Chapter 3 #2
“Yeah, my dad can be pretty critical.” I huffed a laugh.
“He wants to see me play in these games, maybe more than I do.” I was sure I’d get a call from him tonight.
I grabbed my backpack from the foot of the bed and fished my phone out of the side pocket.
“In fact, I think I’ll call him before he calls me.
Can you wait a few minutes for the movie? ”
“Yeah. I’ll just doomscroll for a bit.” He slipped his phone from the pocket of his sweats.
“Thanks.” Hopping off the bed, I strolled to the door and proceeded into the hallway. I didn’t need him to hear this conversation. It could get awkward when I told Dad I’d be in the press box. As I paced the hallway, I tapped the screen to call Dad.
After a few rings, he picked up. “Hey, Evan. I was just about to call you.”
“Yeah, I figured. So I thought I’d call you while I was free. I’m about to watch a movie with Nolan Laine.” I dropped my gaze to the swirling blue pattern on the carpet. “How’s Mom?”
“She’s great. She got another promotion at the bank, so now she’s heading up debit card operations,” he said.
“Oh, that’s awesome. Go, Mom.” I let out a soft chuckle as I strolled, passing doorways along the way with the muffled sounds of movie explosions or men chatting. The organization must have booked the entire floor for us.
“The bigger question is, how are you? Will you play tomorrow?”
My chest grew tight. “I don’t think so, Dad. Benson is still the starter. I’m dressing for the press box.” He wouldn’t like this.
“Show them what you can do. How was practice the last few days?” He huffed.
“Practice went well.” I stopped and rubbed my brow.
“If I play, it’ll be to replace Benson. He has a hip strain, but so far, he’s holding it together.
” He knew how this went. They wouldn’t just throw me in the game just because I looked strong in practice.
“Since I’m rooming with Nolan Laine, I’m working on getting to know him better, seeing what makes him tick. ”
“Yeah, okay. That’s an excellent strategy.” He sighed. “Your brother is killing it. He’ll be entering the draft this summer.”
My stomach knotted. Turner was seven years younger than me and probably a fucking hockey prodigy. But Dad had corrected the mistakes he’d made with me and used his new strategy on him. “That’s great news, Dad. I hope he gets a contract with a top team.”
“Maybe if you hadn’t lost focus with that girlfriend back in Juniors, you’d have gotten your contract at eighteen too. Maybe then, you’d be playing tomorrow.” He scoffed.
Fuckin’ A. Did he always have to mention that?
Yeah, it took me several more years. And yes, I’d lost focus.
I had been in love, and Hazel was the wrong girl for me, but I was young.
“I know, Dad. But it’s behind me now. I won’t lose focus.
If something happens to Benson and they play me, I promise you, I’ll make you proud.
” It was a good thing I’d left the hotel room for this conversation.
He breathed in deeply. “Good. Keep that mindset and let’s hope Benson fails out there.”
“Dad.” I glanced both ways down the hallway. “Don’t say shit like that. You’ll jinx me.” It was bad karma to wish ill on another player.
“You’re right. Sorry. I just want to see you shine in these playoffs. Maybe even get your name on the Cup.” He chuckled.
“I’d have to play a lot, and the Coyotes would have to win the Cup for that to happen.” I scoffed a laugh. He was pushing it now. The Coyotes had an exceptional season this year, but people didn’t expect us to win the Cup.
“Shoot for the stars, Evan. It’s all about mindset. Don’t limit yourself,” he said.
“Yeah, I know.” I twisted around and strolled toward my room. Dad listened to too many positive energy podcasts. “Anyway, I’ve got to go. Nolan is waiting for me to watch a movie.”
“Okay. Love you, son. I’ll watch the game tomorrow just in case they put you in.”
“Thanks, Dad.” But don’t count on it. “Love you too. Bye.” I ended the call and stepped into my room. “Ready for a movie?”
Nolan peeked up from his phone. “Hell yes. I thought we’d go old-school. Raiders of the Lost Ark?”
“Sure.” I plopped onto my bed and set my phone on the nightstand. I wouldn’t ruminate on the conversation with Dad, and I certainly wouldn’t let it bother me.
“Go, Hopkins!” I shouted from the press box and pumped my fist. Hopkins and Jarvis were on fire as usual, and in the middle of the third period, Hopkins had gotten a hat-trick, and we were ahead four to one.
“Hell yes!” Jake Sampson, a goalie on injured reserve, slapped my shoulder. “Did you see that? The Sharks don’t have a chance.”
“I know.” Maybe we had a chance at the Cup after all? I took my seat and watched the celly, all the guys hugging Hopkins and slapping his helmet.
Benson hit the ice and wavered while pushing off on his left leg, then bent over.
Was he hurt? My heart pounded wildly. Would they ask me to dress in my gear and play out the rest of the game?
“Did you see that?” Sampson twisted his head, the blond waves in his hair bouncing, and focused on me with his ice-blue eyes. “I don’t know how much longer Benson can pretend his hip isn’t a problem.”
“Coach will pull him if it’s bad, right?” Why the hell were they still playing him? I sucked in a breath and held it.
Benson skated off toward the net as if nothing had happened.
“Maybe he was just stiff.” I clenched my hands into fists. I had to be positive. I wouldn’t let bad karma get me.
“Yeah, maybe.” Sampson huffed.
We’d made it back into town after tying San Jose in game wins while in California, and so far, Benson had played the entire time. I hadn’t heard from my father since our talk on the first night, but I was sure he was unhappy and somehow felt it was my fault Benson was still on the ice.
My morning skates were showing progress, though, and Benson had seen a lot of our trainer, so there was hope. On Wednesday, as I slipped my team sweats on after my cool-down routine, Coach Dupont entered the locker room. “Crosby, can I see you in my office?”
I flicked my gaze at him. “Sure, Coach.” Holy fuck, was this my chance? I peeked at Lucas, who gave me a wry grin.
“Dude, I think this is it. Benson is still with the trainers.” Lucas patted my arm.
“You’ve got this, Crosby.” Alex Volkov, our star left winger and head captain, slapped my back.
If anyone knew what was about to happen, it was him. “Thanks.” I jogged to the hallway and ducked into Coach Dupont’s office. This was my fucking chance. It had to be.
“Have a seat.” He closed the door and stretched his hand toward the chairs facing his desk.
I cleared my throat as I sat in a chair and watched him take a seat behind his desk.
“Seems this is your lucky day, Crosby.” The corner of his lips lifted, and his brown gaze softened.
“But really, you’ve earned this spot in the playoffs.
Benson is officially sidelined for the rest of the season, and I have every confidence you can help bring this team to victory with what I’ve seen of you on the ice.
I know how well you’ve played with Lucas Hopkins with the Firebirds, but I think you can play equally well with Nolan Laine.
” He folded his hands on his desk. “What do you say?”
Staring at him, my pulse thumped in my ears. “I, I, uh, say thank you, sir. I won’t let the team down. I’m ready for this.” But was I? Hell fucking yes. I clenched my jaw for a beat. It was finally time to earn a permanent spot on this team.
“That’s the spirit, Crosby. You’ll be starting in the next game, two days from now. Make sure you’re well-rested and in top shape.” He stood and held out his hand.
Rising and shaking his hand, I said, “I will, Coach. Thank you.”
“You earned it. Now tell Hopkins. I’m sure he’s dying to hear from you.” He offered a warm smile.
“Yes.” I marched out his door and into the locker room. Benson’s loss was my gain. I couldn’t feel bad about it. These things happened.
“So?” Lucas stood at his stall, dressed in his team sweats and his duffel resting on the bench. “What happened?”
Laine bounded around a corner, already dressed. “Hey, bud, are we playing the next game together? I heard Benson’s out.”
Silence filled the locker room, and the remaining guys all focused on me.
“Yep, we’re partners, buddy.” I slapped Laine’s shoulder and gave him a swift side hug.
“Hell yes.” With a laugh, he patted my back.
“I’m proud of you, Crosby.” Lucas stepped toward me and then gave me a swift hug, lifting me off my feet for a second. “You’re still going to the event tonight, right?”
My heart about stopped. “What?” How the hell could I forget that? About Ronan fucking Vale? “Oh, yeah.” Shit, should I still go? But I’d just promised Coach I’d be in top shape for the game. It was two days away. “Um…”
“Please go. Ezra is so excited, and I promised him we’d all be there. He hasn’t seen you in a few months.” Lucas planted a hand on his hip. “We don’t have to stay long, and you’ve got an extra day to rest.”
Laine eyed me. “Dude, don’t fuck this up.”
“I won’t fuck this up.” My dad would tell me I wasn’t focused on hockey if I went.
But I’d made promises. I’d promised Ace.
And Ronan Vale would be there. Shifting my stance, I breathed through the clenching in my chest. “Yeah, I’ll go.
” I flashed a smile at Lucas. “A couple of hours at a fancy charity event shouldn’t be a problem, right? ” I turned my smile on Laine.
“Make sure you take care of yourself tomorrow.” With a huff, Laine picked up his duffel and walked off.
“Don’t mind him. He’s got too many superstitions.” Lucas hoisted his duffel bag strap over his shoulder. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
“Sure.” I grabbed my bag.
I left my old Jeep with the valet and stepped toward the set of glass doors under the covered drive.
This place was a massive structure of classic desert contemporary architecture with its clean lines and understated embellishments.
As I strolled through the doors, I buttoned the jacket on my black suit coat, stepping onto a burnt orange marble floor.
Above me hung massive round chandeliers from the tall ceilings, and heavy-set leather chairs and rustic wooden tables were scattered across the open spaces.
Lucas should be here already. I slipped my phone from my breast pocket and peered at the screen. It was a few minutes after seven, and he’d said to be here at seven.
“Hey, Evan. So nice to see you.” Ezra strutted toward me from a hallway, his long dark hair hanging to his shoulders and lithe frame covered in a flowy black shirt and slacks.
“Hi, Ezra. Long time no see.” I gave him a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Where’s your other half?”
“He’s finishing up in the bathroom.” He squeezed my hand. “Aren’t you excited to see Vanta Crown?”
My pulse scattered. I’d been battling my nerves all evening and changed a million times before landing on simple black and white. “Yeah, sure.”
“You met him, right? Ronan Vale? Lucas says you saw him at a bar in Scottsdale?” He bit his lower lip, his brown eyes softening.
“I did, yeah. It was brief, but he seemed like a cool guy.” A very sexy, cool guy. My gaze snagged Lucas as he emerged from the hallway, adjusting his deep blue shirt under his white suit coat. Good, he hadn’t worn a tie either. It was a fancy occasion, but not tuxedo or tie fancy.
“Hey, Evan. Ready?” He threaded his fingers in Ezra’s and led him past the check-in desks. “The event is in a conference room at the end here. I got directions from Ace.”
“Okay.” As we approached a set of open doors, acoustic music played—the melody was familiar. It was a Vanta Crown song. I cleared my throat and slowed my breathing.
Ronan’s voice carried through the doors, haunting and raw.
Holy fuck. My heart pattered as if it would run away from me. The man had an incredible vocal range, and when he sang against the gritty guitars and fast beat of the band, it was one thing. But this…Fuck, he was like I’d imagine a mythical siren to be.
As I stepped through the doors behind Lucas and Ezra, my gaze locked on Ronan’s. He didn’t skip a beat, just kept singing as if he knew he could pull me toward him with his voice.
Ronan and Drew sat on stools, surrounded by tall, thin speakers. Ronan had an acoustic guitar and Drew had an acoustic bass. They both swayed gently to the beat of the song.
I swallowed hard and fought to stop looking at him, but it was damn near impossible. He looked even more amazing than the night I’d found him in the bar.
“Hey, let’s grab some food and get a table.” Lucas bumped me with his shoulder. “I’m starving.”
“Uh…yeah.” I blinked a few times. I had to focus here and not stare at Ronan.
“He’s so fucking sexy, isn’t he?” Ezra grabbed my arm, tipping his head and smirking toward Ronan. “But I have Lucas now, and he’s just as sexy.”
“Yeah, he’s, um, he’s…” Fuck, don’t admit to Ezra you think Ronan’s sexy.
I straightened my shoulders. “He’s got an amazing voice.
” I forced a look around me, noting the tables laid out with food in metal trays and servers stepping through the crowd with champagne and hors d'oeuvres.
The room featured circular tables with white linens, where women in fancy dresses and men in suits, some with ties, sat.
“Dude, come on.” Lucas gave me a pointed look.