Lauren laughed softly. “I’m sure they like the business, but you don’t need to bring flowers all the time,” she said.
Trent shrugged. “I figure the first batch is dead by now, and the second is getting there. Now you have a fresh bouquet.”
“Well, when you put it like that, I guess a girl can never have too many flowers,” Lauren said. “All right, you know the drill. Let’s get these in water.”
Trent followed her into the kitchen,where she filled a glass with water—the previous flower assortment still occupied the vase—and Trent ran his hand over her the brown granite of her counter top. His mind went straight into the gutter as he envisioned all of the things he’d like to do to her on this counter. If Lauren considered her kitchen fantasy already fulfilled, he wanted to give her more fantasies, and if the hospital supply closet was out, he was fine with the kitchen. Or any other room.
She set the new flowers on the table next to the others. “Are you hungry? I can fix us something to eat.” Lauren was already opening the pantry.
“It’s not necessary. I told you, I don’t expect you to always cook.”
“And I don’t expect you to always bring me flowers, either, but you do, anyway.” Lauren removed a few things from the pantry and set them on the counter. “Besides, I love to cook. I love to eat, too.” She let out a dry laugh. “As if that weren’t obvious from looking at me.”
Trent winced. He hated to hear her talk like that, and hated even more that those small-minded, insignificant women in the bathroom at the arena could plant the seeds of doubt in her head and make her feel bad about herself again. “You look beautiful.”
“I’m wearing Winnie the Pooh scrubs,” Lauren countered, but at least she smiled as she said it.
“So?” For the first time, Trent studied the design on her top, and a smile tugged at his lips. “I’ve always liked Tigger.”
She chuckled. “I should hope so. Tigger’s awesome.”
“Yes, he is.” Lauren was awesome, too, and Trent loved her, plain and simple. He loved her even before he knew she loved Tigger, but that didn’t hurt.
“I went by the hospital looking for you,” Trent said. “I don’t like the way we left things last night.”
“I don’t either, and I’m sorry for that, but I wouldn’t have been very good company last night.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. You’re always good company,” Trent said. “Anyway, when you weren’t st the hospital, I talked to Riley.”
Lauren leaned back against the counter and nodded. “How much did she tell you?”
“Enough. She told me what happened at the game. What those stupid women in the bathroom said.” Trent exhaled. “You don’t believe that do you, Laur?” He hoped not, but on some level, he feared she must have, or she wouldn’t have shut him out last night.
After a slight hesitation, Lauren shook her head. “No, not really. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it stung at the time. It stung a lot, and I admit that the doubts started to creep back.” She cast her her eyes downward for a second, but then looked up almost as quickly, and when she did, she wore a smile on her face. “I banished them, though.” she said, sounding to Trent much more like the cheerful, confident woman that she’d been before this setback. “I went to see my counselor. That’s why I left work early today. I needed to talk to her. Actually, what I needed was for her to give me a pep talk.”
“Did it work?” Trent guessed that it must have.
Lauren nodded. “Yes, it sure did, and I guess that’s why I pay her the bug bucks” She let out a laugh and continued, “Talking to Laci kind of allowed me to hit the reset button, if that makes sense.”
“It does, yes.”
“I mean, I can’t undo what was said. I can’t unhear those words. I did hear them, and they did hurt,” Lauren said, “but I can’t control what other people say or think. I can only control how I react to things, and how I feel about myself. The thing is, when I’m with you, I feel beautiful, sexy, vibrant.”
“That’s because you are all of those things,” Trent said. “You shouldn’t need me to make you believe that, but if I’ve helped you to do that, in some small way, then that makes me happy, because I love you.”
“You what?”
“I said I love you, Lauren Chase.” He gave her a sheepish smile. “I said it the other day, too, but maybe you missed that one, because we were kind of busy at the time.”
“No, I heard it. I just... I wasn’t sure it was real. Since we were, as you put it, busy. I figured you should have the chance to take it back, if you wanted. It seems fair.”
Trent stared at her. “What the heck? Is that some rule I’ve never heard of? That if the declarataion of love comes during the act of intercourse, it doesn’t count? You get a free do over?” Sure, he knew of some guys who would like that, and perhaps he would, too, under different circumstances. Not this time, though. “Forget it. I may have been thinking more with my dick than my brain at the time, but I said those words for a reason. Because they’re true. I love you, Lauren, and I’m not taking it back.”
***
Lauren blinked, trying, unsuccessfully, to keep the tears at bay. She didn’t want to turn into a blubbering mess in front of him, but wasn’t doing very well. She’d waited so long to hear those words from a man, and after Dirk beat her down, she questioned whether she ever would. Maybe she was just a fat cow that no one would ever want. Except she wasn’t, and knew that now. Trent wanted her. Trent loved her.
“You’re allowed to reply, you know. You can say it back.” He gave a casual shrug. “If it’s true, that is. I mean, no pressure. Sure, you could totally break a guy’s heart, but—”
“No pressure, huh?” Lauren laughed through the tears and wiped her eyes with her hand. He need not worry about her breaking his heart. “Yes, I’ll say it back. I love you, too, Trenton Majest.”
“Whew.” He gave an exaggerated sigh of relief and ran his hand across his forehead. “I’m glad that’s out of the way.”
Lauren chuckled. She loved his sense of humor. “Me too.” As sweet as his declaration of love was, though, it didn’t resolve everything. At least not in Lauren’s mind. “There is something you need to know, and I feel like we have to get this out there now.”
“Whatever it is, it won’t change the way I feel,” Trent vowed.
Lauren believed him, and allowed her to accept what she was about to say, without thinking less of herself. “I might always be overweight,” she said. “I mean, I’m not giving up on the diet thing. I’m still going to try to live healthy and exercise, and all that, and maybe I’ll lose more weight. I hope so. I want to, and I know I’m never going to be as big as I once was.” She could say that much with confidence. “But I’m also never going to be size two or four or whatever. I probably won’t even get to single digits.”
“And I probably won’t ever lead the team in scoring or be selected to the All-Star game,” Trent said, as if it was the same thing.
“If you think I care about that, then you don’t know me very well. That doesn’t matter to me. I love you for you, Trent.”
He smiled. “I know that, and that’s exactly my point. I love you for you, Lauren.” He walked toward her. “I love your beautiful eyes and your pretty smile, and your caring heart and the way you’re always in my corner and can always make me laugh.” He put his hands on her hips. “I love your sexy curves, too. And your tits. I especially love those. I’m allowed to say that, right?”
Lauren felt herself blush. “Yes. I don’t mind if you say that.”
“Good.” He gave her a kiss on her forehead. “So that’s settled, then?”
Lauren nodded, smiling. “Yes, settled.” she said, “And now that it is, I’m going to cook, because that’s what I like to do.”
“Fine. I’m going to watch you and think naughty thoughts.” He gave her a sexy grin. “Because that’s what I like to do.”
Epilogue
A season that began w
ith great promise ended in heartbreak, as San Antonio finished in ninth place in the conference, missing a playoff berth by one point. One stinking point. One more win, or heck, even if they could have picked up another overtime loser point along the way, and the Generals would be in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They’d have the chance to win it all. Instead, the team finished its locker clean out and end-of-season interviews, and then many of the guys took off, scattering to various parts of North America and Europe for an offseason that would be longer than any of them anticipated.
For Trent, the disappointment at how the season ended was tempered a bit by the personal achievements. He could enter the offseason relaxed and with confidence that when October came around and the Generals prepared to open their third season in the NHL, Trent would be part of the team, and not fearing reassignment to the AHL.
And then there was Lauren. Their relationship was the reason that Trent made the decision to spend the summer in San Antonio. No way could he leave her now. Instead, he’d agreed to join the youth hockey camp as one of the coaches. It would give him something to do in the summer when he wasn’t with Lauren, although Trent planned to be with her as much possible. He also wanted to take her home to Brampton sometime to meet his family. He was all in on this relationship, and didn’t want it any other way.
Fortunately, Lauren was all in as well, and Trent loved seeing her confidence grow as their relationship continued to blossom. Even though she wouldn’t be cheering him on in the playoffs, Trent knew he could count on Lauren being by his side no matter what. Tonight was no exception, as she accompanied him to a banquet for the youth center. This was Noah’s favorite charity, and since Noah was responsible for him meeting Lauren, Trent saw little choice but to be there, and to further show his gratitude to his friend, he’d even agreed to volunteer at the center during the summer.
It was a decision that forced Trent into a spotlight he didn’t want, as the center’s director introduced him to the crowd and asked him to say a few words. He obliged, but kept it as brief as possible. He didn’t want to make speeches. He just wanted to be with his girl, and as soon he finished his remarks to the crowd, he hurried to find her.
“Hey, beautiful,” Trent said, coming up behind Lauren and putting his arms around her waist. “Miss me?” He brushed her hair to the side so he could kiss her neck.
“Always,” Lauren said. “I enjoyed watching you, though. You’re awfully sexy in a tux.”
“Thanks. At least I looked good, even that was one of the most painful three minutes of my life. I don’t want to talk at. people when I could be with you. Doing this.” He moved one hand up so it found her breast, and gave a subtle squeeze.
“Mmm. Tempting. But maybe this isn’t the best place for that.”
“No, probably not.” Reluctantly, Trent took his hand away. He’d have to behave himself for a little longer, at least util he’d put in enough time that no one would notice too much if he left. “Dance with me, though?”
She turned, a smile on her face. “Yes. I’d love to dance with you.”
***
Lauren could see the passion and love in Trent’s eyes as she turned around. She might always struggle with her weight, but he’d manage to erase most of her issues with her confidence. How could she feel anything other than beautiful, desirable, and loved, when she had a man who always looked at her with such love in his eyes?
“I’m not much of a dancer,” she warned, as Trent placed his hands on her waist.
“That’s okay, because neither am I.” Trent gave her a wry smile. “I always seem to have two left feet.”
Lauren chuckled. “Quite a pair aren’t we? All these insecurities.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I think we’re doing pretty good.” Indeed, they hadn’t tripped yet, although she knew the dancing wasn’t what Trent referred to.
Lauren relaxed into his arms for the slow song, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder. “I think so, too. I’m so glad you came into my life.” Their romance might have been a whirlwind at times, but that didn’t matter. Lauren knew this was real, and she looked forward to every day with him. She hadn’t lost any more weight in the past few weeks, but she hadn’t gained any either. Maybe she was right in what she’d told Trent, and she’d reached the plateau. She might always be a big girl. Lauren gave herself permission to be okay with that, and not fight it all the time. She was okay with it because she knew Trent loved her just the way she was, and that gave her the confidence to not only accept herself, but to love herself, too. And that was a very good feeling.
“You’re quiet,” Trent said, as one song ended and another began. “What are you thinking about?”
“Oh, nothing much. Just how you beautiful you make me feel, and how much I love you.”
“You are beautiful. The most beautiful woman here,” Trent said. “And I love you, too.”
Yes, he was so good for her. What woman didn’t want to be talked to like that? The best part of it, though, was that it wasn’t talk. He meant it. “Good. Are you ready to take me home now and show me how much?”
Trent grinned. “Oh, baby, I thought you’d never ask.”
###
Keep reading for a special preview of Beating the Odds, next in the Men of the Ice series, coming Spring 2017.
Beating the Odds
Chapter One
It might only be May, but Shannon Eaves was ready to declare this one of the best years of her life. When she moved to San Antonio from Chicago to assume the role of director of the town’s fledgling youth center eight months before, Shannon had no idea what she was in for. She knew only it was too good of an opportunity to pass up. She’d sure been right about that.
There had been some struggles in the early days, but that was to be expected with any position, and especially as the director of a not-for-profit. Those struggles were far outweighed by the personal and professional satisfaction Shannon got in knowing that the youth center was something that the south side community sorely needed, and that she’d helped to bring it to them.
It didn’t hurt that the center now had the city’s professional hockey team supporting it, or at least a fair number of its players. It all started with Noah Mann, the team’s fun-loving defenseman, who stopped by the center one afternoon looking for a chance to volunteer. Shannon had no idea what brought him there, and cynically wondered if he might have gotten in trouble with the law and was looking to fulfill community service hours. She couldn’t have been more wrong. As it turned out, he just liked kids and wanted to spend with some. Noah’s help went beyond the donation of his time, to donation of money, as well, when he pledged a portion of the proceeds from his charity golf tournament to the center.
Fast forward a few months, and Shannon found herself with a whole line-up of Generals players to introduce as center volunteers, and she chose the occasion of the spring fundraiser to do it. Judging from the size of the crowd, plenty of people wanted the opportunity to see some professional hockey players up close and personal, especially dressed in their best black tie attire.
Shannon couldn’t blame them. Hockey players were sexy. Especially the ones she had by her side tonight. Sure, Noah was taken, and so was Trenton, but a girl could look from afar, right? Besides, the third member of the hockey-playing trio came to the event without a date, and he might be the sexiest one of all.
“Finally, last but certainly not least, Austin Wilke will be joining the Youth Center as a volunteer this summer, as well. A left-winger, Austin hails from Iowa, and in addition to hockey, he enjoys Formula One racing, home cooked meals, and corny movies,” Shannon said, reading from the short introduction Austin prepared. She liked him already, and she suspected that the kids who hung out at the center would as well.
As she handed Austin the microphone to say a few words, Shannon took note of the high cheek bones, brown eyes, and the wisp of dark brown hair that fell over his forehead, and sucked in a breath. Yes, he was definitely the sexiest of her trio of volun
teers, and Shannon’s already great year was looking even better.
***
Talk about being out of his element. Austin didn’t do crowds, formal, or speeches well at all, yet here he was, expecting to speak to a crowd of prospective donors about why they should open their wallets or get out their checkbooks in support of the San Antonio Youth Center. Like he knew? He’d never set foot in the place before. He just knew he had to be there, because San Antonio was his home now, and if there was something Austin could do to help the troubled kids in his new city avoid falling into the gang life, he had to do it.
As soon as he arrived at the benefit, Austin discovered the volunteer position came with other perks, in the form of the director. And what a form it was. Shannon Eaves was smoking hot, with skin the color of coffee—with lots of cream—and tight, dark curls. Yeah, if Austin got to see her every day, his summer vacation would be fine, even if it started a lot earlier than anyone in the Generals organization expected. They were supposed to be in the playoffs now, not finding ways to fill the next five months until training camp.
Austin took the microphone from Shannon as the crowd applauded. Being only in his second year in the NHL, and playing on the fourth line, he was no big-name celebrity. At least he didn’t think of himself that way, but if someone else wanted to, he wouldn’t complain. “Thank you,” he said. “Thanks for coming out tonight to learn a little bit about what we’re doing here at the Youth Center. Or if you only came for the food or the music, that’s okay, too.” A ripple of laughter filled the room.
“It’s okay, because I’m confident that by the time the night is over, you’ll be a believer in what Shannon and her team are doing in south San Antonio. I know I already am, and that’s why I’m excited to be giving my time as a center volunteer this summer. And hey, if you follow hockey at all, you know I’ve got plenty of time on my hands now.” More laughter, and Austin didn’t mind, even if it was at the expense of the Generals failing to qualify for the playoffs.
Going all In (Men of the Ice Book 8) Page 10
