Puck Battles: A Complete Sports Romance Series

by Kristen Echo

  Hailey had enough cash in her pockets to pay for the drugs, saving Renee from whatever nasty price Trevor and his minions would make her pay. Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before Renee got in way over her head. By the looks of things, she was already there. Opiate addiction would be a bitch to overcome if it didn’t kill her first.

  Maternal instincts Hailey hadn’t known existed roared into high gear around the young girl, and she vowed to keep her safe. However, it proved to be harder than expected when all Renee wanted to do was get wasted. Her cluelessness made her easy prey for men like Bill and Trevor. They wouldn’t hesitate to use her anyway they could. With her sweet, round face and curves, it wouldn’t be long before they put her to work on the streets like several of the other girls she’d come across.

  People had their reasons for being on the streets. Some had fallen on hard times, but the young ones viewed it as an alternative to a crappy or boring home life. Recreational drug use became an addiction for most within the blink of an eye. The gangs controlled the drugs and their hold on the city grew daily. The conversations had yielded no information other than where she might score the best high. Trevor’s name had been mentioned more than once. Rather than leaving the addicts to their fun, she’d stuck around. Partly to keep an eye on Renee, but to get to Trevor she’d have to go through Bill.

  After sleeping on a park bench with Renee passed out on her shoulder, Hailey needed a moment to stretch and form a plan of action. She had a hunch that if she stayed with this group, she’d find the answers she sought. Her gut hadn’t steered her wrong yet.

  “I’m going to find a bathroom. Be back in a bit,” she said as she stretched her arms above her head. Her muscles were tight, and she could use a good workout. No one responded, not that she expected them to. Everyone was on their own. They had no one to answer to or anyone who cared where they were. Hailey’s life differed a great deal.

  Her parents were used to her not coming home, but they worried. Since her return from her last mission, they were constantly in her face. Spending four years in the forces had cut the cord long ago, but they acted like she was five all over again. She blamed their brother’s death, but they’d always been overbearing. Living on her own for so long, she’d forgotten how bad they craved control.

  Once she was far enough down the path, she pulled her cellphone from her inside coat pocket. The morning air was crisp, making her shiver as a blast of cold hit her exposed skin. There were ten missed calls and two text messages. All from her family. At least three came from Meagan, but she suspected her baby sister wanted to talk about Cameron. The last thing she wanted to think or talk about was hockey players.

  An image of Joe’s straight teeth and provocative mouth entered her mind. The way the corner lifted slightly as his eyes undressed her triggered an onslaught of arousal. Her core tightened, recalling the way her thighs had tingled for days after they’d met. Her breasts felt heavier, she slowed her pace and adjusted her bra. They seemed tender like after he’d sucked and bitten her nipples. She zipped her jacket and pushed the naughty thoughts away. There was no point thinking about him or his delicious mouth. She pressed a few buttons on her phone and it rang.

  “It’s about time,” her father barked, after picking up on the first ring. She imagined he was sitting next to the phone. At this hour he’d already finished his morning run. Two hours every morning regardless of the weather. He was disciplined, and she admired him for that. Her father had always been her hero even though they didn’t always see eye to eye.

  “Good morning, Colonel. I trust you slept well.” With her father it was best to keep the mood light. It didn’t take much to set him off these days. She closed her eyes. It hadn’t always been that way.

  “Where have you been? You failed to report. I’m disappointed, Hailey. You took off in the middle of dinner and left Benedict—”

  “I had to work. Sitting around and collecting disability drove me crazy. This isn’t news,” she said, pinching the bridge of her nose.

  He harrumphed. “Traipsing around the city on Caroline Northcote’s crusade is hardly considered work. She and her father are dreamers. You could have finished your date.”

  “Please don’t ever set me up again. Your heart might be in the right place, but I’m not on the market.” She left out the fact she’d never date another forces guy. One loss was all she could handle in this lifetime. “Furthermore, you and mom need to understand that I’m not a child. I can come and go as I please.”

  “The hell you can,” he yelled. “While you’re living under our roof, you’ll abide by our rules!”

  When they were young, she wasn’t sure if it was her father’s military background or his dominant personality that forced all the rules on them. Every minute of their lives had to be accounted for without exception. No matter the reason, he and his rules would never change. She’d really set him off this time because he rarely yelled. Stern voice; often. Outright scream; never. His anger was directed at life and not her, she reminded herself.

  “About that… we—”

  “Hold the line. Your mother has a few words she’d like to say to you. Good day, Hailey.” His word was final and there would be no discussion. Given his mood, she didn’t argue. Every time she brought up their rules, they shut her down or changed the subject. She didn’t think they were ready to be empty nesters.

  “Thank God you’re safe.” The worry in her mother’s voice came through loud and clear, making her feel like a sack of shit. “I was up most of the night watching out the window. Why didn’t you come home?”

  Her intention hadn’t been to worry her mother. She rubbed the back of her neck and exhaled. “Mom, I am twenty-two years old. I’ve lived all over the world on various missions. We’ve been over this. I will not report or check in with you on a daily basis. While—”

  “You don’t understand. One day, when you’re a parent, you’ll finally get it. The worry doesn’t stop because you’re an adult. It never ends. I am glad you called and that you’re okay. Will you be home for lunch? I’m making a casserole.”

  Hailey huffed, trying to rein in her temper. Her mother cared and for that she was grateful but living under their roof and abiding by their ridiculous rules grew increasingly difficult. The time to leave had come. Past time, but she’d wanted to wait until after Easter, knowing how difficult the holidays would be on her folks.

  “Thank you for caring. I love you, and I appreciate you more than you know,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “However, I’m not used to calling you every day and reporting my whereabouts. We haven’t lived together in a long time. I won’t go backwards to when I was a teenager.”

  “Are you using drugs? Seriously, why else would you refuse to tell us what you’re doing?”

  “I’m not on drugs and I’m not getting drunk either. I haven’t partied in over a month.” Had it been that long since she’d celebrated with Mellie and Richard? Her friends had reached out several times, but Hailey hadn’t returned their calls. She’d been closing herself off which wasn’t good. No wonder bumping into Joe had caused her body to react that way. Damn. She’d need to try to get out more and enjoy life like she used to. “I’ve been busy with the case. That’s all. I swear. I’m working and that’s it. You can stop worrying.”

  “You’re supposed to be healing, not working. It’s just like you to do your own thing. You’ve always been pigheaded.” The exasperation in her mother’s voice pierced her ear and drove into her heart. “The boys used to talk you out of your harebrained ideas. Do you remember? Gosh, Denis and Ryan were the only people you listened to other than your commanding officer. I’ve never been able to talk sense into you.”

  Her heart beat quickened, thundering like a jackhammer in her chest. She found it difficult to catch her breath. Why did hearing their names still hurt so much? She drew strength from them, but as their scents faded from memory, the pain increased. Hailey looked up at the light blue mid-day sky. There were
no answers in the slow-moving clouds. No answers in the sliver of the moon that lingered. Unable to speak, her grip on the phone tightened. A few awkward moments of silence passed.

  “Are you there? Don’t pull away, Hailey. Your therapist—”

  “No, I’m not having this talk with you,” she snapped. “Accept life as it is and stop looking back. Denis and Ryan are dead, and I’m not. You can’t smother me to fill the void. And you sure as hell won’t control me. You did it to Meagan, and she took off. Learn from that before none of your living children return your calls.”

  A sharp inhale followed. Hailey hadn’t meant to strike a low blow against her mother. She regretted her harsh words as soon as they left her mouth even though they were true. Her parents needed to deal with the reality that their kids were grown. Most of all, they all needed to accept that those boys were gone. They would never walk in a park again; never smile or laugh at the Colonel’s bad jokes; and never tell Hailey when she’d gone too far.

  Her hands shook, and her body swayed like she was on a boat. The earth seemed to move beneath her feet though she knew it hadn’t. It was all in her head. Her father wasn’t the only hotheaded one in the family. Hailey took several deep breathes and let the anger go. She released the firm grip on her phone before she accidentally broke it. “I’m sorry,” she breathed.

  “Apology accepted,” her mother replied.

  Most of the time Hailey put one mangled foot in front of the other and moved forward with hope in her heart. Other times, she wanted to lash out at the world and the injustices that tore families apart. It wasn’t her mother’s fault the two people she cared about most in this world were gone. Playing the blame game would never yield a winner.

  “This case will take up a lot of my time until we find those kids. Try to relax and trust me. I gotta go. Love you both.” Hailey disconnected the call. She took one step forward and continued her trek to the closest coffee shop to use their bathroom.

  When she returned to the bench, the small group of five had doubled. More young faces, making her think running away from home was the new cool thing to do. These kids were too young to be out of school. Way too young to be throwing their lives away with drugs. As she chatted with them, it became clear the availability of drugs, the high and the escape from pressures had brought them together. The gang numbers were increasing tenfold.

  As the hours past people came and went, but Hailey stuck with Renee. The girl was too blasted to safely be alone. The more she mingled and listened, the more it seemed the city had a massive gang problem. Way bigger than she’d ever imagined. They weren’t scared of the cops. They dealt and used in plain sight, never attempting to hide their illegal activities. Hailey never touched the stuff, but the group used plenty. There was no shortage of supplies either. She watched them use meth, fentanyl and other opiates. Bill made a small fortune dealing and his supply was running low.

  “I’ve been saving the good shit. Hailey, you need to try this. It’s on the house.” Bill handed her a compact mirror.

  Three lines of white greeted her. “Thanks,” she replied. To fit in, she’d faked popping a few pills and spent every dime she had. Bill knew she was tapped out. This was his way of making sure she owed him. She smiled and pretended to snort it, using her finger to push the powder off the tiny mirror.

  “Good. Right?” Bill invaded her personal space and retrieved the mirror with two lines remaining. His hand pressed between her shoulder blades, bringing her chest flush against his.

  She sniffled and wiped her nose. “On the house means free. Take your hand off me. If you touch me again, I’ll break it. Are we clear?”

  Laughter followed from Bill and those within earshot. He removed his hand and stepped back. “You’re funny.” He snorted a line then handed it to Renee who didn’t hesitate to fill her nose. “Good girl. Enjoy and know there’s plenty more where that came from.”

  “Where do you get it? I might want to cut out the middle man and get it cheaper. No offense, Bill.” She sat down on the curb and watched the cars drive by.

  “I’m not the middle man. I’m—”

  “You’re well connected is what I meant. So, can you get me in touch with Trevor?” She hadn’t seen him around, but figured he was someone who’d have information.

  “Yeah, I know everybody. I can hook you up with T. He’s busy today, but maybe tomorrow.” He bent near her and his dirty fingers patted the top of her head. “Or whenever I feel like it. Fuck, it’s late, and that reminds me, I’ve got more important people to meet. Later bitches.”

  She let his rudeness slide and didn’t retaliate. “Look forward to seeing you again.”

  The group continued to dwindle until only a handful remained as the evening faded to night. There would be no intelligent conversation to be had, yet she couldn’t take off. As much as she contemplated leaving, she couldn’t leave them in that state. Another night sleeping outside would be no worse than some places she’d stayed while overseas. Sleeping with one eye open wasn’t restful.

  Renee slumped against her shoulder and yawned. “I’m tired and it’s getting cold. Colder than last night. A warm place to sleep would be better than here.”

  “There’s a nearby shelter. If we hurry, I bet they’ll still have a few beds free.” Hailey looped arms with Renee and they walked a few blocks.

  Once Renee checked in, Hailey said goodbye. She headed home so her parents wouldn’t worry tonight. She was no closer to finding the missing teens and Renee was safe. They made plans to meet up the following day in the same park. Renee gave her a hug before they parted ways.

  After midnight, the buses were few. She walked several blocks hoping one would come by, but nothing passed. Her foot ached, but she pushed ahead. There wasn’t much traffic at that hour. Then a car came to a screeching halt beside her. It was quiet, and she hadn’t heard it approach. She quickened her steps while keeping an eye on the vehicle. The lack of light overhead meant she couldn’t make out the model of the car. She’d guess it was expensive, most likely a hybrid or electric given the lack of engine noise.

  The door opened, and a large frame emerged. Out of the shadows, the man she’d been trying to forget stepped into view. His large body stalked towards her, eating up the small distance she’d gained. “That’s twice you’ve left when I asked you to meet me. What’s up with that?”

  She stopped and faced him. “What the hell are you doing driving around the city at this hour? Don’t you have a curfew or something?” Seeing him sent a jolt of energy through her, erasing her fatigue.

  “What the hell are you doing walking the streets at this hour? It’s not safe. Especially, in this neighborhood. Are you… you’re not a—”

  “Fuck no! I’m not a prostitute,” she snapped.

  “Good.” A look of relief washed over his face. He rubbed the stubble on his chin as he stared at her. “I want to help you. You know, I only wanted to talk the other night. I’m curious why a woman like you was—”

  “That’s bullshit. You didn’t want to help me; you wanted to fuck me again.” She stepped closer until their feet touched. She tilted her chin up to maintain eye contact. “You didn’t even know my name before you thrust your cock inside me. Homeless, drug addict, gangbanger, you didn’t care if I was any of those things then, and you don’t care now. My situation matters little as long as my legs are spread open for you.”

  “Hailey, you’re the one who said no names. Your rules remember. I’m not an asshole, though I’m sure my actions might lead you to believe otherwise. Fuck.” He ran a hand through his dark hair.

  “You didn’t have to follow along. Don’t feel bad. I’m sure you’ve fucked plenty of women whose names you don’t know.”

  “Dammit. I want to help if you need it. You don’t have to be on the streets. No one does.” He huffed when she didn’t respond. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. They continued to stare at each other, neither giving an inch. “Okay fine, you’re not wrong. I haven’t known a
ll their names, but… you make me crazy.”

  She smiled at his admission. “I don’t need or want your help. Thank you very much for the offer.”

  “Fine. You don’t want my help, but I can tell you want me.” His hand wrapped around her bicep, drawing her closer, pressing their chests together. “The feelings are mutual. I’ll bet your nipples are hard, and it has nothing to do with the cold. I’m not the only one who wants to fuck.” His hand moved to the base of her neck.

  “You’re not wrong,” she answered honestly.

  He kissed her. Boy did he kiss her hard. Her knees went weak, and she clutched his arms for support. It had been weeks since her lips had tasted him last and they were thirsty for more of the sinful treats he could deliver. His tongue tangled with hers. He tasted of citrus; so refreshing, she couldn’t get enough. Their bodies meshed as the kiss took on a life of its own.

  An internal war broke out as he gripped her ass. He wanted to be her savior, and that pissed her off. Yes, giving into the desires racing through her would be easy. Would it be a mistake? He chewed her lip, and she growled.

  “Spend the night with me.” His lips traveled to her ear as his erection nudged her stomach.

  It was distracting. His finger tip traced her bottom lip. He grabbed her hand. She didn’t pull away. Her steps matched his as they moved towards his car. Once they reached it, he opened the door and planted a tender kiss on her hand.

  The promise of pleasure proved hard to ignore. She looked inside at the designer leather and then back at him as he rounded the car. His eyes fixed on her. The passion and heat in them overwhelmed her. She hadn’t been with any man more than once since Ryan. One time didn’t involve emotions or attachments, but twice could mean something more. She wasn’t ready for more.

  All this was a distraction. Solving the case had to be her priority; her only focus. Too bad she couldn’t quench the cravings. She pushed Joe away, and they both panted for air. “Find someone else to save. Someone else to fuck. I… I can’t do this.”