I woke abruptly with a jolt. I looked around my room thinking that there was something that had woken me up, but there was nothing there. There had been nothing there. Well, not nothing. I keep having that same nightmare. Each time there is just a little something more. This time it was the pain. Physically and emotional. I felt so alone that night—just how I felt tonight when I didn’t get the emotional connection that I needed from him.
That was the moment I decided I wouldn’t let him hurt me again. I had only felt insecure with him. The need that I had to be with him was not normal. He would be my undoing if I let this continue. I needed to break free from him before it was too late. I needed distance from Nix. I’m sure he’s feeling the same way. I had caused so many problems for him since we confronted our feelings for each other. We need to get back to our normal lives so that we can see if this will work in the future.
I had made a decision for my future. I couldn’t get my heart broken again by him. It would be too painful. I got out of bed and got dressed in several warm layers to go for a run before I needed to even be up for school. When I went downstairs, I found Mack sitting by the door wagging his tail. He was obviously saying ‘I’m coming and don’t try to talk me out of it.’
“All right,” I said and grabbed the thick leash to clip to his cobalt colored collar.
He jumped straight up in the air a few times before I got the leash clipped and then we were out the door. Then he was off. This was a man on a mission. And instead of me trying to drag Brooklyn along, Mack was dragging me. He’s a great workout buddy. “Much better than Brooklyn,” I mumbled, and Mack stopped to turn around. It was almost as if he was agreeing with me. Then, he started back up while he looked for the perfect place to do his business. We jogged for another block or so before the perfect snowy patch came into Mack’s view.
He scooted over and spun in circles until he hunched and did the deed. I pulled a poop bag from the leash and picked up the horse size load to toss when I got back. “Gross dude.” I hissed. His pitiful look of ‘I’m sorry’ made me smile and then we headed on.
After I got back to the house, there was already some stirring. Knox was on his way down the stairs with pep in his step and whistling a tune.
“Good morning Chloe.” He said with a warm smile.
“Morning.”
“Did you already take Mack for his morning dump?” Knox doesn’t play around with wording. He’s always been upfront and honestly bold.
“Yep. I tossed it in the garbage can outside. Wasn’t willing to contaminate the house.” I giggled.
He made a gargantuan belly holding laugh. “We all appreciate that.”
We both laughed.
Mack is completely house trained, but he still has his accidents. Mainly on the weekends when everyone slept in. He’s learning though. I looked over at him sitting beside his bowls waiting patiently for breakfast. “Breakfast,” I said with sudden realization.
“Breakfast?” Knox questioned confused.
I chuckled, “Nix gave him some eggs last night.”
That was all the information Knox need to connect the dots. Everything that came out of Mack this morning was directly related to the eggs. B said that he gets gas with eggs. Well, I can’t definitely tell you that it does more than just give him gas.
We both stood laughing while our eyes met the poop-machine that was having some indigestion problems. It was a good thing I had gotten up so early, otherwise, who knows what could have happened.
I walked to the pantry and grabbed the loaf of bread. He needed something in his tummy that would make him feel better. I picked up Mack’s food bowl and placed four slices of bread in the bottom then put a couple of cups of his dog food on top. I set it down in front of him, and he gave me a grateful look. “Eat up, Buddy. Get that tummy settled.”
“You’re really good with him,” Nix said all gravelly, walking down the stairs looking as sexy as he possibly could.
I bent down to run my hands over Mack’s face and ears and talked like a baby to Mack. “You’re such a good boy.” He gave him kisses to his face. “Even if you have awful breath.” His whole body started to shake as he wagged his tail in full circles.
I heard both of them laugh over my shoulder. I turned around and made my gaze shift directly to Nix. “He has tummy troubles. I wonder what could have caused that?”
Nix looked like the guilty party in the room while he said, “no clue.”
“Yeah,” I said low while Nix and his father talked about the game last night.
“I slept through it,” Nix said running his hand through his tousled hair.
“Oh? Well, hell. It was a close one.” Knox said.
“John just barely got the last goal with eleven seconds left on the clock. If it weren’t for him, today would be looking much darker.” Knox said like a true hockey fan.
Nix’s face turned with happiness. He was proud of his team for pulling through with a change to the lines so close to the game. They went on about the gave and who got put in the sin-bin (penalty box) for both teams. I tried to pay attention but not be too obvious about it.
“I’ll see you boys later,” I said walking toward the stairs, “gotta get B up for school.” After I passed them, I turned back around and pointed my finger at Nix and glared my eyes. “No more eggs. His shit stinks, and I’m not on doggy-dump duty the rest of today.” Then I bounced up the stairs like the little kid I feel like I am to wake up my best friend.
Chapter 20
More Than Pucking Hockey
Nix
Holy fucking hell. I want that girl more than I want to play hockey and I’ve loved hockey for most of my life. I inwardly groaned at myself. Followed by a painful wince. I’m still feeling the hurt in my shoulder. Probably going to have to see the team’s physical therapist later today. It’s essential that I’ve got my rotation back as soon as possible and with the bruised muscle everything was feeling sore.
“You should have called us yesterday,” Dad said scolding.
“I know,” I replied looking down at the floor. “I just didn’t want anymore to deal with while I got poked and prodded.”
“You still should have let your mom know what happened. She didn’t need to find out from our insurance company. Dammit Phoenix, even Brooklyn knew and didn’t tell her. Your mom thinks her kids don’t love her.” Dad said frustrated.
“Fuck.” I drew out the word. “You know that wasn’t the reason.”
“I do,” he shook his head, “but she doesn’t.”
I groaned and rolled my eyes. I shouldn’t be annoyed by the fact that Mom felt that way.
“Stop that and fix this.” His command didn’t leave room for discussion.
“Yes, sir,” I replied like a little boy.
“Good. There’s some Vaseline under the cabinet in the half bath. Take care of that lip. Most girls don’t like it when you wince and pull away while you’re making out.” Dad chuckled.
“No worries. I’m not seeing anyone.” I replied, probably a little too quickly.
“Nix, we both know that’s not true. Just because things are—let’s say—complicated doesn’t mean nobody has noticed there’s something different with you. With this girl.”
Dad’s too smart for his own good. Especially with the way he’s smirking at me.
“What do you know?” I prod at him.
“Not much that happens in this house, I don’t know about,” Dad said chuckling. He started to walk past me to leave when he stopped at my side and put his hand on my shoulder. “She’s been in love with you from the day you met her. Just make sure you don’t break her heart. She’s still young and not experienced with the way the world works. You can’t protect her from gossip. Just be open with her.”
Damn, he did know too much. But was that a smile of approval? I’ve got the girl I’ve been lusting over for the better part of the year, Knights are about to renew my contract and support from the parents. I’ve never gotten that before. N
ot even when I was thinking about taking the plunge with Beth. I can’t believe that I ever considered it. Besides, I’m only twenty-four, there’s no need to even think about settling down.
“See ya’ later Dad.”
“Make it right.” He said just before he walked away from me.
I got ready for practice. I didn’t get today off to heal. I wanted to be there today. I needed to get a good workout. But I’d stop in to see if I can get my blood test done before practice. I ended up missing the one I had scheduled yesterday, and there was no way in hell I was going to ask the nurse in the ER to do it. That would have been front page news. I could see the headlines now: Knights Player Playing Too Much?
I made my way down the hall to see if I could get the test done really quick. I wasn’t excited about it, but if it kept Chloe safe, then it’s for the best. I probably should have gotten tested last month after I broke it off with Beth. I know she cheated on me. Especially there at the end. We were both looking for someone else.
Knock. Knock. I tapped on the door frame to get the docs attention. He stood with a toothy smile and said, “glad to see you up and moving around. I was told late yesterday about the accident. How are you feeling?” He pointed toward his lip in the same place where mine is split.
“Sore. But going to warm up the muscles today and see how everything’s feeling.”
“Then what can I do for you?” He sounded confused.
“I had wanted to get—”
“Blood test.” He said in an aha moment.
“Is there any way I can get it done now?”
He looked at his watch and said, “sure. Urine and blood. Cups are in the bathroom.” He pointed around the wall of his office to the small half bath in his office.
“Thanks.” I mumbled. I walked into the bathroom and pissed in a cup and screwed on the lid.
I walked back out and found him rubbering up with gloves and had three vials ready and waiting. “Put your sample right here.” He pointed toward the metal tray where all his equipment was spread out. “When did we last have this done?”
“It’s been a little while. Uh…” I started combing my hands through my hair, “probably before the season started.”
“Yeah, that sounds about right. You said your new girl has got some allergies?”
“Yeah, latex.”
“What’s your plan for contraception?” He asked very professionally.
“She was looking at lambskin.”
“That’s good. What about the pill? Have you talked about that?”
“Nope. I’m leaving it up to her. I don’t think she wants to be on birth control.” I felt like I was telling him too much. “You know girls—anything that can make them gain weight their against.”
“Well, lambskin is a good alternative, and I see why you want to get tested. But I would recommend a secondary contraceptive. Maybe an IUD?”
“I’ll talk to her about it,” I said trying to cut off the conversation.
“Good. Communication is key.” He smiled, “been married almost thirty-five years. The first ten we were still getting to know each other. And the next twenty-five we finally figured it out.”
“Good to know.” I chuckled as he inserted the needle into my skin. “So ten years? Is that about average?”
“There’s not an average on love. You just got to open up and tell her that you love her every day.”
“We’re not there yet,” I said cautiously.
“I see.” He said like a disappointed father hearing it from his daughter’s boyfriend.
“But we’re heading in that direction. At least I hope we are.”
He finished up taking my blood and packaged it all in a bag with my name on it. He was nodding his head. “I can get you the results back within two to three days. I would suggest finding alternative hobbies in the meantime.”
I laughed, “you got it Doc.”
“Good. Now go see Dan, and he’ll check out that shoulder.”
“Thanks, Doc,” I said and went in search of my coach so I could explain more about the accident. I was lucky to walk in on Coach and Dan, our team’s physical therapist, talking about me.
“Phoenix? Come in.” Coach said. “Have a seat.”
I sat and rubbed my sweaty palms on my pants. I shouldn’t have been nervous, but I was. I was still nursing my shoulder. I wasn’t moving it out as far as the other and Dan noticed. He questioned with a raised eyebrow.
“It’s sore. Just resting it. I’m ready to work hard today.”
“Good. Good.” Coach said and then looked at Dan.
“Nix, I want to go through a full range of motion test today.”
“What?” I gritted out.
“You’ve missed a lot of practices, and you’ve been edgy. I just want to clear you to play.” Coach said.
“I can play. There’s nothing wrong with me.” I growled.
“You may say that, but it just seems too convenient that there have been some family emergencies.”
“What exactly are you implying?” I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Are you trying to play hurt?” Coach demanded back from me.
“Fuck no! I’d never take that chance with my career.”
“We had to ask.” Coach said. “But I still need you to be cleared to get back on the ice.”
“Fine. I’ll ace anything you throw at me. Let’s do this.” I snapped.
“Have you been to see Dr. Michsea?” He asked looking at the gauze on my arm.
“Really?” I snapped at him. “I wanted to make sure I can fuck my new girl bareback. You good with that?”
I hated how I talked about Chloe and my relationship with her. But I was done with the interrogation. They both needed to back off the topic.
“Do I need to notify Nancy?” Coach asked.
Nancy, our PR go to, would have a fucking heart attack with the news of Chloe. I shook my head. “She’s just a girl. Nothing special.” I felt a tightness in my chest. “She probably won’t be around long enough to matter.” I sound like a fucking tool. I actually am making myself sick talking about Chloe how I am. “I’ll keep it out of the public and off the tabloids. Promise. She’s kind of a home-body.”
Chuckling, Coach questioned, “home-body? You?”
“Yeah. She doesn’t like to fucking go out and party. She likes to stay in and fuck.” I snapped. Feeling the tightening in my chest and maybe even some heartburn churning up my throat.
“Fine. Stay home and fuck the—”
I cut him off with a deep, low growl. “She’s not a puck bunny.”
“All right Nix. Don’t get your panties in a wad.” Coach said in distaste.
“Classy,” I said under my breath.
They laughed. I didn’t realize what kind of assholes I was playing for. I narrowed my eyes at them while they went on joking about my panties. I sat there and took the crap they were talking.
“Are we done here?” I said bringing them back to the real conversation.
“Yeah. Go with Dan, and I want those result as soon as you’re done.” Coach said.
Dan stood and walked around the conference table. “You ready?”
“As I much as I can be.”
I left with Dan and went into his PT room. He worked my shoulder hard. Kneading the muscle and rotating it until he saw my expression change. Then moved on to the rest of my body. He did everything to make sure I would be able to play except for making me turn my head and cough. But he might as well have.
At the end of his intrusive exam, Dan smiled and said, “well, guess you’re good to play.”
“No shit,” I said under my breath.
“Watch it,” Dan warned.
I had so much contempt for Dan and Coach right now that I didn’t even want to be there today. But at least with the game tonight I would get some of the aggression out that was boiling at the surface. I already felt sorry for our opponents.
I want Chloe. Fuck, right now I felt l
ike I needed her. I pulled my phone out and stared at the time. What would she be doing right now? Could I call her? Would she be able to pull me back from the edge? Without thinking I dialed her and waited as I heard the phone ring.
Chapter 21
Pucking. Kill. Me. Now.
Chloe
“Who is calling you? I’m here.” Brooklyn said confused. I know she thinks that she is my only friend. I guess one day she will figure it out. I know I don’t have the heart to tell her.
I turned over the screen, and there it was—Nix Drayden. I looked over to Brooklyn trying to hide any kind of expression I might have. “It’s my mom. I’ll be back.” I got up, accepting the call, and walked from the room.
“Hello?” Yeah, that was me. I questioned the fact that he called me like it was some sort of accident. He must have butt-dialed me. There’s no way this is real. Omg, omg, omg! Was this really happening? Why was I fan-girling over this?
“Um, hey.” I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Hi.” It came out as a short, embarrassing giggle. Are you freaking kidding me? I giggled. Kill. Me. Now.
“You weren’t expecting me to call.” He said flatly.
“No, no. That’s not it. I’m just with your sister.” I whispered the last part even though Brooklyn wasn’t around. I knew she couldn’t hear me, but I still felt like I was doing something wrong.
“Is she there? I can let you—”
I cut him off, “No. I left the room. We’re good.”
“Good.” He sighed.
“What’s wrong?”
I could tell something was bothering him. He had been like this before he got signed. There was a couple of months there when he was in high school when he acted just like this. Filled with anxiety and trying to find something to hold on to so he wouldn’t get swallowed up by the pressure.
He chuckled, “you know me so well.”
“I do.” I cleared my throat, “Nix, I know you haven’t—” Here we go. I’m going to lay it all out. “I’ve wanted you since I can remember and this is all so new for you. I just—”
Rising Summers (Pucking Unbelievable Book 1) Page 14
