Attacking Zone (Utah Fury Hockey Book 4)

by Brittney Mulliner

  But I couldn’t trust her.

  And she loved my rival.

  But most importantly, I don’t date.

  The guys on the team liked to hassle me about it, but I didn’t have time for a relationship. I needed to focus on my career.

  “Have a good day, Wyatt.”

  “You too.” I paused, realizing I didn’t know her name.

  “It’s Kendall.”

  I nodded, and she turned and walked to the counter.

  Finally, peace. I looked around the café making sure no one else felt the need to interrupt me. No one was paying me any attention, so I picked up my book and got back to reading.

  I only made it through a few paragraphs before my phone started ringing.

  Great.

  I picked it up and checked the screen. Erik was calling. I couldn’t ignore him, so I put my book down and answered.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “Reese and I are heading down early for a workout. You want to come?”

  We had a game tomorrow, so we were supposed to take it easy today, but I knew they would give me crap if I didn’t go. “Sure, I’ll be down in a half hour.”

  I started to gather my stuff before I stood and turned to the door. I was almost out when Kendall walked up. “I got you a to-go cup.”

  I eyed it. “No salt?”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I thought we were past that.”

  There was something about her. Maybe it was the fact she didn’t fawn over me like most women. The fact that she dared to stand up to me, helped me relax. “I still get a few days of teasing I think.”

  “Fine, but hopefully this shortens that time.”

  I accepted the cup and took a sip. It tasted normal. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  I paused. I should just walk away, but then I remembered the lonely look from earlier. “We have a game tomorrow. There’s a huge group of women that sit together, if you want to go you can sit with them. They’re really nice.”

  She seemed to consider it for a moment. “I don’t think I can betray my team.”

  I shrugged. “You don’t have to cheer for either team, just come and enjoy the game.”

  She smiled but shook her head. “I’m good.”

  I’d never had someone turn down tickets. I wasn’t sure what to do. Turn and walk away? Tell her she really was crazy?

  “Okay.” I pushed open the door expecting her to stop me, but she didn’t. She just let me walk away.

  This was another reason why I didn’t date. Women were confusing. I’d rather not waste my time trying to figure them out. If she wanted to be alone and miss out on a game, one for a sport she obviously loves, that was up to her.

  I pushed her out of my mind and hurried home. I didn’t have time to think about some woman from the café.

  I managed to evade the reporters on the way into my building. I was beginning to doubt their abilities. The team captain was able to come and go without notice just by wearing a baseball hat and sunglasses? Either they didn’t care about me or they were so focused on Noah and Colby that they didn’t see anyone else. I was fine with both options. It gave me freedom to come and go to the café and get negligibly insulted by a beautiful barista.

  There she was again.

  I needed to forget about her. Now. Nothing good could come from even thinking about her.

  Chapter Four

  Kendall

  I’m an idiot. A full-blown moron.

  Again.

  Joey came out form the back with her usual smirk. “Way to offend him again.”

  I shook my head. “I didn’t offend him.”

  She put a hand on her hip and shot me a very judgy look. “You turned down a gift. That’s rude.”

  I glowered at her. “The Harbor is my team. I can’t go watch the Fury’s play and cheer for them.”

  “Why not?”

  How did she not get it? “Because that’s traitorous.”

  She pursed her lips and paused. “So, you don’t have other plans or any other logical excuse?”

  I shrugged. Did I need one? “No.”

  She threw her arms in the air. “You silly girl. He was trying to be nice, which he has no reason to do, and you turned him down.”

  She was right. He had no reason to be kind to me. To offer me a ticket. And what had I done? I shot him down. Great. Now when I did want to go to a game, I’d be out of luck. It’s not like I could afford a ticket on my meager tips.

  I stood straighter and pretended to organize things. “Well, it’s done. No use in making me feel bad.”

  She finally smiled. “Fine. I’ll let you think about the mistake you made for the rest of your shift. Matt left already, so you’re on your own till you clock out. Are you ready for that?”

  I knew I was closing based on the schedule, but I didn’t know I’d be alone.

  “Yeah, sure.” I sounded much more confident than I felt.

  She smiled. “I have all the instructions written down for how to cash out the register and what to clean. Don’t forget to lock up. You can drop the key back inside through the mail drop. We only have one right now for you and Matt, so I don’t want it lost.”

  “Sounds good.”

  She went to the back room and came back with a binder. “All of the instructions are in here. You can call me if you have any problems.”

  “I’ve got this. Don’t worry.” I could follow directions. Matt closed all the time. Surely, I could figure it out.

  “I know you do.” She pulled her purse strap over her shoulder and looked around the near empty café. “I heard there’s a winter storm that’s supposed to come in. So, if it’s dead around six you can close early.”

  “A winter storm in April?”

  Her smile grew. “Welcome to Utah.”

  With that she walked out leaving me completely alone for the first time. I could handle this. I’d worked at a café back home, so I knew how to deal with the machines and supplies, it was the register that made me nervous. Joey had recently upgraded to a fancy-pants tablet register. It was supposed to be an all in one computer, inventory manager, and register.

  I was used to a simple cash drawer and receipts.

  Still, I could do this. I’m getting a master’s degree, for heavens sakes.

  Closing down would be easy. As long as I made it that long. It had been a slow day at the café. That’s why I’d been able to sit and talk with Wyatt. I’d helped less than a handful of people so far.

  Maybe a storm really was coming.

  I grabbed a rag and started wiping off the tables. The skies looked clear and blue when I looked out the front windows. I shook my head and went back to cleaning.

  A few hours later, things had completely changed. The sky was dark grey, threatening. The café had been empty for over an hour. I’d thoroughly cleaned everything, even the floors and bathrooms.

  I stepped outside, but the street was empty.

  The air was shockingly cold. It had been a nice day. What happened?

  I checked the clock and saw it was already five thirty. It was probably safe to start closing down.

  Things with the register went surprisingly smoothly. I put the cash deposit in an envelope and locked it in the safe before grabbing my bag on the way to the front. I took the key and locked the door then dropped it back inside.

  Done.

  I did it. No calls. No help.

  I turned to face the sidewalk and gasped. There was at least another inch of snow on the ground from the last time I’d check, and it was coming down like Christmas morning.

  Where had this come from?

  I pulled my thin hoodie tighter around me. It was plenty when I left the house this morning, but now I needed a full coat. I hurried to my car, parked down the street. I slid into the driver seat and shut the door quickly behind me, so no snow followed me in.

  I shoved my key in the ignition and nearly cried when nothing happened.

  I t
ried again and again and again.

  No rough sounds. No lights. Nothing. My car was completely dead.

  I looked out my window where at least another half inch of snow had been added. This was crazy! How was it snowing this much?

  Should I call someone?

  Who?

  Uncle David. He would know what to do, but he was on the other side of the country. There was nothing he could do except listen to me complain.

  I’d have to call for a tow. Not that I could afford one. I dropped my head to the steering wheel. This was not what I needed. I didn’t have money for car troubles.

  A knock on the window scared me to the point of screaming.

  A gloved hand waved at me. I couldn’t see through my window though. Who was there? A murderer? A crazy person?

  A murderous crazy person that waved at their prey first? Not likely.

  I opened the door and peeked out. “I’m fine.”

  Before I could pull the door shut, the hand grabbed it and pulled it open further.

  This was it. I was going to die.

  “Kendall?”

  He knew my name? It was a stalker. He’d had this planned!

  The hand disappeared, and a face came into view.

  It was Wyatt.

  Of all the luck…

  I took a deep breath and relaxed. “It’s you.”

  He reluctantly smiled. “Yeah, it’s me.” His face softened a bit as his smile grew. It was almost enough to warm my shivering body.

  “Sorry I scared you. I was coming down the street and saw you get in, but when you didn’t start it I thought maybe you needed some help.”

  I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Then why don’t you start your car?”

  I froze. “Um…I’m waiting for a friend.”

  I didn’t want him to think I was here helpless and alone. If he was sketchy, I hoped telling him someone else was coming would scare him away.

  His eyes crinkled like he was trying to stop a smile. “Good try. Your car won’t start and I’m not leaving you alone in this storm. I live just up the street. Come stay with me until it passes. Then we’ll get someone to come out and take a look.”

  I waved him off. “I can call right now.”

  This time he laughed. “No one’s going to come. I guarantee you there are already dozens of accidents on the freeway. Everyone’s priority is cleaning up those messes. You’ll be waiting all night.”

  Nope. No way.

  His smile grew. “I have hot chocolate.”

  I narrowed my eyes. Now he was trying to lure me in?

  “I also have quite the movie selection.”

  Yeah, so did anyone with a Netflix account.

  “And heating.”

  Alright. That almost got me. I’d only been out here for a few minutes and I was already freezing. I shook my head.

  He waited for another moment before shrugging. “Fine. I just wanted to offer.” He backed away with a single nod before turning around.

  Great. I was going to be buried alive in my crappy old car in a stupid blizzard now.

  I bit down on my lip.

  I didn’t have to die out here. I just needed to ask. Speak up. I blew out a breath.

  “Hey Wyatt?”

  He spun to face me with raised brows.

  “Fine.” I cracked, probably because I was going numb from the cold. “If the offer still stands, I’d like to go.”

  I waited for a joke or snide remark, but he just walked back toward me and opened the door all the way then waited for me to shut and lock it before leading me back to his car, a SUV, a Toyota like mine. Why on earth would he drive a car like this when he could afford literally anything he wanted?

  Not that it wasn’t nice. He opened the passenger door and I slid into smooth leather seats. Yeah, it was very nice, but nothing extraordinary. Not what I pictured the captain of the Fury driving, like one of those fancy Italian sports cars.

  He got in and I tried not to look around too much. I was waiting to see a diamond encrusted cup holder, a fancy stereo, a marble dashboard, something, anything for this to make sense. We only went two blocks before he pulled into a parking garage.

  Huh. He lived so close. No wonder he came to my café.

  He got out and I followed him to the elevator. We stepped in and he remained silent. I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to know, even if it wasn’t any of my business.

  “What’s with your car?” I asked.

  He looked at me with furrowed brows. “What?”

  “Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice. Way nicer than anything I could afford, but it just seems….so normal.”

  He shrugged. “Not every athlete likes to flaunt their money. Plus, that’s my winter car. I drive my Mercedes when the weather is dry.”

  I looked to him to see if he was joking. I didn’t think he was.

  He shrugged. “I know it’s a bit much, but the Mercedes was a gift from my parents when I got into the NHL. I bought the SUV myself. I don’t like to be a show off or be one of those pain-in-the-you know-what athletes.”

  Who was this guy? Really?

  “Money’s not that big of a deal. I like to spend mine on charity.”

  He seemed to have really thought about this. He didn’t just spend everything he could on making himself look better. “Not many athletes do that.”

  “No. They don’t.” He shrugged. “I don’t want to be one of those stories you hear about. The ones that lose everything. I know I’ve been very blessed and I’m not going to take that for granted.”

  I nodded and followed him off the elevator.

  He led me down the hall and stopped at the last door. He unlocked it and opened it for me. I stepped in as he turned on the lights. The living room and kitchen were visible from the entryway. Everything was so nice. Much nicer than my apartment or my home back in Fort Meade.

  Once again though, I was taken back by how normal everything was. It wasn’t some penthouse or luxury apartment overlooking the city. It was something anyone could live in.

  “This is nice.” I turned and smiled.

  “It’s everything I need.” He set his bag down and moved to the kitchen.

  I walked further in, examining the kitchen and living room. It looked well put together. Not quite like a designer helped, but as though someone with taste made sure things went together

  He opened the fridge. “I’m starving? I’m going to make some pasta, want any?”

  I shook my head. “Oh no. I’m fine.”

  He eyed me but finally nodded, took off his jacket, and stared pulling out ingredients. I realized then he was wearing workout clothes, not the jeans and shirt I’d seen him in earlier. I didn’t want to stare but it was hard. The shirt was just so tight, showcasing his muscles. He looked larger than life. Like one of the actors in the super hero movies.

  I guess being buff was one perk of being a professional athlete.

  I walked toward a row of framed pictures and studied each one. Wyatt as a teen wearing a white and green jersey. Him with his parents, I assumed. Him with the Fury, holding the Stanley Cup. All of them were hockey related. No friends besides teammates. No women. No family, except that one.

  He was nothing like what I pictured him to be. In interviews he was always so confident and direct. A leader. You could see how hard he worked and how much each game meant to him.

  In person, he was different. Calmer. More reserved.

  Which one was real?

  “I’ll be done in just take a few minutes, you can relax if you want.” He called while I walked through the living room.

  “Thanks.” I wandered over to the leather couch and sat gingerly on it. It smelled and felt new. Still supple. Nothing like the old green musty couch in my apartment. I ran my hand over the silky-smooth material and sighed.

  I looked around the room and it finally hit me. I was in his home.

  I was in Wyatt Hartman’s home.

  Never in
a million years would I have ever thought this would happen. I didn’t think I’d meet a famous person in real life, let alone a hockey player. They were rare creatures you saw on TV.

  This was so weird. This made me nervous. I was so afraid I was going to mess it all up with yet another goof.

  The weirdest part was how normal everything was. I didn’t think of him as just the Fury captain. He was the guy from the café. The one I’d messed with. The one I’d talked to. But that was on my turf.

  It was like we went from the neutral zone, to the attacking zone. I was in his space. He had the advantage. He could score. Who knew what he would do as revenge.

  Chapter Five

  Wyatt

  I looked over my shoulder at Kendall. She was sitting silently on the couch. Looking uncomfortable. Probably because she tricked me the first time I met her. And because of her unfounded hatred for me and my team. I kept expecting her to mess with me. Like at any moment she would do something to make me regret inviting her here.

  I wasn’t sure why I did. I was on my way home from practice when I saw her try to start the car. I had pulled over when I saw her forehead drop to the steering wheel. I knew that level of frustration. I had to help.

  I mean, I wasn’t going to leave her out in the cold, but I could have driven her home. She couldn’t live too far away. But no, I brought her here. I told her it was because I lived so close, but that wasn’t it. I was curious. She was full of contradictions, and I couldn’t quite figure her out.

  I stirred the pesto sauce and tested a noodle. Everything was ready. I filled two plates and set them out on the bar before pouring water into glasses.

  “It’s ready.”

  She jumped up and turned looking at the bar. “You didn’t have to make me anything.”

  “My mother would kill me if she heard I wasn’t a good host. Now come on.”

  When she got close, she eyed the plate and glass suspiciously.

  I smirked and sat down. “It crossed my mind, trust me. But I didn’t do anything.”

  A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Promise?”

  “I promise.”

  She finally sat next to me and grinned. “Thanks. I couldn’t really blame you if you did. I deserve it.”