Something So Right

by Natasha Madison

  I think I would attempt to climb Mount fucking Everest if he asked me. I moan into his mouth, his breath on my lips. I rock my hips forward, meeting his thrust, and in no time flat I’m coming on his fingers, throwing my head back.

  “Yup, definitely going to bed naked and with toys. It’ll be fun explaining the wand to Allison.” I giggle at him. He just shakes his head, telling me to hurry up or we will be late for his game.

  I have just been ushered inside the arena from the garage where we parked his car. I drove down with him so I can take the car home with me and so he can show me where he parks and everything. This is also where I’m to meet him after the game because the bus will be there to take them to the airport. They are flying out straight away. I left the kids with Meghan since I have them this week so we can have some alone time.

  When I leave him at the dressing room door, I kiss him quickly, not wanting anyone to actually see me or us together. The press has been really respectful of our relationship, but I don’t want to give them any bombs either.

  The doors to the arena have opened, the crowd slowly starting to trickle in. I visit the gift shop, buying Allison another T-shirt with Cooper’s name on it. She already has five but this one is in purple, so I know she’ll want it. After making the purchase, I make my way over to the lodge. It’s the first time I’ll be using this wife badge thing, and it makes me nervous as hell. I don’t know what to expect. I did meet most of the wives and girlfriends when there was the game opener, but I had Cooper to hold my hand. Now it’s just me, kind of set free into the wild.

  Once I make it there, I see an elderly gentleman outside the door, I guess making sure no one goes in who isn’t supposed to.

  “Um, excuse me, I’m not sure this is the right place, but is this the lodge for the wives slash girlfriends?” I ask, trying hard not to be so nervous.

  He smiles at me. “This sure is. Do you have the badge with you? I need to scan you in,” he says, very friendly and with a smile.

  “I do. Here it is.” I never got a chance to look at it. It has my name on it and under it Cooper Stone. Very official.

  “Oh, you’re Cooper’s girl. I heard about you,” he says, trying not to stare.

  “All good, I hope.” I try joking with him. But at that moment something happens, making the scanner beep. “Is everything okay?” I ask, making me even more nervous than before.

  He doesn’t want to look at me, but he has no choice. “It seems that the badge has been cancelled. I’m afraid I can’t give it back to you.” He looks at me with a kind of pity in his eyes.

  “I think there is some sort of a misunderstanding. You see, Cooper brought this home two days ago. Could it be it hasn’t been activated?”

  “I don’t really know what the problem is, but I know that the message says I’m supposed to refrain from letting you in and confiscate your badge.” He tries his hardest to not make a big deal out of it.

  But it’s a huge fucking deal to me. It’s fucking embarrassing. This poor man has to tell me that I’m not allowed in.

  Just then, blond hair fills the doorway. Fucking Barbie.

  “William, is there a problem here?” she asks, holding a glass of white wine in her left hand that still has on that fucking ring.

  “Um, no, Ms. Monica. I’ve got it under control.” He tries to shield me so she doesn’t see me.

  “Actually, there really isn’t a problem at all. You see, my badge isn’t working, but I’m assuming there was an error in the system, but now the picture is finally clear.” I look over at William and smile. “William, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you again soon.”

  “Don’t bet on that. You see, I control who comes and who goes and I’m not letting Cooper’s country slut in here.”

  William is just about to say something in my defense, I think, but I don’t let him, grabbing his arm. “That’s okay, William. Really, it’s fine. However, I would suggest you turn off the heat in the lodge. We wouldn’t want some of the plastic to melt off.”

  And with that, I turn and make my way into the crowd. I’m fucking livid. I can’t believe this shit is happening. I can’t go and sit in my seat. He’ll know something is up.

  I pick up my phone and send him a text.

  Hey, just got a call from Matthew. Allison is sick, so I’m going to head back. I’m so sorry I can’t stay and kiss you goodbye. Call me later. I love you.

  With that, I make my way back to the garage. Once in the safety of my car and out of the traffic, I finally let the tears fall. I do what I need to do in that moment. I call Meghan and tell her everything that happened. I tell her how embarrassing it was, how I felt like I got kicked in the stomach, how I had to keep my smile on all the while I was fuming inside.

  But most of all I tell her that I didn’t get to kiss my man goodbye because of his ex fucking girlfriend. After arranging how we will kill and bury her body, I start to feel better.

  Pulling up to the house I now share with Cooper, I smile. She can have her fucking lodge because I have his fucking castle. Booyah, bitch.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Cooper

  I roll over in the bed. My body hurts. I’m fucking exhausted. It’s been ten days we’ve been on the road. Four planes, three straight losses. Each game more physical than the last.

  My head isn’t in the fucking game. I’m starting to get fucking sloppy. Taking shit penalties because of my frustration. Taking checks that I should be able to shake off, but like I said, my head isn’t here.

  I can’t even turn to Parker because she is the first to ream my ass when I call her. Of course she stays up to watch the game, and if that wasn’t enough she sends me texts through the plays, so when I check my phone there are many texts telling me to shake it off and play the fucking game. She’s right, she is a hundred percent right.

  I just can’t do it. This is fucking hard. Being away from them for so long is getting to me. I’m fucking grouchy. I mean, we Facetime every single night. Which slowly leads to Parker coming with a plastic dick in her. I swear when I get home I’m throwing that motherfucker out.

  I’ve even texted Matthew to ask how everything is, making sure that everything is really okay. I mean, from the time that Allison was sick and Parker had to rush home I’m waiting for someone else to fall sick. So far the coast in clear, but I don’t think for long. Last night Parker rushed me off the phone and said she was heading to bed early saying she wasn’t feeling all that well.

  I take my phone off the nightstand. It’s the first thing I do when I get up. I check up on my girl. Sure enough, there is a message.

  Headed back home, not feeling well. Will call you later.

  Fuck. I knew it was coming. The three-hour time change doesn’t help either. When I finally roll out of bed, I throw myself straight into the shower, hoping the hot water helps my muscles.

  Getting dressed, I head down to the restaurant. I usually hit up with some teammates, but I just want to be by myself. Once I sit down and look at the menu, the chair across from me is being slid out. Looking up, I see Monica. Can I catch a fucking break? She’s apparently been promoted to team assistant. I have no idea what the fuck that means, but she’s always fucking there. She is now traveling with the team.

  I’ve been polite to her. But I’m reaching my limit. I have been in contact with my agent, which has been in touch with Charles to tell him she better walk a very straight line with me and my family or I’ll walk out of this contract.

  “Morning,” she says cheerfully. Her hair is already coiffed and curled. Her face is in full makeup. I look at my watch, wondering if it’s somehow later than I thought it was. Nope, just nine-thirty. Maybe it’s because I’m with Parker, who doesn’t need to paint her face like a clown.

  She’s wearing a white button-down top, of course leaving the top buttons open so her bra is on display. How did this turn me on? Just the thought makes the coffee in my stomach curdle.

  “Morning. I really wasn’t looki

ng to eat with anyone, Monica. I’m just not in the mood right now.” My phone signals a text has come in.

  Where are you?

  It’s from Parker. I guess she’s up now.

  Having breakfast in the hotel lobby. How are you feeling?

  I turn my phone face down because I don’t want Monica to see anything that goes on in my life. She reaches over, putting her hand over mine.

  “Cooper, let me help you,” she says, batting her eyelashes at me while tracing my hand with her finger. “You know it was good between us. You can’t deny the chemistry we had. Remember that time...”

  I don’t even hear what else she says because there is a commotion at the side of my table, so I turn around to come face to face with Parker. My Parker. Here.

  She throws her bags down next to her. “You have got to be fucking kidding me right now.” Oh, she’s pissed. “How many fucking times do I have to fucking tell you to fuck off? You are worse than a fucking fruit fly.” She’s looking straight at Monica. “You know those annoying little bugs that never fucking die? That’s what you are. You try to start shit in front of my kids. You have me banned from the wives’ room and now I come to surprise him and you are here like a fucking dog in heat. Practically panting in heat.”

  I’ve never seen her like this. She’s beautiful. She’s here in front of me, her hair braided loosely. Not a touch of makeup on her face. She’s wearing her black jeans that mold her ass, a white sweater, and black Chucks. To me she is the ray of sunshine after the fucking storm.

  It takes me a while to realize that she’s actually here, but what is this stuff she is talking about?

  I look at Monica, who is smart enough to not open her mouth.

  “Wait a second. What is she talking about? Monica, what the fuck is she talking about?” I throw my napkin on the table standing up, placing my hands on the table, leaning forward. She doesn’t even attempt to say anything, her guilt written all over her face.

  “Did you say anything to her in front of the kids?” My voice starts to rise, making some of the fellow people eating to look at this display, but I don’t give a fuck. This is the straw that broke the camel’s fucking foot or back, whatever the saying is. “Did you really get her banned from the wives’ room?” I say with my teeth clenched at this point. I’ve never been one to condone violence, but I would love to smack her. If Meghan were here, I would totally let her smack her.

  Before she can even muster up her excuse, and that is exactly what it is, an excuse because she’s a spoiled fucking brat who is used to getting everything she wants. Not this time. Not me. I lean in, making sure her eyes focus on me and only me.

  “Monica, I tried to be fucking nice. I tried to ignore you and be civil, but it stops right now. You see me, you don’t even fucking stop to say hello, you don’t fucking acknowledge me. I don’t fucking exist to you. Nod if you understand what I’m saying.”

  She swallows and slowly nods her head.

  “That better be your word, but just in case you get any other ideas, I’ll be making a call to my agent and then the next is to your father. This is done. It’s fucking done.”

  “Cooper,” I hear her, my angel, the light. “It’s finished,” she says, taking my hand, threading her fingers through them.

  “Cooper, why don’t you take your woman away from here, yeah?” Marky says, his eyes on Monica.

  I bend to pick up Parker’s bag, grabbing her hand again and walking away to the elevator.

  “Cooper,” she whispers, but I just nod my head no. I need a second. I don’t want to do this here. She doesn’t know what else to do, so she does the only thing she can do. She puts her hands around my waist, and we wait for the elevator to open.

  We don’t say anything till we get to my room. It’s a simple room with one king-sized bed. The covers are a mess. It shows that I tossed and turned all night long.

  Once the door closes behind me, she turns around, looking at me.

  “You’re here.” I lean down to smell her neck. Her scent is forever imbedded in my nose. “I missed you.” I kiss her neck. She starts grabbing my face, kissing my lips lightly. “We need to talk,” I tell her, making her follow me to the bed.

  I sit down with my back against the headboard. I watch her as she takes off her sweater and shoes.

  “I’ve been traveling since three a.m. to get here this morning,” she tells me while climbing on the bed, sitting right next to me, crossing her legs.

  She doesn’t know the right thing to say right now. She’s never seen me this mad. I’ve never been on the edge like this, my body shaking with anger.

  She does what I know her heart tells her to. She comes to me slowly, crawling onto my lap and straddling me. She finally takes off my hat, running her fingers through my hair. It’s probably still wet from the shower I took before going down.

  She grabs my face and kisses me. Lips closed. Just a kiss. I sigh deeply, then lean in, hugging her. Breathing her. Smelling her. Always her.

  “I can’t believe you’re here,” I whisper.

  “I needed to stage an intervention. For the sake of the team.” She tries to make me laugh and make light of the situation. I smile, hugging her closer to me.

  “I felt lost,” I say in barely a whisper.

  She backs away from me to look in my eyes.

  “I’ve never had attachments. I’m an only child. My parents were good parents. Gave me everything I could possibly need. I was really good at hockey, like really good even at an early age. So good that I got scholarships early on, as of grade seven. I practically lived on my own.”

  She puts her hands on my chest, feeling my heart beating under it. Pounding.

  “I would go home on holidays. That’s it. Summer would be spent training for bigger and better things. So, I never had a relationship with anyone really. I was always just my own person. Only thinking about me, myself, and I.” My hair falls forward onto my forehead, making her hand brush it back. “Never had anything to go home to or miss. Then I go and meet this smartass, sassy woman, and she knocks me on my ass. She takes my heart. She owns it. She gives me a family, she makes me a home, and I just want to be there. I want to cherish it.”

  A tear rolls down her cheek, sadness passing over her eyes. She will never know how much that little boy wanted a mom who would be dragging him to practice, washing his equipment, nagging him to do homework.

  “Baby.”

  I catch her tear with my thumb. “Being away from you guys, I can’t explain it. It was like you guys were living without me. I didn’t like it. I couldn’t fucking cope.” I finally shake my head like I’m shaking the thoughts away from my mind.

  “We weren’t living without you, baby, we were coping. It’s what we needed to do. It’s your job. You can’t change this, and I won’t let you. We won’t let you. Does it suck? Yeah, it does. Do we like it? Fuck no. I’ve never heard Allison complain more in my life. Matthew looks almost lost without you there to do whatever it is that you do downstairs in that dungeon.”

  “I just didn’t want you guys to forget me,” I say.

  “Forget? Babe, we PVR the games and rewatch them. True, they haven’t been your best games. And we have to talk about the camera and Allison learning how to read lips. Needless to say, she said the word fuck a lot.” I laugh, so she continues. “Do you know that she sleeps with me when you’re gone? In one of your shirts. It’s kind of sad really. Both of us in clothes that smell like you. Matthew is starting to get scared that we might start collecting your hair so we can start the cloning process.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask her.

  “Tell you what, honey?”

  “What Monica did! The whole thing with the kids, the banning you from the lodge. Is that why you left?” It’s like the lights are on now, so she doesn’t even try to deny it or lie.

  “It was really nothing, but my ego was bruised.” She tries to make it sound like it wasn’t a big deal. But I can tell it bothered her.