Chapter 5
FIVE
ALEX (ALEXEY)
Margot brought a lot of shit. Did she really need her entire wardrobe at my house?
I stood in the doorway to my guest bedroom, watching her unpack boxes.
Her dark, shoulder-length hair hung in waves around her face.
“Hey, Margot, maybe you should put some of your summer clothes into storage. Even around here, when the weather cools, we only wear our winter stuff.”
“What do you mean? It’s still like summer outside.” With a soft giggle, she unpacked shorts into a drawer of the dresser.
“It gets cold at night. It’s not like back east. The highs will reach the eighties during the day and then drop to the fifties overnight.
” I wasn’t proving my point very well. “Do what you want.” With a tap on the doorjamb, I sighed and strolled into the main room.
At least my bedroom was on the other side of the house.
It felt a little weird having her here. But it wouldn’t be forever.
I grabbed a Gatorade from the refrigerator and eyed the chicken she’d taken out to defrost. She’d insisted on cooking dinner for me tonight. She was a decent cook, but it reminded me a little too much of when we were together.
Spying my television, I strode to my couch and dropped in. While waiting, I could watch ESPN and see if they’d report on the NHL teams and prospects.
After fifteen minutes, she emerged from the hallway, arranging her hair behind her shoulders.
Her brown eyes lit as she said, “Now, how about I make us some barbecue chicken?” She opened the package of chicken resting in the sink.
“You have a nice outdoor kitchen on the patio, and I can’t wait to use it. ”
“Yeah, sure.” With a huff, I shifted on the couch and flipped through channels. There was plenty of NFL coverage tonight and not much hockey. But then, their season was well underway.
Margot set the table and brought the barbecue chicken to it, along with mashed potatoes and a salad. “Okay, we’re all set.” She sank into a chair.
As my stomach rumbled, I hopped off the couch and joined her, taking the chair at the head of the table. “Looks good.” She’d used a barbecue sauce I’d purchased over the summer in Brooklyn. I had yet to try it.
With a satisfied grin, she placed a chicken breast and mashed potatoes on my plate. “There you are.”
“Thank you.” She didn’t need to wait on me. I scooped salad onto my plate.
“So, how is the team this year?” She cut into her chicken. “Are the rookies any good?”
“Yeah, some of them. But it looks like we’ll play the same first line we had last year.” Unless my performance started going downhill. It would happen soon enough, but I wasn’t ready. I ate a bite of mashed potatoes.
“That’s exciting.” She drank some white wine. “You’re traveling this weekend for your first pre-season game?" She peered at me. “And playing Vegas, right?”
“Yep, we leave on Friday morning. After, we fly to San Jose and then LA.” The preseason games could pack in a lot of travel, but many of the rookies and AHL players would have most of the ice time.
“So, you’ll be gone for the week?” She stuffed salad into her mouth.
“I will.” I cut a bite of chicken breast. “While I’m gone, you’ll look for an apartment?” I had to talk about boundaries, but how should I bring it up?
“Of course. I plan on looking this weekend.” She swirled her wine and then sipped it. “Since the new job is in this area, I’m looking close by. I have a few I’ve found online already.” With a smirk, she said, “You’re not trying to get rid of me already, are you? I just got here.”
Maybe… “No, don’t be silly. I was just making small talk.” I ate more food. The barbecue sauce was delicious. It had some kick to it.
“Well, once I find my place, I’ll still be close, so we can continue hanging out while you’re in town.” Waggling her brows, she drank more wine.
“Margot.” It was time for the boundary’s discussion. I set my fork on my plate and studied her. “I understand you don’t know anyone out here besides me, but my season is about to start and when I’m home, I need to rest.”
“I know the drill. We dated for two years while you played hockey.” She waved her hand at me. “Don’t worry, we can do low-key things. I’m not expecting you to hang out at the local nightclubs with me.” She let out a soft snicker.
“Yeah, okay.” Except when we’d dated, she had expected that. Back then, I was younger and not a team captain. It was different now. I picked up my knife and fork. “I like to arrive at the rink by eight, so my plan is to be in bed by nine this week.”
“Okay.” She ate some chicken. “I need to arrive at the office by eight, so this works.” She scratched her cheek. “I’d like to fit in some hiking with you, though.”
“Let’s see how the week goes.” I ate more potatoes and then sipped my Gatorade. “You don’t have to plan meals around me, okay? There are team dinners…” She should know this already, too, but a reminder might help.
Rolling her eyes, she said, “I know, Alex. But not this week, right?” She gave me a quick smile.
“No, not this week.” Which meant she’d cook for me all week. Why was I struggling with this? I stabbed some lettuce with my fork. Because it felt too much like when we were together. But we weren’t, and I was probably overreacting.
“I’ll text you to be sure you’re not going out with the guys, and if you’re not, then I’ll cook for us.” She flashed another smile.
“Sure. That works.” I ate more chicken.
A few days later, I stood at my stall, dressing into my team sweats after a grueling practice. Coach had made us do bag skates, and I’d almost puked on the damn ice. My phone buzzed on the bench at my stall, and I picked it up.
Margot
I’m making salmon for dinner. When will you be home?
A hand landed on my bare shoulder. “Can we have a word?” Julian leaned in. “Oh, isn’t that nice? Your girlfriend is making you dinner tonight.”
“What? Volkov has a girlfriend?” Hopkins wiped his wet hair with a towel. “What’s she look like?” He pushed on his brother’s shoulder as he walked by in a towel. “Hey, look at Volkov’s girl and tell us if she’s hot.”
“Why don’t you?” With a scoff, Little Hopkins stumbled. “Oh, right.” Nodding, he smirked.
“Yeah, I don’t like girls, and you do.” Big Hopkins sniggered. “Even your fiancé looks like a girl.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.” Jarvis strolled in from the shower, his hair wet and a towel hanging from his hips. “Ezra is attractive.”
“Thank you, Jett.” Little Hopkins stepped toward me. “Let me see.” He leaned against my side.
“Don’t be looking at my brother’s man, Jarvis.” Shaking his head, Big Hopkins barked a laugh.
Oh, my god! Taking a deep inhale, I said, “She’s not my girlfriend. She’s my ex, and she’s only staying with me for a few weeks while she looks for an apartment.”
“That’s what they all say.” Crosby chortled and snatched my phone, holding the screen to his face. “Damn, dude, if I were still single and had her staying at my house, I’d tap that.” He held the screen toward Lucas.
“Yeah, she is attractive, Volkov.” Little Hopkins smirked. “And she’s making dinner for you? I think she’s looking for a little nookie.”
“Stop it, both of you.” With a scowl, I yanked my phone from Crosby and tossed it onto my practice jersey, lying across my bench.
Julian wrinkled his nose. “As soon as you’re dressed, meet me in my office.”
Staring at him for a beat, I said, “You have an office now?” When did this occur, and who lost their office to give him his?
“I do.” Julian lifted his chin at me. “No snide remarks.” He twisted around with his finger out. “From any of you.”
“Oh, you mean we can’t say you went crying to Daddy about an office and he gave you one?” Big Hopkins huffed a sharp laugh as he slid his joggers up his legs.
“You all are incorrigible.” As a smile cracked on his lips, Julian clicked his tongue and strutted out of the room.
He was finally getting it. Chirping would help him bond with the team.
I finished dressing and hurried through the corridor to the offices, checking the names on the doors.
At the end, I found Julian’s name. The door was open.
“Hello?” I knocked on the doorjamb. He was absent from the rink this week, so I hadn’t spoken to him much.
“Come in.” He swiveled in his desk chair. “Have a seat.”
It was the smallest office I’d ever seen, and the furniture was haggard, like they’d found it discarded in a back room somewhere. “Nice digs.” I snickered.
“Yeah, well, it’s a start.” He tilted the chair back.
“Should I close the door?” I placed my hand on the door’s edge. He’d wanted our conversations to be confidential.
“Yes, please.” He chewed his cheek. “How are you getting along with Margot?”
“We’re good.” I shut the door and dropped into a chair across from him. A crack marred the seat, and its stuffing was visible. This really was some old shit they gave him. “She understands my schedule, so she won’t impede anything.” Why was he asking about her?
“So, she’s not forcing you on dates?” He narrowed his eyes.
“No, we’re not dating. I told you, we’re just friends.” I watched him closely. What was he driving at?
“Yes, but these things can change.” He slid his fingers along the desktop near his closed laptop. “If I had my ex…” He shook his head and focused on me. “Never mind. I wanted to check in and see if the team respects me more.”
“You’ve barely been around.” I shifted in my chair, folding my hands across my lap. “Where have you been all week?” I’d searched for him, perhaps excessively.
“I’ve been coming in early so I can practice skating.
But then, Coach Henderson had me studying footage of the rookies.
He wants me to form opinions on their skills and report back to him so he can evaluate what I’ve learned.
” He lifted his brows. “I doubt he’ll take any of my opinions seriously. It’s only a test.”
“I see.” Fuck, would his opinion hold any weight? I clenched my jaw for a beat. No, he was right. It was only a test. “What have you noticed so far?”