Chapter Eleven
Rip
“Move. Faster, faster,” I yelled, directing my teammates. “Try and stop them from getting past you.”
I slapped puck after puck at the defensemen speeding at me. We’d been practicing, getting the feel for the ice prior to this game with the Strikers. Behind me, Denis and our other goalie, Zane, were doing splits and taking turns fending off shots on goal.
“Back in the box,” Coach called out to us, and we collected the practice pucks and skated toward him. When we were all together, he waited for us to set our sticks down.
“We’ve got a nice three-game streak going, and I want to see that extended. The Strikers are hot now, and we need to be prepared for them. They’re tough.”
We nodded to each other. “They sure are,” I said. “Especially since we’ve split the season so far this year. They want to win the last matchup.”
“Let’s not give them the chance. Keep your asses out of the penalty box and your eyes on the puck. Nothing else should be on your minds but winning this game. Got it?”
For some bizarre reason I felt as though Coach’s words were directed at me, and it pissed me off.
I’d been nothing but laser-focused on the games ahead, watching films during the flight and studying our playbook.
I’d taken only a few minutes to call Adrian before we got to the hotel, to make sure he’d done okay with his interview, but the entire morning, my concentration had been solely on practice. I didn’t even have my phone turned on.
“Let’s do this,” Coach was saying, “show them who’s the next Stanley Cup champions. All right? Play it smart.”
Idly, I scanned the arena—and blinked. Hard. I rubbed my eyes.
“What the fuck?” I whispered, a grin curving my lips. “I don’t believe it.”
Seb, tightening his skates, glanced up from his crouched position. “What’s wrong?”
Not a damn fucking thing because sitting two rows behind the penalty box was Adrian, wearing my Blades jersey. Looking straight at me with those big blue eyes that had held me entranced during our lunch. I hadn’t stopped thinking about that afternoon.
Who’re you kidding? You haven’t stopped thinking about him since that first night at Slapshots.
I had no idea when he’d arrived, but he was here now, and the electricity that seemed to always spark between us sent a shock through me.
Seb peered into the stands. “Is that…”
“Yep. Adrian.”
Seb’s grin was broader than mine. “Can I presume you had no idea he was coming?”
“Not a clue.” I raised a hand to acknowledge I’d seen him, and he graced me with a shy smile in return.
The lights turned on, and with one final glance at Adrian, I took to the ice with my team. Having Adrian there energized me, and I was ferocious in my practice, stealing the puck from my teammates, taking shots on goal. I was ready and wished the game were that night instead of the next day.
“Looking pretty good,” Coach said. “Now go get some rest. Tomorrow we’ll watch the films and do a light morning skate, but you better be ready to rip their asses a new one when it counts.”
I stripped off the pads and protective equipment and joined the other guys riding the bikes to cool down. After I took a shower, I dressed and sat next to Seb, who was tying his sneakers.
“I know you wanna be with Adrian, but we’ve got to go to the hotel.”
“I know, I know. I just want to talk to him. He came all this way just to see me. It’s only right.”
“Coach won’t like it. He’ll get pissed at you.”
“Tell me something new.” I took out my phone and saw a text from Adrian. He was waiting outside. “I’ll be right back.”
Seb laughed and shook his head. “Tell me again how it’s nothing.”
“Shut up.” I flipped him off and pushed through the doors. I immediately spotted Adrian at the far end of the hall, and I headed directly to him.
“What’re you doing here?”
Looking shy and a little nervous, he ran his hand through his hair. “I, uh, it’s the weekend, and I had nothing to do…”
“So you thought you’d travel halfway across the country for a hockey game?” I teased.
“No. I wanted to see you. I mean…see you play.” He stumbled, and I couldn’t help myself. I put my hand on his cheek.
“That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” I leaned down and brushed my lips to his. “I wish I could hang out and talk, but I have to go back to the hotel with the rest of the team. Where are you staying?”
“At the Marriott.”
A wide smile tugged up my lips. “Wow. What a coincidence. So are we. I’ll see you there, then. Meet me later, and we can have a coffee at the restaurant. Okay?”
Wide-eyed, he nodded, and I left him to return to the locker room. When I checked over my shoulder, he remained standing, his fingers touching the spot where I’d kissed him.
The rest of the team poured out through the double doors, and I was surrounded by them.
Adrian swiftly left the hall in the opposite direction, and we got on the buses to the hotel.
I took out a couple of things from my suitcase before lying on the bed to stare at the ceiling, and there was a knock on the door.
I pushed off the pillow and answered it. Seb breezed in. “What’d Adrian have to say?”
As close as Seb and I were, I wasn’t about to tell him what Adrian had told me. I yawned and stretched, the muscles of my sore ribs pulling tight.
“Not much, but I thought it was really sweet of him to come.”
“Oh, I agree.” Seb’s grin was wicked. “Where’s he staying?”
“At this hotel. Funny, right?”
“A riot.” Taking a seat in the club chair, Seb stretched out his long legs, arms folded behind his head. “So lemme ask you. What’re you doing here with me?”
“You know we have curfew. Coach will kill me if I break it.”
“Plenty of the guys are at the bar downstairs.” Seb’s eyes twinkled. “You’ve got an hour. Move that pretty ass.”
For whatever reason, I was nervous, but I pulled out my phone, and after hesitating only a second, I texted Adrian.
Meet me in the restaurant now? I can’t stay late.
I chewed the inside of my cheek, waiting.
Be there in a minute.
I jumped to my feet. “I’ll see you in an hour. Thanks, Seb.”
“No problem. I’m gonna call Jolie.”
“Tell her hi from me.” He followed me out and returned to his room.
With my phone and key card tucked into my pocket, I shut the door behind me and headed down the hall to the elevator.
In the lobby I followed the signs to the restaurant and spotted Adrian on his phone in a booth. He looked up, and that shy smile hit me like an elbow to my gut. I was becoming used to him. I liked seeing him.
“Hey. Get settled in okay?” I asked, sliding into the booth.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He scanned me, frowning. “Your face…doesn’t it hurt? It looks worse tonight than it did right after the game the other day. How do you play so soon after all that fighting?”
I touched the fresh gash above my eye and winced.
My face and body bore the scars of all the years I’d played.
Bruises had blossomed all over my body, and my knee had taken a hit that might require taping.
Truth was, I ached everywhere. “You know, I don’t even think about it anymore.
The fighting…it’s just part of the game.
It can get dirty and ugly sometimes, but we can’t let ourselves be intimidated. ”
Doubt shimmered in Adrian’s eyes. “I guess I never realized how bad it was in professional sports. I don’t remember that happening when you and Neil played in college.”
The server came and we both ordered coffee, and Adrian also ordered a cranberry muffin.
“Fighting isn’t allowed at the college level. We’d get thrown out and suspended from future games, so it’s not worth it. It’s an intimidation tactic in the pros.”
“I’m surprised they allow it at the professional level, since so many little kids come to the games.”
“Hey.” I reached across the table, took his hand in mine, and squeezed it. “I’m sorry it upsets you, but there’s not much I can do about it. I’d rather talk about you coming all this way to see me.”
That cute blush I liked painted his cheeks pink.
“Well…I had that interview with the guy from Out in Sports, and he kind of got me thinking that a real boyfriend would want to spend the weekend watching his guy play. And it was only a plane ride away, so it made sense. I hope my being here doesn’t distract you from playing. You don’t mind, do you?”
Around the restaurant, people watched us surreptitiously, and I figured now was as good a time as any to get the gossip going. I laced our fingers together and met his eyes, smiling into their blue depths.
“I’m so glad you’re here. My only regret is that I can’t spend much time with you. I have breakfast at nine in the morning with the team, the game with the Strikers in the afternoon, and come home on Sunday.”
“Oh.” His disappointment was obvious.
I played with his fingers. “We could have dinner after the game tomorrow, spend time together then.”
He blinked. “Really?” At my nod, he grew shy. “I’d love to. I have to get home on Sunday too. Early enough to catch the show.”
I grimaced. “Damn. I forgot. Our plane leaves in the afternoon, but I should make it by that time. We could watch it together.”
Adrian’s hopeful face was sweet. “I-I’d like that.”
His phone buzzed, and glancing at the screen, he made a face. “Sorry, it’s Louie. I have to answer. Louie, hi. What’s up? How’re you feeling?”
I sipped my coffee, and caught several people staring, I waved them over. “Hey, guys. Yeah, it’s me. Want a picture?”
About five men approached, and I took photos with them and autographed jerseys, books, and whatever else they gave to me. When I was finished, Adrian wore a funny expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Somehow, Louie found out I was here.”
I chuckled. “Louie’s got friends everywhere. Someone at the arena probably saw you with me after practice and reported back.”
“Yeah, well, he said I should cover the game. Our affiliate here will send me a cameraperson so I can shoot my report, and I’ll just send it to the station.”
Our server approached. “Can I get you anything else?”
I took the check and gave her a twenty. “Here. Keep the change. Thanks. Let’s go, Adrian.”
He stuffed the rest of his muffin into his mouth and chewed it. “Okay, but—”
“No buts. Come with me.” I held out my hand, and after a moment of hesitation, he took it.
I led him past the rambunctious drinkers at the bar, where some of the team was hanging out and mingling.
In a secluded corner, I found a small sofa, and we sat side by side, Adrian’s hand still in mine. I faced him, our legs touching.
“We talked about it. This is the way to get you noticed. Nothing’s changed.”
Liar. So much has changed, and you’re afraid to admit it.
All the time we were spending together made me acutely aware of how long and dark his lashes were, a startling contrast to his golden hair. Or how he smelled so warm, like cinnamon and vanilla. Light-brown stubble dusted his jaw. My jeans grew tight.
I wanted Adrian, and it had nothing to do with helping him succeed. I wanted to kiss him.
“I’m not so sure.” I cupped his cheek, and his eyes widened, his mouth falling open slightly. How had I never realized how fucking sexy he was? “We’ll figure that out later. But right now? I’d like to kiss you. Is that okay?”