by Mary Smith
“Nice. Good-hearted. Still in love with his ex.”
Jude hissed. “Ouch. Wait, isn’t he like young?”
“Twenty-five.”
“Well, hello Ms. Cougar,” Jude teased.
“It’s not like that.” I stirred my gin and tonic.
“Really? Did you sleep with him? Go out on dates?” He lifted an eyebrow.
I folded my arms and sighed but didn’t say anything.
“So you did.” He knew me too well. “You like him, but does he like you?”
“He said he did, but he was in a long-term relationship and I know it’s hard,” I defended him, because he wasn’t a jerk or a player. “What do you think I should do?”
“Whoa, you’re asking me for advice?” His eyes widened with shock.
“You know, I’ve never been in a long relationship or anything. I don’t know about how long the grieving process is.”
Jude laughed. “All right. Give me the details, and I’ll give my advice.”
I told Jude everything I knew about Angela and Kyson’s relationship. I may have sounded ridiculous, but Jude had been in my life almost seventeen years. He and I started dating, briefly, freshmen year in college, but my mother died soon after, and we figured out we were better off as friends. Well, I guess you could call it friends with sex. When he was in between relationships, or I was, we’d found comfort in each other.
It was strange, but Jude was my longest relationship. But he wasn’t my fairy tale.
“Do you want more with him? With Kyson?” Jude leaned in the table.
“I would. Yes,” I answered truthfully. “But, I don’t want to come off as some desperate old maid.”
He roared in laughter. “Meadow, you’re neither desperate or an old maid.”
“I’m thirty-five and he’s twenty-five.”
“So? I’d be more grossed out if you were one hundred fifty and he was eighteen. What’s ten years? Besides you like him, right?”
“I do.”
“Well, my advice would be to talk to him. He sounds like a level-headed guy.”
“He is, but I don’t want to come off as being clingy or pushy with him when he’s still trying to figure out his life. It’s so childish.”
“You’ve never been the childish type either. Why would you think that?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know.”
“Is he your fairy tale?” In a drunken rant one night, I’d told Jude all about my silly fairy tale. I wished I hadn’t.
“I don’t know.”
“Well, you better figure it out real fast. I mean real fast.”
“Why?”
“Because he looks like he’s about to punch me.” Jude wiped his mouth and sat back.
“What?”
“Hello, Meadow.” Kyson appeared at the end of our table.
“Hi.” My mouth fell open. “What…what are you doing here?”
He pointed over his shoulder, and I glanced over to see a few of the Bears players at the bar.
“Oh. Okay. Um, this is my friend, Jude. Jude this is well…um…Kyson Wick.”
“It’s nice to meet you. Meadow hasn’t stopped talking about you since we sat down.”
“Jude,” I hissed at him.
“It’s true, man. My dear friend has got it bad for you,” he continued.
I kicked him under the table; he winced, and then chuckled.
“Well, I feel better now.” Kyson smirked at me.
“A word of advice, Kyson.” Jude stood up, and I was sure it was so I wouldn’t kick him again. “She’s hard headed but has the biggest heart. She has a few insecurities, but if you never hurt her or lie to her, she’ll be loyal to you until the end.”
My mouth dropped. How dare he tell Kyson all of that? Damn him.
“I need to use the bathroom. Excuse me.” Jude walked away from the table.
I did everything I could not to look at Kyson. I couldn’t because my face was aflame with anger and embarrassment.
“I’m going to have a drink with my friends, and then I’ll meet you back at your place.” Kyson whispered in my ear.
I faced him. “You’re still getting over Angela. Whatever Jude said–”
“Was he lying?”
“No.”
“Look,” Kyson was still close to my ear. “My feelings for Angela are over. They are officially, and I’m pretty sure it’s been that way for a long time. She never really cared for me the way I did for her. But you’re different, and I need that in my life.” He kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you at your house.”
Kyson still sat at the bar with his teammates and I’d planned to tell him I was leaving. Instead, I said goodbye to Jude with a hug and thanked him for being so understanding. He wished me good luck.
When I walked into my house, I checked Puckhead’s food and gave him fresh water. I didn’t know if Kyson was really going to come over or not. His confession about Angela shocked me a bit. Maybe he’d had an epiphany of sorts. Or had he had his night with her? No, he’d been on the road. Unless she’d gone to him? Would he do that? I had no clue anymore what to believe.
There were two knocks on my door. I knew it was he before I opened it. There he was, in his dark suit and trench coat. He looked as if he stepped out of a fashion magazine.
“Do I get to come in?” he chuckled, and I stepped aside to let him in. “I’m sure you want to talk first.” He took off his trench coat and then dress jacket.
“I do.” I sat down on my couch and he took the place beside me. “Have you seen her?” I wanted to get the big question out of the way.
“I’ve talked to her. She’s claiming to still love me, but is confused about marrying the new guy. I won’t see her if she’s involved with someone else. Plus,” he paused and took my hand. “I told her about you. I told her how much I like and care for you.”
“Wow,” was the only word that came to mind. I hadn’t expected him to share information about me with her; I wasn’t sure what to think.
“Meadow, I know I put a lot on you in the short time we’ve been together, but I like you and I don’t want to betray you at all. I knew Angela was someone I once loved and cared for, but she’s in the past. She had her chance; she didn’t want it or me, and she walked away. As I told you, I need different now. I need you.”
Had he seriously just said those words? Had he made that confession right here in my living room? I knew my feelings were the same for him, no matter how deep I’d tried to bury them. I’d hated being the mature one when he came over here last week. For the first time in a long time, I wanted someone. Hell, maybe I needed different too.
“Were you going to sleep with him?” Kyson scooted closer to me.
I shook my head. “No. It’s the reason we were at the bar and not here at my house.”
Kyson stroked my cheek. “Why Meadow?”
Did he want me to confess my feelings too?
“I really want to hear it from those beautiful lips.” He touched his forehead to mine. “Please.”
I’ve never held back my feelings to anyone. Ever. Why was this so hard?
“Please,” he begged one more time.
“I care deeply about you, Kyson.”
Kyson smiled and kissed me. Oh, I’ve missed his mouth against mine. He lowered me onto my back and covered me with his body. I’ve really missed this. I moaned as his tongue slipped into my mouth. He pressed his hips down; his need was apparent and my response was instant. I tugged his tie off, not breaking our connection, and tried my best to get his shirt off, but with it tucked in and his cufflinks, it wasn’t happening.
Kyson and I began to laugh at each other. “Oh baby, we’re a mess.”
My body heat rose at his term of endearment. He’d never called me baby before, but I liked it. I wasn’t going to tell him that, but I hoped he’d do it again.
“Let’s move this to the bedroom.” Kyson kissed my neck, and a small bit of doubt crept into my mind.
“Kyson.”
“Mmmm” he hummed against my skin.
“Answer me one thing.”
He looked into my eyes with his bright green eyes.
“You’re not here because you have no other option or trying to get back at her are you?”
His expression went from confusion, to hurt, and then anger. He sat up on his knees, tugging me with him.
“Meadow, I’m here because of you. No one else has anything to do with why I’m here, but you. I want to be with you, okay?”
I nodded. “Sorry, my female doubt gene made an appearance.” I tried to play it off, but I was relieved.
“How about this,” he cupped my face. “How about I go home now and after tomorrow’s game, we have a proper date? Deal?”
“I’d like that a lot.” I smiled at him.
He kissed me, and I was glad he came tonight to talk to me.
Chapter Fourteen
Kyson
The next day there was a skip in my step, a smile on my face, a harder slap in my slapshot. It was all because of Meadow. Having her in my life was making me feel better, and I was happy. When was the last time I was happy? It was sad I didn’t remember.
I was in my warm-up gear and a few guys and I began a game of two touch. It was a dumb, childhood game, of kicking around a soccer-like ball, but it did help stretch out the legs. I mainly hated it because I sucked at it. Luckily, the PHL doesn’t judge me or grade me on two touch.
Keaton pushed and jabbed me as we made our way back to the locker room. He loved making fun of my lack of skills, but I just ignored him.
I was about to change into my pads and I thought I’d check my phone one more time. Of course, Angela had texted me again.
Please meet with me.
No. I told you I have a girlfriend. I’m not going to see you because you’re about to be married.
What if I broke up with him?
No, Angela. The answer is no. Now, stop texting me.
I was getting very frustrated because she wouldn’t accept anything I had told her.
My phone alerted me of a new text, and I almost ignored it because I thought it was Angela. However, Meadow had sent a text, complete with picture.
“Holy shit.” I said aloud without meaning to. Some of the guys looked over at me. “Never mind. Sorry.”
I went back to my screen to see Meadow in her bathroom mirror in a black corset.
This will be under my hoodie tonight.
How the hell was I supposed to concentrate now?
“Damn, Wick, is that the chick you’re banging?” Keaton was over my shoulder.
“Go away.” I pushed on his chest, but Remington grabbed my phone.
“Hot. Hot. Hot. Who’s the lady, Wick?”
“Someone I’m seeing.” I tried to grab my phone, but Remington tossed it to Keaton.
“Hey, this is the author lady, isn’t it?”
“Yes. So?” I finally was able to wrestle it away from him.
“Nice. Older babes are the best. They know how to suck dick.”
Hamilton began to choke on his water. “Keaton, knock it off.”
“What? It’s true,” he mumbled heading back over to his stall.
I was surprised to hear Keaton liked older women too. Then again, I thought he liked anything with a vagina. I put my phone up and finished getting ready for the game.
As I skated onto the ice, the crowd’s cheers were deafening. I loved it. Their energy only made me work harder. I never wanted to let the fans down. I knew how hard they worked, how much money they spent to get to the game, and how much they spent on merchandise.
I took a couple laps around the ice, jabbing at Remington and Keaton, shooting some pucks. When I rounded behind our goalie, Teo’s, net, I stuttered on my skates. A pair of big blue eyes were staring at me. All this time, I had been looking in the stands; it never occurred to me to look in the front row.
I tapped the glass, and I could almost hear her laughing. I tried to focus on what I was doing, but knowing she was so close to me, and in a black corset, I couldn’t think straight.
Thankfully, I was able to regain my focus on the job I love. I was sitting pretty at number eight on the PHL’s assist list. I wanted higher, and I was going to have to get my ass in gear to get there. Knowing Meadow was in the stands, cheering me on, helped.
I wanted to make her proud. Was it strange I wanted that? Had I felt that way with Angela? In the beginning, she kept me so confused about her feelings. She came to one game but then told me she was bored.
How can you be bored at a hockey game?
When the announcer and the music began, I pushed everything else out of my head and trained my eye on my teammates, the puck, and the back of the net. I’ll make sure we won tonight, and my reward: Meadow in the corset.
The first period sucked. My ass ended up in the penalty box and the score was zero to zero. Coach Long spent intermission yelling about how bad we were playing and told us to get our act together.
The second period was much better. Keaton scored with my and Remington’s help. Then, three line changes later, I assisted in Hamilton’s goal. We were now up two to one, and our second intermission was filled with Coach’s booming voice. He was still hyped up.
The final period, we all realized our opponents were tired. Really tired and we took serious advantages. Remington, Keaton, and I began to slam them into the boards, making it harder and harder for them to get up. At the final buzzer, it was four to one, and I couldn’t have been happier.
In lightning fast speed, I showered, changed, and got out to my truck so I could get over to Meadow’s. My cock was semi-hard already thinking of burying myself inside her. I’ve missed her.
As I was pulling out of the player’s parking lot, my phone rang through my speakers. Without looking at the display, I answered it.
“Kyson.”
It was Angela. I should’ve checked before I answered. “What?”
“We need to talk.”
“We have and we’re done. Now, go get married and enjoy your life.”
“Where is my Ky at? He was never rude or harsh, especially to me.” She was pouting. I imagined her thin top lip tucked into the bottom one. She did it all the time when she didn’t get her way.
“Ang, you broke this off. Now, I’ve moved on, and obviously, you have too. It’s best if we just leave it all in the past.”
“Ky, what if I came to Manchester?”
“What?” She was engaged, and she hated traveling.
“I’ll come to you. I’ll get a hotel and we can go somewhere to talk. I know Kian wouldn’t like me staying at your place because he always hated me.” The tone told me she wasn’t fond of him either.
“I’m seeing someone remember.”
“Right,” she huffed. “Ky, it’s not serious. You told me you just like her. Well, I’m sure I care about my Gucci heels more than you care about her. Have you even had sex?”
“It’s none of your business, but we have had sex and she knows all about you. I care a lot about her and she’s an amazing person.”
There was a pause on Angela’s end—until she asked the big question. “Do you love her?”
I was thankful to be at a red light, because I had to close my eyes to process the question. “I don’t know.”
“I know you better than anyone, Ky, and you are so quick to find a happy ending. I think I’ve made a mistake and sitting face-to-face with you will help us both figure this out.”
I told Meadow I needed different, but out of nowhere part of me was screaming for Angela to come back to me. My other side told me not to because of Meadow. Angela was right; I did want a happy ending in my life. Sure, it sounded girly, but I want to settle down.
I pulled into Meadow’s driveway and stared at her house. Last night’s snowfall glittered in Meadow’s porch light. She’d left it on for me.
Do I love her?
I cared for her. I enjoyed her company and the sex was amazing. Someday, may
be, I could see myself falling madly for her.
“Ky?” Angela’s voice crept from the speakers.
The heartbreak with Angela seemed fresh in my mind. She was the only woman I truly loved. She’d consumed my life for five years. She’d followed me all around the US when I was being traded. Sure, she’d grumbled about it, but she’d done it.
Is Angela my happy ending and this is a test of our love?
“Kyson, I can be there Thursday.”
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Get a hotel in Concord and let me know which one when you check in.”
I promptly disconnected the call before I could change my mind. I know I said I wouldn’t see Angela when she was with someone, and I didn’t know what the hell I was thinking right now. This was a huge mistake, but I couldn’t take it back right now as I headed toward Meadow’s door. She greeted me in a long black silk robe with a hint of cleavage popping out from the push up corset.
“Nice game, Wick.” Her voice was sexy and low as I walked in.
She wrapped her hands around my neck and kissed me. Kissing her made me weak in the knees. Was kissing Angela the same?
Angela.
I stepped back from Meadow.
“You okay?” Meadow seemed perplexed.
I gripped her wrists and pulled them from around my neck. I opened my mouth, ready to tell her everything about Angela’s call. Instead, I said, “I’m tired. I’m sorry.”
Her bright smile appeared. “Not a big deal. The game was very intense.”
“It was.” I half grinned.
“Do you just want to go to bed then?” She nodded toward her bedroom.
I deeply wanted to go in there and hold her. “I’m going to go home.” I kissed her cheek. “I’ll text you.”
The last look I saw of Meadow’s face was as I was driving away. Even in the dark, I could see the hurt.
Chapter Fifteen
Meadow
“Okay,” I panted and laid on the bench in the locker room.
“You’re such a pussy.” Harlow kicked my foot.
“My arms are burning, my legs hurt, and I’m pretty sure I left one of my lungs on the elliptical.” I tried to catch my breath, but was still unable.
