by Denise Bower
“Hey,” I murmured as I poked his shoulder.
“Mmm, sleeping,” he grumbled.
“Alex,” I said a little louder.
He opened his eyes and blinked several times. “Victoria. What time is it?”
“Late. What are you doing here?”
“Are you staying?”
“Uh, I have a room here.”
“No, are you staying with the team?” He rubbed his eyes, stretched his legs, and yawned loudly.
“Yeah, you were at practice when I accepted the job. How did you know I was here?”
His cheeks colored and he shrugged. “I’m not a stalker or anything. It was an accident. I saw you pull out of the parking lot the other day, so I figured you were staying here.”
“And why are you here now?”
“I heard Cam yelling at Coach, so I asked him what happened. The asshole wouldn’t tell me, but I had an idea it was about your job and something about your dad. I wanted to make sure you were okay. You’ve seemed really stressed out the last couple of days.”
He glanced at the clock on the wall, sprang out of the chair, and dug his phone out of his pocket. “I need to call my sister.” After several terse words, he hung up. “I woke her. She wasn’t pleased.”
“Are you from Ritchfield?”
“No. Why?”
“Is your family with you?”
“Um, Shelby is my only family. My parents were killed in a car accident.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry,” I said, feeling my face flush.
“It’s okay. It’s what happened. Hey, I’m hungry. Have you eaten?”
“Starving, actually,” I said, glad for the change of subject. “I don’t have anything in my room, but we could order from somewhere and have it delivered.”
The blush on his cheeks deepened and he bit his lip. “Your room? I didn’t mean….”
I punched him in the arm. “Don’t worry. I won’t try to ravage you or whatever you kids say nowadays.”
“What the hell?” he said, laughing. “You’re only four years older than me. Sometimes you talk like you’re an old woman. Ravage me. Whatever.”
“You’re only eighteen?” I gasped because that was so young to be responsible for another person and trying to find your own way in the world without the help of family. Not that my family was helpful in any way, shape, or form. “And don’t say anything to me about how I talk. You used the word drama llama and somehow it snuck into my vocabulary.”
“That’s my sister’s fault,” he said, shaking his head. “And I’m almost nineteen.”
I slid my card into the lock and the door clicked open. The place was a disaster and I felt a blush rising up my neck. Clothes were strewn everywhere, and I hadn’t let anyone in to clean the room.
“Sorry about the mess,” I said, picking up a handful of shirts and tossing them on the unmade bed. “I was unprepared for the job interview and pretty much everything else.”
“Now that you have a job, you should probably think about getting a more permanent place to hang your stuff,” Alex said.
“Jeesh, what a day.” I sighed and pushed everything back on the floor when I flopped on the bed. “I haven’t even driven around the city. I guess I didn’t really expect to be offered the job. I have no idea where to begin.”
I’d never searched for an apartment on my own. Viktor and our management team had secured my last place of residence, and before that, my dad or Leo’s assistant had always arranged my lodging.
“I’m pretty sure there are open spots where I live. It’s a brand new complex and right by the lake. Nice view and less than three miles from the arena. You could come check the place out tomorrow.”
“That would be great,” I said. “But right now, I need some food. No offense, but being around you hockey players sort of sucks the life right out of me.”
Alex rolled his eyes and smiled, then pulled open a drawer and dragged out a phone book. He dumped it on the bed and lay down next to me. We flipped through the ads, searching for a place that would deliver. After a few arguments, we settled on burgers. I almost felt guilty for ordering one since I’d lectured Carter on his bad eating habits. But after the day I’d had, I was lucky not to have my face buried in a tub of ice cream.
“I feel weird ordering stuff like this in front of you,” Alex said.
“I give you permission to cheat on your diet, and I’m sorry for the hockey guy comment. Some of you aren’t so bad.”
“Thanks,” he said gleefully and ordered two burgers with everything, french fries, onion rings, and a giant soda.
We spent the next hour eating and talking about how weird our lives had become. He asked me about my skating, but when he mentioned Viktor, I told him I wasn’t ready to discuss him or the dissolution of our partnership. He changed the subject by telling me about the loss of his parents and the difficulty of becoming a legal guardian to his fourteen-year-old sister. It probably would have been better to talk about Viktor.
“There was no one else, and she wanted to stay with me,” he said. “It’s hard, but we’ll work it out. I have no idea what I’m going to do when the season starts and the team is on the road. We don’t know anyone here. I can’t even think about what we’re going to do if I get called up.”
“Jeesh—”
“Please don’t say you’re sorry. I hate that.” He sighed and we sat in silence for a few minutes. I cleaned up our garbage and tossed him a bottle of water.
“What do you know about a player named Carter Murphy?” I asked.
“Why?”
“I’ve bumped into him a few times.”
“Is that what the kids are calling it now?”
“Shut up,” I said. “I mean we shouted at each other.”
“Is that still code?”
“No, just answer the question. You either know something or you don’t.”
“I know he’s a good hockey player, but he should be great. He’s wasting his talent on partying,” Alex said. He rattled off Carter’s stats and some other information you’d find on the back of a trading card. “It’s stupid and it annoys me, because I’m working my ass off, and guys like him only do enough to get by. If I had his talent, I’d be using it.”
He narrowed his eyes and grumbled about lazy players.
“I’m sure you’ve dealt with people like that,” he said.
“It’s harder to hide being a slacker in figure skating.”
“Is your dad really Bradley Campbell?”
“Yes.”
“Did you talk to him today?”
“I didn’t give him much of a chance to talk. I yelled at him, and then I ran into Carter and shouted at him. Hockey players seem to make me come unhinged.”
He chuckled. “I better go. We have our first game tomorrow, and for some reason, I need to go in early to get a little treatment. My muscles seem to be stiff.”
“Sorry,” I said sheepishly.
“No, you’re not,” he said. “And it got you the job, so it was worth it.”
He stood and leaned against the wall with his hand on the doorknob. “Thanks for hanging with me tonight.”
“I should thank you for hanging out with me. I’m still angry at my dad, but it’s not as bad.”
“In his own misguided way, he probably thought what he was doing was for the best. Don’t be too hard on him. You never know when it will be the last time.” Alex smiled sadly and said a quick goodbye as he closed the door.
His statement lessened my anger even more and gave me a sinking feeling in my stomach. I knew what Alex had meant, and I couldn’t help but wonder what happened the day his parents were killed.
I headed into the bathroom to draw a hot bath to ease the stiffness in my body. When I slipped into the tub, the remnants of my anger drowned in the glorious water. I soaked until the bubbles evaporated and the water turned chilly.
Securing the job made me swell with pride and taking Alex’s advice, I dec
ided not to be mad at my father anymore. It took too much energy to be angry all the time. But I wasn’t going to communicate that fact to him. I figured I’d let him believe I was still mad as hell.
As I lay covered in the stiff sheets and the weird hotel blanket, my brain conjured images of Carter Murphy. I tried to think about other things, but he butted his way into my head. That night, my dreams featured us enjoying a meal and a passionate fight, which led to him pressing me against the wall and moving in to steal a kiss. Even though my alarm went off and the dream faded away when I opened my eyes, it still took a full ten minutes to wipe the memories.
Once I was able to function, I cursed the early hour. Yesterday had overwhelmed me, and I was going to pay dearly for staying up late. I managed to make it to the rink just as Hank pulled into his parking place.
“You look tired,” he said.
“I haven’t even had breakfast,” I grumbled. “I need to get my own place with a kitchen and food.”
“Speaking of kitchens. You need to see ours, and the doc wants to meet with you to put together some nutrition plans and discuss other things the guys might need.”
“I don’t think I’m ever going to get caught up with this team,” I said.
“You were a late hire, Vika. We’ll get everything on track,” he said.
“Why am I such a late hire?”
“Two guys before you didn’t work out,” he said.
I wanted to ask more questions, but I could tell Hank wasn’t going to divulge any more information.
“I’ve got some great recovery smoothies and pre-competition stuff I drink all the time. I should be able to tweak the recipes for the guys.”
“Ugh, I can’t stand that stuff.”
“Mine are great. I’ve messed around with them over the last few years, so I don’t grimace every time I drink one.”
“I’ll believe it when I taste it,” he said, frowning. “Your credentials are ready. We just need your mug shot.”
“Credentials?”
“You’re a member of the team now.” He jiggled the plastic cards hanging around his neck.
I managed to suppress a squeal. Things were changing so quickly. In the years past, the only credentials I had were for the competitions I attended. Now I needed them to go to a hockey game where I would tend to the needs of twenty-three players.
“Ugh,” I said. “I should sit down.”
“Just realizing what you agreed to?”
“I must be insane. How can this be a good idea?”
“You’ll be fine, and it’s not a good idea, it’s a great idea. Also Johan wants to see you before skate. I think he wants to order you some clothes that actually fit you.”
The oversized team jacket I was currently sporting was made for a very large person. It would be nice to have things in my size, although I wasn’t returning this jacket.
I tromped into Johan’s office and sat down with a small groan. My muscles still ached, and I yearned to get into the weight room to work out some of the knots.
“I spoke to your father,” Johan said without looking at me.
“Wonderful,” I said because this was not exactly how I wanted to begin my day.
“He wanted me to relay a message.”
“A message?”
“He said congratulations on the new job.”
I snorted and rolled my eyes. I was almost positive those were not his words.
Without missing a beat, Johan slid my credentials across the desk. He also handed me a giant folder full of papers for me to look over and sign.
“You father would also like to know if you’ve found a place to live.”
“That’s none of his business.”
“Then I would like to know,” Johan said.
“I’ll be working on that after skate.”
He nodded. “Bradley and I have been friends for quite a while. He’s concerned.”
“I’m sorry you’re in the middle of this.”
“I’m not in the middle. I called him.”
“Why?”
“To thank him for sending you to our team and to yell at him for getting my captain involved.”
“I’m sure he was thrilled with that.”
“You belong here,” he said. “Now please go see Margo. She will complete your credentials and go over the rest of your paperwork. When she releases you, Doc wants to speak with you.”
“And where will I find Doc?”
“In the training room, in the recovery pool, or in his office.”
“Right.”
By the time the players straggled into the arena, I was ready to crawl back into bed. I’d signed my name a million times, gone over player stuff with Doc—whose real name was Dr. Frank Saunders—and met with the trainers to discuss some of the minor player injuries that needed specialized rehab.
When I thought everything was completed, Margo dragged me away from the trainers to show me to my office. The first thing I noticed was that it was not much bigger than a closet. The second thing I saw was a cupcake sitting on a small paper doily in the middle of the desk.
“Most offices do not come with cake,” Margo said. “But the captain insisted. I told him he should have bought you at least a dozen cupcakes to atone for his bad behavior. He said he didn’t think cake was on your dietary plan.”
I bit my lip and stared at the peace offering.
“There’s also a heater under your desk. You will come to love that heater,” Margo said.
“I’d really love a couch with a pillow and blanket even more.”
“Welcome to the team, Victoria.” She flashed a warm smile at me.
“Thanks.”
Her phone vibrated. “Duty calls.” She pushed her glasses up her nose, fluffed her dyed-blonde hair, and straightened her skirt before rushing down the corridor and yelling at someone about box seats for the game tonight.
After skate, a short warm-down, and instructions from the coach to take a nap and “eat something you won’t throw up on the ice,” I met up with Alex by the locker room. He was bouncing from foot to foot, filled with nervous energy.
“I’m playing tonight,” he said.
“You need to calm down,” I answered.
“I’m a little freaked out.”
“Are you going to be able to make it to your complex to show me around.”
“Oh yeah, yeah, we can do that,” he muttered. “You want to follow me or ride with me?”
“I’ll follow. I need to be back here before you,” I said. “Just don’t get into an accident.”
He asked for my phone, entered an address, and handed it back to me. “Just in case you get lost.”
“Thanks, Alex.”
I managed to stay behind him and not lose my way. I’d been so preoccupied with getting the job, the area looked unfamiliar. I knew how to get to my hotel, the arena, and back to the freeway. I’d been here a few times for regional competitions before I’d hit the international scene, but even then, I didn’t have time for any sightseeing.
The city sat right on the shore of Lake Superior and was showing signs of changing seasons. I shivered because I hadn’t lived in a winter climate for years. I didn’t even have a warm coat in my wardrobe right now. Last season, Francie from France had spilled some awful blue drink all over my lovely white, winter jacket. Instead of trying to clean it, I’d chucked it in the garbage can and never replaced it. I still maintained she’d done it on purpose.
Ahead of me, Alex slowed his car and turned into a parking lot. The lake was only a few hundred feet away. I blinked as the sun reflected off the sparkling water, which seemed to stretch to the end of the earth. The wind blew, creating small ripples on the otherwise smooth surface.
“Nice view,” I said when Alex opened my car door.
“Shelby insisted we get a place close to the water. I’d rather be up on the hill, but we compromised by renting a place on the third floor,” he said. “I called the property manager, and she said sh
e’d be in her office for the next hour or so.”
“Thanks,” I said sincerely.
“I know you’re overwhelmed,” he said. “I didn’t have anyone to help me either.”
“Are you sure you’re not a forty-year-old man in the body of an eighteen-year-old?”
“Shelby says the same thing. I had to grow up quickly.”
“I bet.”
“Come on,” he said, gesturing toward the glass door in front of us.
The warmth of the lobby gave me a sensation of home. I followed Alex, listening as he pointed out various amenities available to the residents. He showed me the pool and the exercise room, laughing when I told him he should make use of the bikes on his off days. There was also a sauna, and the view of the lake was stunning.
“I have made use of the sauna. It helps relax me when I’m super stressed,” he said.
“Maybe I should use it.”
He led me to the elevator and pushed the button.
“There’s a lot of different floor plans available. Shelby and I have a two bedroom, two bath with a balcony.”
“This is really a nice place, Alex,” I said. “Thanks for helping me.”
“I didn’t have to sign a long-term lease either, which is nice for me if I get sent somewhere else.”
The elevator door slid open, and after a short ride and walk down the hall, Alex welcomed me into his apartment. The kitchen was open and airy with natural light streaming in from the huge windows. The dark wood of the cabinets made the kitchen feel warm and inviting. I ran my hands over the granite counter tops and sighed. The stainless steel appliances made me miss eating at home.
“Hi,” a young girl with dark brown hair tied in a ponytail said. She smiled brightly and I knew immediately she was Alex’s sister. They almost looked like twins.
“Hi,” I answered.
“Shelby?” Alex said. “What are you doing home?”
“Half day of school, idiot. I told you that several times and twice this morning, but you were too much of a zombie to answer me. I’m going to start leaving sticky notes on your face,” she said as she sat down on a stool and dropped a textbook on the counter.
“Oh,” Alex said. “Shelby this is—”
