“Are you safe here?”
“As safe as anywhere, I suppose.”
“All right.” He crossed the room and picked up a notepad, scribbling something on it. He handed it to me. I took it and saw his name and number scrawled on the piece of paper in large, bold handwriting.
“What’s this for?” I asked suspiciously.
“Just in case you need someone. I’m here.” His eyes softened with absolute sincerity.
I was oddly touched by this virtual stranger’s offer, not that he felt like a stranger. Instead, he felt like a friend of a good friend, which was exactly what he was.
Except I didn’t have that friend anymore, and I never would. Friends were not an option for me. I stood there and stared at his back as he let himself out the door and broke into a jog at the bottom of the porch steps.
“Excuse us.” I jumped out of my skin and whirled around to confront the speaker, my heart pounding and my body poised for flight. Stupid, I know, as all the person probably wanted was extra coffee for their room.
Caro and Geneva stood several feet away wearing twin guilty expressions.
Busted.
They’d been eavesdropping, and I was mortified. It was bad enough that Steele knew details of my sordid affair with Kaden, but now these women knew something.
“Sorry, we were looking for books in the library,” Caro said.
“And couldn’t help overhearing,” Geneva added. She held up a worn novel to prove her point.
I started to back away, but they advanced on me, like two she-lions stalking a very suspecting prey. Fight or flight. I had nowhere to go, so I stood my ground.
“So you’re the one?” Caro studied me. Her eyes weren’t full of judgment but of kindness and sympathy.
I nodded slowly, even as I asked the question. “The one?”
“Yes, the mystery woman Kaden’s been tied up in knots over for the last several months,” Caro said.
“The one who disappeared on him,” Geneva added.
“We’ve already talked. It’s over. It was nothing but sex anyway,” I lied, and they saw right through me.
“Nothing but sex?” Caro shook her head in denial. “I don’t think so.”
“Did you know the night you disappeared on him he was so upset he got shit-faced, involved in a barroom brawl, and suspended from the team? This wasn’t just about sex to him. He was devastated when you removed yourself from his life. He loves you.” Geneva’s eyes blazed with recrimination. They were behaving like overprotective big sisters defending their brother’s heart. It was sweet and scary as shit at the same time.
“What?” I was incredulous. I hadn’t known. My stomach was in turmoil, and I couldn’t have hurt as much if they’d literally shoved me to the ground and kicked me while I was down.
“You didn’t know?” Geneva shook her head, as if to clear it. Her anger dissipated, but her pity was almost worse.
“I—” I choked, unable to complete my sentence, as emotions stronger than a rogue wave rolled over me, sucking me downward, beneath churning waters. Gasping, I fought for air. Alarmed, Caro and Geneva led me to the closest couch and sat me down. Sitting on either side of me, they murmured words of comfort that made no sense, and I struggled to control what might surely be one of the few panic attacks I’d ever had.
“Is…is he still on the team?” I hugged my stomach and rocked back and forth. Caro patted my back, while Geneva didn’t seem to know what to do. She wasn’t the touchy-feely type. I got that.
“Yes, but it was touch-and-go at first.” Caro’s tone softened to the one she probably used when trying to comfort her children.
“I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt him. I mean, he has plenty of women around. I thought he’d get over me quickly.”
“None of them are you,” Geneva said.
“Are you married? What’s with the secrecy?” Caro asked.
“I’m…I’m not married. I led Kaden to believe I was in order to get him to move on and forget about me.”
“Why would you do that?” Geneva clearly thought I wasn’t operating with a full set of hockey sticks, or that my puck didn’t go all the way to the net. I’d be laughing at my clever hockey comparisons if this entire situation didn’t suck.
“I’m not available. I can’t be. There are things in my past, horrible things that prevent me from ever getting close to someone. I’m not good for him.”
“Don’t you think he’s the one who should decide if you’re good for him?”
I met their gazes and shrugged. Hell if I knew the answer to that question. I’d been so busy saving myself and everyone else, the thought had never occurred to me.
Perhaps it should’ve.
Chapter Twelve
The Setup
~~Kaden~~
* * *
Later that afternoon, Steele returned. He was quieter than usual. Something was off, but I didn’t ask what because he wouldn’t tell me anyway. Steele was closemouthed at the best of times. Regardless, I couldn’t dispel the niggling suspicion he was keeping something from me.
Together, we loaded the car and drove over to the cottage Axel and Caro had rented. Despite trying not to, I craned my neck when we drove by the inn, wondering if there was any chance Lanie might be staying there. I didn’t see her. Probably for the best, but I sighed deeply and fought off the sadness threatening to ruin my good time tonight. I loved to cook for a crowd, and I wouldn’t let this situation with Lanie take away the one pleasure I currently enjoyed.
Steele glanced at me as I put the car in park. “Looking for someone?”
“Fuck you,” I muttered under my breath, but judging by his unrepentant snort, he heard me.
“I’ve never known you to give up. Usually, you’re a fighter.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I flexed my fingers, musing as to how good they’d feel wrapped around his neck right now.
“I’ll spell it out for you. If she’s the love of your life, why aren’t you fighting for her?”
“I’m respecting her wishes. She has someone else, and she doesn’t want me.”
“Are you really that dense?”
Damn, but I wanted to punch him. I hated it when he put on his self-righteous smirk and I-know-best attitude. “I guess so. Enlighten me, asshole.”
“Nah. Think about it. Do you really think she’s married?” Steele got out of the car and grabbed several bags from the trunk. I sat there for a moment, contemplating his words and wondering if I’d given up too easily. The odds were high Lanie was married. Hadn’t she said so herself, in not so many words?
Shaking my head, I sprang out of the car and loaded myself down with the remainder of the meal prep items.
Axel met us at the door and helped carry in all the stuff I’d prepared.
I moved into the kitchen and surveyed my space, even as my mind was awhirl with possibilities and doubts.
“That smells really good,” Caro said, snaking an arm around me to steal a bacon-wrapped shrimp. I swatted at her hand.
“No, you don’t. Not yet.”
“But—” Axel whined, his eyes focused on one of the shish-kabobs. “How long will it take to cook these?”
“I’m starved. What can we do to help?” Easton asked eagerly.
“You can get the f—” I hesitated, my gaze going to Hailey and Heath, who watched me with wide eyes, waiting for me to say a naughty word, which they’d report to their mother. I clamped my mouth shut and rephrased my order. “Everyone out while the master works on his masterpiece. If I need your help, I’ll ask for it.”
With grumbles and groans, laced with not-so-complimentary references to my attitude, they filed outside to the deck, except Steele. He stood nearby and waited.
I unpacked all the bags and surveyed the items littering the counter. I wasn’t a planner except when it came to meals. The majority of the time, I was a slob, and I admitted it. In fact, he was still hovering at the counter, waiting for me to make a
mess. I didn’t kick his ass out, because he was actually somewhat useful, and we’d learned to work together in the kitchen, though it was a much larger one. Still, we were a match made in heaven for a chef who hated doing dishes.
“You’re not going to boot my ass out?” Steele cocked his head and snagged one of the bacon-wrapped shrimp. I ignored his little transgression.
“I like having a galley slave.”
“Well, then, I’m your man, but I get to sample the eats.”
“You always do.”
“Yup.”
I sobered and said what was weighing heavily on my mind. “You really think I might have a chance if I fought for her?”
“You’ll never know unless you try.”
I nodded and concentrated on the work to be done, even though Lanie stayed in the back of my mind. A small tendril of hope wrapped around my heart, encouraging me, giving me hope.
Thirty minutes later, the kabobs were almost done, the bacon-wrapped shrimp were only a recent memory, and the side dishes were arranged on the large picnic table on the grassy lawn between the deck and the water of the quiet cove. I hadn’t cooked one of my signature gourmet meals, but this was the perfect outdoor meal, and my teammates weren’t exactly picky anyway.
I arranged the kabobs artfully on a large platter because presentation was almost as important as flavor, not that these idiots appreciated the effort, but I knew Caro and Geneva did. Hoisting the platter, I carried the kabobs outside like a conquering hero feeding the troops.
We were about to dish up our plates, buffet style, when Mandy came around the corner of the building with a large stack of towels in her arms. As if sensing a change in the atmosphere or something equally weird like that, my attention slid to the corner of the cottage just as Lanie appeared with another stack of towels and other items.
I stiffened, immediately annoyed and thrilled at the same time. I didn’t analyze my feelings. They were what they were. I was butt-hurt because she hadn’t been straight with me.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your meal,” Mandy said with faux innocence. Something in her tone dragged my wayward attention back to her. I almost missed the quick, sly glance between her, Caro, and Geneva. Those three were up to something, and I was immediately suspicious.
This was a setup.
I scowled at Caro, who smiled sweetly back at me, her expression one of total bullshit innocence. Geneva studied the boards on the deck as if they were the most intricate pattern she’d ever seen. Yeah, they set me up.
Once again, my attention swung back to Lanie. She met my gaze briefly and glanced away. Angry hurt roiled inside me. She’d lied to me. I might’ve been a guy who slept around with various women but not a married one. Now I knew how Axel felt when he found out after the fact that he’d slept with a teammate’s wife. At least he hadn’t fallen in love with another man’s wife like I had. I felt like dog shit, like the lowliest human being. And what did that make Lanie? She knew she wasn’t free to have sex with another guy. Didn’t her vows mean anything to her? Even if the guy was abusive, fucking rid yourself of him before you start looking for another guy.
I built up some self-righteous indignation. It made me feel better, masked the pain I was feeling, not to mention the humiliation of knowing my buddies had been right about her all along. Except Steele, and I had no fucking idea why he took the tactic he did.
“Here are the extra towels and toiletries you asked for.” Mandy directed her statement to Caro.
“Thank you.”
“We’ll leave these in the linen closet, then I have to be getting back to Brody. It’s our date night.”
“Aww,” the women cooed, and I rolled my eyes. Seriously?
Caro followed them in the cottage, and a few seconds later, the three came back out on the deck. I felt like they were acting out a scene they’re rehearsed.
“Laina, what are you doing tonight?” Geneva asked, as if making casual conversation.
Laina? How many aliases did the woman have?
I caught Lanie’s momentary panic, as if she suspected a trap. We were on the same page there. These conniving women were up to something, and neither Lanie nor I was in on it.
“I’m, uh, I’m washing clothes.”
I swear the three women shared a smirk as if they were slamming shut the cage door and getting ready to throw away the key, and I was in that cage with Lanie.
“Sit down, have something to eat with us. Hang out for a while.” Caro had that same determined expression she got whenever she and Easton debated about certain subjects.
“Oh, thank you, but I couldn’t. I have to watch the front desk tonight.” She was like a deer in the headlights, ready to bolt at any second.
“Laina, please, stay here. You deserve some fun. Everyone’s already checked in for the day. No need to stay at the front desk. I’ll leave a note.”
“But I—”
“Perfect.” Caro gripped Lanie’s arm and led her to over to the picnic table. “We’re so happy you’re joining.”
Lanie didn’t know what hit her. I read it in her eyes. She was no match for these three women, even as strong as she was.
Mandy waved a goodbye and winked at me as she walked past and disappeared around the corner of the cottage. Now what was that for?
A few minutes later, the group was seated around the picnic table, while the kids opted to sit on a blanket on the grass. The gang dug in like locusts. For several minutes, not one word was uttered as my friends enjoyed the meal I’d prepared. I sat back with a satisfied smirk, reveling in the rapture on their faces as they savored each bite. Or at least in my mind, what I was seeing was rapture. Good chefs had egos, and I was no exception.
I tried to avoid looking at Lanie, but my gaze kept going to her like a magnet to metal. I didn’t care what color her hair was now. Her silky locks were still the ones I’d once loved to fist in my hands or feel sliding over my naked chest. Every cell in my body poised for action and waited for the puck to drop—only in this hockey game, I was permanently on the bench. She’d told me as much, only her body language told a different story, giving me false hope.
Walk away, I warned myself. Just walk away and don’t look back. She’s not the one. Our connection was an illusion, a creation by my sex-crazed imagination when it came to her. Even Steele’s mythical perceptions were off-base when it came to her.
My visceral need for the very woman who’d eviscerated me a few days ago pissed me off.
A smart guy would harden his heart, but I’d never been a smart guy when it came to education or women, though I’d also never been the one to get his heart broken. I usually did the breaking. This time, I’d been played, rather than being the player. She had someone else and wasn’t willing to end the relationship. She’d told me as much.
I wouldn’t give in to my baser needs, not that Lanie would welcome any sexual advances on my part.
Now to convince my friends’ women to stop throwing us together. I had zero doubt they’d orchestrated Lanie’s dinner invitation tonight, leaving neither of us with a choice to avoid the other.
That’s all I wanted to do—avoid Lanie for the remainder of my stay here, which brought up the question…
My instincts for self-preservation weren’t functioning correctly. If they were, I’d leave the island and save myself from further misery. Instead, all I wanted was one more night with her.
Chapter Thirteen
Stuck
~~Delaney~~
* * *
I’d fallen into a carefully laid trap. I had no idea these women were so ruthless. They’d seemed so sweet and kind, and I’d allowed myself to be friendly with them. My mistake, obviously.
They didn’t understand, and being cautious, I wasn’t able to explain the entire situation. How did you tell people who meant well that association with you might be fatal to them? Pushing Kaden and me together was a sweet but misinformed gesture neither one of us appreciated.
&nbs
p; The food was good, and I was starved. I’d have thought being forced to hang with Kaden would dampen my appetite. Instead, I distracted my libido by stuffing it so full I swore my stomach would burst. The distraction was only momentary though. Food only concealed a broken heart for so long. In my case, the length of time was about ten minutes before I was pining for what I couldn’t have and regretting my untenable situation.
Kaden sat feet away from me. His body language generated clear messages of hostility and hurt. I didn’t blame him. I’d been wrong to drag him into my life in the first place. He had every right to be angry.
After dinner, I once again attempted to extricate myself from this group, but they’d have none of it, and rudeness wasn’t a quality I appreciated in myself or others.
Caro and Easton put the kids to bed, after which, the guys moved to grassy area by the shoreline to smoke cigars, while I sat on the deck with the women and a couple bottles of wine. I plotted my next escape attempt, knowing their eagle eyes wouldn’t be easy to dodge. Maybe a trip to the bathroom with a slide out the front door?
Before I made a quick exit, I had one question. “Why did you guys do this?” I took a sip of wine and stared into two pairs of innocent, round eyes. They didn’t fool me. These two were anything but innocent.
“Do what?” Caro asked, like she hadn’t a clue.
“Throw Kaden and me together?”
They exchanged glances and shrugged.
“I told you I wasn’t available.” I was exasperated and losing patience.
“Seems like you’ve been available,” Geneva noted. “If there’s an abusive ex or soon to be, let us help. Let him help.”
“It’s too risky.” I shook my head. They didn’t understand and wouldn’t because I refused to drag them into this mess.
Playmaker Page 8
