by Ellen Devlin
CHASING PAIGE
Washington Guardians
Hockey ~ Book #2
By Ellen Devlin
Chasing Paige
Copyright © 2019 by Ellen Devlin.
All rights reserved.
First Print Edition: June 2019
Limitless Publishing, LLC
Kailua, HI 96734
www.limitlesspublishing.com
Formatting: Limitless Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1-64034-619-2
ISBN-10: 1-64034-619-8
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual persons—living or dead—is entirely coincidental.
Dedication
To Kelly
(she’s kind of a big deal)
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Epilogue
Chapter One
“You gotta help me, Micky. I’m losing my shit.”
“You need me to hop on a plane and come beat the crap out of someone? I got your back, Becks.”
“No, no. I met someone.”
Tom (Micky) McCullin paused before answering. “And there’s some sort of problem with that? That sounds like a good thing.”
Chris Beckman paced around his apartment, talking on the phone with his best friend. “A woman. I met a woman.”
Micky laughed. “I figured that part out. I still don’t understand the problem.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Seriously, Becks? I thought we had this conversation when we were fourteen or so. I know you don’t get much action, but did you forget how things work? I can send you links to some very helpful educational videos. ‘Tab A goes into Slot B…’”
“Shut up, Mick. I’m serious.” Chris took a breath. “She’s fucking gorgeous. And I can’t stop thinking about her.”
Micky left off his teasing. “What’s the deal? Have you gone out already, or did you just meet her?”
Chris stopped pacing and sat down. “I just met her. I have her number, but I don’t know if I should call.”
Micky laughed again. “Dude, if she gave you her number, you should definitely call her. What the fuck’s gotten into you?”
“She didn’t give it to me. Her friend did.” He paused. “This feels weird. But I think I’m going to lose my fucking mind if I don’t see her again.”
“Damn. Okay, that does sound weird. And you already sound like you’re losing your mind. Elaborate. How did you meet her? How did you get her number?”
“It was at a fan event.”
“No shit.” Micky was surprised. “You’re losing your mind over a puck bunny?”
Chris and Micky were both pro hockey players. Chris was in his second season of a long-term contract as a winger with the Washington Guardians, and his best friend was a defenseman with the Montreal Lynx.
“No. Jesus, Mick.” He took a breath and rubbed his free hand on the back of his neck. “I was working a fan event, and I looked across the room and saw this…shit, I don’t even know how to describe her. She’s fucking gorgeous.”
“You mentioned that.” Micky had a small smile on his face, amused to hear Chris so flustered. This was something new.
“She’s like, five-foot-two, tiny, brown hair, the nicest curves you can possibly imagine…anyway, I look over and see her, and I just can’t stop staring.” He paused again to take another breath. “I must have stared at her on and off for like a half-hour. When I finally thought to look to see if she was there with someone, I noticed that she’s with another woman, and I accidentally catch that woman’s eye because she’s totally looking at me. And then she smiles and starts heading straight for me.”
“Shit.”
“I know, right? I’m thinking I’m screwed. How do you tell someone, ‘Hey, you’re cute and everything, but I really only want to talk to your friend,’ and not come off like a total dick?”
He stood up and started pacing again. “So, the woman comes up to me and introduces herself, says she’s a huge Guards fan, was glad to see me traded here, a few other things. Her friend is just standing with her, kind of looking around, and I’m trying not to blatantly stare at her friend while this woman is talking to me. I have no idea what I said.”
Chris stopped pacing and sat on the couch again. “And then, so help me God I am not making this up, the woman says, ‘This is my friend, Paige. She doesn’t know anything about hockey. I think you could probably explain the basics to her better than I could.’ And then she smiled and winked and started to walk off, leaving me standing there with this tiny goddess.”
“You are fucking kidding me.” Micky was fascinated. “What happened?”
“The goddess—I mean Paige—looked stunned and started to say something, but her friend said, ‘I’ll be back in a few minutes, just gotta go check something out.’” Chris leaned his head back against the cushion. “I’m not sure what I said. I think I introduced myself…and maybe made small talk? Shit. I don’t know. I think I tried to explain something about hockey. Fuck, Micky. I was a mess.”
Micky started laughing. “So how did you end up with her phone number?”
“Her friend came back after a little while, and the three of us talked. That was easier, somehow. And then, when they were going to move on, her friend shook my hand again and handed me a piece of paper that said, ‘Here’s her number in case you forgot to ask for it.’”
“Holy shit!”
“Micky, I had totally forgotten to ask for her number.” His voice reflected how potentially devastating that would have been. “She would have walked away and I never would have seen her again.”
“So why haven’t you called her?” Chris just sat there, staring at the ceiling, long enough to make Micky wonder if they had been disconnected. “Becks. Why the fuck did you pick up the phone and dial my number instead of hers?”
There was a pause before Chris replied in a hollow voice, “I don’t know.”
Micky chuckled. “I think you’re scared shitless. Hang up the phone and call her, you idiot.”
“Okay.”
***
P
aige Smith and her roommate, Liz Williams, were having dinner in their apartment when Paige’s phone rang.
“Huh, that’s not a number I recognize.” Paige picked up the phone and said hello, and there was a rather deep male voice on the other end.
“May I please speak to Paige?”
“Speaking. Can I help you?”
Liz watched Paige with interest while continuing to eat her dinner. She had a suspicion as to who was on the other end of the line. If she was right, it was surprising it had taken him this long to call—she hadn’t seen anyone so obviously, utterly smitten in a long time.
“Um, this is Chris Beckman. From the Guardians. I don’t know if you remember, but we, uh, we met at the fan event the other day.”
Paige’s eyes were huge, and she turned to stare daggers at Liz, who simply smiled in return.
“Yes, I remember you. I’m wondering how you got my number, though.”
Chris’s heart was racing, and he was sweating. “Your friend gave it to me. I hope that was okay.” He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. “I meant to ask you for it, but I didn’t manage to. I mean, I didn’t remember to, but I wanted to, and…” Shit, shit, shit, stop talking. “…she gave it to me before you guys left.” Deep breath. “I hope that’s okay.” He had the vague idea that he had started repeating himself.
Paige was glaring at Liz but found the corner of her mouth turning up listening to the man on the other end of the phone. He sounded completely flustered. It was rather sweet.
“It’s fine. I will kill her later.”
Chris breathed a sigh of relief and then hoped she hadn’t heard it. He suspected she had.
“So, Chris Beckman from the Guardians, can I help you with something?”
He realized that he hadn’t said anything. “I, uh…I was wondering…” Shit, get it together, Beckman. Deep breath. “I was wondering if I could take you out to dinner sometime.”
“Oh. Well, I mean, all right.” She was still staring at Liz but now simply blinked rather than glared. “Sure,” she said. “I guess.”
Liz looked at her curiously, lifted an eyebrow, and mouthed, “I guess?” at her. Paige shrugged, eyes wide. Liz put her hands over her eyes and shook her head.
Chris froze at her response. She had said yes to a date, but on the other hand, he couldn’t tell if she was interested or was just agreeing to placate him. “Um, okay, how about Friday night?”
“This Friday? I, uh…” Paige was faltering.
Liz sighed and shook her head. She looked at Paige and exaggeratedly nodded, mouthing, “Say yes.”
“Yes, that would be fine.” Paige’s eyes were wide and she shrugged again.
“Okay, great.” Chris felt panic gripping him, realizing he didn’t know where to take her, where she lived, what kind of food she liked. So many logistics to address and he suddenly didn’t have any idea how to do any of this. Even his palms were sweating. Jesus, Beckman, get a grip! “Is seven-thirty a good time?”
“That would be fine.”
“Okay.” He paused. “Then I will make reservations and will pick you up Friday night.” Another pause. “I guess I need to get your address. Unless you would feel better meeting me there. In that case, I will tell you where I make reservations and we can just meet. But I don’t mind picking you up, if that would be all right with you. But only if that won’t make you uncomfortable.” Holy shit, shut the fuck up.
“No, that would be fine with me. I will text you my address, and I will see you at seven-thirty on Friday.”
Chris breathed out in relief. “Great. Good. That sounds good. I will see you then.”
Paige looked at Liz after the phone disconnected.
“What. The. Fuck? Why did you give him my number?”
Liz laughed. “Paige, I told you, I don’t think I have ever seen anyone look at another person the way he was looking at you. I think the only reason he looked over at me was to see if I was your boyfriend. He was looking at you like you were water in the desert. You just can’t ignore things like that.”
Paige shook her head. “He sounded really nervous on the phone.” Her lips quirked into a small smile. “It was kinda cute.”
“And he’s more than just kinda cute.”
“I’ll admit that there’s nothing wrong with the way he looks.”
“‘Nothing wrong?’” Liz asked, incredulous. “Paige, please.” Paige’s smile was much bigger this time. “Yeah, I thought so. He’s a great-looking guy with the body of a pro athlete. He’s handsome. And hot. Perfect combination.”
“Shut up.”
“You’re welcome.”
***
Chris hung up the phone and texted Micky.
Chris: Date Friday holy shit.
Micky responded with a few emojis. Some appropriate for the situation, some less so. Chris laughed and tried to relax a little, still feeling a bit sweaty, his heart still racing. He had never been particularly smooth-talking or super confident with women, but he was pretty sure he hadn’t sounded that awkward since he really was fourteen years old and his voice was cracking.
Chapter Two
“What do you think? Too much?” Paige turned to show Liz her outfit for the evening. She was wearing tailored slacks with a sleeveless silk blouse. The look was completed with heeled sandals, a nice belt, and classically tasteful pearl jewelry. Her makeup was perfect. As usual.
“Probably not, but where are you going?”
Fussing with her hair, Paige answered, “DiNatali Brothers in Old Town. Have you heard of it?”
“Ooooh, yes! That place is supposed to be fantastic! And very nice, so no, you are not overdressed. But you might want to take a light sweater in case it’s cold in the restaurant.”
“Yeah, I have one that I’ll bring with me that goes well with this.”
Liz chuckled. “I still don’t understand how you always look so completely put together.” Liz was sprawled out across their large armchair, her legs draped over one of the arms, wearing worn jeans and a faded t-shirt.
Paige responded, “I just get classic stuff that won’t go out of style and then add an accent piece here or there to jazz things up.” Looking over at Liz, she rolled her eyes and said, “This isn’t rocket science, Liz. You could do this if you wanted to.”
“Who has that kind of time?”
Making a “tsk” noise as she continued to fuss with her hair, Paige said, “Everyone has a few minutes. You just choose jeans.”
Liz smiled. “True. But to be fair, I do wear cute shirts and shoes. Sometimes, anyway.”
“You’re very cute.”
“Yeah, well. You are gorgeous.” Liz watched Paige twist her hair up in the back and added, “No, leave your hair down. It looks great down.”
Paige released her hair and fluffed it back out again, pacing nervously for a moment before sitting down on the couch.
Liz asked, “What’s wrong? You’re going to have a good time tonight.”
Sighing, sliding back into the couch, Paige responded, “I know, you’re probably right. It should be fine. But it’s been a long time since I had a real first date with someone I didn’t already know. And I don’t know this guy at all. That feels a little weird.”
Thinking for a moment, Liz said, “Oh, wow, that’s right. The last time would have been…Fred?”
Paige laughed. “Oh yeah! Fred. It’s been quite a while since I’ve thought about him.”
“Boniest dude I’ve ever met.”
Paige hit her with a throw pillow from the couch. “He was very nice.”
“Sure, he was very nice. But he was the most angular guy I’ve ever seen in my life.” Paige was laughing. “Seriously, he was a very nice bag o’ antlers.” Changing the topic, Liz said, with a small smirk, “A few ‘accent pieces’ to jazz up your wardrobe? Does that include hot pink five-inch heels?”
“Oh my God, I knew you wouldn’t let that comment go by. One tequila-fueled ill-advised fashion decision. You’re never going to
let me live that down, are you?”
“Nope. Never.”
“I did end up wearing them. Once.”
“Yeah, when you dressed up as a hooker for Halloween.”
“Shut up.” They were both laughing as Paige got up. “I’m going to go finish getting ready.”
The doorbell rang a few moments after Paige closed her bedroom door.
***
Liz found Chris standing outside the door. “Oh, hi!” she said. “Wait, you’re Chris Beckman, right? We met at the fan event last week. What brings you to my door?” She tried not to smile at the horrified look on his face.
“Oh, for God’s sake, Liz, would you please just let him in?” Chris exhaled in visible relief as he heard Paige’s voice from inside the apartment.
Liz’s eyes were twinkling as she let him in. She said, “Sorry, it was too good an opportunity to miss. Paige is my roommate. I’m Liz. Please have a seat. She’ll be ready in a minute.” She gestured him over to their couch. “Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee? Something to restart your heart, perhaps?”
Chris sat down and said, “No, thank you, I’m fine.” He looked over at Liz with a little smile and said, “That was mean.”
She sat down at the other end of the couch and grinned. “Yeah, but I figure I’ve gotta have a little bit of credit banked with you already. Thought I’d go ahead and use some right away.”
Paige came out of her room, and Chris stood up and stared. “Hi, Chris. Sorry about my roommate. She’s…challenging.”
“You mispronounced ‘amazingly fun and wonderful,’” Liz corrected.
“Riiight.” She drew the word out in response.
Paige looked over at Chris and smiled at him. He really was a very handsome man. Tall, she was guessing around six-foot-one, with short, very dark hair. He was sharply dressed too, wearing suit pants and a crisp white button-down shirt open at the collar and rolled at the sleeves. When you added his athletic physique, he could easily have stepped out of a high-end menswear catalog. His dark brown eyes were currently looking at her with something akin to awe—the look was so admiring she was almost uncomfortable.
