Line Change: Utah Fury Hockey Book Three

by Mulliner, Brittney

  “Come on. Just drink it.”

  I knew the nagging wouldn’t end so I took the first shot and threw it back. It burned all the way down to my stomach. I was instantly reminded why I don't like drinking. It was gross, and it messed me up later.

  “That’s enough.” I waved him off.

  Andersen shrugged and drank the second one. I shook my head and walked away. I found an empty seat and Olli slid a burger my way. “You okay, man?”

  I nodded. As soon as I got food in me, the alcohol would metabolize better, and I wouldn’t feel as bad later.

  I was a few bites in when he started talking. “I heard about what Coach said, but you’re ready for this. I’ve seen what you can do, and you belong here.”

  I wiped my mouth. “Thanks man.”

  I wanted him to drop the subject. I came out to forget about it, but apparently that was all people wanted to talk about.

  “You just got to keep your head straight and focus.” Olli said before taking another bite.

  “I will.”

  “I remember when I started with the Fury. I was only in the farms for a month. I wished I had more time to prepare, but it all worked out.” He smirked.

  I nodded again before standing. I appreciated what he was trying to do, but it wasn’t what I wanted to hear right now.

  “Thanks, Olli.”

  I stood and looked around. The women were all over a group of guys I didn't recognize. They sure moved on fast.

  Erik and Reese were playing each other now, and Andersen was next to them. I wanted to avoid him, but he was blocking the way out.

  Hartman walked up to me and leaned against the booth next to me. “How are you doing?”

  I wanted to ask him to not talk about it. I was ready to lose it. “I’m fine.”

  He nodded. “Was it good to be home?”

  I smiled, for the first time in what felt like forever. “Yeah, it was really great.”

  “Good. I’m glad you got to see your family.”

  “Me too,” I said.

  “That was pretty awesome Colby pulled that together.”

  “Yeah, she’s pretty great.”

  He nodded. “Are you two really seeing each other?”

  I looked at him, but he didn’t meet my eyes. Why was he asking? Was he interested in her?

  “No, it was my agent’s idea. Hoping to take some heat off me.”

  “I know that. I’m just seeing if anything has changed.” He looked at me out of the corner of his eyes. “She’s an amazing girl. You’re lucky. I hope you make sure she knows you appreciate her.”

  He walked away before I could process what he was trying to say. Was he interested in her? She was mine. He couldn't look at her. I didn’t care how sweet she was or if he was my captain. Colby was mine.

  I eyed Andersen and he smirked at me. He made his way around the table and picked up two more shots on his way. “You’re looking a little wound up.”

  He offered me a drink, but I shook my head. “You really look like you need this. Don’t worry about it. I’ll get you a cab.”

  I eyed the clear liquid. I did need to relax. I was already feeling the slightest twinge of a buzz from the first shot. One more wouldn’t hurt. I looked around to make sure no one was looking at me and took it. I eyed Andersen once before throwing it back.

  “There you go.”

  Andersen started talking about a car he was looking at buying. He was into racing during the off season, and he found a new one he was interested in buying. I’d never been that into cars, but he made it interesting. Telling me how fast his cars were and how fast this new one was. That was all I understood. It didn’t matter. He wasn’t telling me about how I needed to focus. How I needed to be perfect. He didn’t make me think about my family or Coach or how much pressure I was under. He didn’t make me think he was into Colby. It was exactly what I needed.

  Two drinks turned into four and I was feeling it. My tolerance was zero. I reached for a water. I needed to stay hydrated. The cup slipped out of my hand and clattered to the ground, spraying water and ice all over the floor. Erik and Hartman were in front of me.

  Erik was holding me up.

  “I can stand on my own.” My voice came out slurred.

  “No, actually you can’t,” Erik grunted.

  Hartman was standing in front of Andersen. He looked fine. Why were they worrying about me?

  The floor was spinning, just a little. “Guys.”

  Erik’s voice drifted to me. “Come on, Noah. We’re leaving.”

  We were walking. Then we were in his car.

  “Do not throw up. I will kill you.” Erik threated.

  I nodded and closed my eyes, I didn’t want to throw up. I wanted to sleep.

  Something slapped my face and I pulled my eyelids apart. “No.”

  “Come on. I can’t carry you, Malkin. You need to get up.” He pulled on my arm until my body was out of his spaceship car.

  “What floor are you?” He asked me.

  I looked at the panel of numbers and picked six. I was pretty sure that’s what I used.

  He tugged me out of the elevator and into the hall. “Which way?”

  I pointed, and he moved us. “What number?”

  I stopped and stared at two doors. Why was it always so hard? “One of these?”

  “You don’t know?”

  I shook my head.

  I heard him swear but it sounded far away.

  He pushed me against the wall and pulled out his phone. “Hi Colby. I know it’s late. I’m sorry to wake you. What’s Noah’s apartment number? He doesn’t remember which is his.”

  I pointed at one door and he watched me. I was pretty sure it was that one.

  He shook his head and pulled my keys out of my back pocket. Dragging me to the next door.

  “See I told you,” I said.

  Erik shook his head. “Come on.”

  He moved me in, then all the way down the hall to my room. When I saw my bed, I knew I finally found heaven. I could sleep. That’s all I wanted.

  I heard voices, but my eyes were stuck shut. I couldn’t move anymore, just needed to sleep.

  Chapter Twenty

  Colby

  I wanted to leave. I could have gone back to my place and let Noah deal with the consequences on his own. I wanted to. So bad.

  But I couldn’t do it. When Erik called, I’d come right over. It didn’t matter that he’d been ignoring me. It didn’t matter that he’d said two words to me in four days.

  He was my client. And my friend…I hoped.

  I needed to be here, plus, he probably would call me for help when he woke up anyway, so I saved myself the trip back and forth.

  When I woke up on the couch, I checked on him, but he was still snoring away. He didn’t have to be to practice until eleven, but he’d been going in so early I didn't know if there was something else he needed to do.

  I decided to wait until nine to wake him.

  Until then, I caught up on emails and tasks for my remaining clients. I showered and got ready, trying to make noise to see if it would wake him up on his own.

  Nothing.

  At ten ‘til nine, I made coffee and grabbed some pain killers and water before going to his room. I sat everything down on his nightstand before walking to the window. I pulled open the curtains and opened the blinds. It was the first time all week there was sunlight in here.

  He didn’t move.

  I went back to the bed and nudged his arm. He didn’t stir.

  “Noah.” I reached down and shook him.

  He mumbled but didn’t wake.

  “Noah.” I shook his shoulders harder. “Wake up.”

  He groaned and rolled away from me.

  “Oh no you don’t. You need to get up.” I shook him until his eyes opened.

  “Ugh.”

  “Wake up, Noah.”

  He threw his arm over his eyes. “Don’t yell.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m not yel
ling.”

  “Why’s it so bright?”

  I moved away from the bed. “It’s nine. You need to get up and get going.”

  He groaned again.

  “There’s coffee and painkillers on the table.”

  I walked out before he could moan and complain more. I had no sympathy for him. I couldn’t imagine what he was thinking. Drinking during the season, with a game in just two days. He had so much on the line right now. Why would he do that?

  I shook my head and went back to the kitchen.

  I made myself a bagel and went to the TV to eat. I scanned the channels and stopped when I saw the Fury logo.

  “With Howe gone, there’s an opening to make Noah Malkin a permanent fixture on the team. What do you think the odds are of that happening, Ron?”

  The camera switched to the other anchor. “It’s looking good, Hugh. Malkin has proven himself these past few games and if he keeps it up he might be looking at a rookie of the year title. As long as his star power last, he could be a great player for any team. The Fury have the best shot of signing him though. He seems to fit in well with the team.”

  “Can you please turn that off.”

  I turned to see Noah stumbling into the living room. He collapsed on the couch in just his boxers. I looked away before he caught me staring.

  “Sure.” I changed the channel but didn’t pay attention to what was on. I was waiting for him to speak. To explain himself.

  He remained silent, but I wasn’t letting him off. Oh no. He was in trouble.

  “That was quite the wakeup call last night.” I broke the silence.

  He cringed. “Sorry about that.”

  “What happened?” I tried to keep my voice calm, but I knew I sounded like a parent. Not that I cared at this point. If he wanted to act like a child, I’d treat him like one.

  “I was just hanging out with the guys. One thing led to another and I had a few drinks.”

  I stared at him but his focus on was the TV screen.

  “One thing led to another? You’re a grown man, Noah. Things don’t just happen to you. You made the decision to drink. You’re not twenty-one, Noah. You could have been arrested. ”

  He didn't immediately respond.

  “Why did you do it, Noah? You knew it was a mistake. You just got news that you could have a permanent position with the Fury. Why would you do anything to possibly ruin that?”

  He slowly sat up and turned to me. “I’m aware, Colby. I don’t need you to tell me that.”

  I shook my head. He was unbelievable. He was going to have an attitude with me now? After waking me up in the middle of the night?

  “I’m worried about you, Noah.”

  He closed his eyes. “One night out is not something to be concerned over.”

  “It’s not just that.” He had to realize he was acting differently.

  “What else then?” He opened his eyes and sat up. “What else have I done wrong?”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. I barely recognized him with the way he was acting. This wasn’t the Noah I knew. I didn’t like this version.

  “You’ve been avoiding me. You haven’t spoken to me since we got back from Vancouver. Have I done something wrong? Are you upset with me?”

  He stood up and faced me. “Not everything is about you, Colby. Have you ever considered that? I can have things going on that have nothing to do with you. You aren’t the only facet in my life. I have other things going on. Things you don’t know about. Things you could never understand.”

  I sat back. I hadn’t expected that verbal beatdown. I didn’t deserve it. I knew him. I knew this wasn’t normal. There was something going on with him that I didn't know about, and apparently, he didn’t want to share it.

  Tears prickled my eyes and I blinked them away. As much as I cared about him, I didn't have to sit here and listen to this.

  “Fine. I’m leaving.” I stood to leave but he jumped up and blocked me.

  “Look. I’m sorry, Colby. I shouldn’t have yelled at you.” He actually looked remorseful. It was the only reason I didn't shove him aside. “Things with the team… there’s a lot going on. A lot of pressure.”

  I nodded. I knew it wasn’t easy for him. He had a lot to prove to the coaches and the management. Just because he got called up from the farm didn’t mean he was going to be offered a contract. They could decide to trade him, or send him back, without notice or reason.

  “Noah, I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to do everything I could to make things easier for you.”

  He stopped me. “I know, and I really appreciate that.”

  “There’s no reason for you to be treating me the way you have. It’s not okay.”

  He dropped his head. “Dad said some things before we left.” He sighed. “He’s worried I’m getting distracted. I need to put all of myself into training right now. I need to be perfect during games. I need good press. I need to prove I can sell tickets. I need to show them that I’m worth being on the team.”

  “What does that have to do with being a jerk to me?” I asked, still not getting his mood change.

  “I wasn’t trying to be a jerk.” He sighed. “I was just trying to clear my head. Refocus my energy on what’s important right now.”

  “Am I distracting you?”

  “No!”

  I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “Kind of.”

  I shook my head and moved away from him. “Noah, I’ve been doing everything I can think of to make this easier on you. I cook, clean, run your errands. I want you to succeed. What else can I do?”

  He took a step toward me but I put my hands up and he stopped.

  “I’m sorry, Colby. That’s not what I meant. It’s just… it’s me.”

  I rolled my eyes. “It’s not me, it’s you? That’s what you’re going with?”

  “Colby.” He took a breath. “This is all coming out wrong. Dad just gave me a wake up call. He reminded me not to get distracted. Maybe I took things too far.”

  I shot him a scathing look.

  “Okay. I definitely took it took it too far. I didn’t mean to shut you out or be a jerk. This is the first time I’ve really had to balance hockey and a life.” He paused. “I’m not doing a good job of it.”

  The fire that had been burning in me all day calmed to a simmer.

  In a lot a ways Noah was childish. Immature. Inexperienced. But those were all results of his upbringing. He’d lived an incredibly sheltered life. He might be an adult, but he hasn’t had the responsibilities.

  He was also kind. Eager to learn and to be accepted. He was lost, but instead of being defensive he allowed people in. He wanted to get help. That was a strength most people didn’t possess.

  I nodded. “You’re right. You haven’t. I won’t tolerate the way you’ve been acting. Even if it means backing out of our contract.”

  His eyes widened. “I’m sorry, Colby. I really am.”

  “Thank you. You have to promise me one more thing.”

  He nodded. “Anything.”

  “No more drinking?”

  “Of course. I won’t make that mistake again.”

  I watched him looking for any tells of lying. “Good. Now go get ready.”

  He left to get ready for practice. I fell back on my sofa and sigh. I’m glad things had been cleared up, but I was exhausted after a stressful night. My phone rang, and I answered without looking.

  “This is Colby.”

  “This is Chloe.” She mimicked me in the same voice.

  “Oh hi. I didn’t check the screen. I thought you might be a client.”

  “Do you need to go? You can call me back later.”

  “No, it’s fine.”

  “Cool. So, how are you?”

  I knew she wasn’t really asking about me. Erik told her about last night.

  “I’m fine.”

  “No puke to clean up?” She asked

  I groaned. “No, thank heaven. I don’t get paid that well.”


  She sighed. “I can’t believe Noah did that. Does he know how much trouble he could have gotten in? He still can if coach finds out.”

  “I know. I’m hoping it all blows over.”

  “I’m glad you’re okay.” She paused. “Have you guys talked?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well? What’s going on with him?”

  I sighed. “I think it’s just all the pressure. There’s so much on him right now. From everyone. I think it just got to him.”

  “Yeah. I could see that.” She said. “It wasn’t smart, but at least he didn’t get too drunk.”

  “Yeah, he just went to sleep and woke up with regrets.”

  “So, are things good between you guys now?”

  “I’m not sure.” I took a breath. “We talked, and I told him I would help with the load. He’s worried about getting good press and exposure. He thinks it will help his chances of getting the contract.”

  “It definitely wouldn’t hurt. All the press on Erik accelerated his career. The team loved it. If you can build up Noah’s name, that will really help.”

  “What do you recommend, oh wise one?” I asked with a laugh.

  “Well, I do have a bit of experience with this.”

  “It’s your job.”

  She laughed. “You’re right. How much time does Noah have for photoshoots or interviews?”

  I pulled up his calendar. “Practice ends at four today, then a game tomorrow. He has an appointment and practice on Monday.

  “Okay. I’ll scheduled something for six tonight. I’ll try to make it a phone interview, so he doesn’t even have to leave the house.”

  “That would be great. I’ll work on setting up a few interviews too.”

  “Good. You guys need to go out again. Make sure the paparazzi knows.”

  Ugh. I hated the idea of being those people who call and actually invite the vultures to follow you, but desperate times and all.

  “Fine.”

  “Are they still outside the building?”

  “They usually follow Noah if they see him but sometimes there are a few left.”

  “Go out and be seen. Make yourself recognizable.”

  “And do what?”

  “I don’t know. Get a coffee.”