Shootout (Northbrook Hockey Elite Book 6)

by Sophia Summers

Coach shouted from his office. “Trane! Get in here.”

  He shuffled to the man’s mess of an office. “Yes, sir.”

  “Shut the door.”

  Trane did and then sat across from Coach.

  “I know you’re waiting until you don’t have pain per doctor’s instructions, but how long is that going to be?”

  “Don’t worry, I predict my pain will be gone in a few days.” The relief on his face made Trane smile. “That’s what pain meds are for, right?”

  A flash of guilt wrinkled the old man’s brow. “Well, now, I want you to play for us for a long time, Diesel. Don’t hurt yourself.”

  “I got it.” He wanted Trane to play but didn’t want responsibility if he truly hurt his back. “I get another steroid shot tomorrow.”

  He waved him out. “Happy to hear it. We have a shot at the playoffs, and then the Cup.”

  “I know, sir.”

  Trane walked out of the locker room. He knew. Of course he knew. It was killing him. He had to get out of there. The tension was too high, and Trane was reminded how helpless he was. Maybe coming had been a mistake. The constant ache in his back was growing. He knew nothing would alleviate the pressure unless he was to lay down completely.

  He wasn’t paying attention, just walking down the hallways of the skating arena, heading for the team bench.

  “You don’t recognize your old man?”

  Trane froze, his throat shrank four sizes, and he suddenly couldn’t swallow at all. He refused to show emotion, refused to even be surprised. He wanted to ignore his dad completely. But he turned. “What are you doing here?”

  He was older. Still tall. Still broad. But nothing as gigantic as he remembered him. Trane towered over him by six inches and was about that much broader. But his dad’s face was stern—fierce. His eyes glinted and were full of power. And his expression told Trane he thought he was still in control of his son. Trane stood taller.

  “That’s some greeting.”

  Trane waited.

  “Just here to see my son play. Want to see if all those lessons at Northbrook paid off.”

  Trane studied him. Was he trying to claim some kind of credit for Trane’s success? Trane had played on a scholarship. He’d taken the bus on his own dime. He’d fought his dad to make all the practices—sometimes literally fought him. No, his dad didn’t get to take credit for anything. Trane turned away, ready to ignore him.

  “Hey, no, come on now. You can’t find a moment to talk to me? It’s been a long time.” Something about his voice, a new vulnerability, nudged Trane to turn back, if only out of curiosity. What brought his dad to this point? But he saw only the old strength.

  “I’m hurting for money, son. Just wondered if I can get a bit of that investment in you back...for old times’ sake?”

  Trane almost scoffed, but he resisted showing emotion. He stared his dad down. “Investment?”

  He looked into his eyes, waiting for him to deny it, waiting for him to back down, to take back his request. But all his dad did was look away. “I could use a little extra right now. Things are bad.”

  “I don’t have anything for you.” He turned away, shuffling toward the thick metal door up ahead. The door his father could not enter. His heart pounded.

  “That’s it? That’s all you have to say to your old man?”

  Trane ignored him.

  “This isn’t the end of it. You’re going to see me. You might not want me in your life, but I’m here. You embarrassed? Is that it? Too rich for your roots?”

  As the door shut behind Trane, he heard him shout something about trailer parks. He leaned back against the comfort of the cool metal. Hockey had always been Trane’s safe place away from that man.

  For a first meeting after all this time, that had gone better than he’d dreaded for the last ten years.

  But he knew it wasn’t over. And something told him it was going to get worse before it got better.

  He shuffled forward, exiting out onto the players’ bench and took his seat.

  Some fans behind noticed him right away. “Diesel! Diesel! Diesel!” They started up a chant that spread and picked up throughout the arena. It tugged a smile out of him, so he stood and waved. Then he took a seat. His back pain was increasing. Maybe it was too early for him to be spending so many hours on his feet. He checked his watch. He’d leave after Janae danced. That would be a good first visit outside his room.

  It was all he could do to stay on the bench as the game pushed through the first period. Coach eyed him more than once, and he knew it was just as hard on Coach to have him sitting there with no pads, unable to play. Maybe he’d watch the next game from the team room. But he pushed through, and as soon as Janae exited out onto the ice he knew it was worth it.

  She was beaming with light and energy. She was a natural, and he saw what it meant to watch someone and their passion. Every lift of her hand, her fingers, every swing of her hips was full of energy and love.

  She stood in front of her ice girls, hands in the air. The music started, and Trane was mesmerized. They moved, danced, and skated in beautiful changing formations with all the dance moves he might see in other sports’ half times. And then at one point, they all raced to different parts of the ice, doing individual routines in front of that part of the arena. And Janae came to dance in front of him.

  And he forgot where they were. Her eyes met his. She was beautiful. Her arms, her legs—every movement flowed. As she reached forward to him and then to the crowd up and behind, she shook her hips and her arms, her face alight with joy. And the crowd went crazy. The girls moved back together in the center, finished up, and took their bows.

  Everyone was on their feet, and Janae’s face showed just how thrilled she was.

  Trane grinned.

  She blew him a kiss.

  He reached up and caught it.

  Then she skated off the ice with the others.

  He watched the ice where she had been for a moment more then turned to the guys.

  They all stared in silence.

  “What?”

  “You got a thing for the new ice girl?” Conway raised his eyebrows.

  “You got something to say?”

  “No!” He held his hands out. “You do you, man.”

  The other guys looked away. He could see their almost smiles and knew they would be talking, but he didn’t care. His back was throbbing. Janae was awesome. And he was going home.

  Chapter 11

  Their dance routine was all over the press. The dancing websites, the sports pundits, everyone remotely related to sports or entertainment dancing had picked it up.

  Janae Terry leads the Comets’ Ice Girls in a New Revolution for Hockey Entertainment.

  And she couldn’t have been more proud. She’d had old contacts reach out, other hockey teams wondering if she would be willing to run workshops for their girls, and even high school dance teams looking for a professional visit.

  She headed back to the arena to lead another dance session with the girls. She couldn’t wait to talk to them about it all. They should be proud and thrilled. They were each getting some more attention. And the owner had to be beside himself. Maybe they could pick up some more ice girl sponsorships.

  She pulled into the parking lot at the same time as Lily. And she had to take five full breaths before she felt ready to face that woman.

  She wasn’t exactly rude anymore. But her sad eyes, her accusing stares, and her huffs and hair flips whenever Trane came up in conversation were all tough to take. As soon as Janae entered the arena, Todd waved her over. “I want to talk to the girls. You were phenomenal.”

  “I’m happy to hear it.”

  They met in a conference room nearby. Todd stood up at the front and motioned for Janae to join him. “I’m so thrilled with the results of all your hard work. I know you put in extra practices. You arrived early and left late. And now you’re a freaking sensation!” He held up his phone. “Have you seen the coverage? We�
�ve got preliminary calls in for sponsorships. You’re going to be the Cowboy cheerleaders of the hockey world, just watch.” His eyes gleamed. “So.” He rubbed his hands together. “What other surprises do you have for us?”

  Janae eyed him. “Well, we’re going to finish working on this routine. We’ve only done it one time. And it needs some work.”

  “Okay.” He nodded and then waited.

  “And then, I guess we will learn another one?”

  “Excellent. And throw in some surprises. Talk to the lighting crew. Talk to the sound. You’ve opened up a whole new opportunity. Tell a story out there. You were on Broadway. You know how to do that.”

  She kept her face blank, but inside, she was already flying through possibilities, putting together new thoughts. “I think we should keep performing this number for the next couple of weeks or so, and then we can surprise them during a special playoffs routine. It can be a tradition.”

  “Excellent. We’re hoping your man Trane can get healed and take us to the Stanley Cup this year. But if we make the playoffs, that’s great too. Lots of time for you girls to put together a winning routine for next year. We have three periods. Think of it. A different routine between every break…” He kept talking, and Janae was happy he was excited.

  But he called Trane her man. He wasn’t really her man. They’d only just started to see each other. And she could get called away at any time. She would finish the season of course, per her contract. She would happily get them set up for the next season, but she wanted out. Detroit was not high on her list of cities to settle down in.

  Trane’s little half smile came to mind. He was such a softie. For a huge man, he had a quiet and gentle heart. But she refused to start making life choices based on a couple half dates with someone. She had to position herself while she could to get back to the top of her game. If dancing was going to be her career, there were difficult choices to be made. And moving out of Detroit was one of them.

  Trane had been too tired to go out last night. Something was up with him, but Janae didn’t push it. At least he’d watched their routine, and he said he loved it. They were going out tonight, after the game, which he wasn’t coming to.

  This time, when the girls skated out on the ice, the crowd stayed. Less people were heading out to get drinks. They stayed and stood up to clap when the ice girls came out on the rink, and the girls rocked it even better. Everyone was in formation. Everyone looked more confident. Janae smiled at the end with her hands in the air. Todd had said that instead of going to commercial, they were going to air at least part of the routine. As soon as the music ended, the girls rushed to center and hugged Janae. She was shocked, but then clung to them, her smile hurting her face. “You did amazing!!” They laughed and then skated off the rink together.

  Lily came up beside her. “Thanks, this is awesome.”

  “Hey, you’re welcome.”

  The Comets won, thankfully, and as she packed up her gear, she was excited to talk about it with Trane. Chad actually blocked some of the goals shot at him, and the team had played well.

  As she headed out toward the door to the parking lot, a man’s rough voice stopped her. “You the one who hangs out with Trane Jones?” He stepped closer, and though he seemed clean cut and almost handsome, something about him made her step back. She searched his face. He looked familiar.

  “We’re friends.” She turned to leave, but he kept talking.

  “But are you the one who he goes out with?” His eyes narrowed, and he stepped closer again.

  This time she held her ground, her irritation rising. “I’m not sure what you’re asking but whatever it is, it isn’t your business. Now, will you excuse me?”

  “He’s my son. I say his business is my business.” His tone came out harsh, fierce.

  But Janae didn’t believe in cowering before bullies. If this guy really was Trane’s dad, she could see why they didn’t communicate. “Hmm. Well, then maybe you should ask him.” She picked up her pace and headed out the door that led to their private parking lot.

  What an eerie sort of person. She got all kinds of bad vibes about him. She tried to shake them off as she got into her car. Finally an evening with Trane. They were going to dinner. Simple. Nice, and making an early night of it.

  His back was getting better all the time. He said he would play the next home game. She worried about that, but the Comets needed him.

  She got ready as quickly as she could but took some extra time and attention on herself. She curled her hair, letting it fall in large ringlets down her back. Her makeup was subtle and precise. She wore her favorite lip gloss and a deep blue shirt and tight jeans. Her heart picked up when a knock at the door told her Trane had come.

  She rushed to open it and then drank in the sight of him. He wore a collared shirt and tan pants that were snug in just the right ways. His arms and chest filled out his shirt, but it fit perfectly. And he stood there grinning like it was Christmas or something. She wondered how she could ever leave Detroit.

  “What are you smiling about?”

  He pulled her close. “Come here, you.” He hugged her and the warmth rose up inside. “I’m just happy to see you.”

  “I feel the same way about you there standing on your own feet, not looking like you’re about to fall over.”

  He kept an arm across her shoulders. It was heavy but comforting at the same time, and they walked out to his car. When they stood in the parking lot, Janae laughed. “Did you get a new car?”

  “I did.” He winked. “Do you think Declan would approve?”

  “Well, he would fit, and I think that’s the main goal, right?”

  “Exactly.” He opened her door, and she climbed into his large, oversized truck. Perfect. It fit him.

  He stepped up and stretched his legs out in front of him. “This is much better.”

  “I agree. It’s super nice.”

  He patted the seat next to him. “And. There’s room for you over here.”

  She laughed and scooted over, putting on a seat belt next to him.

  “That’s better. I’m liking this truck even more now.”

  She smiled. “So, where are we going this time?”

  He hummed and put on his turn signal. “I think I’m going to take you to the best food Detroit has to offer.”

  “Awesome. I can’t wait to see what kind of dive it is.”

  “No, you’ve been listening to Declan too much. This place has actually been around a while. So it’s not a dive anymore.”

  “Then I’m even more excited.” She leaned back. He dropped his hand and took hers in his own. Everything about this night was making her grin. She sat hand in hand with the first guy she could really see herself with—maybe even long term. “Tell me about your day.”

  “Oh, my day was pathetic.”

  “What? No.”

  “Really, it’s awful. I’ve got to get back on the ice, or get a life or something. I spent the morning watching you dance, and then afternoon worrying about the game.”

  She laughed. “You watched me dance?”

  He shrugged. “Yeah, there are videos all over, people talking about how great you did.”

  “I like that. You watched them.”

  “Of course. I’m proud of you.”

  She loved the sound of that. But she didn’t know what to say. It was awesome. And humbling. “And how about the game? They pulled it off!”

  “I know. I am so glad. It means we can still make the playoffs. I wanted to play at least one playoff game before the season ends this year.”

  “Oh, if you get in, they’ll play way more than one game.”

  He smiled, his small half smile. “That’s not always the case. But I sure hope we make it further along.”

  She played with his fingers for a moment. “Are you hurting?”

  “Not when I take pain meds.”

  She let that go. Technically he, probably needed to be more fully recovered, but for now, he could be c
areful and help the team stay in the running for the Cup. She laughed to herself. When did she become such a fanatic hockey fan?

  When she met Trane.

  “Oh, I think I met your dad today.”

  He went completely still on the outside. But inside, she could almost see him buzzing. “Did he talk to you?”

  “Yeah. But I didn’t really give him any information. I told him to talk to you.”

  “What did he want?” Trane’s voice took on a calm and measured pace.

  “He wanted to know if I’m the one who was dating his son.”

  Trane’s mouth moved, ground back and forth, and Janae pitied his teeth. “You don’t have to talk to him, ever,” he said. “He means nothing to me.”

  “I got out of there as soon as I could. He was just…nothing like you. I’ll put it like that.”

  His body relaxed by degrees. “That’s important to me. Thank you for saying that.”

  “It’s true. I couldn’t even see the resemblance until I looked for it. You have some similar features, but where he’s sharp, you’re strong and filled out. Where he’s fierce, you’re brave. Where he’s cruel looking, you are kind and gentle.”

  Trane’s face softened and he tightened his hold on her hand. It was warm and comforting. “Do you really think all that?”

  “I do. You guys are nothing alike.”

  “Thank you. I spend way too much time trying to make sure that reality sticks. I never ever want to be like my dad.” His sad and almost desperate plea tore at her heart.

  “I don’t think you have to worry about that. It’s just not in you.”

  He didn’t respond. And she let him think about whatever he needed to work through for a minute.

  Then he turned to her at a stop light, his eyes searching hers. “The truth is, when I’m with you, I feel like I could do and be anything.” His eyes shone with sincerity and she tingled inside, enjoying their closeness. When he turned to her like that, his mouth was within kissing distance. They were so close the air felt charged between them. With just a lift of her chin, she might be able to press her lips to his.

  But she resisted. Even though his scruff was right there, his lips were soft-looking, his smile warm, and his eyes welcoming.