Chapter 14
Callum
“Why did I think that things would be less violent in person? Even after all these years.”
My lips twitched as I looked down at Mrs. Carter, speaking through her fingers, as the puck moved around the ice so quickly you could barely keep up with it.
“Come on, Mom, you should be used to the boy aquarium by now. I mean, Atlas has been doing hockey since what, birth?” Felicity teased. She looked past me and winked.
“Boy aquarium?” I growled.
“What?” Felicity asked, fluttering her eyelashes. “It’s true. Look at them all out there. Skating around in peak performance, and the boards and glass just make it look like an aquarium. They can even do tricks. Watch, that one can skate backward,” she teased.
“Does Atlas know you call it a boy aquarium?” I asked, raising a brow.
Felicity beamed, looking happier than she had in days.
I knew there was still grief behind those eyes, and there would be for a long while.
Grief didn’t go away just because you wanted it to.
It ebbed and flowed like waves on the beach but didn’t always leave behind ragged tears in the sand.
Sometimes, it just reminded you of what you had.
Just like I would always miss Georgia, I would always miss my mother, but I could breathe now. So that was something.
“Yes, I am used to how violent hockey is, and I hate the fact that those pucks are coming at my baby’s face.” She stood up then, hands outstretched. “Pass! Pass! Come on. Get him!”
I stood up with her and looked down at Felicity, both of us trying not to laugh.
No matter what Gwen Carter said about violence, she would kick anyone’s ass who dared to hurt her baby. And by her baby, I meant her six-foot-something, two-hundred-plus-something of muscle, thirty-something-year-old son.
However, Atlas had been at this NHL goalie thing for a while now. I knew he was coming up on his last years because your knees and hips could only last for so long, but Atlas was still enjoying the game.
The Denver Snowcaps came forward, way too close for comfort, but missed the goal right at the end of the second period.
I let out a sigh of relief as Atlas stood up, rolling his shoulders back. He slid up his helmet and guard and just glared at the Colorado forward in front of him.
Words were exchanged, and when the refs pushed them apart, Mr. Carter just mumbled under his breath.
“I realize that Atlas likes a goalie fight, but I really hope one of his enforcers takes care of that asshole.”
I grinned and nodded my chin over at Rune, who sat on the other side of Felicity. “Well, at least it’s not like we don’t like violence on our side,” I said dryly.
“Hey, hockey has fights to get rid of the tension and any issues you have. Football is the one where you just run into each other over and over again, land in piles, and then spank each other’s asses.”
I glared at my best friend. “Really? After all of these years, you still hate football?”
“I don’t hate football. I like hockey better. Sue me.”
“Hey, are you Callum Ashford? The Callum Ashford?” a twenty-something-year-old man said behind me. I turned and nodded. The glare on my face probably should have scared the guy, but he just grinned.
“I knew that was you. Sorry for interrupting, but I just got to say, you were fantastic. And I know if you would’ve been able to stay for the rest of the season that you guys would’ve gone all the way to the Super Bowl. Hey, can I have your autograph?”
Felicity reached out and patted my thigh, and I realized that Bodhi hadn’t missed the movement. The back of my neck heating, I nodded. “Sure. Why not? Though I’m an old man now, and it’s been a while. Don’t know if this will get you anything.”
“I don’t care if it would get me anything.
This is going in my collection, man. You were legit.
Glad to see you’re enjoying yourself, though.
Hey, you with Carter’s sister? Pretty cool that all you sports guys seem to be friends.
” The guy looked over at Felicity. “Your brother is a kick-ass goalie. And yes, I say that as a fan of the other team.” He winked as I quickly signed whatever flyer he gave me and then narrowed my gaze. “Well, I’m sure we’ll kick your ass.”
“That’s what I like to hear. But we’re still going to win.”
The guy started talking with his buddies then, and I turned back to the ice, shoulders stiff. “Anyone want a beer? We don’t have that much time before the next period starts.”
“Dad already went to get some. You were too busy with your fawning fans.” Rune continued to glare at me, and I let out a breath. “Oh. Cool. Do you think he can handle it all?”
“Mom went with him,” Felicity said, tension in her voice.
“Ah. Well, football is still better.”
“Not so much my friend. Watch those hands, friend of mine,” Rune growled, and I blinked, realizing that my arm was still behind Felicity’s chair.
I shrugged and sank back into the seat. If we were in public, maybe my best friend wouldn’t kick my ass.
Maybe.
Felicity just sighed. “Men.”
“I thought you liked your boy aquarium,” I bit out.
“What? Sweaty guys that are in the best shape of their lives slamming into each other? It’s my dream.”
“We’ll see about that,” I grumbled, hoping Rune couldn’t hear since the woman next to him kept taking his attention away, thankfully.
By the time the Carters got back with our beers, the last period was ready to go, and we were all set to watch Atlas kick the team’s ass.
The Portland Gliders were in the middle of restructuring, and I knew that the backup goalie was right on Atlas’s heels, ready to take over.
That’s what happened when you had new blood in, even though the veteran was still damn good and in his prime.
But I had a feeling that the Gliders had a decent chance at the playoffs.
And when they finally kicked Denver’s ass, 3-1, I was relieved.
Though I knew Atlas would probably be pissed as hell that he let that one goal in.
“Lucky shot,” Rune grumbled as we all made our way to the side of the arena where they’d let us in as family.
Atlas had scored us decent tickets, and if we were in the Portland stadium, sometimes he got us back up into one of the boxes.
I didn’t mind fitting my large self in one of those tiny chairs near the ice, but sometimes people remembered that I used to have a life outside of Ashford Creek, and it was like a kick in the gut.
I missed playing like I missed so much in my life. I had no idea what my life would’ve been like if I hadn’t gotten hurt. What were you supposed to do with the rest of your life when something that you had worked for and put your blood, sweat, and tears into, was over in an instant?
Felicity rubbed her shoulder against my arm and frowned. “Are you okay?”
“He’s just brooding because whenever he comes to a game, he thinks of his glory days as a tight end and remembers that his end isn’t that tight anymore.” Rune winked as he said it, and one of the women passing by nearly swooned.
I snorted, knowing Rune was doing his best to make me laugh.
“Yep. And I’m all saggy and shit. But it’s fine. One day, I’ll be as saggy as you, not a single muscle in sight, and I’ll learn from you how to make it.”
“Asshole,” Rune growled, shoving me. I shoved back and pushed Felicity behind me so she wouldn’t get hurt.
Of course, we didn’t hit each other again because, with one look from Gwen Carter, we froze in our tracks.
“What did I say about fighting?” she asked primly, her eyes dancing with laughter.
“Only on the ice?” Rune asked and ducked as Mr. Carter tried to hit him.
“Boys. All of you. Why is Felicity the only sane one here?”
“Aw, I’m so glad that you think I’m sane.”
“She takes turns thinking which one of us is the sane one,” Rune said dryly. I laughed as Felicity came around me and shoved at her brother playfully.
“Hooligans. All of you. And I love you all.”
Mrs. Carter wrapped her arm around my waist and sighed. “Even you, you big football washout.”
I ran my hand over my heart. “Ouch.”
“What? One day, I hope to say something similar to my other son. That way, he stops having hockey pucks coming at his face.”
“Don’t worry, when he finally retires, I’ll continue to throw hockey pucks at his face so that way he remembers the good old days,” Rune said solemnly, and Mrs. Carter just rolled her eyes.
“Okay, let’s get over to the waiting area and get some snacks while we wait for Atlas to shower, go through media, and get through the hordes of women in order to get to us.” Mr. Carter rolled his eyes, and I just grinned.
“You really think Atlas is going to choose us over any of the women waiting for him.” I gestured towards the gaggle of puck bunnies, all speaking in rapid tones to each other.
“Hey, eyes over here,” Felicity teased.
“I see no one,” I growled and winced as Rune continued to glare at me.
Well, hell. This is why Felicity and I usually kept to the houses.
We were not good at hiding anything in public.
Though I knew Felicity didn’t want to hide anymore.
I thought maybe we should continue. Because once things were out in the open, everything would explode in our faces, and this would be the end.
So maybe this was a good idea. So that way Felicity didn’t get hurt any more than possible.
We headed into one of the VIP rooms where Atlas got our passes for, ate snacks, drank a couple more beers, and waited over an hour for Atlas to show himself. When he did, he moved right past the puck bunnies, not even bothering to look, and stomped his way over to us.
“Hey there, grumpy face,” Felicity teased as she hugged her brother tightly.
“It was a lucky shot,” he growled.
“After how many years on the ice, you’re still worried about that one shot? You blocked how many others?”
“It still wasn’t a shutout.” Atlas turned to the left slightly, his gaze narrowing on a younger guy before his shoulders relaxed, and he smiled over at him.
The guy lifted his chin and went over to talk to a few women I didn’t recognize.
And then I understood. That was the backup goalie, the hotshot kid nipping at Atlas’s heels. That was the name of the game, but it still sucked.
“Anyway, you going to tell us when you started dating my sister?” Atlas asked, and the room went quiet.
I stood there, hands fisted at my side, glaring at the man. Well fuck.
“Atlas. Really?” Felicity sighed.
“Can you just not be so loud next time?”
Atlas rolled his eyes. “First off, neither one of you is being subtle. I mean, really? Come on.”
“Atlas—” I began, but Rune came up and squeezed my shoulder. A little more tightly than he should have, but then again, I was expecting a fist in the face.
“Finally, someone says it. You guys sneaking around has been killing me.”
I whirled, staring at my two best friends. “Are you serious right now? You knew?”
“You guys knew?” Felicity asked, her voice going high-pitched.
Thankfully, her parents were on the other side of the room, speaking with another set of parents, and weren’t overhearing.
“Of course, we knew. You guys keep giving each other puppy dog looks,” Rune growled. “I don’t know why you thought you could keep it a secret. Not to mention sneaking off to each other’s homes, even though you live across the street, isn’t that secretive.”
I put my hands over my face and groaned. “Jesus Christ.”
“Hey, watch your language,” Atlas teased. “You’re lucky we’re in public, or I’d have to kick your ass. I mean, my baby sister?”
Atlas tilted his head, glaring at me.
I could never tell when Atlas was joking. That was the problem. He was too damn good at hiding his thoughts. Rune, on the other hand, shoved me. Maybe not so gently, but still. “We’ll have a talk later.”
“Hey. I’m here too. We are both consenting adults, Rune.”
“Shush. This isn’t about you.”
“Don’t fucking shush your sister,” I growled, keeping my voice low. Because there was no fucking way we were going to make a scene here. I would not embarrass Felicity. But I would kick her brothers’ asses for being mean to her. I had depth.
“Oh, standing up for her? Then why was it a secret?” Atlas murmured.
“You guys. There are two of us. Stop glaring at your best friend.”
“You hurt her, and I kill you,” Rune said simply, narrowing his gaze.
“Sounds about right,” I agreed.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Felicity snapped. “Are you kidding me right now?”
“If he doesn’t kill you, I’ll find a way. After all, I do skate on sharp blades for a living.”
“You do what you have to.”
“I’m not mad,” Rune continued, his voice low. “Not about this. How can I be? You’re my best friend.”
My stomach fell out from beneath me, and I swallowed hard. “Rune—”
“No. We’ll talk about it later. When we can actually talk.” He looked around the room and shrugged. “But secrets? You know we don’t do secrets.”
“Fuck. I didn’t, I mean, I’m sorry.”
“Just don’t hurt her.” Atlas shrugged. “And don’t keep a secret. You’re not good at it.”
And with that, the brothers went off to go speak with their parents, and I stood there, Felicity’s hand on my arm, staring and blinking. “What the hell just happened?”
“I have no idea. They knew? Does everyone know?”
I turned then, cupping her cheek, not caring who saw. “I have no clue. But I don’t think it’s quite over with them.”
“Well, at least they didn’t punch you.”
“I think it’s only because we were in public,” I said dryly. “Felicity? Are you sure about this? I’m way too fucking old for you.”
“Give up. And get over the whole age thing. I’m over it.”
“Easy for you to say. I am the old lecher.”
“Stop it. You’re the one making it weird. And now I have to go face my parents.”
I groaned. “I don’t want to. Can we just escape?”
Felicity bit her lip and then turned slightly. “You know what? Let’s do that.” And when she tugged on my hand and practically pulled me out of the room, I threw my head back and laughed.
Oh yes, we were flirting with danger and probably going to end up burning in hell, but it sounded a little fun.
Or maybe, just maybe, the consequences were going to hit later.
Because Rune and Atlas had acted far too calm.
And I had a feeling that soon we’d have to face whatever the hell came at us.
Because not everybody in town was going to be happy. And hell, one day soon, Felicity would wake up and realize exactly what she was doing.
And she’d get out.
As long as I didn’t break her first. That’s all that mattered.
At least, that’s what I told myself.