by L. P. Dover
“Let’s go then.” Kristen walked with me out to the rink and waved at my brothers as she waddled past them.
Corey and Brant were thirty years old, the oldest of my siblings and fraternal twins, so there was no issue telling them apart. Corey had blond hair and green eyes just like Justin, me, and our mother, while Brant looked exactly like my father, with dark brown hair and blue eyes. They were polar opposites as far as personalities went. Not only were they family, but they were also Justin’s agents. They were a package deal.
“What’s up, guys?” I called out.
Corey smiled and walked over, while Brant moved to the side of the rink to talk to Justin. “Hey, beautiful,” Corey said. “Got a hot date tonight?”
I snorted sarcastically. “Only with my brothers. Figured I’d parade around the hockey players in my short skirt.” I probably should’ve waited to bring out my spring wardrobe until I got a tan, but I couldn’t hold off any longer. It wasn’t easy spending time out in the sun when I worked every day.
Corey shook his head incredulously. “Don’t let Justin hear you say that.” Practice was over and the guys were leaving the ice, but by the disgruntled look on Justin’s face, something was wrong.
“Is everything okay over there?” I asked Corey.
He peered over at our brothers and shrugged. “Don’t know. Let’s go see.”
I followed him over, but then Hannah walked in, all calm and collected until her focus fixated on Corey. Her steps faltered and she nervously twisted her hair. I grabbed Corey’s arm to stop him and his gaze immediately centered on Hannah, a slow growing smile spreading across his face.
“Corey, this is my friend Hannah. I work with her at the hospital. She’s going to hang out with us tonight.”
Corey held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Hannah took his hand. “Likewise. Callie has told me a lot about you.”
“Hopefully all good,” Corey said, nudging me in the side.
I winked. “Of course.” Justin and Brant waved their arms to catch my attention. “Why don’t you two keep each other company for a bit. I’ll be right back.” They continued talking, and that was exactly what I wanted. Corey was a good guy. He’d be perfect for Hannah.
When I got closer, I glanced at both my brothers and then settled on Justin. He ran a hand through his sweaty blond hair and huffed. “What’s going on? You look angry,” I stated.
He met my gaze. “Change of plans today. Coach is still pissed at Easton for the other week and wants him to stay. Coach knows we have the ice and asked if I’d help.”
“Seriously?” I scoffed. “I really wanted to skate.” Dallas Easton was about to become a pain in my ass.
He nodded. “I know, but with me just joining the team, I couldn’t say no to the coach.”
“I understand,” I replied with a groan. “I guess Hannah and I will just watch.”
Brant squeezed my shoulder. “Actually, there’s something we need you to do.”
I glanced at them both, their smiles growing more mischievous by the second. “Do I really want to know?”
Chapter 3
Dallas
“What the fuck is this shit?” I shouted, tossing my glove onto the bench. I’d worked my ass off all day and now the coach wanted me to practice more. What a fucking douche bag.
Kellan chuckled. “Done whining yet?”
I took off my mask and sat down. “What the fuck ever. You’d feel the same way if Carlisle kept screwing you in the ass.”
Braeden turned the corner and opened his locker. “You’re the one who messed up, man. Can’t expect to do what you did and not have consequences.”
“Yeah, but why do I have to practice with Davis? He’s an arrogant prick.”
They both burst out laughing. “Just like you,” Kellan said. “But you’re not just practicing with him. His brothers will be out there as well.”
“Such a waste of time,” I growled.
Coach Carlisle made it a point to run me as hard as he could the past couple of weeks. After word got out about the party and my injury, Carlisle benched me for two games. The first one, I was still healing from the wounds on my head, but the second, he kept me out as punishment. We’d lost both games and the team blamed me.
“Keeping me out of the game is the reason we lost,” I snapped. “Harrison let three pucks get past him. We lost because of him.”
Braeden sighed and clapped me on the shoulder. “Doesn’t matter. Just do what you have to do to get back in Coach’s good graces.” He took off his gear and headed toward the showers. “Meet me at Sammy’s when you’re done.”
“Good. I could use a beer.” Or twelve.
“Come on, brother. Let’s go,” Kellan said, grabbing his helmet.
I picked up my glove. “You’re going out there, too?”
He walked out the door. “Yep. Someone has to keep you in line. Coach left it up to me.” Carlisle had slowly been giving Kellan more responsibilities over the past year. It made me wonder if Kellan was going to be retiring and taking over coaching the team just like he’d hoped. It’d make sense, since Davis was a center forward just like him and could easily take over his position.
I took a step toward the door but then my phone rang. Opening my locker, I looked at it and sighed. “Ty, what’s going on?” I said.
“Just calling to see if you signed the contract yet,” he said. Ty Garner was my agent, one of the best in the country. He was always landing me gigs on radio and talk shows. Other than Kellan Carter, I was the media’s next sought after player. Once he retired, I’d have the number-one spot.
“Yep. Sent it back to you this morning,” I told him.
“Excellent. The show producers will be in touch in the next month or so to go over everything. They’re dying to get an inside scoop on what your life’s like getting geared up for the playoffs.”
“Hell yeah. I’m looking forward to it, too. I get to be on TV, and just think of all the hot girls I get to fuck. I can have a different one each night if I wanted.”
“And the attention you’ll get.” Ty laughed. “People love you, especially the ladies. They all want a piece of you.”
“And I’m happy to give it to them.”
Rich and Single, a popular TV show, wanted me as their bachelor. It was the first time they’d had anyone in professional sports on it. Since I couldn’t put hockey on the back burner, the producers opted to film in Charlotte. That way I could still practice and be with the team. When I got home every day, there’d be ten girls there waiting for me, all of them agreeing to live together while I eliminated one per week. It was a reality show, which meant my whole life would be on camera.
Ty cleared his throat. “Just watch yourself and don’t piss off anyone. You’ve already caused an uproar with not playing the last two games. The media’s wondering why. The last thing we want is word getting out about what happened.”
“I’m safe. No one’s going to say shit.” I made sure of that by paying off the bastard who attacked me and making him sign an agreement. Granted, I was about to fuck his girl, but I didn’t know she was his at the time.
“Let’s keep it that way,” Ty suggested. “If Carlisle sits you out again, we’re going to have some problems.”
“He won’t, trust me.” I hung up and tossed my phone back into the locker. When I got out to the rink, there were five people skating around on the ice.
“Easton,” Justin called, skating over to me.
Huffing, I slid on my mask. “What?”
He nodded toward his brothers, who had on Minnesota hockey gear with full face masks. Fucking pansies. “Since this was originally my own private time on the ice, my brothers will be playing with us. Hope you don’t mind,” he said, his lips pulling back into a leer.
Clenching my teeth, I skated toward the goal. “Not at all. If they play just like you, it’ll be piece of cake.” He laughed the whole way back to his family while Kellan shook his head disapprovi
ngly at me.
All of them lined up in a row and Kellan dumped over a hundred pucks in front of them. I knew the drill. First they’d shoot them at me all together, and then they’d take me on, one on one. I was ready. With no warning, they fired away. Left and right, I stopped as many of them as I could, only letting a couple pass through me. Not bad, considering there was a shit ton.
Kellan and Justin rounded up the pucks and piled them in the center of the rink. “Ready?” Kellan shouted.
I nodded once and he went on the attack. I’d played with Kellan for years, so I knew his moves. None of his went by me. “Nice try, Carter,” I shouted.
Chuckling, he shook his head and skated over to Justin. Now it was his turn. I wasn’t about to let him get the best of me. The eat-shin grin on his face as he skated toward me only made me want to work harder.
“Keep smiling, fucker,” I growled low. He chose stick side and I blocked it, his grin turning to an outright grimace. “That’s right, asshole. Move along.” He took off his glove and flipped me off, which made me laugh harder. “Seriously? This is all you guys got?” I shouted, lifting my arms in the air.
I knew for a fact Davis’s brothers wouldn’t be able to get past me. They weren’t professional hockey players, but it looked like they were going to take a chance. Bring it on, cocksuckers. Getting into stance, I was ready. One of them started toward me and took the shot, not even remotely hitting it toward the goal.
Taking off my mask, I glared right at Kellan. “What the hell is this shit? I don’t want to waste my time on these fucktards,” I shouted, pointing at Justin and his brothers.
Kellan held up his hand, clearly frustrated with me. He had to know it was wasting both of our time. He skated over to the others and they exchanged words. I was about ready to pack it up when I noticed Justin’s grin as he talked to one of his brothers, his focus right on me. The bastard was up to something.
“We’re not done yet, Easton,” Kellan shouted.
Justin and his brothers got in formation and charged toward me, all three with a puck of their own, and looking nothing like the fumbling players they were a few minutes ago. The shitheads had played me. One after the other, they took their shots, all missing the goal except for one. The puck slipped right past me. They hooted and hollered in celebration. Even Kellan slapped the brother on the back, congratulating him for getting one through me.
“Again,” I demanded angrily. I wasn’t about to let the night end with that.
Justin and his brothers charged again, but I was focused on the one in the old red and white jersey. He wasn’t going to get another one past me. They all took their turns and I stopped them, relishing my victory . . . only they weren’t done. One after the other, they came at me full force until it was Red’s turn. His footwork was unlike anything I’d ever seen. It was fluid and smooth, yet unorthodox and erratic. I was good at figuring out a player’s moves, but with Red, I couldn’t.
Heart pounding, I stared him down, waiting for him to take the shot. The second he drew back his stick, I got into position, only for him to hit me right between the eyes with his glove. For a split second I lost my focus, and he slapped the puck right between my legs.
“Motherfucker,” I growled, glaring down at the glove on the ice and the puck in the goal. The worthless cunt actually had the audacity to throw his glove at my face. Kellan burst out laughing and the whole rink echoed as they cheered at my expense. Red just fucked up big time.
The others tried their luck to no avail, and then Red was back at it. I waited for him to throw the other glove, but instead, he turned and sprayed ice right up into my face, his body colliding with mine. During our fall, he hit the puck right into the goal. Rage coursed through my veins and all I could see was red . . . literally. Getting up quickly, he started back toward the others and I slid out my stick, hooking it around his ankle. I jerked him back and he fell. If he wanted to play dirty, I’d show him how dirty I could be. He tried to get up, but I pushed him back down, tossing my mask and gloves onto the ice. The others shouted and skated toward us, but I wasn’t letting Red get away with making me out to be a fool.
“Think you’re hot shit now, huh?” I spat, grabbing him by the jersey. He was smaller than me, so it wasn’t hard to flip him over and rip off his mask. Blinded by rage, I pulled my fist back, only to stop cold in my tracks. I stared at the face behind the mask, completely transfixed.
The person lying on the ice wasn’t Justin’s brother. It was a woman, and not just any woman. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Before any words could escape my lips, Justin tackled me to the ice and my breath whooshed out of my lungs as we slid to the wall.
“What the fuck is your problem? That’s my sister,” he shouted angrily. Eyes darkening, he slammed my shoulders against the wall.
Catching my breath, I looked up at him and held up my hands. “I didn’t know it was a female. I wouldn’t have touched her if I’d known.” Under most circumstances, I’d have punched him and been done, but I felt like a tool.
His nostrils flared. “You’re such a prick.”
“Justin,” his sister called out. We both looked over at her as Kellan and the other two guys helped her up. They all stared daggers at me, including her. “Let’s go.”
Justin pushed off of me and skated over to her. I got one last look at her angelic face and emerald green eyes before she turned around and disappeared off the ice. Kellan skated over to me, the look of disappointment evident on his face.
“Why are you such an ass?” he asked matter-of-factly.
I stood and rolled my shoulders. “Because I’m an idiot. Why didn’t you tell me it was a fucking woman? What if I’d hurt her?”
He sighed. “Then you would’ve had all three of her brothers kicking your ass.”
“I need to tell her I’m sorry,” I said, skating past him.
He grabbed hold of my jersey. “No, you’re not. It’s best you leave her alone for now.”
With her brothers guarding her, it was probably for the best. Rubbing a hand through my hair, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d seen her before. “Why does she look so familiar?”
Kellan slapped my shoulder. “Probably because she’s the one who took care of you when you got your head smashed in. What a way to say thank you, huh?”
Groaning, I hung my head. “Great.” And there I was about to kick her ass. One way or another, I had to see her again.
Chapter 4
Callie
“I don’t know what I would’ve done if he’d hit you,” Justin huffed.
“I know,” Corey growled. “We would’ve beat the ever-loving shit out of him.”
I linked my arm through Justin’s as we walked into the restaurant. “The good thing is that he didn’t. I’d hate for you boys to get charged with murder. Besides, I can take care of myself. When are you guys going to realize that?”
“Never,” they all said in unison. Don’t get me wrong, it was nice having them so involved in my life, but I was a strong woman, even though I didn’t look like it. Most people underestimated me, thinking I was just a pretty face who cared more about makeup and clothes. I loved those things, but I also enjoyed putting them aside to let my competitive side show. In all seriousness, I was the one who hit Dallas first when I collided with him to get the cheap shot. Psyching him out was the only way I’d get the puck past him.
Hannah nudged me in the side, leaning close to my ear. “I’d give anything to have your three hot brothers sticking up for me.”
I rolled my eyes. “You say that now. I’ve proved time and again that I’m not a delicate flower. The kind of stuff we have to deal with in the ER is proof of that.”
“True,” she agreed, “but what just happened at the rink was intense. I thought Kristen was going to have her baby when she saw Dallas trip you up. She was so pissed.” So was I, but I was a tad afraid as well. I’d never been punched before, and the last thing I wanted was to get hit by one of the most l
ethal players in the NHL. Dallas was known for being a bad boy with a volatile temper.
The hostess seated us and I smiled when Hannah and Corey sat next to each other. It might not have been the best idea to pick the restaurant most of the hockey players hung out at, but it was known to have some of the best food around.
“The girls at work are going to get a kick when they hear what you did,” Hannah said. “The look on his face was priceless when he realized you were a girl. I should’ve gotten it on video.”
Justin ran a hand through his hair. “I need a beer.”
The waitress came and took our drink and dinner orders. I was hungry for some chicken tenders and their homemade honey-mustard dressing. As much as I loved the food in Minnesota, it was better in North Carolina. The main thing I missed in Minnesota was Sweet Martha’s chocolate chip cookies at the Minnesota State Fair. Those things were heaven.
The waitress came back with our drinks and I guzzled my wine. I needed it after what happened. In a way, I wished I’d have stayed around to see what Dallas would’ve said to me. Would he have apologized or been a dick like my brother made him out to be? I’d probably never find out anyway. Not if my brothers had anything to do with it. Dallas wouldn’t stand a chance against those three.
“Hey,” Hannah announced, tapping my hand to get my attention. “Will you go with me to the bathroom?”
My brothers looked at us like we were crazy. “Sure,” I said, laughing. I followed her to the bathroom and checked my hair and makeup in the mirror while she did the same. “Everything okay?” I asked.
She nodded. “Of course. I saw you zoning out and figured something was on your mind. Want to talk about it?”
I waved her off. “It’s nothing you haven’t heard. As you can see, my brothers can be overprotective jackasses sometimes.”
“Yeah, but it was their idea to have you out on the ice in the first place. Maybe they’re not as bad as you think.”
