Game On (Hometown Players Book 6)

by Victoria Denault

  He grins. “I hope I did too.”

  As I make my way down the sidewalk, my stomach is rumbling in protest at leaving that lasagna behind. The weather is ominous, dark clouds hiding the sun and a blustery wind has started. I wonder where Mac is. That coat she had on seemed warm, but it was also ripped. I regret not buying her a hotel room somewhere, but I bet she’d have accused me of wanting bad things from her if I did it. Or she’d worry I was going to call the police on her. I really hope she meets me tomorrow.

  I pull my phone out and text Luc like Devin suggested to see if he’s free for dinner. He texts back almost right away and says he and Rose are just sitting down to order dinner at a pub a few blocks away. He tells me to come meet them and includes the address. Fifteen minutes later, half a block from the pub, the rain starts. I move faster, ducking under awnings and make it into the restaurant without getting too drenched. I spot Luc and Rose at a table near the back and wave as I make my way over.

  We have two days off without games, which Luc explains Rose has packed with wedding planning. I’m almost jealous of him because at least he has something to do. Other than the fund-raiser in the Hamptons for Daphne’s House tomorrow night and a practice Sunday afternoon, I’ve got nothing planned. I figure I’ll busy myself buying new furniture for my new place, but that will probably take all of twenty minutes and a few clicks on some websites.

  “I thought you were having dinner with Callie and Devin. She was making her famous lasagna,” Rose says as the waiter brings our drink orders over.

  I nod and then concentrate on taking the paper off my straw to buy myself some time. I don’t think I can tell her Callie is in the middle of a pregnancy scare so I need the time to figure out a lie. “She thinks she still has the flu, so we postponed. I can’t get sick.”

  “Why not? At least then the coach would have a legitimate reason to bench you,” Luc quips and gives me a sympathetic smile. “He’s being a dick, for the record.”

  “Thanks,” I say, smiling.

  “So since we have time off, you should have a housewarming this weekend and invite us all over,” Rose announces and I almost choke on my diet Sprite. Luc shakes his head at her. She tries to look innocent. “What? He has to have a housewarming sometime. It might as well be now.”

  “I do?” I question and shrug. “I’ve never had one before.”

  “Well that’s simply unacceptable,” Rose says. “Every house needs a party to break it in, make it feel loved.”

  “She’s a crazy person,” Luc informs me with a grin that says he wouldn’t have it any other way. “But if you don’t plan one, she’ll plan it for you.”

  “I’ll have one, but I can’t this weekend,” I explain. “I’m attending a fund-raiser tomorrow and besides, I don’t have any furniture other than a bed. I could still have a party with just that, but it’s not a party I’d invite old married people like you to.”

  Luc laughs. Rose turns pink and shakes her head. “You single hockey players are the worst.”

  “What’s your fund-raiser for?” Luc asks as the waiter comes back over with our meals. I try not to stare too longingly at the cheeseburger Rose got. I got a Greek grilled chicken wrap with a spinach salad, which are probably delicious but don’t look as appealing. Luc must agree because he leans over Rose’s plate and inhales deeply with his eyes closed before picking up a fork and diving into his grilled salmon.

  “A thing for kids,” I mutter vaguely even though Callie told me Rose would love Daphne’s House. I reach into the pocket of my coat on the bench beside me and pull out the pamphlet about the place I have for Mac and slide it across the tabletop.

  Rose pops a sweet potato fry into her mouth, wipes her fingers on her napkin and the takes the pamphlet. Her chewing gets slower and slower as she reads, her eyes narrowing with focus. She looks at Luc, excited. “It’s like Hope House that you did a fund-raiser for back home!”

  Luc, who was reading along with her nods and swallows down a hunk of salmon. “Seems similar, yeah. You were looking to volunteer at a place like that. This could be perfect.”

  She nods so vigorously. Luc looks over at me. “How’d you find this place?”

  “I was looking for a place to volunteer.” I shrug and give him a cheeky grin. “Court-ordered community service.”

  He laughs. Rose ignores the joke and leans forward. “Where do I get tickets to the fund-raiser? Why are you just telling us about this now?”

  “It’s all the way out in the Hamptons,” I explain.

  “Oh no. A night at the beach. How horrible,” she exclaims, every word dripping with sarcasm.

  I turn to Luc and smile. “I can totally tell she’s related to Callie right now.”

  He chuffs out a laugh. “And just like Jessie when she gets set on something, there is no talking her out of it. So you should tell us where to buy tickets.”

  I tap the bottom of the brochure. “If there are any left, you can order them from the website. If they say sold out, text me and I’ll try to pull strings. But no promises. The director kind of hates me.”

  “Why would he hate you?” Rose asks innocently.

  I move my gaze from her to Luc. “It’s a her, a woman who heard me compliment her ass in a coffee shop and got offended.”

  Rose looks confused, but Luc’s face is awash in recognition. “Holy shit! That chick who spoke French? She’s the director of this place?”

  He’s laughing so hard I don’t think he even notices I’m frowning. Rose looks clueless. “What am I missing?”

  Before I can stop him, Luc gleefully tells her about the incident at Starbucks and then Rose is laughing too. I groan and finish the last of my wrap. “Of all the women in all the youth homes…yeah, I have horrible luck.”

  “I don’t know,” Rose says, smiling. “Sounds like fate to me.”

  “Oh no…Fleur, I love you and all the romantic bones in your body, but this is not some new love story starting up,” Luc tells her and leans over and kisses her cheek. “She looked at him like he was contagious.”

  “Thanks,” I say, but I chuckle because it is true. “And she still does. You can see for yourself if you guys come to the fund-raiser.”

  “I’ll buy tickets as soon as we get home,” Rose announces happily.

  “Thanks, mon ami,” Luc gripes, but he’s smiling. “I love having to wear a suit on my day off. Because wearing them to games isn’t enough.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t take so much joy in my pain and I won’t take joy in yours,” I quip.

  Rose rolls her eyes at us and turns to Luc. “We’ll spend the night in the Hamptons. I’ll find a bed-and-breakfast. I’ll make it worth your while.”

  She has a look on her face that makes Luc’s expression get darker and definitely more intimate, like he doesn’t realize everyone in this place can see the lust on his face. I clear my throat to remind him I’m alive as I reach for my wallet.

  “I’m going to go. My new bed was delivered this afternoon and I can’t wait to give it a test drive.” I drop twenty bucks on the table and lean over it, closer to Luc. “Looks like you are going to thank me for inviting you to this fund-raiser.”

  “I hope so,” Luc replies. “I forgot how much she loves beach getaways.”

  Rose gets out of the booth and hugs me good-bye. “See you tomorrow night.”

  Chapter 7

  Brie

  Len smiles at me as she carries over two glasses of champagne. She hands me one and then leans in and kisses my cheek. “It’s a fantastic event.”

  “I’m not willing to admit victory until the final numbers are in,” I tell her, but I smile. We sold out of tickets and everyone is having a great time and there’s been a lot of activity at the table showcasing the auction items.

  “I heard two guys from your dad’s office talking about outbidding each other on the deep-sea fishing trip,” Len says. “And a woman was telling her friend over by the pool that she will do anything for that Barons hockey package.�
��

  I nod at that and my brain instantly goes to Alex. Len told me she saw him walk in about half an hour ago with a pretty brunette. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was looking for him. But the party is spread out all over the first floor of the house and spills out onto the sprawling backyard, since the weather is unseasonably warm for October and that pesky rain from yesterday completely disappeared. We haven’t even had to turn on all the portable heaters yet and it’s almost nine at night.

  “Where’s Vic?” Len asks as she sips champagne.

  “Victor,” I reply pointedly, “is on the patio with his buddies from his office.”

  “Did he bring any cute ones this time?” Len asks. “Does he even have any cute friends?”

  “Of course he has attractive friends,” I reply and roll my eyes. “But I don’t think any of the guys he invited tonight would be your cup of tea. Two are married, one is gay and the other is going through a rough divorce. It’s all he talks about.”

  “Ugh,” Len sighs dramatically and then perks up instantly. “Maybe you can give him therapy and make him datable again.”

  I laugh. “I specialize in family and child therapy, Lennie.”

  “Let’s be honest, most men are just overgrown children, so it’s not out of your wheelhouse,” she says tartly and I laugh. Her blue eyes widen and she points, very obviously, at a stunning woman in a red cocktail dress. “Oh! That’s the woman Alex came with. I told you she was pretty.”

  I take in the woman walking in from the patio. Her hair is long and silky and a rich color that may actually be more black than brown. Her skin is like flawless alabaster and the perfect amount of smoky makeup accentuates her wide dark brown eyes. The dress is flirty and cute but also clinging enough to all the right places to make sure everyone in this room knows she’s got a killer figure.

  “That isn’t the fiancée of the Seattle teammate, is it? The one he was apparently getting jiggy with on that road trip?” Len asks in a lower whisper.

  I shake my head no, because I hate to admit it but I kind of memorized that dubious photo. “That woman had longer, lighter brown hair and much lighter eyes. She seemed taller and had more of an athletic build. Not that I analyzed it or anything…”

  Len barks out a “Ha!” so loud that a couple near us turns to look. I smile politely and tug her over a few feet to an area near the fireplace where no one is congregating. “Are you interested in Alex?”

  “What? Oh God no!” Now it’s my turn to laugh. “I have a boyfriend. And also, he’s not my type.”

  “Let’s pretend Victor doesn’t exist for a second.” She pauses and smiles way too happily at that idea. “You’re single. You’re so single you’re contemplating getting a cat. Are you interested in him?”

  I roll my eyes. “No. He’s still not my type.”

  “What about him is not your type?” Len asks. “Is it the rugged, Greek god–like physique? Or is it the fact that he’s got a beautiful face even with all the scars and nicks? Or wait! I know! It’s the charm and sex appeal that seeps out of every pore on his body. That’s not what you’re looking for right? I mean what woman would want that?”

  “You should give up accounting and become a comedian.” I take a gulp of champagne so big the bubbles make my nose tingle. My eyes land on Alex’s date again as she reaches for her own glass of champagne. “It’s the fact that he reportedly messes around with women who don’t belong to him.”

  “You don’t know the details about that Seattle thing,” Len reminds me.

  “No, but you said he came with her and she’s wearing a ring the size of a Fiat.” I nod toward the mystery date again and watch as Len’s eyes find what I couldn’t help but notice as she reached for her champagne.

  “Lordy! I bet that thing can be seen from space,” Len gasps. “And here he comes!”

  I turn and see Alex walking toward the girl in red. He must feel the weight of our eyes because he turns his gaze to us. Len grins and waves and I nod. He leans in to say something to the woman when he reaches her and then he’s got a hand on her back, guiding her toward us.

  As soon as they reach us, he opens his mouth to say something, but Len steps forward and speaks first. “Hi! I’m Len Levitt. I volunteer at Daphne’s House. This is Brie Bennett, she’s the director.”

  I extend my hand. “You must be Alex’s fiancée?”

  Len chokes on her champagne. Hard.

  “Oh my God! Are you okay?” Red Dress asks Len, eyes filled with concern. She hands Len her cocktail napkin and gently pats her on the back. “Alex, get her some water.”

  “I’m fine,” Len manages to spit out. “Thank you, though.”

  “Len and Brie, this is my friend, Rose Caplan,” Alex explains, glaring at me.

  “Oh. I just saw your lovely ring and I thought…” I let my sentence trail off.

  “She’s engaged to my teammate, Luc,” Alex explains and gives me a tight smile. “She’s a teacher and she’s also very interested in Daphne’s House.”

  “Nice to meet you, Rose,” I say, quickly absorbing this new information. “I’d be happy to answer any of your questions about the charity, and thank you so much for attending tonight.”

  “If Brie doesn’t have the answer I’m sure her mom and dad do,” Alex says with a big, fake smile on his face. “Mommy and Daddy own the place, don’t they, Brie?”

  Mommy and Daddy?

  I hesitate. His condescending tone makes me want to tell him the truth. I open my mouth to explain, when Luc, his friend from the Starbucks, is suddenly standing beside me. Rose’s face lights up and she reaches for him. “This is my fiancé, Luc. Luc this is Brie and Len. They work with the charity.”

  Luc shakes both our hands. “Nice to see you again.”

  “You too.” Len is staring at him, openmouthed, so I subtly nudge her.

  “This is a great event. And a great cause. I’ve done a fund-raiser for a similar place in Maine called Hope House. Have you heard of it?”

  “Yes! I worked closely with Keith Duncan when he was starting it. He based his place on us.” I’m really excited that they’re genuinely interested.

  “Rose has been itching to find a place like this here in New York to volunteer with,” Luc says. Rose nods as he weaves their fingers together. “We both grew up without real parents so we know how necessary this type of thing is.”

  “Oh.” I’m totally stunned by that statement. “Were you in foster care?”

  Rose shakes her head and her face darkens a bit. “My sisters and I essentially raised ourselves, and Luc was lucky enough to have family friends take him in.”

  I’m more than stunned; I’m blown away really. Len clearly is too. “Make sure you give us your contact info because we’re always in need of volunteers.”

  “And our kids are always looking for tutoring help so they can improve their GPA or get help passing their GED.”

  “I would love to tutor them,” she says.

  Len pulls out her cell phone from her purse and starts to take Rose’s info as I feel a warm hand on my back. I look up and see Victor. His eyes are darting from Luc to Alex. “Hey. Barons, right?”

  They both nod and introduce themselves. Victor shifts his glass to his other hand and shakes with Luc and then Alex. “Larue, right? You just got traded here from San Diego? Brie mentioned you were volunteering. Taking the kids jogging something.”

  “Yeah. Among other things,” Alex says with a nod.

  “Just don’t teach them how to cross-check or slew foot.” Victor chuckles. “Hockey’s violent, but Daphne’s House isn’t.”

  I think he thinks that’s funny, but even I don’t and I’m one of the only people who laughs at his jokes. Before anyone can react, or I can figure out how to subtly apologize, Victor looks at me. “They’re going to start the auction, honey. The MC wanted me to get you. I guess he has some questions before he starts.”

  “Oh. Okay.” My eyes move from Alex to Luc to Rose. “Excuse me. It was so great m
eeting you and I hope we can chat again before the night is over.”

  I take Victor’s hand and tug him away with me because I don’t want him to stay and keep insulting their profession. My dad is by the side of the small stage we set up under a tent on the patio. He’s talking to the MC, a local radio personality he knows. His face lights up when he sees me and he pulls me into a hug. “There’s my girl.”

  I close my eyes and absorb his hug, which I swear is a cure for everything. I instantly feel better and calmer as we break apart. He introduces me to the MC, who asks a few quick questions and then walks to the back of the stage to check on the mic.

  My dad leans in and shakes Victor’s hand as Victor says, “Good to see you again, sir.”

  My dad nods. I’m not sure he’s a huge fan of Victor’s, but he’s never been a big fan of any of my boyfriends, so I don’t let it bug me.

  “The event is going well,” my dad says. “Everyone is raving about the food and there’s been a big buzz about the auction items.”

  “Good. I’m glad!” I reply. “Thanks again to you and Mom for letting me host this here. And strong-arming all your rich friends into coming.”

  He laughs at that, his gray eyes crinkling in the corners. “My friends didn’t have to be strong armed. They know a good cause when they see it and they’re more than willing to support it. Except for William. That cheap bastard had to be strong-armed. But I reminded him about all the damn stuff he made me donate to when Len, Lance and Louis were kids and involved in all those ‘Save the Everything’ campaigns so he owes me.”

  I laugh. The whole reason I know Len is because my dad and her dad have been best friends since they were children. “All those things Len supported were good causes too.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” he says, winking at me. “Your mom is very proud too. She’s around here somewhere probably pressuring people to bid on auction items.”