by Odette Stone
“Relax, Krista.” He patted my arm. “You need a drink?”
“I need this game to begin so I can breathe again.”
The stadium was full in anticipation of a new season. You could feel the energy of the crowd as people waited in the stands.
“You’re not usually this keyed up before a first game.”
“We’ve got a lot riding on this.”
My phone rang. It was my mom. I had already ignored her first two calls since I had missed Helene’s baby shower, and I knew at some point I needed to face the music, but tonight I couldn’t deal with her.
“There they are.” Mark pointed towards the gate.
The announcer’s voice bellowed over the stadium speakers. “We’d like to give a warm welcome to the Vancouver Wolves.”
With my hands over my mouth, I watched as Levi came out of the gate and started to skate around the ice. The rest of his team waited, making him do a couple of laps by himself. He looked over his shoulder, a huge grin on his face, knowing that he was being hazed. The crowd cheered, loving the moment.
“Here comes Brody.” Mark pointed.
Brody shot out onto the ice and fell flat on his stomach. Behind him, the rest of the team weren’t even trying to hide their mirth.
“What’s going on?” I asked, as Brody attempted to get back on his skates and fell again.
“They taped his skates,” Mark said with a smile.
The other players flooded on the ice while Brody made his way to the bench.
It made me secretly happy that Brody missed most of the warm-up while one of the equipment managers worked to remove the tape.
Even though it was an exhibition game, it felt as tense as a playoff game. Every time Levi was on the ice, I held my breath. He was fast and smart, and he played well with the others.
“Watch this,” Mark said to me.
My eyes were already glued to the ice. Levi moved up the ice with his team and passed the puck to the left forward. His teammate didn’t have a shot, so he passed it back to Levi. From the blue line, Levi took a shot and scored.
“Damn, the kid’s a sniper.” Mark grinned as he clapped.
I looked at the clock. “Twelve minutes into his hockey career, and he’s already scored.”
“Brody’s got his work cut out for him.”
Brody watched from the bench. He was the only one not standing up to bump gloves with Levi as he skated by.
It was an exciting game, but Dallas was no match for us. We won 4 to 2.
When the game ended, Mark and I stood up. “He did well.”
“He did better than well,” I said primly. “He was an absolute rock star out there.”
Mark and I made our way up to the Dallas owner’s box, where we did some glad-handing and had another drink. By the time we were done, the stadium was completely empty.
“You heading back to the hotel?” Mark asked me.
“Yes. You want to share a cab?”
“I have a town car. I have some business to take care of here, but why don’t you take it to your hotel and send it back here?”
“I appreciate that, Mark.”
He motioned with his hand. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
“I can make it to the exit myself.” I smiled. “There’s security everywhere.”
He frowned. “You sure?”
“Totally.”
But five minutes later, as I walked along the cement corridor of the unfamiliar stadium, I felt less sure about my decision. I hadn’t seen any security, and even the cleaners had finished and disappeared. My heels echoed a vulnerable soundtrack to my lonely steps.
At one point, I could have sworn someone was following me, but when I looked over my shoulder, I saw no one.
When I got back to the hotel, Mica was walking through the lobby.
He enveloped me in a big hug. “Krista. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Of course. You know I wouldn’t miss our first game.”
He grinned at me. “Are you coming out to drink?”
I had been hoping to find Levi and talk to him. “I don’t think so.”
“Come on, you have to come. The whole team is out. I’m heading there now.”
“The whole team?” I looked around the empty lobby. “Where?”
“We’re drinking at the Flying Palomino.”
I wrinkled my nose. “That sounds suspiciously like a country bar.”
“You know it is. You want me to wait for you?” he asked.
“You go ahead. I’ll meet you there.”
“You need to save me a line dance,” he kidded.
I rolled my eyes. “Does Charlie know you line dance?”
He laughed big and hard. “Nope. Some things need to be kept secret in a marriage.”
I gave him a playful shove. “I’ll see you later.”
The bar was big and blaring country music. I walked through the room and found Mica and the rest of the team occupying two large tables at the back. I waved at Ryan and Max, who were standing at a high table and talking with another player.
“Krista,” Mica yelled over the music. “Come sit with me.”
I made my way to his side while discreetly looking around for Levi. He was nowhere to be found.
I took a seat beside Mica and watched as he poured me a draft beer without asking if I wanted it. “Have you seen my rookie?”
He set my beer in front of me. “Your rookie is heating up the dance floor.”
I turned my head to see Levi doing a line dance with none other than Dee. My throat felt suspiciously tight as I watched them dance together. They looked like the perfect couple. Her blonde ponytail was swishing around her neck. He went right; she went left and careened into his arms.
I took a sip of my beer, watching as he steadied her, both of them laughing.
Mica leaned over and spoke into my ear. “They look pretty cozy, don’t they?”
“I need you to watch out for him.”
He looked confused. “Is something wrong with his choice in women?”
“Not Dee. I’m talking about the fact that someone’s been sabotaging him. Someone on the team has been messing with his stuff.”
Mica frowned. “You sure about that?”
I turned to him. “He got hurt at camp.”
“He told everyone he got mugged.”
I looked Mica in the eye. “That’s bullshit. He’s trying not to make enemies, but someone is trying to set him up to fail.”
He leaned forward. “What do you need from me?”
I looked at Mica, trying to read his face.
“Krista,” he said, not breaking eye contact. “You know I’ve got your back. Whatever you need.”
“Brody Hillman.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You think he’s involved?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t trust him.”
“You want me to keep my eye on him?”
I looked at the other table. Brody was in the middle of the group, telling a big story. The entire group dissolved in boisterous laughter. “Yes. But more importantly, I need my rookie to fit in.”
Mica took a sip of his drink. “Looks like he’s fitting in just fine.”
I looked over at the dance floor. The song was just ending, and Dee threw her arms around Levi’s neck. He gave her a hug back, and she wrapped her arms around his waist as they walked off the dance floor. I swallowed hard. I had been worried about him and had thought showing up for him, might be an appreciated gesture of support. Now I felt like the uninvited chaperone on a date.
“I’m talking about him finding friends on the team.”
“Consider it done.”
Dee tried to pull Levi over to the other table, but as if he could sense something, he turned and looked over his shoulder towards me. He looked stunned to see me. He said something to Dee that made her pout, but he disentangled himself from her arms and moved towards us.
“Pull up a chair, rookie.” Mica poured him a glas
s of beer.
Levi lowered himself to the chair beside me. He checked me over before he leaned in close—so close I could smell his clean, masculine scent. He always made me want to inhale deeply.
“I didn’t know you were coming.” His dark eyes glimmered in the dim light.
“I thought you could use some moral support.”
“I appreciate it.” He leaned closer and gave me a friendly smile.
I didn’t respond to his smile as I stared at his beauty. He had a charm to him that made it difficult to know how he really felt about me being there. Maybe he wished I’d stop being such a cockblock with Dee.
And I was exhausted. I didn’t want to sit around and watch Dee monopolize him. “I need to get back to the hotel.”
When I moved to stand, he grabbed my wrist. His smile was gone. “Why are you leaving?”
I caught sight of Dee standing at a high table. She ignored her table companions and focused all her attention on Levi. She didn’t look happy.
I gave him my haughtiest look. “I’m not here to cramp your social life, Levi. I just wanted to be supportive.”
“Not sure if you noticed, but you are my social life.”
“I think Dee would suggest otherwise.”
He grinned. “Oh. That’s what this is about.”
“No,” I shot back. “Not at all. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Krista, it was an innocent dance between coworkers.”
That comment irked me to no end. “Yeah, I’ve heard that one before, but you know what? It doesn’t matter. I would prefer you date her openly than lie to my face. An agent needs to trust her player.”
“Let’s talk about it.” He shot to his feet and took the drink out of my hand.
“What?” I looked up at him. “Where are we going?”
“The dance floor.”
“No way.” I leaned back in my seat. “I don’t dance to country music.”
He grabbed my two hands and, with surprising speed and strength, had me on my feet before I could resist. He tugged me towards the dance floor.
I didn’t want to make a scene, but I didn’t want to dance.
“No, Levi,” I implored him. “I don’t even know how to dance to this music.”
He put his hand around my waist and yanked me tight against him. “Good thing I do. Put this hand on my shoulder,” he bossed, lifting my arm.
I hesitated, torn between wanting to touch him and not wanting to do it in front of his entire team.
He gave me a steady look. “Trust me. You’ll like dancing with me.”
“That’s the problem,” I told him as I put my hand on his wide, muscular shoulder. I was used to dating men who attempted to stay in shape, but Levi was next-level. There didn’t seem to be a part of him that wasn’t rippling with muscle and masculine strength.
He threaded his fingers with my other hand. “I steer. Just follow.”
I felt him tug me in one direction. “I don’t follow very well.”
He laughed as he swung me around, his mouth against my ear. “I noticed.”
I felt jerky in my movements.
“Let me take charge here—I know what I’m doing.” I could hear the smile in his voice.
“That is not a comfortable thing for me.” I took a deep breath and tried to relax.
He spun me around, making me cling to him. I didn’t hear the music, I just felt his warm breath on my ear. I was hyperaware of his big hand wrapped around my waist. Secretly, I liked that he wasn’t afraid to use his strength to guide me. I stared up at his eyes as he moved us around the dance floor. He spun me around and then spun me back until my body was plastered against his body.
“Now, if you saw me dance with Dee like this, you could assume anything you wanted.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off his face. “We shouldn’t be doing this in public.”
“What? Sharing a dance floor with dozens of other couples?” He twirled me and then hauled me back against him.
“Dee seems nice,” I lied.
He spoke low in my ear again. “You worried I’m dating someone?”
“Certainly not.”
He laughed and then proceeded to spin me around the dance floor, never taking his eyes off my face. My entire body reacted to his nearness, making me ache for things I knew could never happen. I knew he felt it too. I could see it in his eyes.
When the music changed, I stepped back.
“I need a drink,” I said, mostly because I wasn’t sure I could handle the temptation of another dance in his arms.
He didn’t speak, but he didn’t take his hand off my waist as he led me off the dance floor.
“Rookie.” Mica lifted up an empty pitcher. “Can you grab the waitress?”
I sank into my chair, taking even breaths and trying to bring my body back to equilibrium.
Mica leaned over. “I need a cold shower after watching you two dance.”
“Shut your big Russian mouth.” I refused to look at him.
He laughed. “Does Charlie know?”
I turned sharply to him. “There is nothing to know.”
“Don’t lie to Uncle Mica.”
I rolled my eyes. “I admit, begrudgingly, that there is some chemistry there, but our relationship is above board.”
“Not for long.”
I slapped him on the arm. “Be positive.”
He took a sip of his drink. “I know. You expect it to fizzle out. But it just gets better.”
“It’ll fade,” I assured him.
He laughed. “I used to tell myself that same lie.”
“With Charlie?”
He winked at me. “You know it.”
I needed a moment alone. When you are trying to give up ice cream, you don’t hang out at an ice cream shop. This situation was no different. The more time we spent together, the harder it would be to resist this chemistry between us.
In the restroom, I washed my hands and touched up my lipstick. The smart decision would be for me to go back to the hotel. Nothing good could come of me staying here with Levi, especially when alcohol was involved. I decided I would say a quick good-night to Mica and exit before Levi pulled me onto the dance floor again.
Why did I have to have off-the-charts chemistry with my rookie? It wasn’t fair.
When I exited the restroom and walked down the hallway towards the bar, I noticed Brody coming towards me.
Ignoring him, I moved to pass.
I felt a big hand grip my arm. “Hey.”
I looked up at him. “Brody Hillman.”
“You represent Levi.”
I pulled at my arm, but he held on.
“How did you get Levi into training camp? He’s a nobody from nowhere.”
“Levi’s a talented player. You afraid of a little competition?”
“Who’d you sleep with to make that happen?”
Levi materialized from nowhere. “You got a problem, Brody?”
“No problem here.”
Levi looked at me. “Are you okay?”
I shook off Brody’s grip, instinctually knowing I needed to de-escalate this situation. “Things are fine.”
Levi and Brody were giving each other the death stare.
“Come on,” I told Levi. “Let’s get back to our drinks.”
Chapter Twelve
Levi
I wanted nothing more than to drive my fist into Brody’s smug face, but Krista tugged at my arm.
“Let’s go.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Fine.” She gave me a look. “Let’s go.”
Reluctantly, I turned to follow her.
I felt a hard shove from behind. It caught me off guard and pushed my full weight against Krista. She stumbled, and I reached out to grab her, barely preventing her from crashing into a table. Around us, people scattered.
“Are you okay?” I asked, holding her in my arms.
The second shove came from behind, with more strength. I put one protect
ive arm around her, using my other arm to brace against the high-top table and prevent myself from crushing her against it. She made a scared little noise as we careened into it.
“Krista?” I asked, my entire body protectively covering her against Brody.
She nodded and said a bit breathlessly, “I’m fine.”
I felt Brody’s hands on my back. With a roar, I spun around.
Brody grinned at me. “Let’s go, asshole.”
I grabbed him by the front of his shirt and shoved hard against him, pushing him through tables and people until he was against the wall. “Don’t test me.”
He clipped me on the chin, hard enough that my head snapped back.
I stepped back to get enough power behind my swing. My fist connected with his cheek.
The fight got real after that. I was aware of his fists on my face and my body, but I had so much adrenaline coursing through my body I didn’t feel a thing. My only focus was on giving back enough to make him bleed.
“Stop it!” Krista’s voice sounded from far away.
He was fast and he was strong. Around us, people were shouting and scrambling to get out of the way. I managed to shove him away from me. I needed time to assess where Krista was. Things got more serious when he picked up a chair and threw it at me. I ducked, and it crashed against the table behind me.
The floor became slippery with spilled drinks. Guys were shouting, and I had Brody in my grasp when I felt something cold and wet pour over me.
I swore and looked to see who had dumped beer all over me. Krista stood there with two empty beer pitchers and a guilty expression. “Sorry. I was aiming for him.”
Brody pounced, and we went careening back onto a table.
“Break it up, break it up,” voices shouted.
But Brody and I were now on the floor. He had me pinned on my back and managed to get a good shot at my face, but I flipped him onto his back. Now I was kneeling over him. I hit him only once before someone really strong pulled me off him and onto my feet. Angry, I shoved my arm back, and my elbow connected with someone’s face.
I turned to apologize.
Oh shit.
A cop was holding his face in one hand. “Motherfucker.”
