by L. P. Dover
“I know Carter told you everything. With that being said, your role on this team’s going to change. I need you to keep the boys in line, not cause more problems. Whatever games you’re playing with Davis, it stops now.”
The lack of trust pissed me off. Was I really that bad? “There’s no game,” I hissed low so the others couldn’t hear. “What I’m doing with his sister is not his concern. I’m not interested in her to get a rise out of him.”
Sighing, he looked into my eyes and nodded, hopefully seeing the truth. “I hope not, but whatever it is, be smart about it.”
He walked off and I sat down on the bench as more of the team filed in. “Damn, you are alive,” Braeden joked, tossing his bag onto the floor. “Where did you go yesterday?”
Justin marched in and glared at me when he passed. Once he was out of earshot, I changed out of my clothes. “I went to see Callie at the hospital.”
His eyes widened. “Damn, man. You sure that’s a good idea?”
“She’s the one who asked me.”
“Whoa,” he replied, taken aback. “Didn’t see that coming. What’s going on with you two?”
I shrugged. “Don’t know, but I’m gonna find out.”
“Party at my house tonight!” Justin shouted, parading through the locker room. He walked right by me and patted my shoulder. Clenching my teeth, I gripped the edge of my locker. If he wasn’t Callie’s brother, I’d have beat his head in for touching me. “That excludes you, dickface.”
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, wishing like hell he’d move on before I did something I’d regret. When he did, I felt all the blood rise to my face. I wanted to hit something hard. It was times like that I wished I was back playing offense. That way I could pummel the other players as hard as I wanted.
Braeden stared at me as if I’d grown another head. “What’s wrong with you? Why didn’t you blast back?”
Huffing, I threw on my gear. “Can’t.”
“Why not?” But then realization dawned on his face. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Never thought I’d see the day.”
“Neither did I.” I told Callie I’d prove that I wasn’t a complete dick, and this was the first step.
“Congrats on the win, guys,” Chris, the bartender at our favorite pub, said as he set a beer in front of both Braeden and me. “The first one is on the house tonight.”
I fist bumped him. “Thanks, man. I want to order some chicken wings, too.”
Braeden held up his beer. “Same for me.”
Chris wrote it down in his notepad. “Sounds good. They’ll be out shortly.”
The restaurant filled up fast and I loved seeing all the Striker shirts. Above the bar, highlights from the game played on the televisions. “How’s your family doing?” Braeden asked. “They coming down to visit anytime soon?”
Sighing, I took a sip of my beer. “My parents aren’t. They’re busy expanding the skate shop and helping Maggie with my baby nephew. But Lacey’s coming down for spring break. I’m sure she already told you.”
My parents were up in Maine so I didn’t see them very often, not since they spent most of their time working to pay for Lacey’s college tuition. My other sister, Maggie, just had another son with her husband and my parents were all about the grandchildren. If I wanted to see them, I’d have to go up there myself, only there wasn’t time until after the playoffs.
Braeden finished off his beer. “Lacey called a few weeks ago and told me. I’m going to help her study.”
“Thanks, man. You’ve been a big help to her.”
He was the only guy on the team I’d let get close to my sister. They’d been good friends for years now. Every so often, he’d fly up to New York to visit his parents and see my sister in the process since she was at Columbia University. He always helped her with her studies.
“Are you going to fly up to Maine this summer?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I’ll Skype my parents so I can see them. Other than that, I’m staying in town.” I was going to be busy with the reality show, but nobody knew about it, not even my family. The big reveal wasn’t going to come until right before filming began. Right now, I didn’t even want to think about it.
“Good game tonight,” a sultry voice whispered in my ear. The smell of expensive perfume wafted across my nose and I knew exactly who it was. She snaked her arm around my neck and nipped my neck. “Coming to the party later?”
Taking her hand, I pulled her away from me. She may be a sexy blond vixen, but she wasn’t the one I wanted. “Last time I fucked around with you I got a glass bottle smashed into my head.”
Britney sat beside me, pouting her dark red lips. “We’re not together anymore.”
I snorted and went back to my beer. “Wonder why.”
“Don’t be like that. I’m sorry for what happened.” I looked over at Britney’s friend, who took the seat next to Braeden, trying her best to get his attention. He wanted nothing to do with her. Britney ran a finger down my arm and I clenched my teeth. “Why don’t we all go to my place and have some fun? I can make it up to you.”
I beckoned her closer, hissing low, “I’m not interested in anything you’re offering. Why don’t you take it somewhere else?”
She glared at me, disgust written all over her face. “You’re such an asshole. Come on, Sarah. We’re wasting our time here.”
They stormed out and it didn’t go unnoticed. Chris brought our chicken wings over, trying his best not to laugh. “Rough night?”
“Not me,” Braeden replied, hooking a glance my way. “This one can’t seem to catch a break.”
I shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a master at pissing people off.”
“I still love you, though,” Kristen giggled from behind. She kissed me on the cheek and sat beside me.
Chuckling, I passed her a chicken wing. She loved them, especially, now that she was eating for two. “What are you doing here?”
She handed Chris her credit card to swipe and then he gave her a box of food. “We made an appearance at the party and now we’re picking up a late-night snack. I was craving the fried green beans.”
“Where’s your husband?”
“Outside talking on the phone with his dad,” she said, nodding toward the door. “I couldn’t wait any longer to get my food.”
“Did you happen to see Callie?” I asked.
Her eyes twinkled. “Yep. She was in her room. I went in there to say hello since I didn’t see her at the game.” The thought of her being alone in her room with all those men in the house didn’t set well with me. Granted, Justin was there, but Callie was a beautiful woman. Given the right amount of alcohol, I could see some of the guys on the team trying to sneak into her room.
An idea sparked in my mind and I smiled. “You were in her room, huh?”
Kristen glanced at Braeden and then back at me. “Yeah. Maddox went in there after I left.”
“What?” I snapped, feeling a fire ignite in my gut. Anger boiled in my veins in a way I’d never felt it before. Maddox had no business being in her room or anywhere near her, for that matter.
“Dallas, you okay?” she asked, grabbing my wrist.
My whole body was on fire. “No, and I’m going to need your help.”
“You sure this is a good idea?” Braeden asked.
Huffing, I opened my car door. “No, but I want to make sure she’s okay.”
An evil smile spread across his face. “Or to make sure she’s not doing anything with Ledger? It’s her choice if she is.” The thought of them together pissed me the fuck off.
I gripped the side of my door so hard I could feel the metal digging into my skin. “I’m not going to let that happen.”
He burst out laughing and got into his truck. “Damn, you’ve got it bad. Just don’t kill Maddox in the process.”
“Can’t promise anything.” Getting into my car, I drove over to Callie’s. When I pulled up, there were cars lined up the street. Grabbing my baseball c
ap out of my backseat, I parked as far away as I could and stuck to the shadows. If Justin got word that I was there, he’d no doubt hunt me down. I wouldn’t be able to contain my anger if he tried to start something. I definitely wouldn’t be able to control myself if Ledger tried to touch Callie.
There wasn’t anyone out front, but I could hear voices echoing from the back. Pulling my hat down low over my eyes, I walked inside and went straight to the stairs without anyone noticing me. The lights were dimmed and everyone was busy dancing. Thankfully, Kristen told me where Callie’s room was. I snuck up the stairs and down the hall to her bedroom. Her door was slightly cracked and when I peeked inside, I didn’t like what I saw.
Chapter 12
Callie
The music blared below, making the pictures on my wall vibrate. Maddox walked around my room and then sat down with me on my bed.
“Remember when we’d skate on your pond every winter?” he asked.
Grinning broadly, I nodded toward one of the framed pictures on my dresser. “How could I forget? Those were some of the best times growing up. It sucked when you moved away.” We’d all changed so much. Maddox wasn’t a skinny runt anymore with bad acne. He was very good-looking with dark hair and striking blue eyes.
“Yeah, it did.”
Maddox glanced over at the picture of him and my brothers with me in the middle, all smiling at the camera. My house was in the background, a Cape Cod–style home with gray siding. I had so many good memories there. It killed me when my parents sold it and decided to sail around the world. There were tons of pictures of them on my dresser, all in different countries. Right now they were on their way to New Zealand. I couldn’t wait to talk to them again.
Lying back on my pillow, I clutched the newest edition of Physique to my chest. It was the one and only magazine every athlete dreamed of being in. Corey and Brant had been trying for years to get them to do a story on Justin.
Maddox glanced around my room and took a swig of his beer. “Why did you leave the party so soon? Couldn’t find who you were looking for?”
I waved him off. “Of course not. I was just walking through.” It was a lie.
He saw right through me. “Uh-huh. You expect me to believe that?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He patted my ankle. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Callie. If you must know, Dallas wasn’t invited tonight. Justin made it clear he wasn’t welcome.” I had a feeling that was the case, but being Dallas, I figured he’d come anyway.
I threw my arms up in the air. “I don’t care, Maddox.”
“Either way, you need to be careful around him. You’re a beautiful woman and just what he wants. There’s only one thing on his mind and he gets it often. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was cock deep in someone right now.”
Pursing my lips, I glared right at him. “Sounds like someone else I know. I wouldn’t point fingers if I were you.”
“Hey, the guy hates me so I’ll say whatever I want. You’re like a game to him. He’s not used to women saying no.”
“Thanks for the concern, but you know I can take care of myself.”
He snorted and got to his feet. “Don’t I know it. I watched you kick big Danny Jenkins in the balls when we were eight for pulling your hair. He cried the whole way home.”
“And Dad was so proud of me.” I laughed. “He gave me a huge bowl of ice cream that night.”
Maddox chuckled and walked to the door. “It’s a shame I only saw you guys at Christmas after that. I’m glad you moved down here with your brothers.”
“Me, too.”
He smiled one more time and walked out the door. Things started getting rowdier downstairs so I got up and shut the door. The last thing I wanted was for one of the guys to find themselves into my room. Turning around, I headed straight back to my bed.
“Didn’t know you were so close to Ledger.”
Gasping, I jerked around and slapped a hand to my chest, my heart beating a million miles an hour. “Holy shit, you scared me.” Dallas stood by my door, his serious eyes glued to mine. “What the hell are you doing here?”
He stepped inside and shut the door, locking it behind him. “Kristen said she talked to you and that she saw Maddox come in here.”
It only took one second to recognize the look on his face; he was jealous. Good job, Kristen. It took all I had not to laugh. She played the situation just right. “Why does it matter if Maddox was in here?”
His gaze darkened. “He’s worse than me, Callie. If anything, your brothers need to keep him away from you.”
I shrugged. “They like him. Can’t say the same for you.”
The muscles in his jaw clenched and he looked away. “What was he doing in here?”
All kidding aside, I stared at him with the most serious expression I could muster. “That’s none of your damn business, but if you must know, he asked if I wanted to have sex and I said yes. He’ll be back up here in a minute once he’s gotten some condoms. It might be best if you leave before he gets here.”
It was as if something flipped inside of him and all hell broke loose. He reached for the doorknob and I jumped in front of him, spreading my arms across the door. The level of tension in the room spiked immensely. “Oh my God, what are you doing?”
“I’m not going to let him use you like that,” he growled, his face so close to mine.
My chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. “Why do you even care?”
Sighing, he looked down at my lips and closed his eyes. “I don’t know. It’s a feeling I got when Kristen told me he was in here. I didn’t like it.” He stepped away from me, his fists clenched at his sides. “It’s your choice, Callie. I just don’t want to see you get fucked over.”
If I moved away from the door, I could see him charging out of it straight to Maddox. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to trick him. “You have nothing to worry about, Dallas. Maddox isn’t going to fuck me over.”
His eyes blazed. “So you are with him?”
I couldn’t contain my smile. “No. Want to know why?”
He looked taken aback, his brows furrowed. “Why?”
“Because he’s my cousin. Next time, don’t jump to conclusions. Makes you look like an ass.”
I moved away from the door and he stood there, frozen in place. Grabbing my magazine off the edge of the bed, I marched over to my papasan chair and sat down. Dallas glanced at me over his shoulder but I pretended to be interested in my magazine.
“I’m sorry, Callie. I shouldn’t have barged in like I did.”
I shrugged. “Yeah, well, I’m kind of used to you hockey players acting like idiots.”
He sighed. “I’m never going to make you see me differently, am I?”
Huffing, I glared over at him. “This is your life, Dallas. You hear the music and the women giggling downstairs?” Jaw clenched, he nodded. “That’s what all you boys like. I gave it a go and went to one party,” I said, holding up a finger. “A party where you were about to fuck a girl you’d just met and ended up getting your head beat in.” Tossing my magazine back onto the bed, I stood. The chagrined look on his face made my heart ache. I wanted to believe there was something more to him. “I was impressed with you at the hospital, but it doesn’t mean a thing. People don’t just change overnight.”
He stepped toward me, his gaze more determined with each step. “I want to change, Callie. Don’t you see that?”
“Why?”
Closing the distance, his body towered over mine. I looked up at his face and held my breath, wishing like hell I could move away, but my feet refused to budge. His fingers grazed my cheek and then he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear; I shivered in response.
“I was hoping you’d help me figure that out.”
Our bodies touched and I felt like I was on fire. Everything inside of me tingled with desire. His head dipped lower and my body still didn’t move. What the hell was wrong with me? Deep down, I al
ready knew the reason. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. Our lips connected and I froze, but then his warm hands cupped my face, melting me where I stood. The kiss was gentle and sweet, yet I could feel the urgency behind it. Luckily he held back the flames I knew he could ignite within me.
Sucking in a breath, I pulled away from the kiss, but his arms held me close. “This’ll never work,” I murmured.
“I beg to differ. I already told you I’ll do anything to prove myself. I can do this if you’ll let me.”
I moved out of his grasp, a sly smile spreading across my face. “We’ll see about that.”
“Have something in mind?” he asked, lifting his brows.
I nodded. “I do, but I don’t think you’ll do it.”
He grinned. “We’ll see about that. When do you want this to happen?”
Glancing over at the calendar on my wall, I saw there were two games in Nashville on Monday and Tuesday, then nothing for the rest of the week. A part of me wondered if he’d party with the guys and screw some random girl while he was gone. That was why I had to test him. “Soon. Just be prepared when you get back from Tennessee.”
Footsteps pounded up the stairs and then a knock shook the door. “Cal, you okay?” It was Justin.
Heart racing, I pushed Dallas toward the balcony door. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I called out.
“Want a beer or a glass of wine?” Justin asked.
“A glass of wine would be great. Thanks.” Once his steps moved away from my door, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Dallas chuckled. “Want me to hide in your closet?”
Rolling my eyes, I pointed at the door. “No, it’s time for you to go. You can climb over the balcony and jump down. If you break a leg, it’ll be better than facing my brother and Maddox.”
Stepping out onto the balcony, he gently kissed my cheek, not even caring I was making him climb down the side of my house. “Good night, angel. I’ll call you later.” He climbed over the railing and jumped down, disappearing into the night. I was in too deep and it was the most exciting thing I’d ever felt.
