog we all know him to be.
“I knew I liked her,” Violet says, smiling warmly at Nicky. The twist to his lips says he appreciates it. “Well, let’s hear it.”
The boys inform her of the mostly complete plan, with Violet only interjecting to add important pieces of advice about fulfilling our contracted agreements for working with team media. She quietly requests that no one mention to her dad what happened. I sense it’s because she doesn’t want him to step in; it would only make matters worse. There’s begrudging agreement around the room. I’m barely keeping my eyes open by the time Violet discusses her own decision to do exactly as she’s asked during working hours with us, the dull ache of my head threatening to pull me into sleep.
“We’re going to head out.” Gus’ hand is on my shoulder. I blink up at him, aware that it wasn’t just a thought. I fell asleep while my teammates and girlfriend brainstormed.
“Yeah, sure,” I say, standing slowly, tamping down the urge to stretch like usual. Violet’s suddenly under my arm, wrapping herself around me with care to guide me to the front door, trailing behind the group.
“See you both in the morning?” Tex calls from the driveway, opening his car door.
“You bet. Still have to report. Have a stretching session scheduled and hydrotherapy,” I answer.
“Yes. Unfortunately,” Violet grumbles from beside me.
“I hate ice baths,” Bones comments as he walks past. He steals Violet out from under me, squeezing her tight. “Don’t let Ethan get you alone again, you hear?” He pulls back, a serious look on his face. “I don’t like that he tried to intimidate you. Never be alone with him. You want everything he says to you to have a witness.”
“Okay, Charlie.” I don’t miss the way Violet’s breath hitches a little at his concern, but it makes me happy to see my friends look after her the way I do. She leans in for another hug with him, and our eyes lock over her shoulder. I give him a smile of gratitude, and he just nods once.
“You still coming to the Kansas City game in a couple of days?” Obie’s next up while Bones jogs to hop into Tex’s car.
“I’ll find out if I’m cleared for travel tomorrow,” I say, but Obie laughs.
“I was asking Letty.”
“I’m scheduled to, so I guess.” Violet shrugs her shoulders. “How weird would it be if I went and Crosby stayed here?”
I don’t fight the way my lips downturn at the idea. I don’t like it, but at least Ethan won’t be on the trip. Plus, she’s surrounded by my teammates and her dad when we’re on the road. There’s nothing to worry about except how much I would miss her.
“Lighten up, Wellsy.” Gus slaps my injured side. At my sharp intake of breath, he steps back. “No. Shit. Sorry.” He reaches forward and rubs out the sting, jostling me a little in the process, which doesn’t help matters. Behind him, Violet and Obie smother their laughter with their hands, apologetic eyes wide at me. “I just meant if you aren’t cleared, we’ll take care of the little flower.”
“Don’t call me that,” Violet groans, eyes lifting as if asking for patience, even though she smiles when Gus stalks toward her.
“But it’s true! You’re just so little compared to me, and your name is ‘Violet.’ ” He scoops her up under her knees bridal style and holds her in place. She gives him an unimpressed look before twisting to reach for Obie.
“Why is everyone picking me up tonight? I am a perfectly average-sized woman and fully capable of standing on my own.” She lets out a long-suffering sigh. “Get me out of here, and get him home.” She wiggles, leaning farther to reach for Obie who helps her out of Gus’ hold with ease, setting her on her feet. He throws his arm around Gus, putting him in a headlock, and walks them down the drive to where his car is parked, calling back a farewell.
As the engine fades down the street, I turn to Violet in the quiet of the evening. She’s staying with me again tonight, just like she promised, and the thought cuts through the January chill when we walk through my door hand in hand.