Chapter 21
RAKE
“How was practice today, Rake? You looked good. Really good.”
Ah, BJ’s back. You never know when he’ll be passing through town.
In spite of the tension of our last meeting with Vince, I’ll always credit the man with being my biggest fan.
He believed in me from the start, back when I wasn’t fast enough on the ice or with my stick.
He saw something in me and has had my back since the beginning of my career. A guy couldn’t ask for a better agent.
I nod, removing my helmet and wiping the sweat pouring down the sides of my face. “I feel good, BJ. Better than I’ve felt in a long time.” I surprise myself by saying this because, before he asked me, I hadn’t even realized just how good a practice today was.
Sometimes you’re tired and sore as fuck. And sometimes you dust everyone else on the ice. Today was one of those days. I was on fire.
“Does it have anything to do with”—he leans closer—“your little marriage thing? Are you enjoying all the benefits of being a husband?”
I wish.
I shake my head. “No. She sleeps in the guest room, if you must know. Honestly, I’m pretty sure she can’t stand my ass. She doesn’t like sports, and she doesn’t like athletes.”
And yet I’ve stopped my whoring around.
He slaps my back with a laugh. “Sounds perfect for you, Rake. Someone to keep you on your toes. She coming to the game this week?”
“She said she would. She also said she’ll be bringing a book.”
I need to talk her out of that.
“What if we get her an extra ticket or two? So she can bring a friend?”
“If you can get the tickets, that would be great.”
“Did you know you were on ESPN this morning? There was a clip about you guys. How you met and eloped. People are buying it.”
Fuck, I hope so. Because if they find out it’s a bold-faced lie, then I’m really fucked. If my reputation was in the shitter before, then it’ll be flushed clean away. And if what Vince says is true, there’ll be no coming back.
Why did I have to act like a dick for so long?
“BJ, I was expecting some kind of a lecture from you today.”
“Really?” he asks, wrinkling his face. “You know I’m your biggest fan. I’ll never stop believing in you. No matter how much trouble you get into.”
Well, damn. And now there’s a lump in my throat. Which I fucking hate. I don’t mind tearing up on my own time, but in front of others?
It just isn’t done.
I clear my throat, though I’m pretty sure BJ knows I’m close to getting choked up.
“I appreciate that. You have no idea how much. I gotta tell you, having her in the next room over is rough. The only nights I sleep well are when she stays at the cottage up in Sonoma. That’s when I can jerk off to porn and not worry about her hearing. ”
BJ tries to keep his face serious, but eventually doubles over, laughing. “I’m sorry, man,” he says, gasping for breath. “But that’s funny as hell, knowing that for once in your life, you’re with a woman who’s not throwing herself at you.”
I crack a smile in spite of myself. “I guess it is pretty funny. But I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. She’s a nice girl, BJ. I’m not gonna fuck with her. I’m just following her lead.”
“Damn,” he says. “Somebody finally has you wrapped around her finger. Never thought I’d see the day.”
I lean down to remove my skates. “I know, right? Neither did I. But neither did I think I would have a fake marriage.”
BJ glances at his watch and stands. All the other guys have left the ice and are probably cleaning up. “Welp, just wanted to check in. I have a plane to catch. You know how to reach me, anytime, any day.”
The goddamn throat lump comes back. “Again, I appreciate that, BJ. You don’t know how much.”
We do that guy thing, the half-shake-half-hug.
With his hands on my shoulders, BJ steps back, studying my face. “Something about you is different, Rake Hanson.”
No shit. Something about me is different.