The Nice Guy and the Therapist (New Hampshire Bears Book 11)

by Mary Smith

  He missed her.

  The doctor rambled on about beginning physical therapy and such, but again Cabel hadn’t heard a word. Leia had promised to make sure he made it to the appointments. They fitted Cabel with a walking brace. It felt strange putting pressure on his leg since he hadn’t in numerous weeks. At least he could chuck those ridiculous crutches. The nurse, with her caring smile, asked if he felt okay. He simply said thank you and walked out of the office.

  One mistake Cabel made was trying to walk too fast. By the time he reached the elevator his leg hurt more. Being through this once before he knew the limitations he had and knew better.

  “Guess you’re training for a marathon?” Leia grumbled coming up next to him.

  He remained quiet.

  As they made it into the car, Leia began telling him his therapy starts the next day. He stared out the window, not ready for the long road of recovery ahead, but he was determined to get back on the ice. He wanted to go out on his terms not because of an injury.

  “Are you listening?” Leia became loud, breaking into his thoughts.

  “No,” he answered. “What?”

  “Look,” she huffed loudly, pushing hard on the brakes and whipping into a parking lot. Once the car was in park she turned to her father. “I understand you have a lot going on and I understand how upset, sad, and frustrated you are, but you need to grow up.”

  He looked at her. “I’m your father. You shouldn’t—”

  “Talk to you like this?” She finished his sentence. “Right now, I’m the only mature one in this vehicle because you’re acting like a mopey baby.” She glared at him. “I love you. I love you more than anything else in this world because all you do is believe in me and Bria, but for the love of broccoli, grow up. This might be the end of your career, but you’ve already said you had plans when you retire. Well, guess what? You’re retired. You’re done. It’s time to pull out Plan B and get cracking.” She finally took a breath, turned back around, and put her hands on the steering wheel but didn’t move the vehicle.

  Cabel stared at her for a moment before turning forward. Leia had never been one to hide her feelings and not speak her mind. He knew she was right. His head knew it, even his conscience knew it, but his heart still couldn’t accept it.

  “I’m taking you to the arena,” she finally said and put the car into drive.

  “Why?”

  “Because Coach wants to talk to you and I told him I would take you,” Leia frankly stated and pulled back out into traffic.

  He didn’t want to go to the arena. He knew what the talk would lead to. As a professional hockey player, the talk only meant one thing, especially if you were injured. It always ended with two words…you’re out. Like Leia said, he had to grow up. Now he had to face the music.

  His career was over.

  As Cabel watched Leia drive away from the players’ entrance, his heart grew heavy. Leia had put him in his place, and he knew his emotions projected to others around him, but at this point, he didn’t care.

  He had failed in his eyes.

  He slowly made his way down the hall toward the locker room. Just as he reached the door, his name was called out from behind him. Turning around, he saw Bas jogging up to him.

  “Pops, how are you? I’ve been trying to contact you.”

  “Fine,” he said. It made him think of Caryn because she hated that response. “Coach wanted me to come down.

  “Fine?” Bas chuckled. “If Caryn were here, she’d smack you in the back of the head.”

  Cabel shrugged. “I’m sure she doesn’t give a fuck.”

  Bas took a step back. “Aren’t you two together?”

  “No.”

  “How come?” he asked shocked.

  “Ask her.” He glanced away from him.

  “Hey, Pops.” He tried to draw his attention back to him. “What gives? You’re never like this.”

  “Guess things change.” He moved toward the door, but Bas blocked his way.

  “No way. You were there for me and I’m here for you. Come on, let’s talk.” He pushed.

  “Nothing to say. Thanks, Bas.” He maneuvered around him and into the locker room.

  Hobbling in, he was greeted by the team members who remained after practice. Cabel nodded at them, spoke in short sentences, and gently pushed through the small group until he reached Taden’s office door.

  “Hello, Cabel.” Taden greeted him. “Have a seat. How’s the leg?”

  “Fine.” He tried to hide the sigh of relief when he sat down in the chair and stretched out his leg.

  “You know Doc updated us,” Taden began.

  “Yep. He updated me as well.” Cabel omitted the part about the doctor telling him he couldn’t play anymore.

  “He truly doesn’t believe you’ll be back.”

  Cabel nodded. There weren’t any words for him to add. If the doctor already told the team everything then there was no point for him to even be there.

  “I’d like to know what you think.” Taden rested his elbows on his desk.

  “About what?”

  “If you’ll be back.”

  Cabel furrowed his brow. “I believe the doctor already answered you.”

  “You know, just as I do, doctors don’t understand the heart of a hockey player or the rapid healing time,” he joked.

  He gave him a courtesy smile but looked away. He knew Coach Long was right. Hell, he’d seen it firsthand. Many times, doctors said players would be out for weeks—even months—only to come back in record time, healthier than ever. But he knew his body, age, and heart. He didn’t know if he still had the drive in him anymore. Not only that, Leia’s voice bounced around his head. No, he didn’t want to leave, but he had to leave.

  “I understand the struggles.” Taden broke into his thoughts. “I went through it when I left the game.”

  Again, Cabel nodded.

  “I had a hard time leaving, but I truly believe you’ll still have a major role in hockey, Cabel—”

  He held up his hand to stop him. “Thanks, Coach, but I don’t really want a pep talk.”

  “Okay. Why don’t you go upstairs and talk to Oliver?”

  “I don’t feel like it. I’m going home.” He began to rise. The last thing he wanted to do was lay eyes on Oliver. He could already imagine the smirk on his face telling him—without saying the words—he won Caryn.

  He wouldn’t be able to stand it. The pain his heart carried had already weighed him down. Seeing Oliver would crush him. Cabel had always been the guy everyone went to…for anything. Teammates have called him “Pops” since the beginning of his professional career because he was mature and caring. Now, he felt nothing like himself.

  “Go talk to him.” Taden’s tone was firmer than normal. “Things are better than you think.”

  Cabel actually rolled his eyes at a man he respected more than most.

  “Go. Now,” he ordered.

  He wanted to argue. He just wanted to go home and hope for a better tomorrow, but instead, he headed toward the door, without another word from Taden. As he stepped onto the elevator and ascended to the offices, Cabel thought about Caryn. He missed her. He missed her a lot. Not talking to her had brought physical pain to him, but he couldn’t be part of her game any longer. If she didn’t want him the way he wanted her, then it was time to move on.

  And he had.

  Yeah, right.

  When the doors opened and he stepped off the elevator, he practically tripped over a toddler running down the hall.

  “Klara,” Nova yelled and picked up the tiny girl. “Cabel, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” Her eyes were wide with concern.

  “I’m fine.” He gave them both a small smile.

  “Teo is supposed to get her, but he’s still working out with Nathan,” she explained, adjusting the child on her hip.

  “It’s fine,” he told her again. “Do you know if Oliver’s in?” He prayed he had left or was in a meeting.

  “He�
��s in. Go on.” She nodded over to his door.

  Cabel watched as Nova toted the child down the hall to her office. Slowly, with deep apprehension, he limped over to the door and knocked.

  “Come in.” Oliver’s booming voice came through the closed door.

  Opening it, Cabel’s heart began to race. He knew an argument would be coming. He knew because he’d be the one doing the arguing. Oliver once told him never to hurt Caryn, and now he’ll give the same speech to him. Instantly, a stabbing pain came into his soul. If he remained in New Hampshire, he’d have to watch their interactions at events. He wondered how many times he could play sick to get out of said events.

  “Cabel,” Oliver greeted him with an expressionless glare from behind the desk. “Have a seat.” He nodded toward the empty chair.

  “I’m not staying long,” he said. “Coach ordered me to come up here.”

  “Sit,” Oliver commanded. “You need to rest your leg.” He stood and came around the desk to pull out the chair further. “We need to talk, and it’ll take a while.”

  “I don’t really feel like it.” He remained close to the door.

  “Now, Dirks. We need to talk. Business.”

  He felt like a child being scolded, but he obediently did as he was told and sat down. “What do we need to discuss?”

  Oliver sat back down at his desk. “You know the doc said you’re out.”

  He nodded.

  “You know—realistically—you should retire.”

  He didn’t make a move.

  “And I need a general manager.”

  “Huh?” Cabel couldn’t be sure he heard his words correctly. “What does the general manager position have to do with me?”

  “You can’t be a player and my general manager at the same time. I’m suggesting you retire and take control of the position as soon as possible.”

  With his mouth hanging open, he felt his world spinning. A general manager? Him? There would be no way. He was a hockey player, not a paper pusher, not a guy who could trade players or stand in front of the cameras on a daily basis.

  “You’re smart, Cabel. You love hockey and know the game better than most. Hell, maybe even better than me.” He chuckled. “Nova and Janan are practically running this team without me.” His tone saddened. “However, I want someone in this position who loves the Bears as much as I do and they do. They still need some guidance, and you can do it.”

  Still silent, the shock continued to wash over him. He’d be working side-by-side with the girls—and Oliver. Could he day in and day out be around him knowing Caryn’s in his life and not his? Could he pretend he didn’t care? Even though, deep down, he did because he had pushed away the woman he loved.

  Loved?

  There was the word he had been avoiding his heart—and head—to admit. However, he couldn’t deny it. It weighed on him. Heavily!

  “I can’t be your general manager.” Cabel heard how robotic he sounded.

  “Because of Caryn.” Oliver finished his unspoken thought.

  “Because of Caryn,” he confirmed with anger rising through him. “I won’t be able to stand seeing you two together traipsing up and down the hall. I won’t be able to stand seeing you two kissing or doing whatever the hell you’ll be doing in this office.” His stomach flipped thinking about their intimacy.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Oliver’s confused expression was fuel to the fire.

  “So, you’re going to sit there and say you have no intentions of a long-term relationship with her. You’re just going to throw her away as if she’s some slut,” Cabel roared hating the thought of her being treated in such a manner.

  “Cabel, I suggest you shut up right now before you say something you will regret or will cause me to break you into two pieces,” Oliver yelled back. “You’re mistaken about Caryn’s and my relationship.”

  He opened his mouth to argue back, but Oliver continued, “Let me tell you a story. Thirty-two years ago, I bought the Bears and moved to Manchester to build my empire.” His voice began to calm. “A few months after my arrival I met a nurse named Samantha.”

  Watching Oliver’s face, Cabel saw it change from anger to happy.

  “The second I laid eyes on her, I fell in love. Her fiery red hair, green eyes, and…she had the best laugh.” He smiled. “Every time she laughed, I did.”

  Cabel became confused on what the point of this story meant to Caryn and Oliver.

  “I was only in love one time in my life, and it was here…” He paused. “But my empire took over my life. I wanted bigger. I wanted more and Samantha wanted a nine to five husband. Something I could never be to her.”

  Oliver turned away from Cabel. He almost thought Oliver would cry.

  “A little over a year ago, I received a letter stating Samantha passed away from cancer and left something for me.”

  Cabel’s heart stopped.

  “I went to the address where the letter told me to go, only to see a younger version of Samantha standing in front of me. The younger version of Samantha had sent me the letter.”

  He dropped his head.

  “Caryn is my daughter.”

  The stabbing pain returned but for a much different reason. He’d been a fool.

  “Did Caryn ever say she and I were dating?”

  Cabel lifted his head. “No.”

  “We started the dinners for her and me to get know each other and build a relationship. A father and daughter relationship,” he clarified.

  “Damn,” he mumbled. Every conversation he and Caryn ever had begun to replay in his head. It all made sense now.

  “Caryn made the request not to make it public knowledge that she was my daughter, and I’ve respected that request—until this moment.”

  “No one else knows?”

  “You. Me. Caryn. No one else.”

  Cabel knew she was a private person. This would definitely be something she wouldn’t want others to know. “I won’t say anything.”

  “I didn’t tell you because I thought you would run off to the press. I told you because my daughter is broken, and it’s because you’re a jackass.”

  He couldn’t argue with him because he was right.

  “Here’s my advice. One. Retire. You’ve had an amazing career, but you’re not twenty anymore. Two. Be my general manager. You’ll be perfect for the job. Three. Get your head out of your ass and go be with Caryn.”

  Sitting up in his bed, Cabel stared at his phone. Oliver’s words still spun in his head. He had been right about one thing…his head was in his ass. The doctor told him the likeliness of him returning to hockey was slim. Very slim. However, being a general manager never really had been a plan. Although he had thought about coaching, maybe in the minor league, possibly professional, but never a high up management position.

  “Dad?”

  Cabel glanced up to see Leia’s concerned face.

  “How did you get home?” she asked from the door of his room.

  “Cab.”

  “Oh, okay.” She turned to leave but stopped. “Are you okay? I mean…earlier…” she trailed off.

  “Sit down.” He patted the spot next to him.

  Leia came in and sat down. Neither of them said anything for several seconds.

  “I’m sorry for the way I have acted. I have a lot going on, and I shouldn’t take it out on you.” He paused. “Do you forgive me?”

  “Sure, I guess.” She smirked, lightly punching his shoulder. “I suppose I can forgive my old dad every once in a while.”

  For the first time in forever, he laughed. “Thank you.”

  “But may I ask you a question?” Her face grew serious.

  “Of course.”

  “Are you upset because Caryn never spoke to you at the hospital?”

  He sighed heavily, unsure of how much he should reveal to his daughter. “Leia, I messed up with Caryn and truthfully, I don’t know how to fix it.” Normally, a parent shouldn’t be this honest with their child
, but he and Leia had a different relationship.

  “She’s the reason you’re being a jerk, huh?”

  Cabel smirked. “I’m being a jerk because I’m an idiot. I have a lot on my mind and taking it out on you was—and is—wrong.”

  “Well.” She sat up taller. “What are the issues? Maybe I can help.”

  “Thank you, but these are my problems. None of it concerns you.” He patted her hand.

  “You’re going to retire, right?”

  He shrugged.

  “Doctor told—”

  “I know.” He cut her off. “I know what he said.

  “What’s next? What’s after hockey?”

  Scoffing lightly, he leaned his head back on the headboard. “Well, since you’re asking, I had a job offer today.”

  “Away from Manchester?”

  “Nope. Oliver wants me to be the GM.”

  Leia gasped and hugged his neck. “That’s outstanding, Dad.”

  “I didn’t say I took it.”

  She dropped her arms and tilted her head in confusion. “Why? This would keep you here with us and in hockey. Why not take it?”

  “There’s more to it—” He tried to explain, but she cut him off.

  “Are you not able to do the job?”

  “No, I can.”

  “Are you not wanting to be in Manchester anymore?”

  “No, I want—”

  “Then what’s the deal, Dad? We all know leaving the game is hard, but I know you can be an amazing manager.”

  His heart swelled thinking of the pride his oldest daughter felt for him. “You think I can?”

  “Absolutely, I’m your number one fan.” She beamed.

  Laughing again, he hugged her. “Thank you.”

  “Now, let’s talk about Caryn.”

  “No—”

  “Stop.” Again, she cut him off. “What did you do wrong to her?”

  “Leia, I appreciate you helping me, but this is a personal issue. Thank you.”