Chapter 17 #3
He shut the door on the studio. “I have steaks marinating.” Flashing a soft grin at me, he grabbed my hand. “I know it’s not chicken or fish, but I thought you should have something special.” He led me into the kitchen.
“Damn, I’d love a steak.” My stomach growled and I glanced toward his bar on the far wall. I shouldn’t drink right now. But he could. “Can I get you a bourbon?”
“Please.” After grabbing Bean’s food from the pantry, he poured it in his bowl. “When are the playoffs over?”
“That depends.” I poured his bourbon into a lowball glass and brought it to him.
“Here.” While handing it to him, I kissed his cheek.
“If we win this series against Vegas, we’ll be in the Cup.
We’ll play whoever wins the Eastern Conference.
” I set my hand on the counter. “It should be over the first half of June.”
He sipped his bourbon and then removed two filet mignons from the refrigerator, resting on a plate and doused in a dark marinade. “So, by the time your season ends, I’ll be in the studio.”
“Those are some nice steaks, Ronan. What did you marinate them in?” I pulled a Gatorade from the refrigerator and twisted the cap. He always had something special in mind for me when I came over. Now I knew why. He was falling for me. Warmth flooded my heart.
“Uh, garlic and Worcestershire sauce.” He faced me. “When your season is over, do you plan to come out to the team?”
My chest pinched. Fuck, that was a direct hit.
“I, I guess so. I’ve been trying to stay focused on the next game and not worry about what comes next.
” But Ronan was thinking about the future.
I needed to give him something solid. Placing a hand on his cheek, I said, “I’ll work with my agent and the team’s PR people and put something together.
” Shit, I’d have to come out to my parents.
As my gut knotted, I took a deep breath.
That could wait. I had time to deal with this.
Gazing deeply into my eyes, he said, “I’d like to take you on the road with me.” He swallowed hard. “For a little while. If you could manage. The hotels have gyms and—”
“Yes. I’ll work something out with our trainers.
I’m sure there’s a way to do my off-season training from the road.
” Holy hell, this was commitment from him.
I pressed a long kiss on his mouth. Most of the guys went home for the offseason.
How hard could it be? Of course, this was assuming they’d ask me to return next season.
“Good.” A smile drifted across his lips. “We have a lot of good things to look forward to.”
A week later, I was in Vegas again, playing our sixth game in the series.
If we won tonight, we’d head into the Stanley Cup finals and have six days to rest and regroup.
I’d been seeing Ronan as much as possible and calling when I could, but my schedule was grueling. He’d been understanding of it, though.
While eating a catered lunch with Lucas, Nolan and Archer Carlson in a conference room, I poked Lucas in the ribs. He’d been giving me funny looks all day. “What’s on your mind, little Hopkins?”
“Don’t call me that.” With a scoff, he shifted in his chair and cut into his chicken breast.
Archer smirked at Lucas. “We saw Benson head into a conference room with Coach Henderson and Darwin Sykes yesterday.”
“Darwin? As in the general manager?” My brows shot up. Something was finally happening.
“Yep.” Lucas sniggered, and then his eyes widened. “Oh, shit. Here it comes.” He ticked his head toward the doorway.
Turning around, I spied Coach Henderson strolling toward our table. With a faint grin, he stopped at me. “Crosby? When you’re done eating, I need a word with you in the strategy room.”
“Sure, Coach. Be right there.” My pulse pounded in my ears. This was it. I knew it.
“Boys.” Coach lifted his chin at the other players, turned on his heels and left.
Nolan pushed my shoulder. “Dude, you’re in. Thank fucking God.” He glanced at the ceiling for a beat. “Benson was an outstanding player, but we didn’t gel as well as you and I do.”
With a smile, I said, “Thanks, Nolan.” I patted his forearm, resting next to his plate. “We do gel, don’t we?” I swung my gaze to Lucas. We’d played well together too, but Lucas was tearing it up with Archer now. “And you and Archer are almost unstoppable.”
“Yeah, we have the right combination now to get that damn Cup.” Archer snickered. “I can almost feel the cold metal against my lips when I kiss it.”
“Dude…” Lucas glanced behind him, toward the table of forwards where his brother sat. “Don’t let Mason here you talk like that. He might rip your head off.”
With a scoff, Archer said, “You forget I lived with him and played with him at ASU. I know how to handle your brother.”
I chewed chicken as fast as I could. I needed to get into that conference room. I knew nothing would stop any decision they’d already made, but I didn’t want to chance it.
Rubbing my hands together, I strode into the conference room we were using for our strategy sessions.
It was a large room, but they’d put chairs around a table at the front for a makeshift smaller meeting area.
Both Coach Henderson and Darwin sat at one end of the table with laptops open in front of them.
Coach looked up from his computer. “Crosby, close the door and take a seat.” He patted the chair next to him.
“Okay.” I shut the door, paced to the offered chair, and then dropped in. I’d wait for them to speak.
Darwin shut his laptop and tented his fingers over it. “Crosby, you might have heard the rumors around Benson.”
“Uh-huh.” I nodded as my gut twisted. This was it. All those years fighting to get ahead in the AHL—
“He’s taken a trade offered by Winnipeg.” Darwin glanced at Coach.
“You’ve been instrumental in these playoffs, Crosby, and your commitment to the team hasn’t gone unnoticed.” The edge of Coach’s lips twitched. “So, we want to have you back next season.”
“Your position with the Coyotes is officially permanent.” Darwin reached his hand across the table. “Welcome aboard.”
As my heart took flight, I shook his hand. “Thank you, Mr. Sykes. I’m proud to play for a top-notch team.” As I released his hand I shook Coach’s, also extended. “Coach, you won’t regret this.”
“You keep playing like you have in these playoffs and I’m sure I won’t.” He grinned at me.