Skating on Thin Ice: Seattle Sockeyes (Game On in Seattle Book 1)

by Jami Davenport

  Lauren dreaded that first official meeting of the Sockeyes’ staff, hoping Ethan would be doing whatever billionaires did to earn more billions. She had an appointment to meet with the GM and new director of player personnel, her direct boss, and she worried herself sick about making a good impression. Even if she wasn’t staying with the team after her contract period, she’d need their recommendation to get any other job in the league or even with a minor league team.

  The building was an old brick building which had been remodeled without losing its 1900s charm. She liked it, liked the character, and the views of the Space Needle and the water. She swore everything around here had views of the water. Or it seemed that way.

  Entering the conference room, she saw she was the first one there. She took a seat near the middle of the long table and waited.

  Ten minutes later, the new general manager, Garrett Calhoun, walked in. The man was known for his brilliant moves regarding draft choices and team personnel. He took a seat next to Mike Gorst, the coach who’d been part of several winning seasons with New York. On Gorst’s other side sat Lars Ericksen, Lauren’s new boss and the director of player personnel.

  Lauren looked away. A few others trickled in. The familiar faces avoided eye contact with her, while the new faces smiled eagerly. Lauren was happy to see a few women in the group. Kaley took a seat next to Lauren, while Mina, Ethan’s formidable administrative assistant pulled out an iPad, and started taking notes. The ancient woman’s fingers danced across the screen with the dexterity of a teenager.

  Lauren fidgeted; the one person she dreaded seeing could walk through that door any minute, and the group didn’t wait long. Flanked by Brad, Ethan strode into the room with an air of authority no one could miss. Lauren hadn’t seen him in two weeks. At the sight of the man, her fickle heart did flips that would do a circus tumbling act proud.

  Ethan smiled at her. Still not dressed in a suit—none of the assembled staff were—he wore a blue Sockeyes T-shirt with a logo of a lime green fish with a black eye holding a hockey stick. Since when were fish lime green?

  Ethan stood and introduced his management team, as he called it, and his investors, including Brad Reynolds.

  It was all very formal, and luckily short and to the point. She expected no less from Ethan—a man of action and not many words, unlike the Sleezers who would drone on forever and ever until Lauren wanted to poke her eyes out with her pen.

  After the brief introductions, a statement of purpose, and some rah-rah on how they were going to build a perpetual winner, Ethan and Brad excused themselves, while the group broke up into smaller group meetings.

  As Ethan walked by her chair their eyes met. He nodded briefly at her. Lauren looked away, gripping the edge of the table, as if her racing heart might force her feet to sprint out the door after him.

  She blew out a breath and glanced around the room, hoping no one noticed her reaction to Ethan. She didn’t want the new staff to believe she’d slept her way into a position with the Sockeyes, even if the handful of staff who’d moved with the team already thought that. She’d gotten this job on her own merits, and she’d damn well prove her qualifications to every person in this room. Yet if they thought she had a relationship with Ethan—which she didn’t anymore—she’d lose the respect she fought so hard to gain.

  * * * *

  A week later, Kaley watched Lauren over the rim of her wine glass, but made no comment. Obviously, she noticed how quiet Lauren had been all day long.

  “So your Aunt Jo is moving to Seattle?”

  “She sure is.”

  “Living here is turning into a regular family affair.” A note of sadness entered Kaley’s usual sassy voice. Kaley never talked about her family, and Lauren had learned early in their friendship to never ask. It was a huge sore spot with her friend.

  “I’d hardly say that. Just my aunt. She’s been wanting a change and loves this city, always wanted to live here.”

  Kaley nodded. “I’m loving it, too.” She extended her hands out to the sides, hitting a waiter in the process. Kaley giggled and batted her eyes at the guy, and he’d follow her anywhere. “What’s not to love? Look at that view. You don’t get that kind of view very many places on earth.”

  Lauren stared out the window of the waterfront restaurant at Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains in the distance. She couldn’t dispute the beauty, especially on sunny days.

  “What’s up with your father?”

  “I don’t know. He’s not talking to me, and I’m not asking Ethan. I don’t have a clue if he quit or what, but I did hear Ethan made him a monetary offer he’d be a fool to refuse.”

  “As a scout, he doesn’t have to live here. He can travel here when he needs to.”

  Lauren nodded and sighed. “I know. So does he. Ethan has big plans for this team, and Dad would be smart to be a part of that.”

  “And you? Wouldn’t you be smart to remain a part of what he’s building here?” Lauren had walked into that one, foolish as she’d been.

  “You know what hurts the most? That he didn’t trust me enough to confide in me. He kept me in the dark along with everyone else.”

  “Maybe he couldn’t tell you. Maybe he didn’t have a choice.”

  “Maybe he should’ve trusted me enough to know that I would’ve kept his secret.”

  “How would you have handled it even if you’d known?”

  “Not well,” Lauren admitted.

  “There you go. He was damned if he did, damned if he didn’t.”

  “He convinced me to sign an employment contract under false pretenses.”

  “Okay, even I admit that was a little shitty, but everything I’ve heard about Ethan since being in this town, indicates his family and he are held in the highest regard. They give back to the community, actively participate in community functions, and have great business reputations as being progressive and caring employers.”

  Lauren knew all that. She’d done her own research. The Parker family had been in Seattle since the early days and built their fortunes on hard work, ethical practices, and honest dealings. They were incredible community leaders and generous to those who earned their respect. All in all, too good to be true.

  “He’s made some great decisions regarding staff and coaches. I’ve been impressed so far.”

  Lauren had been, too. Ethan had hired a young, passionate staff full of progressive, somewhat controversial ideas and methods. The new coaches and GM spent hours poring over film and asking her questions about the current roster, who to keep, what to change, and what kind of talent might be available for the right price. She’d been taken aback when they’d first invited her to join them and actually listened to her opinions, sharing their own, and essentially treating her as an equal. They studied her advanced stats, asked questions, and had taken mounds of notes.

  Ethan had filled the team’s front offices with the best and brightest, sparing no expense, and the league had taken notice. It was even rumored that a couple prize free agents were making it known that they’d entertain offers from Seattle. They wouldn’t have looked twice at the team under the previous leadership. Lauren wished she could discuss the changes with her father, get his take on all of it, but so far the man remained off the radar, and her brothers refused to share any insights with her.

  Kaley snapped her fingers in front of Lauren’s face. “Hey, you still here?”

  “Sorry. I was thinking about all the changes. I have to admit he’s made some good ones.”

  Kaley’s eyes grew big. “There’s hope for you yet, girl.”

  Lauren rolled her eyes. “Not where Ethan is concerned, at least not on a personal level.”

  “But? I hear a but.”

  “I enjoy working with the new staff.”

  “Admit it. You want to stay.”

  “I don’t know. Depends on how visible Ethan is and whether I can handle being around him.” All this talk about Ethan tied her stomach in knots and left her feeling con
fused and uncertain.

  “How’s it going with Brad?” Lauren flipped the conversation back around to Kaley.

  Hurt flashed in her friend’s eyes. “Oh, we aren’t really seeing each other except as friends. Maybe later, but right now he’s juggling a lot of balls and I’m getting used to a new city.” Kaley wasn’t telling her everything but Lauren decided to let it drop for now. “Know what you need? New town. New you. You need a makeover. I’ve been considering one myself. Let’s go together.”

  Lauren started to say no, then shut her mouth. Why the hell not?

  She was a new Lauren in a new city with essentially a new team. And this new Lauren could stand to spruce up her appearance. After all she had the money now, but did she have the guts?

  Yes, she did.

  * * * *

  Ethan saw Lauren only in passing over the next few weeks, and he let well enough alone. Tonight, he left the Sockeye offices as the setting sun burst brilliant reds, oranges, and blues across the water. For some weird reason, the sunset reminded him of Lauren. Hell if he knew why. It wasn’t like they’d shared sunset walks together or anything.

  He was halfway to his car when he noticed the current occupier of his thoughts standing at the bus stop. He detoured over to her. “Something happen to your car?”

  She jumped, as if he’d frightened her. “Don’t ever sneak up on me again.”

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” He took in her new look and stared harder. She’d put blonde streaks in her light brown hair and the cute little dress she wore was definitely new and damn sexy. He suppressed the urge to wolf whistle, knowing how tacky and inappropriate it’d be given their current positions. “Could I give you a ride home? The bus doesn’t come for another hour or so.”

  “It doesn’t?” She glanced down the street, as if not believing him.

  “Nope.” He was lying through his teeth, but she didn’t seem to catch on. He hadn’t a fucking clue about the bus schedule. He followed her gaze down the street, silently hoping the bus didn’t come trundling around the corner any second.

  “I—I don’t know. It’s not a good idea.”

  “Lauren, it’s getting dark. This isn’t a bad neighborhood, but still, it’s not wise for a lone woman to be waiting for the bus. I’d feel responsible if something happened.”

  She hesitated, and he could almost hear her mental argument with herself. Finally, she sighed. “All right,” she said reluctantly, obviously not interested in getting any closer to him than required by the job.

  Ethan didn’t blame her, but he desperately missed the conversations they’d once shared. He’d love to hear her take on his staff changes, whether or not she approved, and if she had a gauge on the players’ reactions to their new environment.

  “Lauren, you have your finger on the pulse of this organization. I’d like to talk to you, hear your take on how things are going. I’d be grateful if you’d let me drive you home, maybe get a burger and talk about our mutual passion.”

  Her eyes grew big, and he chuckled. “Hockey, Lauren, hockey.”

  “You’re jerking my chain.” Her eyes narrowed while her face turned that attractive shade of red he enjoyed so much. Thank God the old Lauren still existed under that shiny, new exterior, not that there was anything wrong with her appearance previously, but she’d worked with a lot less money than she did now.

  “So? It’s a deal, right?” He sounded pathetically hopeful, even to his own ears.

  She made a show of trying to decide, but he knew he had her convinced. Lauren couldn’t resist talking hockey even with her Hockey Enemy Number One—him. “Okay, but just a hamburger and one beer, then I have to go to bed.” At his quick glance, she added, “By myself.” She quirked a brow at him.

  He chuckled, feeling a pound or two of the heavy weight of guilt lift off his shoulders. “You drive a hard bargain, Lauren.”

  “Always.”

  “That’s one of the things I like about you.”

  She smiled coyly, one of those sexy old movie siren smiles like her namesake, and his heart picked up its pace, thumping against his ribcage in the same fast rhythm as the beat of a classic Bon Jovi song. Oh, yeah, she’d shot him through the heart all right.

  “So, please. Join me.”

  She nodded once, playing it cool. He didn’t mind. He deserved cool after how he’d deceived her even if he hadn’t been given an option.

  They walked to the car together, and he opened the door for her, almost groaning when her dress rode up and gave him a good eyeful of her shapely thigh. He crossed to his side, slowing down behind the car to gather his composure, but the only thing he gathered was an aching hard-on.

  He drove to a small café near the water but the neon closed sign blinked blue and pink. “I guess we’re too late. I’ll find somewhere else.”

  She turned toward him, and her purse slipped off her lap. He leaned down to pick her purse up off the floor at the same time she did. They both froze. Their lips were inches apart. Lauren’s eyes dilated, and her lips parted, while Ethan’s common sense skated for the penalty box. He didn’t know who made the last move. Maybe they both did. A split second later, they were kissing the hell out of each other, completely out of control and roughly wild for each other. It’d been too fucking long since his tongue and hers danced together, since he’d buried his fingers in her silky hair and messed up her bun.

  Lauren pulled back first, her palms flattened against Ethan’s chest. He released her, panting and seriously trying to regain some semblance of normalcy.

  Ethan ran his hands over his face. “I’m sorry, Lauren. That shouldn’t have happened.”

  “But it did. Let’s forget it and move on.” Her breathy voice betrayed how little she’d moved on despite her brave words.

  Ethan nodded grimly, asked for her address, and drove her home in total silence except for the sound of their harsh breathing. He walked her to her door, made sure she got inside safely, and told her good night, knowing it wouldn’t be a good night for him, and he doubted it would be for her either.

  He’d fucked up by letting his emotions override his professionalism once again. He needed Lauren on his team, but he’d just given her an out to leave for good. He wouldn’t hold her to the contract, not after this, not after he’d proven he couldn’t keep his hands and mouth off her.

  And he hated the thought of losing her and not just as an employee.

  Chapter 15—Rebound

  A few days later, the newly christened Seattle Sockeyes hosted their first ever fan appreciation day. Kaley and Mina had put their heads together and planned an all-day affair at a nearby rink that included beginning classes on how to watch hockey, basic hockey rules, and a player meet-and-greet autograph session.

  Lauren volunteered to help and couldn’t believe the turnout. The six-thousand person arena was filled to the max long before the players skated onto the ice to be introduced. Not all players made the trip to Seattle for this first appearance, but Cooper and Cedric’s agents twisted their arms, and the guys showed up. Despite Cooper’s dislike of all things Sockeye, he was a hit with the fans and treated them respectfully and graciously. Ethan made a cameo appearance, gave a short speech about hockey in Seattle, then faded into the background. Lauren bustled around, making sure things ran smoothly, and following Mina’s barked orders. No one crossed Mina when she was in Sergeant-Major mode, not even Ethan.

  At the end of the long exhausting day, Lauren dragged her tired body to headquarters to finish some reports on free agents for the GM. She hesitated when she spotted Cedric and Cooper, along with a few other players loitering near the players’ lounge.

  Steeling herself for the cold shoulder from Cooper, she continued her approach, head held high and a friendly smile pasted on her face. “Hello, gentlemen. Good to see you guys.”

  Cedric grinned at her, ever the charmer. “You’re looking good, Lauren.”

  Cooper just grunted and ignored her. After all, she was the enemy now. “C
an you believe the turnout? The enthusiasm? The fan support blew me away. I’ve never seen anything like it. We sold out of T-shirts, banners, just about everything.” Only having the former Giants as a measuring stick, Lauren never imagined in her wildest dreams the Sockeyes would garner such fan support before they skated in one game.

  Cooper scowled and started to say something, but Cedric jumped in with a reply. “Yeah, they loved seeing the Beauty and the Beast. Of course, I’m the beauty, and he’s the beast.” He pointed at his chest then at Cooper. He grinned at his buddy and slapped him on the back.

  Cooper just grunted as he stared at the logo on the T-shirt Cedric wore. “What the fuck is a Sockeye anyway?”

  “It’s a salmon, Coop. Don’t be a dumbshit. Get with the program.” Cedric got a chuckle out of needling Cooper, who didn’t look the least bit amused.

  “Salmon? Who names a hockey team after a salmon?” Cooper made a face. “What a fucking stupid logo. A fish with a black eye holding a hockey stick. You have to be fucking kidding me.”

  Cedric just grinned all the more and turned to Lauren. “Coop loves the new uni’s.”

  “Like hell. Stupid mascot. The only fish I want to see on ice is the fresh one I just caught for dinner.”

  “Don’t you love his positive outlook?” Cedric didn’t let Cooper off the hook.

  “You might work on your attitude a little there, Coop,” Lauren agreed.

  Cooper narrowed his eyes and glared at her. “This coming from someone who sold out her colleagues and friends to get ahead in this organization?”

  “I didn’t do that. I—” Okay so maybe it did look like that. A lot of Ethan’s personnel decisions had been based in part on her input.

  “You did, Lauren. You screwed over the staff, just like you screwed Ethan. Only the staff didn’t find it nearly as enjoyable.” Cooper stared down at her, his blue eyes blazing with pent-up frustration and anger.

  “That’s enough. Apologize to the lady.” Ethan stepped up to Lauren’s side. With his clenched fists and ice blue eyes, he looked ready to take on Cooper and the entire damn hockey team.