Taylor sunk to her bed and Abigail sat across from her, worry etched into every feature. That’s why she didn’t want to tell her new friend about Danny. It would change the way she saw her. Now, she saw firsthand how messed up Taylor really was.
She clutched a pillow to her chest as angry tears finally started to fall.
“Taylor,” Abigail said. “You don’t have to tell me why you’re upset. But, you can if you want to.”
Taylor leaned her head back and stayed silent. Josh had lied to her. Or, maybe he hadn’t. But, he knew about Danny - he should have told her he was on her dad’s team. Then she could have stopped hanging out with him before she kissed him.
There was a soft rap on the door. “Taylor, please talk to me.” Josh’s voice came through softly.
Understanding lit in Abigail’s eyes. “I’m going down to get us some food,” she said. “Plus, there’s a house full of hockey players down there, and that opportunity cannot be wasted.” She winked, trying to lighten the mood, before walking to the door.
Taylor didn’t stop her as she opened it, revealing Josh, looking gorgeous in his pressed suit. Abigail smiled at him and then disappeared down the stairs.
Josh stepped in and closed the door, never taking his eyes from Taylor. “Are you okay?” He hesitated. “No, stupid question. Sorry. I’ve been trying to reach you.”
“Ever thought I wasn’t answering because I didn’t want to talk to you?” she asked harshly.
“Okay, you’re mad.” He ran a hand through his hair and sat, uninvited, on the corner of the bed.
Taylor wiped away the remnants of her tears and scowled at him. “You should have told me.”
“What? That I was a hockey player?” He scrunched up his brow before continuing. “Maybe I didn’t want you treating me like everyone else does?”
“Like what?”
“Different.” He sighed and leaned closer to her. “I’ve called a few times.”
“I know.”
“I’ve been worried.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, shifting her eyes away.
“I want to be friends with you, Taylor,” he said, reaching out to grab her hand. “I like being around you.”
“I just…” She lifted her eyes to his and was trapped in his gaze. Did she want to be friends with him? He made everything too confusing, but being around him felt different somehow, better. Something about his presence was calming. She could almost forget and that was the problem.
“Don’t say no,” he pleaded. “I get that what happened is too much for you right now. So, just friends. I promise.”
“I can’t be around hockey. Everything about it brings back too many memories.”
“I won’t talk about it,” he said. “You don’t have to come to games. Come on, I think I can help you. I might even be good for you.”
She looked down, a small smile coming to her lips. Confusion be damned. She just wanted relief from her grief and he gave her that. “Okay.”
“Is that a smile?” he teased. “Told you I’d be good for you.”
“Just go.” She threw the pillow at him. “Before my dad finds you up here.”
“Good idea.” He stood to leave. “They’ll start to worry about me if I have to spend this long in the bathroom.” He winked. “You should come down and get something to eat.”
She stuffed her hands into the pocket of her hoodie and leaned back on the bed. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“Okay, well we’ve got a stretch of games coming up and I’ll be really busy. But, let’s hang out early next week.”
“Sure,” she said, still on the fence about this new friendship. “Friends. I can do this.”
He grinned once more before leaving just as Abigail returned with their food.
Chapter Seven
Josh scored his first goal of the season against the Pittsburgh Penguins. It wasn’t a pretty one, most would call it a garbage goal, but that was his specialty. He wasn’t the guy that was going to take the puck end to end, deking defensemen on the way, but he got his team on the board. His line-mates mobbed him behind the net and his team went on to win the game.
After three straight losses, the Jackets were back on track. Carter Neil scored his first NHL goal, a game winner, the next night, and they won the two after that as well. After each win, the music was cranked up in the locker room and the mood was good. After they said a few words, the coaches would leave the rest to Olle. It was one thing to be the captain when the team was losing, but another when they were winning. Some said it would be harder to lead a winning team. Harder to keep the guys from getting complacent, satisfied. The only time in hockey that you should be satisfied is when you are raising the Stanley cup above your head.
The regular season is a slog and the playoffs are grueling. Any time someone asked Josh why he gave up so much for a game, he’d just smile and tell them they wouldn’t understand. Hockey was a love affair. Each player that made it to the NHL did so because they gave the game a part of themselves. A part they knew they’d never get back.
When he wasn’t playing well, Josh felt like he was letting the game down. When he was, when everything was in sync, he felt whole. That was why he tried so hard.
“Walker,” Coach Scott called above the music.
Josh followed him down the hall to his office.
“What’s up, Coach?”
Coach Scott gestured to the empty chair in front of his desk. He wasn’t the head coach, but he was still very involved with the players.
Josh sat, bouncing his leg nervously as the coach studied his face.
“This is how I know you can play,” he started. “Wherever your head has been at this week, keep it there.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
“Now, hold on. I didn’t call you in here to inflate your ego. Whatever you’ve been doing to help Neil, it’s good.” He eyed him carefully. “You’ll make a good coach one day.”
“Hopefully once I’ve played myself into old age.”
To Josh’s surprise, Coach laughed. “Just keep doing what you’re doing. With Mack too.”
“I’m not doing anything with Mack,” Josh said, confused.
“You are,” Coach Scott disagreed. “You can read him. You know what he’s thinking, and he knows where you’ll be. Never underestimate the importance of line chemistry. You aren’t the prototypical first-liner, but it’s working right now.”
“He’s been playing really well.”
“Stop being so damn humble, Walker!” Coach Scott pounded a fist on his desk. “Learn to take credit when credit is due.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now, get out and go tell Olle I’d like a word with my captain.” Before Josh made it out the door, Coach said one more thing. “You have an off-day tomorrow, Walker, and I’m insisting you take it. Do not set foot in this building. No weight room. No exercise bike. It’s a long season. Rest. Do you hear me?”
Josh turned back and then looked away from his coach’s blunt stare. “Yeah. I got it.”
“Good. Now, go enjoy the win. It’s back to the grindstone on Saturday.”
The next morning was Friday, and Josh wasn’t sure what to do if he wasn’t going to train. He could have hit the gym in his building, but decided to listen to the coach. His body felt sore from the bruising game the night before.
Pulling on a pair of sweats over his boxers, he walked out into the kitchen. As he was cracking eggs into a bowl, a woman came stumbling out of Mack’s room. Josh glanced towards her and recognized her immediately. She quickly tried to tame her wild blond curls with her fingers when she saw him, but then stopped, her mouth hanging open as she openly assessed his bare chest.
“Abigail, right?” Josh asked, trying to halt her obvious ogling. He set the bowl of eggs down on the counter.
“Yep.” Her lips turned up in a smile. “That’s me.”
“You hungry?” It was the first time he’d ever offered breakfast to one of
Mack’s sleepover buddies, but she was a friend of Taylor’s and that made her different.
“Starved.” He knew she didn’t mean the food as her eyes scanned his broad chest once more.
He scratched the back of his head, but stopped as he realized it only made it worse, flexing the muscles in his chest as he raised his arm. “I’m going to grab a shirt, then I’ll make us some eggs.”
“Oh, you’re shy,” she said to his retreating back. “That’s cute.”
He returned a moment later, T-shirt in place. She smirked at him as he picked the bowl back up and continued to scramble the eggs.
“Does Taylor know you’re here?” he asked.
“She knows I’m okay, if that’s what you’re asking. But, no, she doesn’t know I hooked up with a super-hot hockey player last night. That story has to be told in person.”
“You know… Mack…”
“Stop,” she interrupted him. “You don’t have to say it. I know what this was. Plus, I have a boyfriend.”
Josh grunted.
“Before you get all judgy, like I know Taylor will be, we haven’t been together long and we made lists.”
“Lists?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
“You know, people you’re allowed to sleep with. You never expect to actually meet people on the list. I mean, come on, Colin has Emma Watson on his. After meeting Grant, I put him on it.” She shrugged. “Colin won’t be mad. It’s not like I’m going to fall madly in love with a hockey player. No offense.”
He set a plate in front of her. “None taken.”
She took a bite and her eyes widened. “These are the best eggs I’ve ever had.”
“Josher’s a great cook,” Mack said, walking in wearing only his boxers. He took the other plate Josh had prepared and sat across from Abigail.
“Guess I’m not hungry.” Josh sighed.
“That’s good,” Mack replied with a mouth full of food. “Because there aren’t any more eggs.”
Josh swatted him on the back of the head then looked at Abigail. “Is Taylor in class all day?”
“Yeah,” she replied. “But Fridays are her easy days. I can give you her schedule.”
“Great. Write it down while I jump in the shower.” He walked towards the bathroom. Before shutting the door, he heard Mack’s voice.
“I thought we could head back to bed after this, if you know what I mean.”
“Can’t,” Abigail said. “I’m busy today.”
Josh couldn’t help but smile at the exasperated sigh that left Mack’s lips as he closed the door. He wasn’t used to being turned down.
Taylor’s passion for drawing died with Danny. Before him, it was a hobby, not something she could have ever dreamed of doing in the future. Then he came along and dreamed it for her, made her believe. He thought she was special, so she felt special. Now she didn’t know what she wanted.
The professor dismissed the class, and she walked out of the building into a rare gorgeous day. They were having a rainy fall, and she’d missed the sun. There was still a lot she didn’t know about her new city, but she’d learned quickly that an overcast sky was pretty typical.
Today it was warm, with a brilliant blue sky dotted by puffy white clouds. Taylor walked around the corner of the building in the direction of the student union. She had an hour to grab lunch before her next class.
“Taylor.”
She stopped at the sound of her name and turned back towards the building she’d just passed. “Josh? What are you doing here?”
He jogged the few feet between them and pushed his sunglasses up into his hair. “Thought you might want to get out of here.” He smiled hopefully.
“I have classes,” she said regretfully.
“I know. I just thought…” He stuck his hands into the pockets of his jeans and looked down at his feet. “I haven’t seen you since the dinner at your parent’s house. I thought we could give this ‘friends’ thing a whirl.”
Taylor had wanted to call him all week, but knew he had games. Now he was standing in front of her, vulnerable and unsure. He’s unsure and adorable, she thought.
“Yeah,” she finally said. “Okay.”
He raised his eyes to meet hers and a smile spread slowly across his face. “Yeah,” he repeated. “Okay.”
He led her to his parked car - again, not what she expected. It wasn’t some hundred thousand dollar sports car. He drove a Lexus, still expensive but not showy. Just … nice, like him.
“You sure you’re not missing anything in class?” he asked as they drove away.
“Positive.” She looked sideways at him. “How’d you know where to find me anyways? Stalk much?”
“Abigail told me.” He laughed, and she didn’t know why.
“When did you see Abigail?”
“Look, she’ll kill me if she doesn’t get to tell you the story. So, let’s just say I made her breakfast at my place this morning.”
“She didn’t,” Taylor said. “Mack?”
“I didn’t say a word.”
“I wonder if she’ll tell Colin.”
“Apparently, it’ll all be okay.” He shrugged.
Taylor was surprised to find herself laughing. “Whatever she says. We all know that kind of thing always ends well.”
Josh smiled sideways at her and then looked back at the road.
“So,” Taylor began. “Where’re we going?”
“My favorite spot by the river. It’s the perfect day for it.”
“Ew, didn’t a dead body wash up there?”
“Wrong river.” Josh laughed. “Although, the Scioto is pretty gross too. Just don’t get close to the water.”
“And you like that place?” She looked at him skeptically.
“Just trust me. It’s great. Plus, I picked up some sandwiches on my way to get you.”
“You were that sure I’d come?”
“I hoped you would.”
When Josh smiled, there was an uncertainty behind it that Taylor could relate to; a shyness.
She thought one of the reasons she was comfortable around Josh was because he wasn’t always on. She could see the vulnerability in his eyes. It matched her own.
Josh parked the car, and they stepped out into the parking lot.
“Just wait,” he said. “Follow me.”
There was a road running between the river and the stretch of parks. Tall trees loomed overhead, providing small amounts of shade as they walked. Smaller trees and bushes lined the edge of the water. Taylor could see the river as they got closer, its brownish water rushing towards the dam downstream.
“That’s disgusting,” Taylor said as Josh put a hand on her back to steer her aside for a passing cyclist.
“I told you not to get close.” His lips were close to her ear as he spoke. She jumped away from his touch. “Anyways, we’re here.”
Taylor followed his gaze to an old stone structure on their left. “Looks like it’s about to fall down.”
“Don’t judge it quite yet,” he said.
They walked closer, and he steered them around to the side. It was a stage that had been built right in the middle of the park.
“It looks like—” she started.
“A castle.” He grinned and took her hand. “Come on.”
“It’s roped off,” she protested as he pulled her closer. “Probably because it’s falling down.”
“It’s fine.” He lifted the rope for them to pass under and she acquiesced. “I come here all the time.”
“Why?”
“You’re going to think it’s stupid.”
“Try me.” She released his hand and sat down in the middle of the stage, not caring about the dirt covering the surface.
Josh sat and faced her with the bag of subs balanced on his knee. “Okay, but first I need to warn you, it has something to do with hockey.”
Taylor closed her eyes and released a sigh before opening them. She knew she couldn’t completely separate her worlds, but so
mething in Josh’s eyes told her this was important to him. “Fine. Just tell me.”
“There’s a certain peace that exists in a hockey arena.”
“I always thought it was chaos,” she said. What she didn’t say was that at one point, that chaos was her favorite thing in the world.
“To the fans, yes. But, from down on the ice, it’s different. At least for me. My mind clears, and I’m just… there.”
“What does that have to do with this place?” she asked.
“Can’t you feel it?” He looked around. “It’s that same peace. Here, on this crumbling stage, it feels like you could do anything.”
She met his gaze and when he smiled, she found herself answering in kind. A true, genuine smile. There was no adrenaline eliciting the reaction this time. No, this was just her and Josh and a feeling that for the first time there was hope. Josh was right about this place. She felt like she could do anything, even be herself again. It had been too long.
“Was hockey always your dream?” Taylor asked once they’d finished eating.
Josh leaned back on his elbows and looked towards the sky. “I think so,” he finally said. “It’s all I’ve ever really known. I started playing when I was so young that I never thought of doing anything else.”
“I used to draw,” Taylor admitted. “For a little while, I even thought I could get an art degree.”
“You used to draw?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.
“Things happened. I quit.” She looked away from his questioning gaze and busied herself by picking up the trash from their lunch.
Josh sat up and reached out to still her hand. She stared at their touching hands but didn’t speak.
“Taylor,” he said. “Tell me about him.”
She didn’t know how this boy she barely knew could read her so easily.
“I’ve never had to explain him to anyone before,” she whispered. “Everyone in my life already knew him. All they want to know is how I’m dealing.”
“I met him once,” Josh said. “But it was brief. If you want to talk about him, I’d love to listen.”
The New Beginnings (Books #1-3) Page 39
