The Shots On Goal Series Box Set

by Kristen Hope Mazzola

  Karla rolled her eyes teasingly. “They’re our boys, My. Don’t forget that Gavin and Brayden play on the same team.”

  “Have they been like this all day?” I whispered into Jess’s ear.

  She giggled while nodding. “It’s a big game, so they’re just full of nervous anticipation.”

  “I’ll take that as a yes, then.”

  Jess put her hand on my knee for just a split second as she replied, “Yeah, they’ve been like this and it’s be quite entertaining.”

  The touch was innocent and fleeting but I missed the feeling the second she moved her hand and continued talking with the group.

  There was a minute left in the third and the Otters were down by one goal. As the clock wound down, Gavin had the puck, unfortunately missing the shot right as the buzzer rang. In unison, we all slammed our fists onto the bar. As fans, we had all been spoiled with win after win. A loss had been bound to happen, but it was still disappointing.

  Right as Myla was starting in on her rant about the bad calls the referees had made during the game as the post-game show started to air, a few guys at the other bar across the restaurant started yelling at each other. Chad, Jessica, and I all jumped into cop mode as a bottle smashed on the bar top and punches started to fly.

  Tomlinson and I grabbed each of the drunken hooligans as McBee called in the brawl. One guy’s eye was busted open pretty badly, and the other was bleeding profusely from his swelling lip. They were both struggling, shouting profanities at each other and us. The overwhelming aroma of vodka emanated from them as I tried to get some straight answers.

  “All right hotshots, care to tell us what this was all about?” Even though the three of us were off duty, the police officer in us never really was. The meaning of “protect and serve” was always pumping through our veins.

  The one I had by his shirt collar spit blood onto the floor at my feet. “Fuck you,” he growled as Jordan handed him a clean towel to help soak up some of the blood gushing out of his eyebrow. “Mind your own damn business.”

  McBee got right up in the dude’s face. “Check your attitude pal. I don’t think you know who you’re dealing with right now.”

  The douche canoe Chad had in almost a headlock tried to wriggle free as he yelled, “Fucking cunt. I’ll kick your damn ass too.”

  “Wrong answer.” I laughed as Gabi walked into the bar. I loved how badass the women in our department were. They were tougher than a lot of the guys, and I had to give them props for it.

  Gabi strutted in, hands on her belt. “Everything okay here?” She glanced around at the three of us as we continued to keep the two hotheads apart. She was totally putting on a show, and the entire bar was eating out of the palm of her hand.

  “I think you can handle it from here.” I slapped Gabi on the shoulder, getting close enough that only she could hear me. “It was just a drunken fight, no big deal, but that one”—I pointed to the guy with the busted lip—“kind of threatened McBee. Scare him a little, will ya?”

  “Ha! What an idiot. Consider it done.” We shook hands. “Thanks, guys. See you around the station.”

  Chapter 7

  McBee

  Kings Plaza was bustling with last-minute shoppers as the holiday spirit started to seep into my pores. There was something so magical about the decorations and lights everywhere with people hurrying around in their hats and coats, trying to find that perfect gift for their loved one.

  “Are you and Sean going to be able to make it to our party this weekend?” Myla asked as she eyed a gorgeous gold necklace with a pearl pendant in the window of Kay Jewelers.

  I shook my head before sipping my steaming green tea latte. “We’re working the Marcie Mazzola Foundation charity concert at the Times Square main outdoor stage that night.”

  Myla frowned as she sighed, leaving the stunning necklace. As she walked a few paces away, I snapped a picture and texted it to Gavin.

  Me: Your wife was checking this out just now, just in case you need ideas.

  Gavin: You’re a lifesaver, McBee. Tell Sean he needs to keep you around.

  Me: Don’t worry, I tell him daily that you guys would be lost without me.

  Gavin: Complete understatement. Thanks again.

  Me: No problem

  Myla sighed. “That freaking blows. I really wanted you guys to be there, maybe get you two stuck under the mistletoe.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Sean Whistler is my partner and best friend—that is it.”

  Myla spun on her heels to look at me. “The two of you would make the most adorable blue-eyed babies in the entire world! I just know it!”

  I scoffed at her, grabbing her tiny shoulders to make her turn around and keep walking. “Trust me, he thinks of me as his kid sister.”

  Myla rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say, Jess. Is it at least going to be a good concert?”

  I couldn’t help but feel giddy thinking about getting to work a benefit where two of my all-time favorite bands were going to be performing. “The Hysterics and Three Ugly Guys are going to be there, so I’m pretty stoked.”

  “Damn, that is going to be an awesome show.” We made our way into Macy’s to find a new cologne for Gavin, the last item on our shopping list for the day. The smell from the different scents started to give me a headache as Myla looked around for the perfect fragrance for her man, finally settling on Beardbrand Spiced Citrus.

  “Have you thought about what you’re going to get for Sean?” Myla asked as the sweet older attendant started to giftwrap her purchase in red and silver paper.

  I shrugged. “I’m at a complete loss. Last year we gave each other meaningless gifts since we hadn’t known each other for too long yet, but this year I want to get him something better than just a gift card, ya know?”

  Myla tapped her finger to her lips. “I’ll try to come up with something too. Maybe I can get Gavin and Jordan to help.”

  I started to back away from the counter, muttering, “Thanks,” and bumped into another shopper behind me. “Sorry.” I whipped around and ran right into the broad chest of a tall man with stitches over his eye.

  “No problem,” the man said, putting his hands on my shoulders to help steady my footing.

  Myla narrowed her gaze. “Hey, weren’t you at The Cask and Barrel watching the Otters game the other night?”

  The man’s face turned a million shades of red. “I thought you two looked familiar. Leave it to me to shit talk to the one guy in that bar who actually wasn’t all talk.”

  I got lost in his deep brown eyes for a few seconds before trying to laugh off the situation. “Trust me, I’ve seen a lot worse.”

  He laughed with me for a second. “Well, that’s a relief. I’m Vinnie, by the way. Thank you for helping me not get my ass handed to me the other night.”

  “I’m Jessica, and stopping ass beatings is actually in my job description.” His eyes captivated me again while his smile whisked me off to la-la land.

  “You’re not a cop, are you? I thought all lady cops were butch and had man hands.” His smile widened as I giggled nervously.

  Myla cleared her throat. “Hi, I’m Myla.”

  Fucking cock block.

  “Don’t tell me you’re a cop too.” Vinnie shook her hand.

  “No, just McBee over here, and I have to say, her hands are as far from manly as they come.”

  I noticed him glance down at my gloved hands, and I felt self-conscious. For all I knew, I actually did have gross man hands. Being a police officer did take away a small portion of my femininity every once in a while, but that was only because I didn’t take shit from anyone and men could be sexist pigs from time to time.

  “Anyway, glad to see you got your eye taken care of. Try to stay away from drunk jerks at bars.” I hooked my arm with Myla’s and started to walk away from him.

  “Yeah, thanks,” he called out as I hurried us away.

  Even though I had been a little mesmerized by the dreamy hothead for a split seco
nd, there was no way I would go near him with a damn ten-foot pole. He had just been booked at my station for drunk and disorderly and that was a tree this dog was not going to bark up, no matter how mouthwateringly attractive the squirrels were.

  “That was a little strange,” Myla commented as we got close to the exit.

  “Yeah, it could have been pretty awkward. Thanks for saving me back there.” It was true that in the moment, I was pretty frustrated with Myla jumping into the conversation, but at the end of the day, she had done the right thing—and, it was true that I really only had eyes for Sean. As wrong as that was, I just couldn’t help it.

  Chapter 8

  Whistler

  “Here you are, good sir, one soy pumpkin spice latte and a gouda and egg sandwich without bacon.” McBee slid into the passenger’s seat of our squad car and handed me my breakfast order. “Do you know how awesome I am?” She glanced over at me with a coy smile as she blew on her steaming double latte and took a bite of her bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich.

  “Here we go again,” I teased, taking a bite of my breakfast.

  Jessica started laughing as I pulled out into bustling New York City traffic. “Do you know how much shit you would get if the rest of the department knew you have the taste buds of a nineteen-year-old sorority girl?”

  “Not liking bacon does not make me basic.” Rolling my eyes, I grunted at her as the sweet smell of our lattes took over the vehicle. “And besides, a man who is not in touch with his feminine side doesn’t know how many tasty things he is missing out on in the world.”

  A rusted-out white van clunked next to us at a light. Looking over, I couldn’t help but notice that the driver was talking on his cell phone. I flipped on the lights and siren, pulling the jalopy over.

  “They made that one easy,” I remarked as I got ready to get out of the car.

  McBee ran the plates. “Not the most savory characters in the world, but they don’t have any warrants out on them or anything.”

  My gut was telling me this was going to be an interesting stop. The van resembled what people joked about being a rapist van—whited-out windows, rust and holes all over the place, scratches and dents galore.

  Walking up to the driver’s door, I tapped on his window with the back of my flashlight. Jessica stood at the ready by the right side of the van, waiting for my signal.

  As the window cranked down, the driver attempted to grin at me. The lack of teeth and the rotting of the ones that were still there screamed years of drug use. “What’s the problem officer?” he asked with a very even tone.

  “You can’t be on your cell phone while operating a vehicle in the state of New York,” I stated. “License, insurance, and registration.” Peering past the driver, I looked to his passenger, who was sweating bullets. “I need your license as well, sir.”

  With shaking hands, the passenger got his identification out of his wallet and handed it to me. I glanced into the back of the van to see an old metal Christmas tree stand, one that resembled the one my family had while I was growing up. “You boys off to get a tree?”

  The driver looked at me like I had six heads as the passenger answered, “N-No, s-s-sir. We’re heading to d-do a little last m-minute sh-shopping.”

  I walked back over to the car, and McBee met me. “Warning?” She looked over at me, waiting for the cue to start writing up a ticket for them or not.

  “Yeah. It is Christmas after all, right?” I shrugged, looking down at their paperwork. It all seemed to check out, and I was not in the mood to ruin any days for minor issues.

  She nodded. “That is very non-Scroogey of you, Whistler.” She flashed me her sweet smile, the one that made her eyes sparkle, and I melted. Ever since the other night at the bar, I couldn’t get my partner out of my head, even more so than usual. Thankfully, she seemed completely clueless about my crush, and I had every intention of keeping it that way.

  Handing the driver all their documents back, I leaned on the door with one elbow. “I’m going to let you two off with a warning, but keep that phone in your pocket while you’re driving, ya hear?”

  The passenger leaned over, looking me dead in the eyes with his pupils dilated and sweat beading on his forehead. “B-But, R-R-Ricky, how is-is the m-mother ship going to be able t-to f-f-find us if we d-d-don’t have the c-c-calling d-d-device out?”

  The driver shot me a nervous glance. “You have to excuse him, sir. My brother here isn’t all with it upstairs, if you catch my drift.”

  “You boys be safe now.” I tapped my fist on the side of the vehicle and made my way over to Jessica. As we got back into our squad car, I let out the rolling laugh I had been fighting since that passenger opened his mouth.

  “What?” McBee nudged me as I hugged the steering wheel, tears welling up in my eyes. I wasn’t sure if I was laughing at the situation or if the situation was making me emotional about my upbringing—probably a little of both.

  “They’re looking for their mother ship,” I responded.

  Her jaw dropped. “Never a dull moment in this job, is there?”

  I shook my head. “Nah, I just hope they find it. It would be terrible to spend the holidays stuck on Earth, so far away from their family and home.” I meant it more as a sincere sentiment, because that man truly did seem concerned. It was moments like that when I was truly thankful for having the friends I had.

  “Have you ever known someone a little loose in the noggin?” McBee asked innocently.

  I glanced over at her with a tight-lipped smile. “Yeah, my mother.”

  In the middle of the night, I got home from my shift at the restaurant. It was a Friday night, and the owner had needed me to stay late to help clean up the kitchen from a busier-than-hell night.

  “Ma!” I called into the house. It was weird that every light was on in the sprawling home. Usually when Dad was away on a business trip, she’d fall asleep early while reading in the sitting room off the master bedroom. “Ma? You still awake?”

  “Sean?” I could see her out on the patio, frantically waving for me to join her as she put her finger over her lips, signaling for me to stay quiet.

  “Ma? What is it?” I whispered as I shut the glass door behind me, making my way over to her.

  “Shhhh!” She grabbed my hand, pulling me into her side. Getting up on her tiptoes, she leaned in close to my ear. “They’re trying to get me.”

  She darted away, yanking me closer to the side of the house as she crouched down, pointing at the window screen. She was in her favorite lavender nightgown and silk robe that matched, hair in a messy ponytail, barefoot.

  “Ma, what are you pointing at?” I asked, frustrated that she was having another one of her episodes. Apparently, my father had forgotten to pick up her refill at the pharmacy before he left the morning before. It wasn’t unusual for him to forget, he counted care less about my mother’s mental health or even me for that matter. All he cared about was landing another big account or his next big building project. He was a great provider but a shitty husband and father. I would have traded all of the wealth in the world to have a caring father and a healthy mother.

  “Don’t you see the faces? They’re evil. They’re trying to get inside my mind.” She rocked back and forth, the heels of her hands jammed hard into her eyes as tears mixed with makeup poured down her cheeks.

  I wrapped my arms around her. “Ma, if they’re trying to get you then we need to go inside and close the blinds. They can’t get you if you can’t see them.”

  Her eyes got wide as she grabbed for my hand. “You’re right. Yes, yes, let’s do that. Come, come.”

  We darted around the house, closing every damn blind and curtain. Finally, once she felt safe, we sat on her favorite plush couch in her sitting room. Tucking her into my side, I wrapped a blanket around us.

  Kissing the top of her head, I whispered, “Get some rest, Ma.”

  “I love you, Sean. Thank you for being such a sweet boy and not letting the monsters get me.�
��

  That was the night I realized monsters were real and I was going to have find a way to always fight them away, whether it was for my mother or anyone else. I knew I never wanted anyone to experience fear like my mother had just felt if I could help it at all.

  Chapter 9

  McBee

  “Ready for your first concert?” Sean asked as he turned off the engine of our cruiser.

  Unbuckling my seatbelt, I raised an eyebrow at him. “Don’t think I can hack it, do ya, Whistler?”

  Sean rubbed the back of his neck before reaching for the door handle to get out of the car. “It’s just a big event. They’re a whole different animal than our normal beat. You know I have complete faith in you, McBee.”

  Our playful banter was normal, but the way it was making me feel was new. I really needed to get my feelings for my partner in check, or shit was going to escalate extremely fast. I knew neither of us was ready for something like that. I definitely was not ready for Sean to not be my partner anymore, and if my feelings for him got out, that was exactly what would have to happen.

  We started walking toward the area where the tour buses were about to pull in with the bands and their crews all loaded inside. “I guess I’m just going to have to stick close to you, then. Oh, captain, my captain.” I hooked my arm in his for a brief second to finish out the joke, but he pulled away from me.

  “Sorry?” I dug my hands into my pockets, feeling a little scorned. Did I take it too far? I felt like it was a completely normal move for us—how could I be reading him so poorly all of a sudden?

  Sean nudged me with his elbow. “There are going to be a lot of us here, and I don’t want anyone to get the wrong impression.” The frown that consumed my partner’s face was alarming. I had never seen him look so disappointed in all the time we had spent together, and I had no idea what he was actually upset about. We always joked around when we were working. I guess concerts really are that different.