Line Change: Utah Fury Hockey Book Three

by Mulliner, Brittney

  The lasagna, rolls, and salad were amazing. I moaned after the perfect bite of cheese and noodle.

  Noah smiled at me. “We need to get this recipe.”

  I nodded and looked to his mom. “Will you share it?”

  She looked between the two of us and nodded slowly. “Sure.”

  “You cook?” His dad asked Noah, pulling my attention away from Mary.

  “We both do.” I answered as Noah said, “Yes.”

  We looked at each other and smiled.

  “She does the shopping and meal planning and whoever gets back to my place first usually cooks.”

  “How domestic.” Mikey said with a smirk.

  I guess that didn’t help with our argument that we were just friends. Pretending to be a couple. Did just friends cook together? Travel together?

  Yes, they did. Of course. I was overthinking this.

  Brin stood up. “We’ve got to go, Mike. My new client wants to meet.”

  Mikey looked at her like she was insane. “At eight on a Sunday?”

  She returned his look with a vicious one of her own. “Yes.”

  He shook his head and stood up from the table. He took both of their plates and left the dining room.

  Brin left without saying goodbye. Mikey came in and apologized before following his wife.

  No one seemed surprised by their abrupt departure, but they didn't look happy about it. I would have to ask Noah about it later.

  “Well, who’s ready for some peach cobbler?” Mary’s smile looked a bit forced. I felt bad for her, but she seemed to want us to move on.

  “I’ll help.” I stood and collected plates before meeting her in the kitchen. “This was delicious, Mary. I can’t remember the last time I ate this well.”

  If we stayed here too long I had a feeling I’d gain ten pounds.

  “Thank you, honey. I know Noah likes to eat healthy during the season, but I couldn’t resist making his favorite.”

  She moved to the oven and pulled out a dish with the dessert. She moved to the freezer and took out a tub of vanilla ice cream. “Can you grab five spoons?”

  I did, then followed her out to the dining room. I thought she would have dished it out in the kitchen, but maybe bowls were already out there, and I missed them.

  “We do this family style.” She winked and set down the pan while her husband opened the ice cream and scooped some on top of the cobbler. Evan didn’t wait. As soon as the ice cream hit, his spoon was ready, and he was in.

  I laughed and watched as Noah joined in. Soon his parents were taking bites. This was a definite first for me, but I wasn’t about to miss out. I grabbed a spoon and took some. It was incredible. The mix of hot and cold. It all melted on my tongue and I took another scoop.

  Noah eyed me and tried to knock my spoon out of the way, but I elbowed him in the ribs so I could get my bite.

  I smiled sweetly at him while he pretended to glare.

  I looked up, remembering we had an audience and blushed when I saw all eyes on us. Everyone was smiling, even Evan.

  “Sorry.” I shrugged. “I fight dirty.”

  Mr. Malkin smiled at me. “Welcome to the family, Colby.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Noah

  “Are you ready, Colby?” I called from the hallway on my way downstairs. It was already nine in the morning and I wanted to get going if we were going to hit all the sites in time. I’d already finished a run and a weight lifting session at the gym with Dad. It had been a lot easier than my normal workouts, but hopefully I didn’t fall too far behind. I’d just have to push hard on Wednesday.

  “Coming.”

  I went down the stairs and waited for her in the kitchen. Mom had made cinnamon rolls earlier and they were waiting for us on the counter. Colby walked in and moaned.

  “Those smell amazing,” she said.

  I handed her one on a napkin. “Another recipe we’ll have to get.”

  Colby nodded while taking a bite. “Can’t we just move here?”

  I liked that she said we. A little too much. “Not yet, but maybe one day.”

  She smiled and took another bite. I couldn’t believe I’d said that out loud, and she didn’t freak out. It was the first time I’d mentioned the future, and she just went with it.

  What did that mean?

  “Where are we going?” Colby asked after swallowing.

  “I thought we could drive around the area. I’ll show you some of my old stomping grounds, then we can head to Stanley Park.”

  “Sounds good.” She took another roll before walking toward the front door. I grabbed a pair of keys, hoping my mom wouldn’t mind us taking her car and followed her outside.

  Mom and Dad were standing out on the sidewalk talking to a neighbor. I waved at Mr. Andrews and hoped I wouldn’t get roped into a conversation about the weather. Again. We’d already had a twenty minute one this morning. . The older man waved back, and I blew out a breath. Free, this time.

  Evan was nowhere to be seen. He probably was still asleep upstairs. Mom let him stay home from school, so we could hang out. That’s why I wanted to get going, so we could be back in the early afternoon.

  I opened the door of Mom’s Subaru for Colby and she got into the passenger seat. I waved to my parents and got in without them stopping me. A good sign. We wouldn’t be gone too long anyway.

  “Are you ready?” I asked.

  She buckled herself in and smiled. “Ready.”

  We spent an hour driving around. I showed her my elementary school, middle school, and the high school I’d technically graduated from, even though I’d spent most of those years in the major juniors in Seattle.

  “This is where I learned to skate.”

  I pointed out the skating rink and she turned to look in her seat as if the outside of the building would be interesting.

  “This place is beautiful, Noah. I’m jealous you grew up here.”

  I smiled. I loved this place. “Hopefully, one day I’ll live here again.”

  I watched her, waiting for a reaction. She nodded and looked out the window. I couldn’t tell if that was a nod of agreement or approval. I wanted to ask but didn’t have the nerve.

  “Let’s head to the park,” I suggested.

  It took us about forty minutes to get to the area I wanted to show her, and it was much colder than either of us were prepared for. My lungs burned with the icy air. We got out of the car to see the Lions Gate bridge and Siwash Rock before running back to the car.

  She got in and laughed. “We’re such babies. We live in the Rocky Mountains. We should be used to this.”

  I shivered and cranked up the heat.

  “Sorry, it’s usually so pretty out here. We’ll have to come back when it’s warmer.”

  She shivered and held her hands out in front of the vents. “Good idea. There’s so much I want to see, but I’m not getting out of the car again.”

  I laughed and held onto her words. She wanted to come back. Did she see a future with me? As more than an assistant?

  She entertained me the entire drive back to the house singing along to the radio. She wasn’t a terrible singer, but she wasn’t going to be making a career change either. The best part was her interpretive dancing and liberties she took with the lyrics.

  She was dedicated. When she didn’t know the words, she made them up but sang them with such confidence that I second guessed a few of them.

  I chuckled. “You do know the line is Saturday in the park, I think it was the Fourth of July, right?”

  She smiled at me and continued singing. “Saturday, in the park, something ‘bout the fourth of July.”

  I shook my head and listened to her serenade me.

  This was the most laid back I’d ever seen her. She was carefree and full of energy. I didn't know what it was that made her this way, but I wanted it to happen more often. Was it because we were on vacation? Was she getting more comfortable with me?

  When we turned onto my st
reet, I saw Evan dribbling in the driveway. I parked on the street, so he wouldn’t have to stop, and got out.

  “Hey, you up for a little one on one?”

  His face lit up and I was grateful I’d made it back in time to hang out with him. “You’re going down old man.”

  Colby stopped and Evan passed her the ball. She looked uncertain, but began dribbling. Taking careful steps toward the hoop. She looked up and winked at me before lifting her arms and shooting. The ball went in the net, without touching the rim.

  “Did you see that?” Evan looked shocked, pointing at the hoop.

  Colby just shrugged. “I’ve had basketball players as clients. One of them made sure I knew how to shoot. For situations like this.”

  She smiled and waved for the ball. I picked it up and passed it.

  Evan and I met eyes before splitting to defend her. Colby turned and dribbled before turning again to the hoop. I stopped in front of her and put my arms up, attempting to intimidate her.

  She laughed, filling the air with that beautiful sound. She twisted and took a step, but I was faster, wrapping my arms around her waist and pushing the ball away. I hugged her close while Evan stole the ball and scored.

  “You’re a cheater!” Her laughter rumbled against my chest and I decided holding onto her forever was a great idea.

  “You’re the cheater.” I finally loosened my grip and she pushed out, still giggling.

  “If you guys can’t handle me I’m going to get something to drink.” Colby waved and walked into the house like she lived here. I loved that she fit right in. I could tell my family loved her, and she seemed to like them. It was so unlike the relationship they had with Brin. I think we were all grateful for that.

  Evan passed me the ball and I dribbled up the drive and tried to shoot, but he blocked me. I shook my head as he turned and scored. I couldn’t believe my little brother could defend me. This wasn’t supposed to happen. The natural order of things was me being able to beat him up and best him at everything.

  Is this what Mikey felt like when I passed him up in the hockey league? I got invited to a senior level before him. He never acted upset, but it had to feel like this.

  I didn’t like it.

  I stepped in front of him, blocking his path to the hoop. He tried to shoot but I swatted the ball out of the air. He was stunned for long enough to let me move around him and shoot. Ha! We were now tied.

  This went on for a while. I lost track of time. I looked up, realizing the sun was lower in the sky and looked to the house. Mom and Colby were sitting on the porch with blankets wrapped around them. I’d forgotten the cold long ago. I’d removed my jacked and long sleeve shirt a while ago.

  I looked to Evan who was sweating as much as I was.

  “You good?”

  He smiled. “I’m up, so yeah we can call it a game.”

  I let him have the win. He’d played hard and had bested me a few times. He’d gloat and hold this over my head for years to come, but it was worth it.

  We headed inside, and I went directly to the bathroom to shower. By the time I was cleaned up and back downstairs, Mom and Colby were in the kitchen again.

  “What are you guys making?” I asked.

  They both looked up with smiles. “Your mom’s showing me how to make her famous chocolate chip cookies.”

  I stopped and looked at the bowl. “No. Way.”

  Mom laughed. “Just because I wouldn’t teach you doesn’t mean I’m opposed to teaching someone…worthy.”

  My jaw hit the floor. She kept that recipe a secret. No one knew how she made them perfectly chewy, with the most perfect proportions of chocolate. Until Colby.

  How had she managed to cozy up to Mom so fast? I was jealous, but also happy she was learning. That meant I’d have someone to teach me when we got back home. I’d have to convince her to reveal the secret, though.

  “Your dad wanted to grill.” Mom said. “Can you go get that started?”

  I looked at Mom then out the window. It was cold, but I guess I couldn’t complain after being out there all afternoon with Evan. “Sure.”

  I pulled on a coat and went outside to get it started. I waited for a few minutes before cleaning it off. When I went back inside Mom had a plate waiting for me, piled with steaks.

  “I’ll have the veggies ready in just a minute.”

  I nodded and turned to go back outside. I hurried to lay out the steaks, so I could get back inside. The sun was setting, and I didn’t want to spend more time out there than I needed.

  Mom was alone in the kitchen when I walked back in. “Where’d Colby go?”

  She kept slicing asparagus and zucchini, not looking up, “ I sent her to get cleaned up.”

  I laughed. “She’s not a kid, Mom.”

  She looked up and smiled. “I’m well aware she’s a beautiful young woman, Noah.”

  I ignored her and moved to the fringe for a drink.

  “I like her,” Mom announced.

  I took a sip of water before turning around. Mom was looking, no, watching me.

  “Me too, Mom.”

  “Then why aren’t you doing anything about it?”

  “I can’t.” I didn’t want to discuss my feelings with her. Not while Colby could walk in at any moment.

  “Don’t be a fool, Noah.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  She put her hands on her hips. “Colby is an amazing person. She’s beautiful, smart, incredibly sweet. She did all of this for you. I don’t want you to miss out on something because you’re afraid.”

  “What would I be afraid of?”

  She sighed. “Settling down.”

  “I’m not afraid of that.”

  “You’ve been on the move since you were a kid. You’ve had an unusual life. You haven’t had much stability because of hockey and I don’t want that to carry on into your adult life. Hopefully, you’ll be with the Fury for a while. I want you to be able to establish a life.”

  “I appreciate that, Mom. But it’s not an issue. I don’t have a fear of commitment or settling down.”

  “Then why aren’t you and Colby together, for real?”

  “One, we can’t. It’s a violation of our contracts.” I shrugged. Plus, things between us were confusing. They didn’t start out normal and we’ve gone completely out of order. “We’ve only known each other a few weeks. We went from having a professional relationship to fake dating. We haven’t had time to consider that option.”

  “I don’t want the opportunity to pass you by. She’s been handed to you on a silver platter. I hope you realize that. If you were ever looking for a sign, I think her coming into your life the way she has is a pretty perfect one.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  She narrowed her eyes for a moment before smiling. “You’d better.”

  “I think you just like her more.”

  Mom turned and didn’t disagree. She slid the vegetables to me and I took the plate and walked outside to add them to the grill.

  Colby walked back into the kitchen at the same time I did. She had changed into a pair of cotton joggers and a t-shirt. I was glad she felt comfortable here. I wanted her to feel at home. I wasn’t sure why though. Did we really have a future?

  As long as I didn’t mess it up, maybe we could.

  Seeing her here, in my world, made me want to try. When we got back to Salt Lake, I was going to put in the effort. I’d take her out on dates, prove to her I was worthy. I wanted to make us work. If this trip proved anything, it was that we both cared about each other. We wanted to make each other happy. If that wasn’t a great foundation for a relationship, I didn’t know what was.

  Colby smiled at me as she moved to the oven. She belonged right here. I didn’t want this to be a one-time thing. I wanted to see her moving around my house, baking with my mom, talking to my brothers.

  I wanted this to be our future.

  The realization, spurred on by Mom, was the kick in th
e butt I needed to work my hardest to prove to the team I deserved a contract, so I could have a future with Colby.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Colby

  I thought things had changed between us. It felt like we’d made progress in Vancouver, like we’d grown closer.

  Noah was barely been around since we got back to Salt Lake. I ran into him once before his game. Just in passing. He was coming home from practice as I was leaving to run errands. He’d smiled, but that was it.

  I didn’t understand what changed.

  Maybe his family had hated me. I thought got along. I loved spending time with them, but maybe they didn’t feel the same.

  Or he realized I didn’t belong in his world.

  Maybe my feelings were completely one sided. The connection I thought we had could be all in my head.

  Chloe invited me to sit with her at the game, but I didn’t know if I was really in the mood. Cheering for him and the rest of the team sounded draining. I’d have to pretend I was okay in front of the Pride and that sounded exhausting, too.

  At the check-out stand in the grocery store a magazine caught my eye. A small picture of me and Noah together was at the top corner. We’d made the national news? Granted it was a silly tabloid, but I was shocked they cared about a rookie hockey player. I grabbed a copy and read the tag line. “NHL’s Favorite Rookie Returns Home: Is an Announcement Coming?”

  Predictable and unoriginal.

  I bought a copy.

  I needed to go to the game. It didn’t matter how I felt about it, it was my job to support Noah. Even when he was being grumpy.

  He was already gone when I got back with the groceries, so I put everything away then changed.

  He’d given me one of his jerseys to wear, so I put that on with a pair of ripped jeans. I made sure my hair and makeup was presentable before heading out. I sent Chloe a text to let her know I was on my way and to save me a seat.

  Hopefully, Noah would be happy to see me in the audience. If he even noticed.

  I need to find out what was going on. I couldn't live like this much longer. It had only been two days and I was already wigging out.