Defending Dani

by Kat Mizera

  “Let’s do it,” she said after a slight hesitation.

  * * *

  They went to a popular club downtown, where the cover charge alone was fifty dollars per person. She’d never been to a place like this and her eyes widened as she took in the women wearing more jewelry than she’d ever seen in her life, the expensive bottles of champagne, and the number of easily recognizable celebrities.

  “Wow,” she breathed against Aaron’s ear. “This is wild.”

  He grinned. “Great place to see and be seen.”

  “Nothing over-the-top, Aaron,” she warned, meeting his eyes. “We can be here together, sitting together, opening doors for me or whatever, but I’m not going to do something to embarrass Sergei.”

  “Absolutely not,” he said somberly. “He’s my friend. I’m doing this for him, not to be a dick. We’ve already talked about the fact that you’re not interested—I would never do anything like that.”

  “I would like to dance, though,” she admitted.

  “Fast or slow?” he teased.

  “Fast!”

  He pulled her onto the dance floor. A popular hip-hop song was playing and they found it easy to get into the rhythm. He twirled her around a few times, smiling down at her, and Dani started to relax. He wasn’t Sergei, but she was enjoying his company. He was funny and good-looking, a nice guy who definitely wouldn’t stay single long. It was possible to imagine dating a guy like Aaron, but when he moved up behind her, his front pressed to her back, longing slowly burned through her. Not for just anyone, though. Her body ached to be touched, but she wasn’t even capable of fantasizing about anyone but Sergei. Having Aaron pressed up against her made her uncomfortable, though she loved to dance. Well, at least now she knew.

  Without making it obvious, she danced away from him, eventually finding her way back so that they were face-to-face again. This was better, and Aaron didn’t seem to mind. Thank goodness. She wasn’t nearly as naïve as she’d been a few months ago, but she wasn’t ready to dip her foot in any kind of dating pool either. Just the last twenty minutes with Aaron had proven that.

  Eventually they made their way to a table and he ordered a beer while she got a white wine spritzer. It wasn’t her favorite, but lower calorie than most other drinks and she was conscious of everything she put in her mouth right now. She burned a ridiculous number of calories everyday, but she needed to be at the top of her game, which meant paying attention to every detail.

  “Dani?”

  She turned her head, realizing Aaron had been talking to her. “Sorry, what did you say?”

  “I asked if you were having fun?”

  “Just thinking about the time and not staying out too late.”

  “No worries. I figured we’d stay an hour and then head out.”

  “Thank you.”

  He reached out to brush his knuckles across her cheek. “You’re a great girl. I hope Sergei figures that out before someone snatches you out from under him.”

  She blushed but nodded her head. “Me, too.”

  29

  The next few days were busy and Dani had forgotten about her “date” with Aaron the moment she’d gotten home the other night. Especially since she’d finally gotten her period, eliminating all thought of being pregnant. Though she was relieved professionally, there was a small part of her that was disappointed too. Having Sergei’s baby would be wonderful. She wanted to. She’d always assumed she would have children one day, but not right now, so it was definitely for the best. If only it didn’t eliminate her last glimmer of hope that things would work out with Sergei. Her gut told her it was over, no matter how open-ended they’d left things.

  Distracting her from her woes was her upcoming trip to Las Vegas. She was anxious to see Zakk, Tiff and the others. It would be quick, but she always felt better when she was near her brother and his family, as well as good friends like Toli and Tessa. It wouldn’t heal a broken heart, but it definitely wouldn’t hurt either.

  She was packing for the trip when her phone buzzed. Seeing it was a text from Aaron, she opened the program and stared at a picture of the two of them from the night at the club. Though she distinctly remembered the moment he’d touched her face, the picture didn’t resemble anything like what had really happened. It looked intimate. He was staring down at her with a serious look on his face. If you didn’t know what they’d been talking about, it could appear loving, romantic. And she was staring up at him adoringly. Except she’d been thinking of Sergei in that moment, not him, but there was no way to prove it.

  Damn, did we really look all cozy like that?

  Oh yeah.

  Where did you find this?

  Instagram. Someone who was at the club took it and posted it. Eventually I got tagged, even though no one knows who you are. Except Sergei.

  Did you hear from him?

  Oh yeah.

  AND?!

  He’s…unhappy? Can I call you?

  Sure.

  She picked up when her phone rang. “What did he say?” she asked as soon as she answered.

  “He asked me, and I quote, ‘What the fuck were you doing with my girl?’ I told him I took you out to dinner and dancing because you were a little down after your boyfriend dumped you.”

  She almost choked. “Aaron! What did he say?”

  “He got real quiet and muttered something in Russian. Then he told me to stay away from you and hung up.”

  “He hung up on you? Have you talked to him since?”

  “Nah, this was about five minutes ago. I texted you right away in case he called.”

  “And there’s the beep.” She sighed.

  “You got this, babe,” he said quickly. “Play a little hard to get, okay? Make him work for it.”

  “Thanks.” She disconnected from him and answered her other line. “Hello?”

  “Hey.” Sergei’s voice was strained.

  “How are you?”

  “Worried.”

  “About me?”

  “Aaron’s just divorced, probably not a good choice for you. I don’t know that you should get involved with him.”

  She laughed. She couldn’t help it. “Did you call to tell me who I can date?”

  “No?” He huffed out a breath. “Babe, I care about you and—”

  “Aaron and I are friends,” she said softly, unwilling to play games with him despite how much being without him hurt. “He took me out because he said I needed cheering up, but he’s your friend, Sergei. You really think he’d do something inappropriate with me? Don’t you remember what he and Jake did the night we were at dinner? And the stripper? Aaron’s a prankster and you keep falling for it.”

  There was a long silence. “Did he doctor that picture where he’s touching your face?”

  “No. It was an intimate moment between…friends. He was telling me everything was going to be okay, the things you tell a friend who has feelings for someone who doesn’t return them.”

  “I’m sorry if that’s my fault.”

  “If? God, you’re a pain in my ass. Look, I have to finish packing; we leave for Vegas in the morning. If you’re done telling me how to live my life, I have to go.”

  “All right. Take care of yourself, babe.”

  “You, too.” She disconnected and stared at the phone sadly. Nope, their big plan to make him jealous hadn’t worked. He’d been jealous, but not in a good way. He didn’t want anyone else to have her, but he didn’t want her himself, and that was a big problem.

  * * *

  Dani and the team got to Las Vegas before lunch and checked into their hotel. They had a practice planned with the Sidewinders at three o’clock and Dani couldn’t wait to hug her brother. She didn’t care what anyone thought or how unprofessional it might be, she desperately needed to bask in the comfort of her brother’s strong arms and broad shoulders.

  As soon as they got into the arena, she broke away from the team and ran for the locker room, hoping beyond hope Zakk would be there. Luckily,
he looked up as she peeked through the doorway and a smile creased his face.

  “Hey!” He called out, getting to his feet.

  Dani ran across the room and vaulted herself into his chest.

  “Hey.” He hugged her tightly. “Are you okay?”

  “I will be.” She closed her eyes and breathed in his scent, even though he was already sweaty.

  “Dan?” He used an old nickname as he looked down into her face. “What’s wrong?”

  Several of the Sidewinders were nearby and she shook her head slightly. “I’m fine. I just needed a hug. I’ll see you after practice, okay?”

  His eyes reflected his doubt but he wouldn’t embarrass her in front of the team. “Of course. Tiff and the kids can’t wait to see you.”

  “Will they be at the exhibition game tomorrow?”

  He snorted. “Like I could keep them away?”

  “I have to go. See you later?”

  “Of course.”

  She hurried out to find her team, already feeling better. Nothing had changed but a hug from her big brother always made things seem better anyway.

  * * *

  In the morning, Dani was able to sneak away to have breakfast with Tiff. She loved her hopefully-soon-to-be sister-in-law and was glad they were close enough to talk about anything and everything, including her pregnancy scare and the sinking feeling that she’d lost Sergei.

  “You look pale,” Tiff said as they sat at the table.

  “I don’t get outside much.”

  “I’d be willing to bet there’s more to it than that.”

  “If you’re talking about Sergei, you’re not wrong.”

  “Is it over?”

  “I think so. He barely calls or texts. We, um, we had a pregnancy scare but it turns out I’m not and I think after I sent him the negative test results he took that as his cue to back off.”

  “How did he handle the pregnancy news? Before it was negative.”

  “He told me to keep him informed, that I shouldn’t deal with it on my own, but I mean, what else was he going to say? Our brothers are best friends.”

  “I think there’s more to it than that.”

  “He’s stubborn, determined to believe he’s not worthy of another chance at love. Until he’s ready to let go of that, he’s not going to change his mind. I’m going to have to pull up my big girl panties and get over him.”

  “Do you love him, Dani?”

  “Yes. The big jerk.” She rested her chin in her hands.

  “Did he see the picture of you and Aaron?”

  Dani’s head snapped up. “How did you know about that?”

  Tiff laughed. “The NHL wives network is better than the CIA—never forget that. Kate saw it on Instagram and showed me. We all knew within a few hours.”

  “No one said anything.”

  “We were all hoping you were over Sergei. Except Toli. He really wants you to be his new sister-in-law.”

  Dani smiled at that. “I’d like that, too, but I don’t think so. Sergei doesn’t think he’ll ever fall in love again.”

  “He’s foolish. He already is.”

  “Yeah, try telling him that.”

  “I just might.” Tiff pursed her lips purposefully.

  * * *

  The exhibition game between the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey team was televised and Sergei, Sara, Aaron, and Jake sat in front of the TV in Sergei’s family room to watch. Niko had been allowed to stay up to watch the beginning, and he was bouncing on Sergei’s knee as the game started.

  “What number is Mommy?” he was asking.

  Sergei’s gut tightened every time Niko referred to Dani as his mommy, but there was no sign of him stopping, no matter how many times they’d gently tried to redirect him.

  “She’s number 88,” Sara said quietly, not looking at Sergei.

  “She is?” Sergei frowned, his stomach dropping. “She’s always worn 61, just like Zakk.”

  “For some dumb reason, she opted to change for the Olympics,” Sara murmured, still not looking at him.

  “That’s Daddy’s number,” Niko chirped up. “Mommy and Daddy have the same number.”

  “Buddy, didn’t we agree that Dani is Mama D, not Mommy?”

  Niko scowled, his blue eyes darkening. “Nyet.”

  It was never good when Niko reverted to Russian.

  “And she scores.” Aaron let out a whoop as Dani put the puck in the net behind the team’s goalie prospect, who was in net instead of their starting goalies.

  “Yay!” Niko wiggled off Sergei’s lap and did a dance around the room, shaking his butt in time to the music on the TV.

  That’s my girl, Sergei thought, even though he had no right to. That she was wearing his number had startled him. She’d worn the same number as Zakk all through high school and college; he’d never dreamed she would change for the Olympics. While it made him happy on one hand, it bothered him on another because it meant she wasn’t moving on. Toli had seen her last night and said she was pale and far too thin for someone as athletic as she was. Sergei had lost a few pounds himself and while he’d told himself it was because of the rigorous training schedule during training camp, it was actually because he wasn’t eating or sleeping as well as he should have been. Which meant she probably wasn’t either and he regretted being responsible for it.

  He turned back to the game and tried to focus.

  “That number 42 is fast,” Aaron commented.

  “That’s Hailey Dobson, Dani’s roommate,” Sara said. “She’s great. Dani likes her.”

  “She hot?” Aaron asked, taking out his phone and searching for her on the internet.

  “You in heat or what?” Jake laughed.

  “It’s been a while,” Aaron protested. “And the puck bunnies around here are scary.”

  “I’m pretty sure you won’t be getting any from a woman who lives in Colorado,” Sara pointed out.

  He scowled at her. “Thanks a lot.”

  “Hey, the prospects are pretty slim for me, too,” she protested. “It’s not like I’m getting any.”

  “I’m sure any number of the single guys on the team would be interested in hooking up,” Jake chuckled.

  She made a face. “Nah, I’m not going to get a reputation as the team’s Naughty Nanny or some such bullshit. I didn’t do it in Vegas and I’m sure as hell not going to do it here. Girl has to have some pride, you know?”

  “Same for guys,” Aaron sighed. “Hence why it’s been a while.”

  “I’m certainly not gettin’ any,” Jake muttered.

  Everyone turned to Sergei, who scowled. “Of course not. I don’t have time for that kind of shit.”

  “But you saw Veronika,” Sara said quietly.

  Silence fell over the room, despite the blaring of the TV.

  “I saw her,” Sergei said tightly, “but I didn’t take her out or sleep with her.”

  “Isn’t she going out with Matt?” Jake asked.

  “Apparently he kicked her to the curb and so she showed up here the other day. We sat outside and talked for a while, but I set her straight and sent her home. That’s not happening.”

  “That’s not what she thinks.”

  He frowned. “What do you mean?”

  Sara handed him her phone, open to the Instagram page of NikaV. There was a photograph of Sergei’s back yard with her feet, in high-heeled sandals, at the bottom of the image, captioned as “Chillin’ with @SergeiPetrov88.” It was followed by “#PerfectSummerDay.”

  “You have got to be kidding me,” he groaned. “We talked. That’s it.”

  “You better hope Dani hasn’t seen this.”

  “You didn’t show her?”

  “She’s had enough to worry about the last week, and she didn’t need anything else.”

  Sergei wanted to ask what Dani had been worried about, and it occurred to him she’d never updated him about her period. Had she gotten it? Had she gone to a doctor? Were there any m
ore pregnancy test results? He was such an asshole for not following up. Damn, he needed to talk to her, despite his desire to let her go. He kept trying to convince himself he’d done the right thing in telling her he wasn’t capable of loving her, but he found reasons to doubt himself almost every day, and it was getting old.

  Ten days, he told himself patiently. He’d see her in ten days in Colorado.

  30

  The team had been busy from the moment they arrived in Denver until they got to the arena, and Dani was chomping at the bit to see Sergei. He hadn’t texted or called, so she didn’t even know if he was aware she would be there. The team was probably warming up and she took off in that direction, anxious to get to ice level to watch, let him know she was here. Hailey was hot on her heels and they got right up to the glass, grinning as the players skated by.

  “Where is he?” Hailey whispered.

  “Not sure,” Dani whispered back. “He’s…there.” She motioned with her head and Hailey followed her gaze.

  “Damn, he’s even hotter in person.”

  “I know.” Dani’s hands were a little damp as she waited for Sergei to notice her. It was ridiculous to be so nervous after all they’d been through, but she’d be a wreck until he acknowledged her. Finally, not long before the warm-up period ended, she caught his eye. He froze and for a long moment they stood still, eyes locked, as if there was nothing but the two of them. A strange look crossed his face but it quickly morphed into a smile as he skated towards the glass.