Gauging the Player: A One-Night-Stand Sports Romance (The Playmakers Series Hockey Romance Book 3)

by G. K. Brady

  Nicole turned a brilliant smile on Gage. “Hi, Gage. You remember my sister, Kendra?”

  He remembered Kendra all right, and despite wanting to run the hell away, he stood and shook her hand. “Good to see you again, Kendra.”

  The hot little blond gave him the same man-eater smile she’d given him the last time he’d seen her—the night she’d set her sights on T.J. Except T.J. had chosen a bottle of Jameson instead. Gage had wound up taking her to her front door, and she’d tried her damnedest to pull him inside. No good deed goes unpunished.

  While Grims and his girlfriend put their heads together in private but obviously strained conversation, Kendra slid into the chair beside Gage. “I owe you an apology.”

  He sipped his beer. “Why’s that?”

  She looked at her nails intently, then at him. “Last time I saw you, I’d just gone through a breakup and was after some ‘sexual healing,’ like the old song says. I came on a little strong. I cringe whenever I think back.”

  He chuckled. “It’s all good. And anyone who likes Marvin Gaye can’t be all bad.”

  She smiled broadly. “Thank you. You were a gentleman that night too.”

  Soon they were talking, and Gage was able to ship his troubles to the back of his mind. When Grims ordered another round, Gage didn’t protest. The crowd at their table grew bigger and noisier as more teammates ambled in.

  Quinn gave him a shit-eating grin. “Nelson, I can’t believe you’re actually hanging out. I must have landed in an alternate universe.”

  Gage laughed. “Eh. Gotta keep you guys on your toes.”

  A couple of fans sidled up to their table and asked if they could take a few photos. So many Blizzard players and their SOs surrounded the table now that they had to crowd in. Girls ended up on guys’ laps, which is how Kendra wound up on his. One hand on her waist to steady her, his other waved his beer bottle while he wore a cheesy grin for the phones capturing the scene.

  Kendra slid back into her own seat just as his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out.

  Lily: Coming over tonight? Daisy will be going to bed soon.

  Full-throttle annoyance slammed him. They’d exchanged a few text messages since he’d left, and everything had been civil, though she’d made it clear she didn’t want to carry on the “discussion” tonight. Would she ever be ready? “No,” his cynical, dejected self said. In the meantime, her message was clear: Come over and fuck me, stud man. Yeah, playing sex stud had been a fun fantasy, but he hadn’t expected it to become a job assignment.

  Gage: Hanging with some buddies tonight. Then it’s early to bed.

  Lily: I won’t see you before you go?

  Gage: You did see me.

  And truthfully, the only Everett he wanted to see in that moment was the five-year-old.

  Lily: Brutal, Professor.

  He huffed at his phone.

  Kendra nudged his shoulder. “You’re looking grumpy all of a sudden. Bad news?”

  “No,” he sighed. “Just trying to wrap up a few things.”

  Lily texted him again before he could come up with a sign-off. Are we still on for our getaway?

  Gage: Why wouldn’t we be?

  Lily: Trying to “gage” where this is going.

  Fuck! She had balls of steel, this one. “Where this was going” was nowhere, and she was the one driving the bus.

  Gage: Thought we already had THAT discussion. He needed to end this exchange before his temper had him saying things he might regret. ʼNight, Lily. I’ll see you when I get home.

  He stowed the phone. Kendra went eyebrows-up on him. It was none of her damn business, but he went ahead and told her anyway because, apparently, the beer was making it easier to give in to the urge to get it off his chest.

  “A woman I’ve been seeing is in love with someone else.”

  She frowned. “I’m sorry. That’s what happened to me too.”

  “Was yours a ghost?” he snorted.

  “What do you mean?”

  “She’s in love with her dead husband, even though the guy’s been gone four fucking years. How do I fight that? He doesn’t even have to show up and prove himself, yet he’s this perfect guy. I can’t call him out, arm-wrestle him, or challenge him to a shoot-out. He’s on a pedestal so high I can’t even climb up and knock him off. How does a mortal man stand a fucking chance?”

  Kendra placed a hand on his arm, staring at him with sympathy—or maybe it was a “this guy’s out of his freaking mind” look. Not only was he acting like a jackass, but he was also a blithering idiot. Time to cut his losses and call it a night.

  “Kendra, it’s been nice seeing you again. Sorry I dumped on you.”

  She gave him a kind smile. “No worries. Good luck.”

  Quinn caught his eye. “You leaving?”

  “Yep. I’ve got a cat waiting for me.”

  Chapter 31

  Reveals and Reasons

  Lily sat riveted to the TV. Daisy was wrapped up in her arms, her little body trembling with excitement. Beside them, Violet bounced up and down on the couch.

  “Is it almost time for Gage, Momma?” Daisy whisper-shouted.

  “Yes, honey. Just a few more min—oh! Here we go!”

  Kathryn Tappen’s smile was the first thing Lily noticed when the programming returned to the second intermission player interview. She was talking into the microphone, and as the camera panned back, Gage came fully into view.

  “There he is!” the girls shrieked.

  Lily shushed them, as much to quiet her inner groan as their squeals. The woman beside Gage was gorgeous. “Let’s hear what he has to say, okay?”

  Something spiky stabbed at Lily’s gut. Gage was looking at Ms. Tappen, a smile on his face, while she asked him about a goal he’d scored in the second period. He’d been tearing it up on his road trip. Tonight he’d been involved in every goal and registered a whopping four points—a goal and three assists—and the Blizzard were leading the Rangers four-to-three.

  With a swipe of his hand across his sweaty forehead, he laughed. “I’m not sure. I rang the first one off the iron, but then it came to Shanny, and he made an unbelievable pass. The puck seemed to be coming at me in slow-mo, and I had time to wind up and take the shot. Next thing I knew, it dropped behind the goalie into the net.”

  As he nodded beside her, she asked about his stellar play over the past week. He shrugged, the smile still on his face. “It’s not just me. The guys are working hard, bringing it every night. Everybody’s chipping in. We’re peaking at the right time. Playoffs are a week away. This is the best time of year, and we’re pumped, our fans are pumped. We can’t wait.”

  She thanked him, and Lily could have sworn they exchanged a smile. And though the interview was over, she could still see his jersey in the background. Was he hanging around so he could finally ask her out?

  Stop it, Lil. It didn’t help that he’d communicated little and only in texts. Usually, he asked about Daisy. If Lily pushed for more, he’d tell her he had to go do something for “the club.”

  Her thoughts were interrupted by two little girls buzzing about having seen their favorite player on TV. A text chimed, and her heart leapt, only to sink when she saw it was a text from Ivy.

  Ivy: Did you see our boy?

  Lily: Sure did.

  Ivy: I think you’re blowing it.

  Lily: You’re a bitch, Ivy.

  Ivy: Whatever you need to believe.

  Lily puffed out a breath and opened her laptop, ready to lose herself in some work for Paige. She should post something about Gage’s interview too. When she opened his Facebook page, she scanned the notifications and stopped on one where he’d been mentioned by someone who appeared to be an everyday fan.

  Dave Grimson, Gage Nelson, Quinn Hadley and the boys at Rhein Haus. They were so gracious, autographing stuff and letting us take these pics. Love these guys! Go Blizzard!

  Lily clicked on the photo. Her heart dropped to her knees when she saw
Gage with a beer in one hand and a pretty blond in the other, a huge smile splitting his face. The blond looked comfortable sitting in his lap, her arms draped around his shoulders. Lily’s eyes darted to the posted date, which only wrecked her further. It had been the night before he left, the night he said he was “hanging with some buddies.” Obviously, he’d lied.

  Bands tightened around her chest, and tears stung the backs of her eyes. Her mind spun out of control. Who is she? You never said you were exclusive. Did we have to actually say it? It’s why he’s been so abrupt. But this isn’t like him. There’s an explanation. There has to be. He was mad at me. I pushed him away. A one-night stand. A revenge fuck. Ugh!

  The thought of him doing to that woman what he’d been doing to her nearly gutted her, and she doubled over, wrapping her arms around her middle. This is why it’s no good to let someone get close.

  Her phone chirped again.

  Natalie: The boys are home tomorrow. Woot woot! Wanna join us to greet them?

  Lily pulled in a few cleansing breaths and pressed her thumb against her eyelid to stave off gathering tears.

  Lily: Thx but can’t. Singing tomorrow. Gage is catching the performance.

  Tomorrow. She’d see him tomorrow at the concert. The three of them would be leaving the next day for their getaway. It would be all right. They’d clear the air and work everything out. But as she thought back to the pretty blond, she felt a pang dig deep in her heart.

  Lily drove up Gage’s driveway, surprised to find another car parked there. He wasn’t due home yet. Her heart skittered in her chest until she remembered he had a housekeeper and a chef. Must be one of them. She stepped out of the car and wriggled her short skirt into place—again. Stage garb was fine for the stage, but not so much for real life tasks like driving. Oh well. She’d be done soon enough. Besides, she knew how much Gage liked this particular outfit, and she wanted to wow him when he arrived.

  “Ready to feed Hobbes?” she said over her shoulder to Daisy.

  Daisy threw her hands in the air. “Hobbes!” The few times Daisy had been to Gage’s, she’d been enamored with the cat. And the cat, it seemed, had been enamored with Daisy.

  Lily unfastened Daisy’s booster seat as her daughter patted her face, seeming to stare at her makeup job. It was a bit overdone, but it was going to be a long night under the lights. “Pretty Momma.”

  “Thank you, sweetheart.” She gave Daisy a kiss. “Just a few minutes with Hobbes. We need to get you to Aunt Ivy’s.”

  Lily’s high heels clicked over the concrete as she and Daisy walked to the front door. She’d been on pins and needles all day, anticipating Gage’s return. She’d missed him—so much—and couldn’t wait to breathe him in. But she was nervous too. How would he react to her after ten days of silence punctuated with his scant messages? He’d confirmed he’d be at the show in a short text this morning, even adding he was looking forward to it. Her heart had lifted when she’d read his message.

  Lily punched in the code, opened the front door, and stepped inside. Voices drifted down from upstairs. Maybe the housekeeper had a helper?

  Beside her, Daisy bounced in place. “Wanna see Hobbes, Mom.”

  “Let’s find out who’s here first. Hello?” she called.

  Daisy dashed off toward the mudroom.

  “Hello?” came an answer.

  Standing in the entryway, Lily swiveled her head between where Daisy had gone and the top of the stairs where two women appeared. Before she could open her mouth to introduce herself, the older of the two snapped, “Just what are you?”

  Wow! Rude maid.

  The woman ran swiftly down the stairs, facing Lily in short order. The other one had followed behind at a less frantic pace, and when Lily’s eyes landed on her, she let out a gasp. Only to have her attention yanked back to the older one who was looking her up and down, hands on her hips and disgust etched in her features.

  “You’re not the maid,” the woman spat. “Are you a hooker?”

  “Excuse me?” Offense and shock shot through Lily’s tone. She glanced around, relieved Daisy wasn’t in sight.

  The woman inched her chin in the air.

  “I’m … the cat …” Lily spluttered, frustrated by her helpless, mute self. I’m the cat? Seriously, Lil? She shook her head. “Here for the cat.”

  The woman’s eyes narrowed. “What cat? There’s no cat.” She snapped her fingers under Lily’s nose. “Unless it’s the one that’s got your tongue. Better tell me who you are before I call the cops.”

  Jessica, who looked every bit as beautiful as her picture, moved from behind the she-devil and rested an elegant hand on the woman’s shoulder. To Lily, she said, “I’m Jessica Phelan, an old friend of Gage’s, and this is Nola Nelson, his mother.”

  Lily’s stupor must have been written all over her face as her eyes bounced between the two, her thoughts zooming between What the hell are you doing here to Why didn’t Gage warn me? “I’m,” she squeaked before clearing her throat, “Lily Everett. I’m here to feed Gage’s cat.”

  “I didn’t know hookers fed cats.” Nasty Nola smirked.

  “I’m not a hooker! I’m a performer.”

  “Oh! A stripper, then! Same difference.”

  Jessica stepped between them. With her four-inch heels, Lily was just about even with her. And as much as she wanted to hate her, she was grateful for the woman’s calming presence in that moment. It allowed coherent thoughts to form in her head and connect to her mouth. Daisy’s wail brought the exchange to a halt just as Hobbes tore from out of nowhere toward Lily, stopped, took in the strangers, and streaked the other way.

  Surprise flitted over the woman’s face as she looked at Daisy and back to Lily. Lily picked her daughter up, balancing her on her hip, soothing her.

  “That was Hobbes. She’s Gage’s cat. I’m Lily Everett, and this is my daughter, Daisy. I’m a singer on my way to perform in a concert, which is why I’m dressed this way. Gage asked me to take care of Hobbes while he was away. I haven’t checked on her in a few days, and he’s coming home today, so I thought I’d get the cat squared away for him. Does he know you’re here?”

  Nola stepped beside Jessica. “Why else would we be here?”

  “Doesn’t answer my question.”

  Jessica smiled sweetly. “He has a few days off before his playoff season starts, and he usually comes home for a visit, but he said he couldn’t make it this time. Apparently, something,” Jessica’s eyes swept Lily and Daisy, “came up. We thought we’d, um, bring California to him.”

  Scratch being grateful for Jessica’s presence. Lily wanted to blurt out that she and Daisy were the “something,” but she stifled the inclination, more muddled by the minute. “Well, then, I guess I’ll feed the cat and be on my way.”

  “Don’t bother,” Nola huffed. “Now that we know there’s a cat, we’ll feed him.”

  “Her.” Lily stole a glance at Hobbes before heading for the door. Good luck, girl.

  “How do you know my son?” Nola’s voice was laced with suspicion.

  Lily pivoted on her high heels. “We met at a wedding last summer and became friends. He hired me to take care of his social media.”

  “Social something, at any rate,” Nola muttered. “I can see why he’s never mentioned you.”

  Lily felt the burn creeping up her cheeks. “Look, you don’t know anything about me, yet you’ve been nothing but rude since I walked in. As for why your son’s never mentioned me, you’ll have to ask him. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have other places to be.”

  Nola unfolded her arms long enough to give Lily a shooing motion. “Don’t want you to be late.”

  Lily’s shaking hands made it hard to buckle Daisy in.

  “Why was that lady mad at us, Mom?” Daisy sniffed.

  “Oh, baby, she wasn’t mad at you. She was just surprised to see me, and it upset her. That’s all. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  On the verge of hyperventilating, Lily gul
ped air as she situated herself behind the wheel. Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.

  She pushed out a breath and drove, her mind rapid-firing through questions. How long had Gage known they were coming? Why hadn’t he told her? The getaway had to be off, right? Would he go with Jessica and his rabid wolverine of a mother instead? Jessica was more beautiful than Lily had imagined. Would Gage want his old flame when he saw her again? The fact he hadn’t mentioned her and Daisy to his mother stung like the lash of a whip. But he had to have some reasonable explanation. She’d find out when she talked to him after the show.

  When Lily took the stage, she was still trembling and holding tears at bay. But then magic happened. The dregs of her day dissolved into the lights, the sea of people, and the sounds of laughter and music. Their joy enveloped her, lifting her up. And even that faded into the background, leaving a river of music that carried her along. It rushed through her, filled her, pushing everything else from her mind, and she let herself dissolve in its soothing current.

  Every emotion that had been coursing through her came out in melodies. She nailed every note, her voice resonating with power from her core. She was strong, alive, her soul a bright beam.

  It wasn’t until the last song was over and deafening applause drowned out every other sound that she re-entered her body. The crowd pulsed with energy, and she pulled it in, radiating it back out again. This was different than the emotion that had overcome her last July when she’d been pulled toward Gage.

  Gage.

  Scanning a sea of shadowed faces through bright lights made it impossible to spot him, so she waited for him to find her as the band packed up.

  He didn’t come.

  When she finally checked her phone, two texts from him flashed. Running late, followed hours later by Sorry, can’t make it. Sure you understand. Text me when you’re done.

  Yeah, she understood all right.

  Her soaring spirit suddenly folded over, crumpling in on itself like a dying star.