Chapter 36
As nice a gesture as it was, a private flight wasn’t what I needed.
At least on a commercial flight, I would have a person or two to talk to, keeping my mind occupied.
On top of everything, the Wi-Fi was out, so I really had nothing to do but get lost in my head.
My anxiety rose higher with each new hypothetical scenario I created, until I was a sweaty mess.
The moment we landed, I checked my phone for any reply from Mila, but again, nothing.
I contemplate calling again, but she has my latest text.
She’ll call when she can. She’s probably just busy as fuck, the poor woman.
This is just what life is going to be like with a Bratva boss.
And as much as I miss her, as sad as it makes me when she doesn’t respond, I’ll gladly take this over a life without her completely.
Teddy and the Santori brothers wait for me on the tarmac, and my mood improves immediately. I shake Gabri’s hand and give Nikki a half hug before practically jumping into Teddy’s arms.
“Wow! This is quite the reception. I expected Teddy, but damn. Do the captains come out to welcome all the new transfers like this?”
Gabri lets out a single chuckle, but it’s Nikki who responds. “Only when our brother-in-law practically forces us to—Oww!”
Teddy punches Nickki in the arm, then corrects him. “He means to say, only for the most special transfers.”
“Yeah, what he said,” Nikki grumbles as he soothes his biceps. “Only for fellow captains anyway.”
“Well, thanks, guys. I was rushed down here. Is there some big meeting or practice we need to get to? Or, fuck, I don’t even know the address to the condo they supposedly set up for me. Would you guys happen to know any of that?”
Teddy scratches his neck in the way he always does when he’s hiding something.
“Um, actually, we’re going to be practicing in the rink at my estate today.
And you’re going to move in with me! When Ivan called this morning to tell me the big news, I immediately offered you a room.
The estate is way too big anyway, and I’ve missed the hell out of you.
He said he had men packing your stuff to send over, but I went ahead and picked up a few days’ worth of clothes and got all your favorite toiletries. Yay, right? We’re gonna be roomies.”
“Um, sure. Woohoo!”
Ivan?
I suppose if I’m going to do this, I might as well move in with Teddy.
The past few days I was alone in my condo sucked after living with Mila all summer.
She was busy, but it was nice having people around all the time.
Even though this Taranov compound experience won’t be quite as enjoyable.
As much as I love and have missed Teddy, we aren’t that close.
Not that anyone could ever compare to what I feel for Mila.
Ugh, Mila. And if Ivan knows about this trade, surely Mila knows as well…
so why is she ignoring me? That’s the real reason I’m sad.
In any other scenario, I would be thrilled to move in with my best friend.
And the Thunder Bay Rising Tide is arguably the best team in the league right now.
They lost in the finals last year, but that was just due to their family tragedy.
And then of course, Teddy getting shot halfway through the series put him out as well.
Everyone and their mom agrees that with those three back and healthy, next year’s win is a shoo-in.
We file into one of the guy’s fancy blacked-out SUVs and make our way to Teddy’s new home. Fuck, Mila’s old home.
I didn’t notice it before, but the decor here screams Mila. No wonder she’s stressed out living in that gaudy-ass house. This is more hers than Teddy’s at this point. Even with her absence, living in the house she helped make a home brings me a sense of peace.
The guys lead me through the house to the training facility, and wow. This is so much nicer than the one in New York. In fact, everything is nicer here.
“When did you put ice in?” I ask as we head into a full-size rink.
“Oh, I didn’t. Mila had that put in after I started training here.” Teddy hands me a bag of practice equipment. “The locker room is right through those doors. I usually let Gabri and Nikki get through before I go in. There are some things you can’t unsee.”
“You’re stupid. I’m pretty sure I’ll be fine.” I take my bag and follow the Santoris. If Mila designed these locker rooms, I’m sure they are top-notch.
“Whatever, man, but don’t say I didn’t tell you so!”
“So, how are you holding up?” Teddy asks as I step onto the ice.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.”
“I told you.”
“Wait, when did you come in to change?”
“I have my own locker room, silly. I am the Pakhan after all, aren’t I?”
“You motherfuck—”
“Hiya champ—” Nikki skates up behind me and throws his arm around my shoulders, scaring the shit out of me in the process. “Whoa, down boy! What’s got you so jumpy all of a sudden?”
“Ask your brother,” I grumble.
I can hear Gabri chuckle from the other side of me as Nikki bends in half, bellowing his laughter. “You get used to it.”
When we’re all done stretching me as far away from Gabri and his monster…thing as possible, Teddy takes his position in the net.
“Alright, Thatch, you and Nikki are going to take turns going one-on-one with Gabri and—”
“Wait, where’s the rest of the team?”
Teddy reaches for his neck again. “Oh, this is just a private practice—”
“We thought it would be better if we broke you in first,” Nikki interrupts. “That being said, let’s see what you’ve got.”
I take my position across from Gabri and wait for Nikki to drop the puck.
He’s the best defenseman in the league, and I always dread going against the motherfucker, but my nerves calm the moment it hits the ice.
I manage a breakaway and cross over Nikki, but my efforts are for naught as my shot finds Teddy’s glove.
Gabri pats my shoulder as he makes his way to the center, where Nikki will challenge him next. “Great try. You’ve gotten better, Sunny D.”
“Yeah, man, what was that? Your speed and agility are wild. You’re usually dragging the first couple of weeks of preseason, you know, after all that partying you do.”
“Ha. Ha. Ha.” I flip Teddy off, then grab the puck. “I spent the summer training with Misha, that’s what. That man is insane.”
“Don’t I know it.” Teddy’s eyes go blank as he stares into the lights, frozen.
“Um, you good, bro?”
Blinking, he shakes his head. “Yeah, good, sorry. Anyway…How is Misha? I miss that guy.”
“Oh, he’s doing fine. We’re best friends now.”
“That’s great, especially since…Well, I know Mila can be a lot. Hopefully, she didn’t hook you up to her milking machine?”
I choke on my own spit. “Yep, nope, she sure did…didn’t—”
Thank God, Nikki interrupts. “Are you two going to stop talking so we can practice or what?”
The Santori brothers wait as I skate to the center of the rink.
Dropping the puck, I back off to the sideline and watch in awe.
I’ve seen these two play on numerous occasions, but I’ve never seen them go up against one another.
It’s like watching a battle of fire and ice as they dance around each other.
There’s no wonder the Rising Tide is so fucking good.
They go for what feels like an eternity until Nikki finally bests Gabri and gets a shot past both him and Teddy.
“Goddamn, Nikki. Fuck!”
The brothers laugh as they all skate over for a drink of water. Teddy plops down on the bench first, stretching out his legs. “Yeah, he’s a fucking problem.”
“Gabri and I have been training all our lives like you did this summer.” Nikki slaps my back and passes me some water. “Don’t worry, we’ll whip you into shape! Just like we are with our ole brother-in-law. Isn’t that right, Teddy Bear?”
Teddy rolls his eyes. “Yeah, thanks. Your sister’s been loving the improved endurance.”
Gabri chuckles as Nikki mumbles, “Asshole.”
“How are Ellie and the baby doing?” I ask in an attempt to ease the tension.
You can practically see hearts in Teddy’s eyes as he thinks about his family. “They’re doing great. She was so excited that you were joining that she and Nonna are currently whipping up a big dinner for us all. I think she said something about your favorite chicken potpie.”
“Oh man, I can’t wait. Mila had some Michelin-rated chefs in New York, but they didn’t compare to Nonna and Ellie.”
“You never got around to telling me about how your summer was up there. Nikki’s rude ass interrupted our conversation.” He cuts his eyes to Nikki, who’s sticking out his tongue.
“It was a good time. I got to train and party it up with the guys, and I can already tell Misha’s training is going to make a difference in my performance this season.”
It was the best summer of my life. The best time of my entire life, actually. I learned a lot about myself and fell madly in love with your sister in the process.