“I am in love. He’s tall, gorgeous, with big brown eyes, athletic, and a vegetarian,” Avery admitted.
Izzy rolled her eyes. “And walks on four legs and poops wherever he pleases.”
“Izz, not very romantic of you. You’ve been around Coop too much,” Bella teased. “How come no one’s noticed that I seem to be in love?”
Avery could’ve hugged Bella for taking the heat off her.
“Because you’re always in love or falling out of love with someone. Who is it this week?” Izzy sighed as if she’d admitted defeat when it came to their wild child sister.
“You don’t know him. I met him last Saturday while standing in line for coffee. We hit it off over macchiatos and a half hour later we took it off in his Belltown condo.”
Izzy stuck her fingers in her ears. “La, la, la, la, la. I don’t want to hear this.”
Emma eyes grew big and filled with worry. “What if he’d been a serial killer? Ted Bundy was a handsome charmer.”
Bella patted Emma’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’d pity the guy who tried to attack me without my consent.”
“I would, too,” Avery added. Bella wasn’t just blowing smoke. She was an assistant instructor in Karate at a local gym and had a belt. Avery didn’t think it was black, but her sister knew enough to do major damage. She’d always been the athlete of the group, playing on state championship volleyball and softball teams. Bella could kick some major ass on and off the field.
“What happened to Brad? And Cedric?” Emma frowned, obviously still concerned.
“They were months ago. I’m in my billionaire geek phase right now.”
Another heavy sigh from Izzy as she gave them their assignments for the night. As always, Emma would sing and play piano. Bella would dance with anyone she could drag onto the dance floor. Avery usually danced, sang, or conversed on whatever topic she could, while Izzy made sure everything went like clockwork. She’d carefully orchestrated the entire performance to look spontaneous. The key being that they played the part of actual party crashers, not paid entertainers. The guests loved it, trying to guess who they were, sometimes concluding they were party crashers, other times imagining them to be an obscure family member.
Avery hated her sequined dress. It was itchy and too tight, but it fit the type of party. At least she wouldn’t have to worry much about the men looking down her dress tonight. More likely they’d be gushing over it and wondering where she bought it.
As they mingled with the crowd, Emma played her heart out on the piano. All the sisters had musical talent, but Emma had it in spades. She was special, but none of the sisters would ever pursue an entertainment career after growing up as the children of rock legend has-beens. It wasn’t a pretty life. They’d seen it all and vowed to each other at a young age they’d never become singers or entertainers.
Emma was majoring in elementary education. She’d be a great teacher, Avery had no doubt, but she wondered if her twin’s heart was really in it. Ever since Avery quit college to follow her dreams, Emma seemed more restless and out of sorts, but maybe it was just Avery’s imagination.
“Hey, this is a party. Why so serious?” Bella nudged her with an elbow. She winked at Avery and took a long, hard pull on her beer.
“We’re not supposed to be drinking at these parties.”
“And since when did that stop me?”
“Never.”
“What’s up with you, anyway?” Bella watched her with knowing eyes.
“Nothing.”
“I think Izzy’s right. You’re acting like you’re in love. Who is he? Because he’s the best kept secret in this family.”
Avery couldn’t believe nosy, social-butterfly Bella hadn’t figured that one out already. “I told you, my horse.”
“Yeah, right.” Bella narrowed her eyes and studied Avery for a long time. “I know who it is… Hockey player, right?”
Avery swallowed and looked away.
“Oh, yeah, hot hockey player. I bet it’s one of your neighbors. It’s Blake Daniels, isn’t it? That poor guy has dealt with hell and you’re a rescuer. Right up your alley.”
“Blake has a girlfriend.” Avery wished she could take back the words as soon as she said them.
“Can’t be Ice. He’s way not your type.”
Avery nodded her agreement and ducked her head.
Bella peered at her as if she were a mad scientist peering into his microscope. Her eyes widened in shock then a slow smile lifted the corners of her red lips. “Ice? Holy crap. Who would’ve ever guessed?” Bella tapped her index finger on her lower lip. “He is hot. Mysterious. Bad boy. Yeah, totally my type. Way to go, sis. I didn’t know you had a streak of wild child in you, too.”
Avery opened her mouth to protest, but nothing came out but a pathetic squeak.
“I don’t blame you. I’d do him. You have done him, haven’t you?”
Avery’s face burned as if she were sitting a foot from a blazing fire.
“Oh my fucking god. You have done him. Was he as tasty as he looks?” Bella grinned and rubbed her hands together in anticipation of the juicy stuff.
Avery nodded, not bothering to lie. “It happened once. Now we’re just friends.”
“Gotta love those buddies with bennies. Damn, as soon as we get done here tonight, I want all the deets in living color.” She glanced over her shoulder. “The queen is heading this way. We aren’t doing our job like good little minions.”
“Bells, please don’t tell anyone. Isaac could get cut if Coop finds out.”
“I won’t, but I want the details. That’s my price for silence.” Bella laughed over her shoulder as she strolled away, grabbing the arm of the first hot gay guy she came upon and dragging him onto the dance floor.
* * * *
It’d been a long, hard road trip. The team won two out of three and a win tonight would put them in the driver’s seat for the last spot in the playoffs.
Isaac kept his nose clean, despite constant baiting by Glanden when no one was watching. He itched to take the guy out back and beat the crap out of him—the worst thing he could possibly do for his career, his future, and for the team.
Yeah, the team? When he started caring about the team and their playoff chances, he wasn’t sure. But he cared. He wanted a playoff chance for all these guys who’d been stuck on a crappy Florida team for years, for the Sockeyes’ coaches, and even for the ownership. They’d never shown him anything but trust and support. For that they deserved everything he had, and he gave it to them.
The Sockeyes were a crazy bunch of guys with their fish tattoos, which Isaac thought was dumber than dumb considering the instability of pro sports. If Isaac had a tattoo of every team he’d played for, he’d be covered in tattoos from head to toe. Sure, it showed a solidarity among teammates, a commitment to a greater cause, and all that bullshit, but he, for one, wouldn’t go that far. Even if he and Blake were just about the only guys in the locker room without that stupid fish tat.
Isaac wasn’t much for tattoos anyway. Near his heart, he had one with Jenny and Karen’s names and the date and on his right arm a hockey player wearing his number.
Isaac forced himself to go out with the team for dinners and drinks, not that he drank. Brick hung around him, probably because he’d saved the goalie’s ass more than once. Even Cooper talked hockey with him as they watched film together. With the exception of Glanden and a few of his compatriots, mostly third- and forth-liners, his teammates seemed to like him. So did the coaches.
It was strange, to say the least. Isaac was used to being the odd man out, the guy everyone avoided for fear of pissing him off, but things were different here mostly because Isaac was different.
For the first time in a long time, he felt good about his future and the direction his life was heading. He owed a lot of his newfound positive attitude to Avery. Now if only he could convince Cooper and Izzy he’d be good for Avery, as good as she was for him.
That night Isaac sat in the locker room
waiting for the game. Around him guys joked with each other. At the center of the mayhem, Brick and Rush had an impromptu dance contest. Neither of them could dance. At all. Even Isaac found himself laughing at their feeble attempts.
Someone kicked Isaac’s skates, sending one of them flying against the wall. Irritated, Isaac looked up into the narrowed eyes of Glanden. Isaac immediately fisted his hands. It was an automatic reaction to the asshole, one he couldn’t seem to control.
Glanden leaned down close to him. Isaac didn’t flinch.
“You’re a fucking murderer, and I’m going to see you kicked off this team and out of the NHL,” Glanden threatened.
“Fuck you,” Isaac shot back.
Glanden laughed and walked off, leaving Isaac to retrieve his skates. Fuming he sat on the bench in front of his locker.
“Don’t let him get to you,” Blake said from next to him.
“I didn’t beat him to pulp, did I?”
“Nope, you didn’t, but you wanted to. It was written all over your face. If I could see it, he could see it.”
Isaac shrugged and bent over to put on his skates. The earlier good feelings were replaced by a foreboding that once again things wouldn’t work out for him.
Blake reached over and patted his arm. “Hey, you’ve come a long way. You’re doing great. The guys like you. Don’t let one ass get under your skin. Just ignore him.”
“Easy for you to say. He doesn’t blame you for killing his girlfriend, who happened to be my sister.”
“What?” Blake sat back and stared at Isaac, his mouth hanging open. Isaac turned his back on his roommate, knowing he’d have to explain himself later. He concentrated on lacing his skates while inside he was a hot mess of guilt and self-recrimination.
Blake didn’t move, and Isaac could feel Blake’s eyes burning into his back. With a sigh, Isaac sat up and glanced around the locker room, which was pretty much empty.
“It’s a long story.”
“One I’ll be waiting to hear.”
“I didn’t directly kill her,” Isaac added, not sure why it was important for Blake to see that.
“I never thought you did.” Blake stood, clapped him on the shoulder and left the locker room.
Blake’s faith in him filled healed some of the wounds opened by Glanden. It was nice to have someone on your side.
Isaac swallowed and mentally shook himself. Blame and guilt wouldn’t get him anywhere, especially when he wanted to prove himself worthy of a woman like Avery.
Because damn it, this new Isaac was worthy.
And as soon as they returned to Seattle, he’d move Mount Rainier if that was what it took to prove his worthiness to Coop and Izzy.
Chapter 15—Almost Permission
On Monday morning, Cooper and Izzy sat down across from Isaac in a small neighborhood coffee shop. They both stared quizzically at him, while Isaac concentrated on sipping his coffee, and figuring out how the hell he was going to approach them.
They didn’t push him, much to his surprise, seeming content to make small talk about the team and the Party Crashers. Izzy told a funny story about one gay couple at the last wedding reception they did, and Isaac laughed in all the right places, even though he hadn’t a clue what she’d said for the most part. He was scared to death, and seriously considering tucking his tail between his legs and running like hell. Only cowardice wasn’t an option, not when a relationship with Avery was his ultimate goal.
Isaac glanced up to find them both watching him with twin curious expressions.
“I guess you’re wondering why I asked to meet with both of you,” he said, braving the gauntlet and hoping he didn’t create a shitstorm in the process.
Izzy nodded slowly, holding Coop’s hand on the table. “Especially when you asked for me to be here.”
“What I have to say concerns you, too.”
Cooper’s mouth pulled into a hard, grim line, and Isaac hurried to get his point across before Cooper jumped to the wrong conclusion, such as Isaac having gotten Avery pregnant or something crazy like that.
Isaac forced out the next words. “I want to talk about Avery.”
“I knew it.” Coop pounded his fist on the table. He started to stand as if to come across the table after Isaac. “I knew it.”
Izzy grabbed his arm and yanked on it. “Sit,” she ordered. “Let him finish what he has to say.”
Cooper sat down, his grim face a study of barely controlled anger. Izzy rubbed his arm as if it might calm him. Isaac didn’t think it was working.
“I—I’ve become good friends with Avery and Emma. Avery is—different than any other woman I’ve ever met. She’s special, and I’m really interested in pursuing a relationship with her.”
“Like fucking hell you are,” Cooper growled.
“I know what you’re thinking, and I don’t blame you. I’d be thinking the same things in your shoes. My reputation isn’t the best. I’m a hothead. I’m anti-social. I’m a known womanizer and a partier. But I’m not that guy anymore, and I want a chance.” Isaac swallowed. “I want a chance to be normal. To be a guy who goes on normal dates with a woman who attracts him. I want to ask Avery out. I’d like your blessing or at least acceptance.”
Cooper’s rigid jaw said it all, and Isaac feared he’d lost the battle already.
“Does Avery want to date you?” Izzy asked. “She’s never been shown much interest in anything but horses in the past.”
Isaac managed a half smile. “The horses do come first, but I think she’d squeeze in a night or two for me.”
Izzy nodded slowly as if digesting what he’d said. She looked at Cooper. “It is Avery’s life, Coop.”
“This from you?” Cooper looked astonished.
“Hard to believe.” She smiled back at him, squeezing his arm, her eyes full of love for the hard-headed man. Coop stared deep into her eyes, his face going all soft and gentle. If Isaac hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he’d have never believed it.
Shaking off his nausea toward their devotion to each other, Isaac turned to Coop. “What can I do to make you more comfortable, Coop? Whatever it is, I’ll do it”
Cooper thought long and hard then he sat back in his chair. “I’m spearheading a program for kids at risk. I want you to work with me on it.”
“And Avery, too,” Izzy added.
Isaac bit his lip. He didn’t do charity work, never had, swore he never would, but times were changing, and Avery was worth it. “Okay, deal,” Isaac said quickly before Cooper changed his mind.
Cooper sat up straighter, shot Izzy a look, and blinked a few times. “That’s it? You don’t want to know more about what you’re getting into?”
“Nope.”
“Even with Avery?” Izzy joked.
“Nope,” Isaac said, almost smiling. He knew exactly what he was getting into with Avery. Isaac drank the last of his coffee, shook Cooper’s hand, and nodded in Izzy’s direction. “Thank you. You won’t be sorry.”
Izzy laughed. “Trust me, you may not be thanking me a month from now. You don’t know Avery like I do. We’ll be keeping an eye on both of you. If you hurt so much as a hair on my sister’s head, we’ll come after you.”
Isaac nodded. He believed her. He wasn’t sure who was scarier, Izzy or Coop.
“One more thing. Your brother’s involved in the charity, too,” Cooper said.
Isaac stiffened, and his heart dropped to his toes.
“Can you handle it?” Cooper challenged.
“Yeah, yeah, I can handle it,” Isaac shot back. Cooper’s gaze pinned him, and Isaac didn’t flinch.
“Good. I’ll see you at our house Wednesday night at seven. Don’t be late.”
Isaac nodded tensely and hustled from the café before they came up with any more brilliant ideas.
His brother? And him? Working on a charity together?
Isaac had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.
He wasn’t sure he could pull this one off, but he had to
—for Avery.
* * * *
After his morning chat, Isaac walked to the barn with Hal, who bitched the whole time about the humiliation of being put on a leash. He found Avery in the arena and hung back, watching her work with Riot. The two of them were poetry in motion, and the last thing he wanted to do was interrupt whatever they had going on.
Eventually, she spotted him leaning against the gate, Hal sitting at his feet, still grumbling.
Avery slowed her horse to a walk and stopped in front of him. “Hi.” She ducked her head, almost as if she were shy, which she certainly wasn’t.
“Hi,” he said back, certain he had a sappy smile on his face. Damn, but he was glad to see her, especially now that he could ask her out. Well, Coop hadn’t exactly given his permission, but he hadn’t said no either so Isaac took that as a yes.
His new normal. And hers.
He walked up to her horse and stroked its silky neck. Riot turned his head to nuzzle Isaac’s pockets for treats.
“You’re spoiling the horses. They expect treats from you every time they see you.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
Avery laughed. Obviously the thought of big, bad, I-don’t-care-about-anyone-but-myself Isaac Wolfe bribing horses with treats somehow struck her as funny. Hell, it struck him as funny.
He gazed up at her. Struck by the urge to know everything about her. What did she experience when she rode these big animals? What did it feel like to have all that controlled power underneath you, a living, breathing animal who trusted you with its safety and care? She’d watched him play hockey and seemed to love the game, so she had some understanding about what drove him, an understanding he didn’t have about her and the horses.
“What?” She studied him, as if attempting to read what might be going on in that head of his.
“Do you—do you think I could sit on him? I’ve never sat on a horse before.” He held his breath, waiting for her answer. It was that important to him. She was that important.
“You really want to sit on him?”
“Yeah,” he nodded.
Avery grinned and swung out of the saddle. “Certainly. As long as you follow my instructions to the letter.”
Melting Ice Page 16
