SHOOTOUT SAVE (The Renegades Series Book 6)

by Melody Heck Gatto

  “Don’t worry too much about Kaden; his focus is all on Ali.” Dom patted Kaden on his shoulder. “I got your back, bro.”

  “No more bunnies, K-man?” Luc called out, receiving a glare and elbow to the gut from Harrison, who’d made the same mistake during practice.

  “Nope.” Why do these guys think they need an explanation from me about my love life?

  “We all know Kaden isn’t the marrying kind. Or is he?” Patrick innocently teased with the infamous rumor.

  Kaden was tired, and this was annoying. “Who said anything about marrying? I’m with Ali, and I’m good with that. It’s fun. She’s fun. We’re having fun. I don’t need bunnies, and she knows that she’s my girl, so it’s all good.” It’s not that he didn’t want to get married ever. And it’s not like he hadn’t thought about a future with Ali. He would know when it was time, and maybe it was getting closer, but this wasn’t it. Not yet.

  “She knows. Is that all you can say? You know how things went down with Hailee. You need to communicate with them. What about those girls in New York that are always waiting for you? You know, the ones plastered all over social media with you? You done with them for good?” Dom asked, poking the bear on purpose, obviously trying to prove a point.

  “Damn… You too, Z? Yes. Ali is all I need. She knows we’re together. She knows she’s mine. And she doesn’t need some big declaration from me.” His head was pounding, and he just wanted to grab some grub and then text Ali. She had a busy day today, so he was going home to sleep and get some work done. But all the guys’ comments were getting to him. His ears were starting to burn and his temper was rising.

  Kris gave him a pointed look. “Kaden, girls need to know that they’re yours, man. They don’t just assume that it’s all good. Especially when there are misleading social media photos out there. And in our line of work, it’s all out there.” Kris commented from experience. “Take it from me, even if you think she knows, don’t leave her hanging.”

  “I think she wants to hear the word, Kaden.” Dom pressured.

  Kris’s look turned into a scowl. “You haven’t said the word yet? How long have you guys been together?” Kris and his wife Kat’s history was no secret within the club. Kris knew better than anyone how wrong things could go, so his advice was worth considering.

  “Since I was trying to get Hailee back,” Dom interjected. “Remember the charity skate over at the outside rink?”

  “Yeah.” Kris frowned, recalling that night. “Wow. She’s being patient with you. That’s been long enough. Kat would’ve been losing her mind by now.”

  “And maybe even secretly meeting with me. The hot young player with the wicked tattoos.” Dom winked. “Oh that’s right, she was.”

  “Why do you always have to bring that shit up?” Kris shoved Dom playfully. “Damn, dude. Let it go.”

  Dom loved to bring up that time. Kris had wrongly thought that his girl Kat had been seeing Dom behind his back, when in reality, she’d only been interviewing Dom in an effort to land a promotion at the magazine where she worked.

  “Seriously guys, you think she really needs to hear me say it? ’Cause I am really into her, but…” How do I know when it’s time to say it?

  “She’s the only girl you want to be with, right?” Dom asked.

  “And you think about her all the time?” Tyler joined in with his two cents.

  “And you don’t want her seeing anyone else?” Kris added.

  Yes to all those things. Especially the last thing. The thought of his Alison with another man made him burn inside. Am I wrong not telling her my feelings? But saying those three little words… The thought of it made him nauseated. What if he said it, and then did something stupid to screw it all up? Or worse, what if Alison didn’t feel the same way?

  “Of course she’s the only one I want, and I don’t want her with anyone else. I just don’t know… I just don’t think we’re there yet. Things are good, and we’re happy. Why mess with a good thing?” Was that wrong?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Alison

  “There you go, Lacey! Keep your head up and focus. You’re doing great. One more lap around the ice, then we’ll wrap it up for today.” Alison watched her student glide around the ice rink effortlessly. Lacey was a natural.

  Alison hated asking Lacey’s mom to simply drop off the girl for practices, and it took her a few weeks to convince the mom, but it was for the best. Mom’s constant glaring made Lacey a wreck, and the poor girl wasn’t learning anything. She’d end up down on the ice and Mom would do nothing but yell. Looking at the big smile on the girl’s face now, Alison knew she’d made the right decision.

  Alison looked around the rink, watching couples skate side by side, some hand in hand. She hadn’t seen Kaden in a day, and she missed him. Glancing at her phone, she realized he hadn’t texted her since this morning. No reason to freak out. Oh, no. Does this mean I’m getting clingy? She was with him, and that’s all that mattered. Right? She was never one to feel insecure for no reason. But the comment Hailee made about marriage still bugged her.

  Lacey twirled gracefully and even mastered backwards skating, taking one extra lap. Alison remembered being that young, and that in love with ice skating. Her Mom had wanted her to go pro, and she’d wanted it just as bad. But a hip injury she incurred while visiting her Grandparents in Ontario left her unable to compete at a professional level. She loved to play hockey with the boys on the neighborhood pond when visiting them. Even though her mom objected to it. Sometimes the boys were rough when it came to the game. An awkward hit caused the injury that ended all her dreams.

  Not being able to let go of her love of skating, she decided to give lessons. But even that was something she had to limit. Too much time on the ice would leave her hip aching and sore.

  Before Lacey finished her final lap, Alison slowly started to skate, then hurriedly picked up speed before doing a spin and a small jump. Gracefully hitting the ice, she glided backwards, the cool air hitting her exposed skin. Closing her eyes, she spun one more time.

  But as soon as her blades hit the frozen ground, nausea washed over her and dizziness made the room whirl. Frantically her eyes scanned the crowd and the ice before her. Her route was clear to the exit. Taking a deep breath, she held in the sick feeling that burned her stomach. Passing Lacey and her mom, she managed a quick wave, a smile, and a murmured, “See you next week”.

  The stale air in the hallways made the nausea worse. Not stopping to take off her skates, she quickly slid the blade guards on. Silently willing herself to hold off until she got to the bathroom, she was sure she was home free until she passed a kid eating nachos from the snack bar. The aroma of nachos, which she usually enjoyed, made her insides churn. She didn’t remember if she ran, flew, or was teleported into the stall, but she was there now, feeling the odd comfort of the porcelain under her fingertips.

  “Ali?” Lacey’s voice echoed through the tiled room. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, Lacey.” Alison’s voice cracked. She cleared her throat. “I’m fine. Must’ve been something I ate. You did great today, kiddo, and I’ll see you next week, okay?”

  “Okay. Feel better.”

  Then the room was silent again. Alison rocked back onto her skates and the realization that she was kneeling on a public bathroom floor hit her. Oh gross. I just need to go home, get a nice hot shower, and curl up in bed. I refuse to be sick, so this bug needs to be on its way.

  Once sanitized and back out by the locker area, she packed away her skates. Thankfully, it wasn’t a long drive home, because a hot shower was just what she needed.

  After washing away the nausea and the germs of the rink bathroom floor, she sat on her bed, trying to catch her breath. The room had stopped spinning for the moment, but her head was heavy. Closing her eyes as she sat, she tried to feel normal again, but her cell phone buzzed from the nightstand, interrupting her. The word “MOM” flashed on the screen. The last thing she wanted to do was sit on t
he phone, but her need to talk to someone won that argument.

  “Hey, Mom.” She stifled a yawn.

  “Hi dear. You okay? You don’t sound right.”

  “Not really. I think I’m coming down with something. You know there’s always little rugrats running around the rink. I’m sure I picked something up from one of them.” Hopefully it’s just a twenty-four-hour bug.

  “You were one of those rugrats once.”

  “I know I was. So what’s up?”

  “I hadn’t talked to you in a few days and wanted to see what was new. So you think you’re getting sick?”

  “Yeah, it’s just a stomach bug or something.” She just wanted to sleep. But thoughts of Kaden kept going through her mind. “Mom, can I ask you something?”

  “Sure honey.”

  “You know I’ve been dating Kaden for a while now.”

  “Yes, that’s right. When am I going to get to meet him? Is there something wrong with him, that you don’t want me to meet him?”

  Acid swirled in her stomach, causing nausea to rise up her throat. “Of course there’s nothing wrong with him. You know he’s super busy during the season, and I can’t take that much time away from the salon. You know, you could visit me once in a while.”

  “If you say so…”

  “Mom, please.”

  “Sorry. Go on.”

  “Well, things are going really well between us. I really like him. And I’m pretty sure he feels the same.”

  “Why do you say you’re pretty sure he feels the same? Don’t you know? The two of you have been together for quite a while now. I’m confused, honey.”

  Join the club. “We don’t really talk about it. We just enjoy being together and having a good time.”

  “But you consider yourself a couple, right?”

  “Absolutely. Well, I do. Like I said, we’re having fun, in the moment. You know?”

  “Is that enough for you, honey? I mean, there’s nothing wrong, if it is.”

  “I don’t know. I guess.” Maybe. Hailee talking about that marriage rumor swirled around her head. She wanted to express her uncertainty about Kaden to her mom. Did that mean she was hoping she’d be the one he’d settle down with?

  “You could try telling him how you feel. Or at least hint about it at first.” Her mother paused before asking, “Do you love him?”

  “Isn’t it too soon to be thinking about that?” I know that I do. But I’m scared of what he would say, that is, if he didn’t just run the other way. I don’t want to lose him and I’d be putting my heart on the line by confessing my feelings to him.

  “Not really. I mean, when you know, you know. I could always come over and feel him out for you. You know how much I like those hockey players.”

  “No Mom, that’s quite alright. I’ll figure things out.” Her mom did have a thing for hockey players, which is exactly why Alison didn’t need her here drooling all over Kaden.

  “Seriously, if you aren’t feeling well and want me to come over and help you out, just say the word. I can help with the Pet Salon or work with the kids at the rink. Whatever you need.”

  She knew her mom was skilled at both jobs. After all that’s where her love for dogs came from, and who taught her to ice skate. “Thanks. You know I appreciate the offer. I’ll let you know about that. I think I just need some rest. Maybe it’s just a twenty-four-hour thing.”

  “Alright dear. Well, you get some rest, then. If you need me, just call. And let me know how things turn out with Kaden. Listen to your heart.”

  “Alright Mom. Love you. ’Bye.” Too bad my heart says that I love him, but my brain knows better than to say the words out loud. That damn rumor doesn’t make things any easier.

  Alison hung up the phone and curled up into her bed. Her stomach was now settled and actually growling. Trying to ignore it, she turned on the television and snuggled up with her pillow. She wished it were Kaden she was cuddling up with and not a pillow. Feeling needier than usual, and with her mom’s words rattling around in her head, she decided that a text couldn’t hurt.

  Alison: Hey you. Just thinking about you. My bed misses you.

  Kaden: Hey doll. Aww, tell your bed that I miss it, too.

  Kaden: Oh, and that’s not all I missed today.

  That was all he wrote, but he missed her. Staring at her phone, she wanted to respond. She wanted to invite him over. But he missed her. That’s all she needed to hear. Maybe it was enough for now.

  After watching too many fast food and restaurant commercials and then drooling as the couple on the romantic television movie cuddled on the couch and shared take-out Chinese food, she could stand it no longer.

  Clumsily, Alison rolled out of bed, knocking her purse to the floor and scattering the contents onto the floor. She gathered all the items up, and dumped them back into her open purse. The packet of her birth control pills sat on top. For some odd reason, she gave it a second look and even picked the packet up.

  Glancing at the calendar, she saw that today was Tuesday. The next pill she was scheduled to take should’ve been in Wednesday’s spot, but the next pill was in Monday’s spot—which meant somehow she’d missed two days’ worth of pills.

  Her heart started picking up speed.

  I missed two days in a row?

  How would I have managed that?

  And how long have I been two days behind?

  Sure, she’d been preoccupied having fun with Kaden and with work, but so preoccupied that she missed two days? She never did that.

  There was one day she had a headache and slept until late afternoon… and that one day she had to be at the rink before she opened the pet salon, because it was the only time that student could meet for their lesson. Then there was that one day she… Crap. I’m more responsible than this! At least, I thought I was. It’s a pill—how hard is it to make sure to take it?

  With so many unanswered questions, the sudden nausea this evening didn’t make her feel any better. She stared at the calendar, then back at the pills, a cold chill creeping up her spine.

  We were always careful. Weren’t we?

  Her brain felt like Swiss cheese as she thought back. There may have been a night or two they’d been drinking too much, and might have made a bad decision, since Kaden swore he hadn’t been with anyone else while they were together, and… she was on the pill. She glanced back down at the pill packet in her hand. Her fingers trembled, and her head started to ache.

  She wasn’t naive; she knew it only took one time. Unintentional or not, she knew the consequences and wasn’t ready to face them tonight.

  No longer hungry, she flopped face-first onto the lonely, cold bed. She’d better get some sleep, because now she had to run to the drug store first thing in the morning before opening the pet salon. If she closed her eyes, maybe it’d all just be a bad dream.

  * * * *

  Alison paced the length of her bedroom as she stared at the timer on her phone. Two minutes counted down.

  This is the longest two minutes of my life. There is no way I’m pregnant. We were—I think we were—careful every time. They were, weren’t they? Oh hell… This couldn’t be happening.

  Her eyes found the calendar on the wall.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, she cradled her head in her hands. Deep breaths. Rolling on her side, she curled up into a ball. A tear fell from her eye as she thought about raising a child. This was not how she thought her life would go. She wanted what Hailee was finally getting. The love of her life, the big wedding that took oodles of planning, then the baby that went along with their happy ever after.

  Brushing the tear away, she decided she was getting ahead of herself. It was likely just a false alarm. A stomach bug, or something she’d eaten that was making her feel sick. Her breathing slowed, and her heart beat settled back to normal. Everything was going to be okay.

  Her alarm sounded, but she didn’t move. She wasn’t ready to see what answers awaited her. Turning off the alarm, she st
ared at her phone.

  But the sounds of the early morning traffic outside reminded her that she didn’t have all day to pout. She had to do this. Hopping up off the bed, she smoothed the comforter before holding her head high and marching into the bathroom. She was no wilting flower, and whatever this little plastic test said, she could handle it. Her silent pep talk was almost believable.

  Except the glaring evidence read clearly on the plastic stick.

  PREGNANT

  Alison’s fingers went numb, and the plastic test stick dropped to the floor. She grabbed for the sink to keep steady and not fall herself.

  Closing her eyes, her heart sank into her stomach with a thud, and she whispered, “Oh shit.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Kaden

  Kaden jumped to his left to stop a breakaway from Tampa. His leg muscle pulled, but he ignored the pain that seared through him. The only thing he worried about was whether or not he’d stopped the shot. Hearing the whistle blow, he opened his glove to reveal the puck cradled in the padding.

  Forgetting about the pain in his leg, he acknowledged Tyler his captain, and Kris, the team’s star defenseman, when they called out congratulatory comments to him.

  “Nice save, K-man!” Kris yelled with a smile.

  “Gettin’ it done, O’Conner!” Tyler called.

  “Just try to keep it out of our end, guys. Okay?” Kaden said, with as much sarcasm as he could muster. “That’s why you two get paid the big bucks.” He tapped Tyler on the pads before the ref lined them up for the faceoff.

  It was the third period, and they were down by one. Dom was ready on the bench if Kaden needed him to take over, but he hated giving up. Kaden had started this game and he wanted to finish it, pain or no pain.

  As the clock ticked down, the guys did their job and kept the puck down at the other end. Kaden watched intently, keeping his eye on the puck, while staying limber with some stretching. Especially on that leg. The pain felt as if he had over-extended it, nothing serious. Just annoying, but he’d deal with it.