Puck Drop_Utah Fury

by Brittney Mulliner

  Hartman turned to face us. “Fury! Are you ready to win?”

  Erik and the guys behind us made a roaring sound I’d learned was our battle cry. I joined on the second one and Hartman held up his stick before running out to the ice. I followed behind Erik, but nearly stopped when my first skate hit the ice.

  It was the first time I’d been in this arena with the crowd cheering for me. The sound was near deafening.

  It was exactly what I needed for this game.

  I warmed up with the team, trying to keep my attention on the ice, but I wanted to find her. I wanted to know where she was and if she was watching.

  It wasn’t the right time, though. I was here for one purpose. To win.

  My thoughts had to be in the moment, not twenty feet up the stands.

  The national anthem and coin toss passed in a blur. It was time. I took my position behind Hartman in the faceoff.

  We won the puck drop and the game started. Erik took possession of the puck. I pushed through their line up to the left of the goal and turned. Hartman had the puck, and, in a flash, it was sailing toward me.

  I passed it to Erik, who was open. He hit the puck at an impossible angle and it flew past the goalie’s head and into the net.

  The crowd exploded. Erik and I bumped fists and the rest of the line crowded around us.

  “Keep this up!” Hartman was smiling, and I knew I’d taken a major step in his eyes. I was officially part of the team.

  The rest of the game seemed to go in fast forward. I played over twenty-eight minutes, and I was still full of energy when the buzzer sounded for the end of the game. I joined the team in the center and received a few slaps and pats on my back. It had been a great game. I had one point and two assists, and we’d won six to one. Olli kept shaking his head, and Hartman told me he was hoping for a shutout on the home opener, but one goal was nothing to be upset about.

  We’d performed as a team. All issues and distractions had been left in the locker room. One game and I felt like I’d been with these guys forever. They were my home now.

  I skated to where Olli was waving. “Where are they at?”

  He looked at me and grinned. “You didn’t look?”

  “No. I wanted to stay focused.”

  “Sure.” He pointed a few rows above our bench. Emma, his wife, and Chloe were in a group of women wearing black and red shirts.

  Chloe saw me looking at her and smiled. I waved, and she gave me a thumbs up.

  “Come on, we need to stretch and get changed out before we miss the party.”

  I followed him in, high-fiving Hartman as I walked past the bench.

  Coach was standing in the middle of the locker room clapping. “Great game, Fury! I liked the teamwork. I liked the effort. Let’s keep this up.”

  He left, and I hurried to shower and change. I had a feeling there would be press waiting to speak to some of us. I’d managed to avoid them on the way into the locker room, but they would always be waiting after.

  Olli was sliding on his shoes when I walked over to him while slipping on my suit jacket. “Ready?”

  “Yeah, man.” I grabbed my bag and headed down the hall with him. No cameras were waiting for us, so we were able to go straight to the fourth-floor banquet room.

  We walked in and cheers erupted. Some of the guys were already there, so the group must applaud anytime players walk in. Olli waved and patted me on the shoulder. “They’re over here.”

  I followed him to a table in the back where Emma was sitting with Chloe and my parents. They stood up when they saw us, and Emma hurried to kiss Olli. “You did so good, babe!”

  I turned away from their love fest and greeted my parents.

  My dad clapped me on the back with a wide grin. “That was a great game, Reese.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  Mom wiggled between us and kissed my cheek. “You were amazing, sweetie! I haven’t seen you so relaxed in years.”

  “This is a great team. I’m lucky to be here.”

  “They’re lucky to have you.” She hugged me before finally letting me near Chloe.

  I wrapped my arms around her and breathed her in.

  “You really were amazing, Reese. You and Erik seemed to read each other’s minds.” She looked up at me with a bright smile.

  I looked down, taking in her deep, honest eyes and perfect lips. “It’s weird how natural it came.”

  “This is going to be a good season. I can feel it.”

  “Me too, baby.” I kissed her forehead before realizing we were surrounded by players, team employees, and plenty of cameras.

  I stepped back and looked around. “Where is your brother?”

  “He hasn’t come in yet.”

  There had been a few people still in the locker room, so it made sense. I still wanted to be careful, though.

  “I’m starving.”

  “Take a seat. I’ll have the waiters come around.” She turned and disappeared into the crowd.

  I sat down at the table with my parents and Olli and Emma joined us. Chloe returned and sat next to me. Within a minute, food appeared and I dug in without a second thought.

  I was only halfway done when the rest of the guys walked in, followed by the coaches. Erik looked around and waved to Chloe but stayed at the front of the room.

  “Do you normally sit with him?” I realized I was probably impeding on their traditions.

  “Not really. I’m normally mingling, and he looks for someone to take home.” She said it with a bit of venom. I knew he had the reputation of a player, but this was the first time she acknowledged it.

  The rest of the players and their families took seats, and Coach stood up in front of room. It quieted quickly while we waited for him to speak.

  “That was a great start to what I know if going to be a terrific season. I’m proud of the work of everyone here.” He looked around the room. “Players, will you please stand?”

  I looked around to see the other guys following his direction.

  Coach began clapping and the audience soon followed.

  “Now, guys stay standing. If you’re someone that supports a player. If you’re family, an assistant, agent, work in the front office, or you just love the Fury, please stand.”

  Everyone else stood and Chloe placed her hand on my back. It felt so good having someone with me for the first time. My parents were always supportive, but having her by my side was different.

  “Take a look around. We are all here for the same reason. We love this team, we love these players, and we want to win!”

  The audience applauded again, and someone popped a bottle of champagne. Immediately, several more bottles followed. That only encouraged the crowd, and soon music was playing.

  I turned to Chloe and placed my hand on her cheek, feeling her warm skin with my thumb. I dipped my head, kissing her with the adrenaline left from the game.

  Whooping around us finally brought me back to the present.

  The eyes of everyone at our table were on us. Emma was beaming, but Olli was looking at me like I’d lost my mind. I turned slowly to see Erik charging at us. I stepped in front of Chloe, blocking her from his wrath.

  I lifted up my hand and stepped forward. “Great game, Schultz.”

  He paused, first eyeing my hand, then my face. “What’s going on, Murray?”

  I dropped my hand and shrugged. “Just celebrating the win.”

  “By kissing my sister?”

  I looked back at Chloe and turned back to him. “I just grabbed the closest woman.”

  He looked at me, his eyes narrow and his fist clenched. “Chloe?”

  She stepped beside me looking nervous. “Hey.”

  “You let him just kiss you?”

  She blinked rapidly. “It just happened. We were celebrating.”

  Erik looked back to me. “She’s not just some woman you can grab and kiss, Murray. Disrespect her again and we’re going to have a problem.” He looked back to his sister. “Come
sit with me, Chloe.”

  I waited for her to object. To tell him she was staying with me, but she walked past with without a glance at me.

  Once they walked away, our audience went back to their own dinners. I sat down to see my parents looking at me with clear disappointment.

  “Oh, Reese.” Mom was shaking her head, and Dad reached for her hand.

  Emma was glaring at me, and Olli offered me a single shrug.

  What had I done wrong?

  Sure, I got caught up in the moment. I kissed her in front of the team. I knew that broke our unspoken rule, but I played it off.

  I doubted she wanted me to take that opportunity to announce to the entire room we were dating.

  We’d work it out later. I was sure she understood.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chloe

  Erik seemed to relax once we were at his table. He didn’t bring up the kiss again and went back to talking with the guys. I smiled at the right times and nodded like I was paying attention, but I wanted to disappear.

  He’d blown me off so casually. He just grabbed the nearest women to kiss? He was covering up our relationship, but did he have to make it seem like I was just some bimbo off the street?

  He could have said it was a friendly kiss or that Erik misunderstood. He just brushed me off like I was nothing. In front of his parents. In front of our friends.

  It was humiliating.

  Did he really feel that way?

  Of course not.

  Right?

  This night was going to last forever. Dinner wasn’t even over yet. Then there would be another speech from Coach, and probably Hartman. Maybe some drinking and dancing. At least two more hours.

  I couldn’t do it. I wasn’t going to last without exploding. Or breaking into tears.

  “I’m not feeling so well.” I leaned over to Erik and patted his arm.

  He looked me over. “Are you okay?”

  I shook my head. “I’m going to head home.”

  He stood and helped me out of my chair. “Are you okay to drive?”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay. Call me if you need me.”

  I gave him a quick hug and hurried out of the room. Part of me expected Reese to follow after me, but as soon as I was in the elevator, I knew he wasn’t coming.

  Each inch of distance I put between us felt like I was headed toward the end.

  It all had been too good to be true.

  By the time I got home and changed into my comfiest pajamas, I’d convinced myself it had never been real. He was just having fun. Getting a taste for his new city. He’d been using me.

  I grabbed a pint of ice cream out of the freezer. It was hidden behind the frozen fruit where Erik would never think to look. He didn’t eat sugar or dairy during the season and wouldn’t let it in the house. I had a stash of treats hidden in strategic places where I knew he wouldn’t find them. Right now, nothing was more important than my mint chocolate ice cream and my bed. I didn’t care if Erik walked in and saw me with the forbidden fruit…cream.

  I turned on a comedy, something dumb with no romance whatsoever, and crawled into bed.

  Despite my efforts to shut off my brain, I couldn’t. I replayed the last few weeks, wondering where I’d let myself fall.

  I wouldn’t be hurting this bad if I hadn’t.

  We went from having fun to something more, but when? How did I not notice?

  At least I didn’t have anything to remind me of him. No photos of us. Not even a single sweatshirt.

  Just a shared workplace.

  I wouldn’t be able to hide from him forever, but they wouldn’t have practice tomorrow, so I had at least one day to pull myself back together.

  It would probably take longer than that.

  The movie was almost over when Erik appeared in the doorway. “How are you feeling?”

  I’d had the sense to throw away the evidence of my pity party, so I just nodded. “I’m doing okay. Thanks for asking.”

  He stepped further into the room and sat at the end of my bed. “The guys missed you. They didn’t have anyone to laugh at on the dance floor.”

  “Hey. I’m a good dancer.” I tossed a pillow at him, but he caught it.

  “I’m kidding. You were missed though.” He leaned back on his elbow and watched me.

  “Thanks. I’m sorry I left.”

  I was sorry. It was the first team event I’d missed. Well, I was there for the beginning, but…it wasn’t like me. I couldn’t let someone change my life. I wasn’t going to run from him. I wasn’t going to miss out on anything else. This wasn’t just Reese’s team. It was Erik’s. It was mine.

  “Next time.” He stood up and walked to the door but stopped before walking out. “Is there anything I can get you?”

  “No, I appreciate the offer though.”

  He nodded but didn’t leave. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yeah.” I needed him to go. The longer he looked at me like he was waiting for me to crack the sooner I would.

  “Okay, goodnight.”

  “Night.” He shut the door and I fell back into my bed. I wasn’t going to be able to lie to him for long. We knew each other too well. He wouldn’t let me blow him off again. I’d have to talk if I didn’t pull myself together.

  I could do that. I could be strong.

  Tomorrow.

  I chose a new movie and cuddled in with my pillow. It was about halfway through when my phone vibrated on my nightstand. I ignored it. Erik was home, Kristen wouldn’t be calling this late, and neither would any of the girls from the Pride. That left one likely option, and I wasn’t interested in speaking to him.

  As soon as the vibrating stopped, it started again.

  This went on for over five minutes. I reached for my phone to turn it off when it started again.

  Reese Murray.

  Seeing his name hurt.

  He’d thrown me away.

  I silenced it and stared at the screen.

  What could he possibly have to say? He was sorry? He didn’t mean it?

  Even if he believed that, but I didn’t want to hear it. There were a million things he could have told Erik in the moment. He’d chosen the wrong one.

  A text came in. If you don’t answer I’m coming over.

  That wasn’t a threat I was willing to challenge. I couldn’t hold Erik back if he found out Reese had hurt me. Or that we were together.

  I probably would let the fight happen.

  No. That would be a disaster. The last thing I needed was to drag this out or get Erik involved.

  I waited for him to call again and answered.

  “What?”

  He paused. He probably hadn’t expected me to answer. “I’m sorry, Chloe.”

  His voice clawed at my heart. I would not give in. I would not cry again.

  “I’m sure you are.”

  “What was I supposed to do? What did you want me to say?”

  His voice was so dejected. Maybe he was as upset as I was. Doubtful. I wasn’t sure what the best course of action would have been, but making me seem like some random chick like he did was the wrong thing.

  “Chloe, I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. That’s the last thing I want.”

  I sighed but didn’t know what to say.

  I wanted to forgive him. I wanted to forget the whole night.

  He was respecting my wishes. I wasn’t ready for people to know about us, and he did what he could to keep it that way.

  “Reese.” What was the point of hurting us both? “I know you did what you thought was right in the moment, but it hurt.”

  I heard him sigh. “Chloe, I swear if I could redo tonight I would. I never meant to—”

  “I know.” I cut him off. He didn’t need to apologize anymore. I could hear in his voice how much he cared. “Honestly, I don’t know that I would have done anything better.”

  Every scenario I could think of involved pretending to be drunk,
admitting we were together, claiming amnesia, even denying the kiss happened. None of them would have worked. None of them were perfect solutions.

  It’s a crappy situation.

  One that I put us in.

  The realization stung. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me.

  I’d been an idiot tonight. Way too sensitive. Too irrational. I let my emotions run away with my sanity.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me too, Reese.”

  “Can I see you?” I wanted to run out and throw myself into his arms, but we both needed time to feel normal again.

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Okay.”

  I hung up and fell back into my pillows.

  I wanted him. I wanted to be with him. I just needed to trust him. He was worth it. I wasn’t going to let the fear take over. Tonight could have been my excuse. I could have used this as my reason to bail, but when it came down to it, I wasn’t willing to give up. I still wasn’t ready to tell Erik and the team about us, but I wanted us to work.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Reese

  Chloe opened the door wearing a black dress and a smile. “Hi.”

  I cleared my throat. “Wow. You look amazing.”

  Her hair was pulled up, exposing her neck and shoulders.

  “Thanks.” She stepped out and closed the door behind her.

  We moved to the elevator and I had to force myself to look away. I couldn’t get enough of her. Especially after last night. I thought I was about to lose her. She could have ignored my calls. She could have told me she was done. She didn’t.

  “Chloe, about last night—”

  She wrapped her arms around my neck and looked up at me. I could drown in the chocolate pools of her eyes and die a very happy man.

  “Don’t. Please. Let’s just forget it happened.”

  “Of course.” I kissed her gently before the elevator bell dinged.

  She forgave me, and I was so grateful. I couldn’t imagine being on the team, seeing her every day and knowing I couldn’t have her.

  Once we were in my car I turned to her. “I hope it’s okay that I made us reservations at the Golden Palace.”