14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
M onday morning rolls around too quickly, and I groan as I turn over in bed. I’m not sure how I got here, but I barely remember anything after the sixth episode of Yuri on Ice . I rub my temples, squinting and trying to figure out where I ended up last night.
I’m not familiar with this room. It’s not Mac and Dean’s. I take it in with wide eyes as I realize the space is furnished with all my stuff. Everything that had been in my apartment is now in this bedroom. My mouth gapes when I notice it’s set up as best they could to replicate my old area at the apartment.
I bite my lip as emotions swell within me. They went to all this work for me. To make sure I felt safe and at home. I’ll need to figure out a way to thank them for this. A knock at the door startles me out of my thoughts. Clearing my throat, I say, “Yes?”
“Oli wanted me to let you know that we are headed out,” Tuck calls from behind the door.
I grab my phone to check the time, wondering why my alarm didn’t wake me up. I have to squint at the bright screen to make it out. Then I look out the window to see that a blush of morning light streaming through to softly light my room.
Why are they up so early? As if reading my mind Tuck continues. “We have to go in early this morning, so don’t be alarmed when you get up and find no one here.”
I groan as I say, “Thanks for the heads up.”
There’s a soft chuckle before Tuck says, “There’s a glass of hangover juice on the counter. Make sure you drink it.”
“It tastes like shit,” Taz yells. “See you in a bit, Roe Roe.”
I can’t help but snort and call back, “Thanks! See you guys there.”
It doesn’t take me long to get ready and head down to the kitchen. I find the cup on the counter and make my way over. When I look closer at the liquid inside, I frown. Why does it look like muddy water? Picking it up, I take a hesitant sniff and gag.
“Shit that smells like sweaty feet.” Looking around, I see they also made me a cup of coffee. I take a deep breath and shotgun the disgusting-smelling liquid.
I gag again but manage to keep it down as a shiver runs up my spine. Rushing over to the coffee they left me, I take a swig to wash out the gross taste on my tongue. “Ugh, I hope this crap works for hangovers, or I drank that for nothing.” Another shiver runs up my spine as I recall the flavor and texture of the questionable liquid.
I huff a sigh and grab my keys and wallet before making my way out the door. That better help with my hangover. I’m not sure how much work I’ll get done with my head pounding like a jackhammer.
Karma must know I’m in need of some good luck because I hit every green light on my way to work. My headache turns to a dull ache as I step through the double doors of the hockey rink.
I walk over to the upper sitting area, so I can make notes about my players. I purposefully sit in the higher stands, so they don’t see me while they practice, which makes it easier to take notes. They are less likely to hide things if they don’t know I’m looking.
After a few hours of noting anything of importance, I head to my office. I need to make sure I get the notes added to the correct notebooks. Being extremely organized has its benefits and downfalls. Though, if Danni ever needs to take over for my players for any reason, she won’t have a problem making sure they get the appropriate training. But it also means that I have hours of additional writing to do for each player.
After what feels like several hours have passed, there’s a knock on my door, and I look up to find Taz and Vicy. It’s odd that they are always the ones to come get me or find me in my office. It makes me wonder why Mac and Dean don’t. I could have sworn they wanted to but... well... maybe I was wrong about them wanting to get with me.
Giving them a smile, I ask, “What’s up?”
Taz taps on his bare wrist. “It’s time to leave.”
Raising a brow, I ask, “And I need to leave with you guys because...?”
Vicy snorts. “She already forgot. It’s Monday night, Roe Roe. Monday nights are karaoke nights at the bar. Remember?”
“I thought you were joking. I don’t want to go to a karaoke bar. I hate singing in front of people,” I complain with a whine.
“It will only be us. Come on! It’ll be fun, I promise,” Taz begs.
“Yeah. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to come next week,” Vicy adds.
I huff as I stare at the pile of paperwork still on my desk. I don’t have much else I need to do right away. Turning back to Vicy and Taz, I find them pleading at me with puppy-dog eyes. I can’t help but laugh and, of course, give in. “Fine.”
They let out a hoot of excitement. Shaking my head, I start gathering my stuff. My thoughts can’t help but drift to Mac and Dean. The question that’s been bothering me slips out before I can stop it. “Did I do something to upset Oli and Lewi?”
The guys share a look before sending me a quizzical expression. “What do you mean?” Taz asks.
I shrug as if it’s not a big thing. “Just seems like they’ve been distancing themselves the last few days, compared to how they were when I first showed up.”
Vicy gives me a grin full of trouble and teases, “Do you like our forward and goalie, Ms. Monroe?”
Picking up a sticky-note pad, I throw it at him with a huff. “I didn’t say that!”
Taz shoulder bumps Vicy. “I bet it’s because we found her in bed with Oli.”
My cheeks heat as I hiss, “Nothing happened!”
They chuckle, lifting their hands in surrender. Vicy continues to smirk as he says, “Knowing Oli, he probably doesn’t want to overwhelm you. You’ve had a lot happen the last few days.”
“He’s will try to win you over, no doubt. But he’s not going to take advantage of you while you’re staying with us until you find a new place,” Taz adds.
I raise a brow as I walk over to them. “What do you mean, win me over?”
Vicy chuckles and throws an arm over my shoulder. “The man likes you, Roe Roe.”
I feel my cheeks heat again, and I elbow Vicy in the side. “Whatever.”
He laughs as he tugs on my ponytail. “When it comes to Lewi, I never see that man laugh or smile. But he does with you.”
“And that means?” I ask.
Taz throws an arm over Vicy’s on my shoulder, then whispers conspiratorially, “The man rubbed your feet and ankles, girl. I’m pretty sure he is enamored with you.”
I snort. “Enamored?”
He grins and nods. “Yep. Enamored. People still use that word, Roe Roe.”
I roll my eyes as I try to squirm out from under their arms. When I finally get free, I jog a few paces in front of them before turning to walk backward. I point between the two of them. “I’m your athletic therapist. I’m not starting a relationship with any of you.”
Vicy sends me a teasing smirk. “So why did you ask about Oli and Lewi, then?”
My eyes narrow. “A momentary lapse in judgment, I assure you.”
Taz laughs as he shakes his head. “Deny it all you want, but you don’t always have a choice when fate is involved.”
I halt my steps as they continue toward me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Taz ruffles my hair, messing up my ponytail in the process. “If you’re meant to be with those two, you will.”
Vicy bumps my shoulder. “Plus, Oli has us as wingmen.”
I throw my hands up and turn to follow them. “What about me?”
Vicy winks at me over his shoulder and replies, “Someone has to chip away at that icy wall around your heart.”
Taz snorts and adds, “What better way to chip at that heart of yours, than having two annoying hockey players who are like brothers.”
I roll my eyes and make my way to the double doors that lead outside. “I don’t need anything chipped away,” I grumble. “My heart is just fine. And you two were already acting like annoying brothers.” I sigh and push open the doors. My breath hitches as my eyes immediately lock on the two men we were just talking about.
Oli is still laughing as he ruffles his damp, wavy hair, leaning against a parked car. Lewi is next to him, shaking his head in amusement as his lips tilt into a soft smirk. How do these two take my breath away and make me feel like I'm sixteen all over again?
I’m jerked out of my reverie when Vicy bumps my shoulder. I look up to find him tapping the side of his lips. “You’ve got a bit of drool there.”
“You may want to close that mouth of yours. You’ll start catching flies,” Taz teases, but they both jump out of reach of my swatting hands.
“Get back here!” I screech as I take off running after them.