The Rule Maker (Boston Hawks Hockey #4)

by Gina Azzi

  I hold up the pastry box instead of responding. “I got doughnuts.”

  He laughs, shaking his head at me, and his eyes flare with humor. God, I love his laugh. It’s so deep and rumbly and genuine. “The guys will be proposing to you by the end of the night. Tell them all no.” He takes the box from my hand. “You didn’t have to bring anything. I got a couple bottles of wine in the car too. You ready?”

  I smooth my hands over my hips, the fabric of my sundress rippling. “All set.”

  I’m relieved Mom and Dad are over at Austin’s parents’ house so they aren’t peeking from the windows, watching as Austin and I slide into his SUV and back out of the driveway. If they were, they would be concocting ideas. Ideas that they would fill my head with and under current circumstances, I just may want to believe them. But I know better than to think this BBQ is anything but what Austin presented it as: a team event where he doesn’t want to go single.

  At least, that’s what I think until we show up in the beautiful, expansive backyard, and I witness the sharp gazes and crestfallen smiles of a handful of gorgeous women. For a beat, it’s like high school all over again. A horde of women desperate for Austin’s attention and me, standing at his side, as the friend, the shield, the person keeping the hockey legend from his adoring fans.

  My stomach sinks as the realization fills my mind.

  Austin didn’t want me to accompany him today so he wouldn’t have to be the only single guy. He wanted me to come so he could send a clear message to all the women trying to hook up with him. What are they called? Puck bunnies, I think Savannah once said.

  Disappointment coats my stomach but I’m not sure why. Isn’t this what we agreed on? To be each other’s dates so we wouldn’t be set up with other people?

  And yet, a silly, naive part of me was starting to hope for…what? Things between Austin and me to mean more than friendship? It’s an insane notion since that’s all we’ve ever been.

  I hate that the disappointment flaring to life in my body proves that yes, a part of me was starting to think that maybe, just maybe, things between us could be more. The more that I never had with Steve or any other romantic relationship in my life.

  “Hey, you okay?” Austin frowns at me.

  One of his teammates lifts a hand in greeting. “Hey Cap!”

  I nod, gesturing toward his friend. “Fine. Let’s do this.”

  Austin’s frown deepens but he follows as I walk in the direction of his friend, a smile pasted on my face. I need to get my errant thoughts and twisted feelings under control and stick to the rules. Especially because Austin is going to be my date to Marissa’s wedding. I need him to be my date to the wedding so I can’t let him know how complicated my feelings for him are becoming. It will ruin everything.

  “Hey,” the guy waving to Austin greets me, sticking out his hand. “I’m Panda.”

  “Panda?” I quirk an eyebrow, placing my hand in his.

  He shakes my hand casually but there’s a glint in his eye as he glances at Austin before checking me out. I blush under his perusal and feel Austin straighten beside me.

  “Luca,” the guy says sheepishly, smiling back. And jeez, he’s a looker. In fact, almost every female in the backyard without a ring on her finger, and some with bling larger than my head, are checking him out. “Pandatelli.”

  “Ah, got it. The goalie.”

  Surprise flares in his expression. “You’ve heard of me.”

  I chuckle at his shock, enjoying his sincerity. “I have. I’m Chloe Crawford.”

  “And you came with Cap,” he surmises, giving Austin a ruddy grin.

  “We’re old friends,” I explain before Austin has to lie to his teammate.

  Panda nods, biting his lower lip as if to hold in laughter. Something tells me he doesn’t believe me for a second but that’s fine, sometimes, I don’t believe me either.

  “You want a drink, Chloe?” he asks, dipping into a cooler.

  “I got it,” Austin says hastily, knocking his teammate out of the way.

  Panda moves over easily, shooting me a wink.

  I snort and shake my head, tipping it to Austin in thanks when he passes me a bottle of Blue Moon. “My favorite.”

  “I know,” Austin says sharply, causing Panda to snicker.

  “You made it!” Claire appears at my side, bumping her hip against mine.

  “Hey Chlo. Guys.” East swoops in, smacking Panda on the back, banging his fist against Austin’s shoulder, and brushing a kiss over my cheek.

  “Welcome, fellas.” A man smiles warmly, his hands held out to his sides. “I’m glad you could all make it.”

  “Thanks, Scott.” East shakes the man’s hand and I surmise that this man is the team owner.

  I shuffle back half a step, behind Austin and Panda. I don’t know what I was expecting the Hawks owner to look like, but it definitely wasn’t the tanned, fit, forty-something-year-old with salt and pepper at his temples and bold green eyes. What the hell? Is everyone Austin associates with drop-dead gorgeous?

  I must be staring for a minute because the man shuffles, peering around Austin. “And you are?”

  I blush before finding my footing, vowing to not embarrass my oldest friend. “Chloe.” I step forward, arm outstretched. “Chloe Crawford.”

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Chloe. I’m Scott.” He shakes my hand warmly.

  For a heartbeat, I’m swept up in the moment. Chatting and laughing with Austin and his teammates, with Claire and her boyfriend, and suddenly, it feels like I belong here. The tension that always existed when I would accompany Steve to work events doesn’t exist. My nerves and worries float away like magic.

  “What do you do for work?” Scott asks politely.

  “I write crossword puzzles for The Brooklyn Gazette.”

  His eyes widen in surprise and Panda’s mouth drops open.

  I giggle as Claire explains, “She’s smarter than all of us. We’ve got another Indy on our hands.”

  Scott grins. “That must be a very interesting profession.”

  I shrug. “It’s solitary but I like the autonomy. Thanks for having me today. You have a beautiful home.”

  “You haven’t even seen it yet,” Claire gushes, shooting a look at Scott. “If you are open to a home tour, I volunteer.”

  Scott laughs and gestures to have at it. Claire clutches my arm, about to steer me toward the massive home when Austin drops the box of pastries in my hand and the wine bottles in Claire’s. “You can drop these in the kitchen,” he explains.

  “You didn’t have to bring anything, Aus,” Scott scolds him.

  “The doughnuts are from Chloe,” Austin adds and I glance at him over my shoulder. He didn’t have to tell Scott that but—

  Scott turns to me, gratitude in his expression, as if he’s surprised again. “Thank you, Chloe. You really didn’t have to bring anything. I’m happy you could make it.”

  I dip my head but my eyes catch Austin’s when I respond. “Happy to be here.”

  Claire tugs me toward the house but right before I turn around, something shifts in Austin’s face. His expression is less guarded, more open. His eyes peer into mine, searching. A moment passes between us but…what does it mean?

  Claire’s voice pulls me back to the moment. “Scott’s just surprised because Austin never brings a date to these things.”

  “Really?” I turn my attention to her as we take the steps up the deck.

  Claire nods. “Really. He’s known to keep his personal life quiet but…” She shrugs, pulling open the sliding door.

  “But what?” I stop her with a hand to her forearm.

  She winces. “Listen, Chlo, I adore my brother. But he has never been boyfriend material. I mean, he could be. He would be the best boyfriend ever if he let himself. But he’s always put hockey, the team, before everything else.”

  “I know. He said as much.”

  Claire grasps my wrist loosely. “I know you guys are helping each other
out this summer and you’re friends and it’s fun but…”

  “But?”

  “I don’t want you to get hurt. Or for him to get hurt either.”

  “I would never, we aren’t,” I sigh. “We’re just friends, Claire.”

  Claire bites the corner of her mouth like she wants to say more but thinks better of it. She blows out a sigh. “Okay.” She steps into the house. “Wait ‘til you see this kitchen.”

  I frown at her quick subject change but the moment I step into the house, my thoughts are sidelined by the most beautiful kitchen I’ve ever stepped foot in. “Wow. This is—”

  “Amazing.”

  I nod, glancing around. “And spotless.”

  Claire laughs. “Scott hardly cooks. Like, ever.”

  “Really?” I ask, a sadness hanging around my words as I run my palm over the gleaming marble countertops. What a shame to have a kitchen like this, outfitted with industrial appliances and a walk-in pantry and not utilize it.

  Claire steps up to the espresso maker which definitely costs a mint. “Want one?” she asks, pulling open a cabinet for espresso beans.

  “Are you sure Scott won’t mind?”

  She shakes her head. “Not at all. He’s seriously the kindest, most generous guy. A few months ago, during the play-offs, one of the defensemen, Torsten Hansen, had to go back to Norway for a family emergency and Scott was totally cool with it. Granted, he knew it was Torsten’s last season and Torst was injured but most owners wouldn’t be as understanding as Scott. He looks out for all the guys, more than as just an owner, you know?”

  “He seems really invested in the players. Even to do this.” I gesture to the backyard where the BBQ is unfolding.

  “He is. It’s a shame he’s single. Indy keeps telling him she’s going to set him up but he just laughs and says her friends are much too young for him.”

  I grin. “Indy fancies herself the matchmaker, huh?”

  Claire groans. “You have no idea. After she convinced Easton to let me move in with him, she pretty much declared herself the matchmaking queen.”

  I snort, accepting the oat latte from Claire. I take a sip and moan. “This is amazing.”

  “Right?” Claire asks just as the sliding door opens.

  Indy steps inside and shakes her head at us. “I knew I’d find you guys in here, hogging all of Scott’s good stuff.”

  “Want one?” Claire offers.

  Indy shakes her head, her hands landing on her baby bump. “No, thanks. The baby is kicking up a storm today. I think any caffeine would be dangerous to my internal organs.”

  Claire snickers.

  “How are you feeling?” I ask.

  “Pretty good.” Indy slides onto a barstool. “Hey, I didn’t even get to invite you but you have to come to my baby shower.”

  “I’d love to,” I agree, pleased to be included.

  “Yay! It’s the third weekend in July. I’ll send you the invitation.” She rolls her eyes. “Torsten made them.”

  “The defenseman?” I ask, since Claire was just talking about him.

  “Do you know all the guys’ positions?” Claire asks.

  I shrug. “You just mentioned the guy from Norway.”

  “True,” she agrees, taking a sip of her latte and leaning back against the kitchen counter. “He married my best friend, Rielle. They’re living in New York now and will split their time between the States and Oslo. But—”

  “He’s throwing me a baby shower!” Indy gushes, bouncing in her chair.

  I laugh, glancing between my two friends. “Torsten? Not you”—I point to Claire—“or your Mom?” I glance back at Indy.

  “Well, we’re having our own family shower, which you also have to come to,” Claire explains. “But Torsten is hosting a team shower for Indy and—”

  “He throws the best parties!” Indy squeals, waving her hands. “I’m so excited. He just has the best taste and isn’t afraid to go overboard.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “Indy, you’re one of the most understated people I know.”

  Claire nods in agreement.

  “It’s different,” she explains, glancing down at her baby bump. “It’s not for me. It’s for my little.”

  Understanding washes over me as I enjoy seeing this side of Indy. She always had her head in a book, it’s nice to see her out and excited about a party.

  “So, you’ll come to my baby shower?” she asks.

  “Wouldn’t miss it.”

  The door slides open again and we all turn to see Panda step inside. His eyes flash with amusement when he sees the three of us huddled around the kitchen island, drinking lattes. “Are we that boring?” he asks, pointing to the backyard.

  Indy rolls her eyes. “We were being considerate.”

  “How so?” Panda asks, quizzically.

  “Wanted to save you from hearing any more details about my baby shower.”

  Panda laughs and glances at Indy’s bump. “Torsten messaged me the other day to ask me if—”

  “No!” Indy’s hands fly to her ears. “I want to be surprised.”

  Panda shakes his head, bewildered. “I will never understand these traditions.”

  “You will. One day, when you get a woman pregnant,” Claire offers.

  Panda blanches and I chuckle at his expression.

  He looks at me and winks again, tipping his head to the door. “You better get out there and save your boy.”

  “My boy?” I ask.

  “Austin,” Panda says.

  Indy hums in approval and Claire shoots me a look.

  “We’re just—” I begin to explain but Panda cuts me off.

  “Women are falling all over him, practically begging for a ride on his—”

  “Vomit. Vomit in my mouth,” Claire says loudly, covering her ears.

  Indy grimaces.

  I frown. “What women?”

  “The ones he brought.” Indy points at Panda.

  Panda shrugs, swiping Claire’s latte off the counter and taking a sip. “Competing with Cap is hard work.”

  Claire rolls her eyes.

  Indy looks at me. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just jaded.”

  Panda chuckles, slipping onto a barstool, unbothered that the women he brought to the BBQ are currently chatting up his team captain. He glances at me, as if waiting for me to react.

  I suck in an inhale. Am I supposed to go out there? Is Austin enjoying the attention? But why would he ask me to come today if he knew—

  “I think he’d want you to save him,” Panda offers, reading my mind.

  I glance between Indy, Claire, and Panda. Then, I steel my shoulders and move toward the door. Sliding it open, I step out onto the deck and hold my hand over my eyes to shield the glaring sunshine. I squint, scanning the yard until I find Austin, smiling and nodding politely to a group of women, all twirling their hair and watching him with hearts and moons in their eyes.

  Suddenly, I’m back in high school, saving the popular athlete from his attentive, female fans. Jealousy, an emotion I was very unfamiliar with until recently, snakes through me. But it’s more than that. When I was fourteen, I used to snicker at Austin’s fanbase and pull him away with a well-timed joke. It didn’t feel like competition and I sure as hell wasn’t comparing myself to any of them. A ripple of uncertainty trickles through me and I bite my bottom lip. I can’t let Austin know seeing him with these women is twisting me up. I need to be casual and cool.

  I start in his direction, keeping my expression blank. But inside, my heart rate triples and a now familiar sensation tightens in my chest. Inadequacies, doubts, insecurities that leave me reeling in anxiety take root. It wasn’t until I dated Steve that I ever felt less-than. It wasn’t until Steve and Brittney that I ever felt smaller than a speck of dirt. My desire to hold Steve’s attention led me to shrink my whole world and now, I’m struggling to grow it again. At the very base of my self-doubt is overwhelming envy that I despise. Austin and I are just friends.


  I repeat this over and over in my mind the nearer I grow to Austin and the women.

  When I’m a few paces away, he glances up. When he spots me, his expression relaxes and his eyes soften.

  “Chloe.” He holds out his hand. “There you are.”

  I place my hand in his and suck in an inhale as he tugs me to his side, positioning me so that my back is pressed into his chest. His arms wrap around my waist, holding me possessively.

  The girls don’t miss the intent behind his hold and two of them frown while the third backs away and the fourth scoffs.

  “Ladies, meet my…” Austin pauses, clearing his throat. He rubs his lips over the top of my head. “My Sunshine.”

  My heart nearly beats out of my chest.

  11

  Chloe

  “My Sunshine?” I laugh at him as he places another beer in my hand.

  “It just slipped out,” he admits, laughing along with me.

  “Jeez, I can’t take you anywhere,” I joke, gesturing to the women who have moved on to a different player.

  “You weren’t supposed to just leave me like that,” Austin says accusingly.

  I shrug. “Your sister made me an oat latte.”

  Austin laughs. “I think Scott just keeps his coffee maker around for her. She’s obsessed.”

  “And Indy invited me to her baby shower,” I add, watching him carefully. For what? It’s not like my friendship with Claire and Indy is contingent upon my relationship—or lack thereof—with Austin.

  He grins and my chest warms. “Good. Torsten is way too invested in planning it.”

  I smile back. “I heard.”

  Austin kicks back in the chair beside mine. “You hungry? Scott goes all out for BBQs.”

  “I’m getting there,” I admit.

  “Thanks for coming today. I know this can’t be much fun for you.”

  “More fun than Marissa’s engagement party must have been for you.”

  “Nah.” He shrugs, glancing at me over the rim of his beer bottle. “I had a good time with you.”

  “Today isn’t bad. I like watching you squirm under the attention of your female admirers. It’s like high school 2.0.”