Icing: A Seattle Sockeyes Puck Brothers Novel (The Scoring Series Book 4)

by Jami Davenport

“We have it from sources at the mayor’s office that Ethan Parker has purchased the land upon which old Beecher Park resides.”

  Delaney and I exchanged glances.

  “It’s been run-down for a while. No one’s been maintaining it since Mr. Beecher died a few years ago. Hopefully, Mr. Parker will put some money into fixing it up.” The park was one of the oldest in Seattle and privately owned by the Beecher family for over a century. It comprised a treed city block with old cedars that’d lived long enough to see the birth of Seattle. I’d often sat in that park and taken solace among those large trees. Being in that park gave a person a sense of what Seattle might’ve been like over a century and a half ago. It was a little piece of paradise in the middle of the city.

  “He’s putting money into it, all right,” muttered Sasha, a guy I wasn’t overly fond of. He was a negative hothead, who’d rather cause trouble than actually further our cause. He was also tight with my mother.

  Chris shot Sasha a chastising glare and smiled contritely at Delaney and me. Sasha sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest; his smirk was smug as shit.

  “It’s been leaked to us that Parker has plans to destroy the park and put a building on that one-block site. We were discussing the implications and what we plan to do about it.”

  “What about the trees?” I asked, fearing the answer. Ethan Parker owned the Sockeyes. He was essentially Steele’s boss.

  “They’ll be torn out.”

  “What’s he building there?” asked another member.

  “We weren’t able to obtain that information. Parker has the support of the city council and the mayor. Unless we can sway them, this park is scheduled to be razed within the next month,” Chris said.

  “They were going to ram this through and hope none of us were the wiser.” Sasha leaned forward, his hands fisted and his eyes blazing with anger.

  “We’ll form a task force and develop a plan to fight this. It’ll be much easier to fight once we know what he’s building there.”

  “Probably a spa for his wealthy, entitled athletes,” Sasha snorted. I glared at him, even as I realized I’d have said something similar a few short months ago before I’d gotten to know and respect so many of the Sockeyes players. These guys knew Delaney was dating a Sockeye, but they didn’t have any idea about my connection to the team.

  “Delaney? Cin? Are you guys in?” Chris asked, ignoring Sasha.

  “I’m in,” I said. I wouldn’t allow that historical park to be destroyed.

  “I am too,” Delaney said with conviction.

  Delaney and I exchanged glances. I knew what she was thinking because I was thinking the same thing. This might not be good for either of our personal relationships with the men in our lives. Not good at all.

  We both listened without making much in the way of comments for another hour or so until the meeting broke up. We didn’t speak until we were out of earshot in Delaney’s car.

  “What do you think this means?” I asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Why did he buy the property, and what is he building on that block?”

  “Kaden hasn’t mentioned a thing about it, so I wonder if Mr. Parker is really intending to destroy the park. I understand he’s always been a good citizen and interested in preserving the history of Seattle.”

  “Money often wins over historical and environmental factors, even with relatively good businesspeople. I’ve seen it time and again.”

  Delaney nodded. Her father was a powerful US senator, so she knew what I was talking about more than I did. “I don’t think I’ll mention anything to Kaden until I know more.”

  “I won’t say anything to my roommates.”

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you, but I was distracted. What’s going on with Steele and you? You seem different. I thought maybe there was a new guy in your life.”

  “Sort of. I mean, we’ve been on one date, and it was the best time I’ve ever had. We talked and debated and bantered. It was epic. The food was great, but the prices gave me hives.”

  “Really? You went on a date with Steele?” Delaney was intrigued. If I’d thought I’d get away with a couple sentences in response, one look at the gleam in her eyes told me how wrong I was.

  “Yes. Just once.”

  “I want all the deets. Spill it, sister.”

  “There aren’t any deets.”

  “Of course there are. I’m not letting you out of this car until I know everything.”

  There was no way I’d tell her everything, like that little spanking incident or how I went down on him in the kitchen. “We just went to dinner, that’s all.”

  “Liar. I can read right through you. Is he a good kisser?”

  Much to my horror, I felt my face getting hot, and Delaney grinned evilly. She had me where she wanted me. I literally squirmed in my seat.

  “Is he a good kisser? All that brooding intensity ought to be hotter than hell when it’s focused on you.”

  “It is hotter than hell,” I admitted.

  “I knew it. Have you slept with him yet?” she pressed on. Normally, I didn’t mind talking about sexcapades with a good friend, but I hesitated when it came to Steele. Somehow giving out all the dirty details cheapened what we’d shared.

  When I didn’t answer, Delaney smiled sympathetically at me. “I get it. He’s special, isn’t he?”

  I was supposed to be the perceptive one who picked up on little nuances and gave unsolicited advice to friends. I wasn’t altogether comfortable with the tables being turned on me. “I don’t know. He’s different than anyone I’ve ever dated. I thought he’d be boring because he’s so…so rigid in how he likes things and does things, but he’s anything but boring. We’re so different though. I’m an activist; he’s a fan of the establishment and the old guard.”

  “Variety is the spice of life. Your differences will keep things interesting.”

  “If we don’t kill each other first.”

  “That’s always a possibility with two strong personalities. Tell me about it.”

  I laughed in spite of myself.

  “Don’t overthink what’s going on right now. Just let it happen and go where the relationship leads you. And stop fighting it.”

  “I’m not fighting it.”

  “Right.” She emitted a very unladylike snort.

  “I’m not,” I argued.

  A knowing smile flashed across her face, and I bristled at the idea I was so transparent to her. We were friends, and we’d become close in a short amount of time because of our shared interest in changing the world for the better, but I still didn’t know her that well.

  Delaney pulled up in front of the condo and stopped. “We’ll talk tomorrow. In fact, do you want to join the WAGs for the game tomorrow night? We’re meeting at Easton and Caro’s new house. It’ll be fun, but get a ride there if you’re going to be guzzling wine like the rest of us.”

  WAGs? I was now considered a WAG?

  “And you are a WAG. You’re the only girl Steele has actually taken on a date in forever as far as I know.” Delaney once again read my mind.

  The thought of another lonely night in my condo watching the game by myself didn’t appeal to me. I knew and liked most of the Sockeye WAGs. It’d be fun. “Okay, I’d love to go.”

  “Cool. I’ll text you the address later.”

  “Thanks, and thanks for the ride.” I got out of the car and walked up the steps to the building. Turning at the top step, I waved at Delaney. She waved back and drove off.

  I went up to the condo, where Herc greeted me, wiggling his fat ass off to go outside. We did a quick once around the block and were back inside in no time.

  I’d left my phone at home and heard it beep. I rummaged around for it in the messy living room. Why keep it neat and tidy if no one was here to see it but Herc and me? Neither one of us cared if there were dirty socks in the hallway or last night’s plates on the counter.

  I grinned like an idiot wh
en I saw the text messages from Steele. There were three, asking me to call him when I could. He assumed I was working tonight. We’d talked every night since he left and texted throughout the day. I’d come to look forward to hearing from him.

  I dialed and he picked up on the second ring. I heard voices in the background.

  “Hey,” he said.

  “Hi,” I said, suddenly overtaken by a rare bout of shyness. “Sounds like a party in the background.”

  “I’m in Smooth’s room. He’s showing the rookies a thing or two about poker. So far, he’s taken all their cash. Not sure where he’s going from there, but they’re all too drunk to care.”

  “Are you playing?”

  “I was. I already folded. How was work?”

  “I wasn’t at work tonight. I was out with Delaney.” I decided not to tell him about my Keep Seattle Green meeting. The less he knew about the situation the better until we had more information. We might be making a big to-do about nothing.

  “Oh, that sounds like trouble.”

  “It could be,” I said, feeling as if I was keeping a secret from him while part of me insisted that one date didn’t obligate me to tell him everything that happened in my life.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No, nothing.” He must’ve picked up on my tone.

  “You sounded different for a minute there.”

  “Sorry.” How did I tell this man who I was just getting to know that I might be taking part in something he’d never forgive me for?

  I had to get over it and beyond it. This collision of my beliefs with his boss’s intentions didn’t have to cloud our relationship, and I had to quit worrying about it. What happened to the woman who didn’t let shit like this get to her?

  “Hey, Bailey, what’s going on? You got a hot chick on the line?” I recognized Cave’s voice and more laughter followed.

  “I bet it’s Cin,” shouted Ziggy. More laughter and rude remarks followed.

  “I need to go. I have to knock a few of these clowns’ heads together.”

  “Okay, enjoy yourself.”

  Steele ended the call, and I got ready for bed, feeling oddly down after that phone call.

  He didn’t admit to his teammates who he was talking to? Somehow that hurt.

  Yeah, it really hurt.

  Did I have the right to show up tomorrow night at the WAGs party? I wasn’t his WAG. Not yet. This thing between us was too new to make that assumption.

  What would he think if he heard I was there?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  On the Road

  ~~Steele~~

  After a hard-fought battle, we lost our first game of our road trip in Buffalo, flew to New York City, and had a late dinner. I hadn’t been able to call Cin, and I didn’t want to smother her either.

  I’d cut the call short because the guys were harassing me for talking to her, and I wasn’t ready to admit we had a thing going. Yet in those few minutes, I got the feeling something was off. Had Cin been out on a date? We hadn’t talked about being exclusive. I’d assumed we were, but perhaps my assumptions were based on my old-fashioned notions when it came to dating.

  The next morning, the team was summoned to a meeting in one of the smaller banquet rooms of the hotel where we were staying. I was surprised to see the Sockeye brass in attendance. It wasn’t unusual for many of them to travel with the team for our away games, but they didn’t usually meet with us while on the road. They stayed out of Coach’s business, and I’m certain he appreciated that. Gorst didn’t like interference in how he ran his team, and Mr. Parker respected his wishes.

  I grabbed a few donuts and some coffee from the banquet table laid out for us and looked around for a seat. Kaden had saved one for me. I’d owe him a beer for that. Kaden liked to keep score on the small things.

  “What’s going on?” I said as I sat down next to him. Easton and Axel were in the seats next to him.

  Kaden shrugged. “Hell if I know.”

  Easton leaned over to whisper to us. “Mr. Parker’s here. Something’s up.”

  Ethan Parker stood off to one side with Coach and our GM. They had their heads together. A few minutes later, Mr. Parker stepped forward to the mic. He surveyed the room as we quickly hushed and waited for him to speak.

  Once we were quiet, he cleared his throat, consulted his notes, and moved the microphone closer.

  “Thank you all for being here. I’m sure you’d rather be somewhere else, and I promise to make this quick.”

  He paused for effect and made eye contact with a few of us, including me. I don’t know if that meant anything, but I sat up straighter and leaned forward slightly to show my attention was riveted on our team owner.

  “I wanted you, my team, to be the first to hear about this exciting new venture before we announce it to the public. As you know, the Sockeyes have spearheaded an educational program in conjunction with the Steelheads and Skookums to assist professional and college athletes at the end of their careers. This program is based on the one started by Ian Dare of the Miami Thunder a few years ago. We’ve run the program out of cramped offices in all three teams’ offices and held training events for athletes at rented space in hotels. This hasn’t been an ideal situation for multiple reasons. Staff are split among too many buildings, and the athletes we’re serving don’t have a central location to come to for training and transitioning information and counselling.”

  I glanced at Kaden, and he answered my questioning look with a shrug. Neither of us understood what it had to do with us. We were at the beginning of our careers.

  “We have plans to expand the program and to assist athletes not only transitioning out of professional sports but those new to professional sports or currently playing and in need of assistance. You’re probably aware that a surprising number of athletes are broke within a few years of playing their last game. Our plan is to assist athletes with financial planning while they are making the money so they don’t hit rock bottom.”

  I immediately thought of Ziggy and Cave. Those guys spent money like there was no tomorrow. I had no idea what their financial situations were and considered them none of my business. There were definitely guys who would benefit from a program like this.

  “In order to execute our mission to the best of our ability, I’ve been able to secure a city block immediately adjacent to the SHAC. We’ll begin construction as soon as possible. The city council has assured me that the necessary permits will go through quickly and without delay. You’ll be seeing the subsequent removal of trees and other obstacles from the property, which is an abandoned private park, within the next month.”

  This all sounded good to me, but I was more focused on playing hockey than what happened during life after hockey. My career was ahead of me, and none of this applied to me.

  After the meeting, which frankly was a waste of time, in my opinion, the four of us had lunch.

  “So Cin called you last night?” Easton said, as if lying in wait for me. He hadn’t been in the group the previous evening. Word travelled fast among the team.

  “We went out to dinner once.” I sounded defensive, and damned if I knew why.

  Easton’s appraisal of my reaction didn’t make me happy either. “Are you going out again?”

  “I don’t know.” Yes, we were, and I was lying to my friends for no good reason. They’d all fallen for women this year; there was no shame in it.

  “Lanie says that Cin’s joining the WAGs tonight to watch the game. You’ve never had a female join the WAGs before. That says a lot.” Kaden watched me carefully.

  “She is?” I hadn’t known. She hadn’t mentioned it. I was a little annoyed that Kaden knew about this before I did. We’d only had one date. Her joining the WAGs seemed a little presumptuous. While I was irritated by her bold move, I puffed up a bit with pride. Any guy would be proud to be associated with her, even if I was uncomfortable that this relationship might be moving too fast.

  My thoughts regardin
g Cin were confused at best and chaotic at the worst. For a guy who thrived on planning his future and controlling every aspect of it, this thing with Cin threatened those carefully laid plans. I hadn’t planned on her joining the WAGs just yet, and I did like my plans.

  “Yeah, she is.” Kaden laughed uproariously, as if this were the funniest thing he’d ever heard.

  “You shouldn’t laugh so hard. You still haven’t paid your penance.”

  Kaden sobered, but Easton and Axel found his reaction beyond amusing.

  “Yeah, Steele, you have to top what you made me do, you asshole. I’ll help you plan it,” Axel said.

  “I’m in,” Easton added.

  “Fucking wonderful,” Kaden muttered. “Just remember payback is a bitch, asshole.”

  All three us were chortling now, having the times of our lives.

  “I’m not getting attached until I’m at least thirty. That’s part of my plan.”

  “Ah, the infamous plan.” Kaden rolled his eyes. “I don’t think love follows a plan.”

  “Love can be controlled. I have a plan, and that’s when I’ll be ready to focus on a family and a wife.”

  “Is this guy for real?” Axel shook his head, as if I were a dumb shit.

  “He’s delusional,” Easton agreed.

  “I give him another month, and Cin will have his dick wrapped around her little finger,” predicted Kaden.

  “Doesn’t she already?” Axel shot back.

  “Fuck all of you,” I said, close to losing my legendary cool.

  “It’s happening.” Easton raised his fist and the three dickheads fist-bumped as if they knew something I didn’t, which they did not.

  I’d show the bastards.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Rebellion

  ~~Hyacinth~~

  I texted Steele a few times that morning and early afternoon with no response. I told myself he was in team meetings or napping before the game or something. I knew better. Steele had a rigid routine he followed, and he had ample time between each scheduled item to text me back.