Match Penalty (Utah Fury Hockey Book 2)

by Brittney Mulliner

  “Now what?”

  His voice broke through my thoughts and I looked up. His smirk meant I was caught. I needed to stop checking him out.

  I ignored the look and directed him to sit on the ground. He struggled a bit to get down but didn’t complain.

  “Keep your knees bent but lay back.”

  He followed while smiling at me. Stupid man with stupid lips and very stupid abs. I should have told him to put a shirt on.

  “Slide your heel as far back as you can then extend it. Three reps of eight.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He began the exercise while I focused on the poster hanging on the wall across from me. It was the most fascinating thing in the room. So interesting I couldn’t, wouldn’t, pull my eyes away.

  “So, how’d you and the suit end up together?”

  I pulled my eyes away from my focal point and looked down at him. “What?”

  “You and the guy.”

  I rolled my eyes. I’d told him Clark’s name multiple times. “Clark and I met in grad school.”

  “Clark.” He overenunciated the word like it was something bad. “How does the old man feel about Clark.”

  “He would kill you if he heard you call him that.”

  He shrugged. “I’m not afraid of Coach.”

  I shook my head. Liar. All of his players were. For good reason. He was tough and could make or break their careers. He also helped them win championships.

  “So? Does he have dad’s approval?”

  It wasn’t any of his business, but I felt the stupid need to defend Clark. “He does. They really get along.”

  “And your mom?” He watched me closely.

  I crossed my arms. “Calls him son.”

  He nodded.

  “You stopped.”

  “Sorry.” He started the excise again. “I just don’t get it.”

  “Get what?”

  He cringed but quickly replaced it with a smile. “You and him. He seems so dry. Boring.”

  “You don’t even know him. Or me. I could be just as boring.”

  He smirked. “I know he showed up to the party for a snow day in a suit.”

  I wanted to swat him with my clipboard. “That—”

  “And he was on his phone the whole time.”

  Well, that was mostly true. Although, he did hang up to talk to the mayor.

  “You don’t light up when you talk about him.”

  “What?” This guy didn’t know me or Clark, yet he was commenting on my life like he had some right. And the worst part, he might be right.

  “Whenever you mention Reese around Chloe, she smiles, she’s happy, she practically glows.”

  That was true. It was pretty cute.

  “You don’t.”

  I pursed my lips, ready to tell him off when I realized it was kind of true. I didn’t get excited to see him or talk to him anymore.

  When did that happen?

  We haven’t been spending very much time together lately. Well, even before we moved here. That should make me miss him. Look forward to seeing him. But I’d grown used to being on my own. I was fine when he was gone. We went days without being at home at the same time. We were more like roommates than a couple.

  Our lives were going two different directions. But that didn’t have to continue. We had a plan. We just needed to get back on track.

  I repeated that to myself until Erik announced he was finished.

  “Good. Stay there.” I grabbed a foam roller from a cabinet and brought it back. “Lift your leg a bit.” I slid it under his knee. “Try to touch your heel to the ground then straighten your leg.”

  “How many?”

  “Hold in each position for six seconds. Three reps of ten.”

  He groaned but didn’t say anything. I was grateful he dropped the subject and didn’t grill me about Clark anymore. The spark had been there before. We could get it back.

  “What were you working on before I got here?” I pretended like it was my business. Like I had a right to know.

  “Just arms and back.”

  I nodded. “Good, just don’t overdo it.”

  “Yes, boss.”

  Oh good. I went from ma’am to boss.

  I watched him for any signs of fatigue, but he was doing surprisingly well. “The doctors said it was a grade two tear, right?”

  “Yeah.” He grunted while holding his leg straight. He got lucky. A complete tear would have been so much worse. I doubted he felt very lucky, though.

  “I scheduled a massage for you tomorrow. I want you to rest for the evening. Keep your knee elevated as much as possible.”

  He nodded and continued his reps. He was disciplined. I had to give him that. If he kept this focus, recovery should go according to plan.

  “What am I supposed to do all night?” He bent his knee and blew out a breath.

  I shrugged. “Watch a movie? Watch games? Play cards? The possibilities are endless.”

  “All of that is boring alone.”

  I lowered the clipboard and looked at him. “Chloe will be with you.”

  He shook his head and straightened his leg. “I kicked her out. I don’t think she’s coming back. Yet.”

  “Why did you do that?” They were more than siblings. They were best friends. It didn’t make sense.

  “I’m trying to prove I don’t need her. That I can do this on my own.”

  “Well, that’s stupid.”

  He shot a glare at me before focusing on his knee.

  “It is. You have someone who cares about you that is willing and able to help you and you kicked her out. Don’t you know how lucky you are? I have tons of patients that have to go through their recovery alone, not by choice. They would give anything to have someone to help them.”

  He ignored me, so I continued.

  “Get over your pride, Erik. You’re not proving anything. You’re making your life harder and I’m sure it’s stressing her out.”

  That seemed to strike a chord in him. He cringed just a bit. “She’s not always going to be around. I need to get used to it now.”

  So that’s what this was really about. Chloe was getting more serious with Reese and Erik didn’t want her to leave.

  “So, you’re kicking her out because she has a boyfriend?”

  He scoffed but didn’t deny it.

  “Do you not like Reese?”

  He shook his head. “What? No. He’s my friend.”

  “So, you don’t like them together?”

  “You don’t get it. I’m happy for them. I am.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  He glared at the wall, ignoring me.

  “You don’t like that she’s growing up? Moving on without you?”

  The wall should have a hole in it by now.

  “I know you two have always had each other. Dad told me you guys have been inseparable since you got on the team. You know they’re close to getting married. She’s going to move out, so you’re pushing her away now.”

  The silence was my answer. I’d figured him out. He was being stupid. He was hurting them both now for no reason. Chloe hadn’t told me, but I knew it would be killing her. She told me about the fight they had when she started dating Reese. This seemed even worse.

  “You’re done.”

  His head popped up and he looked confused. “We still have thirty minutes.”

  “I don’t want to push you too hard on the first day.”

  “I can do more.”

  I shook my head. “Not today.”

  He stood and ran his towel over his face. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I watched him walk away until he was at the door. “Talk to her.”

  He paused for a moment, then left.

  He was too stubborn. He was going to need all the support he could get right now, but he was too bull-headed to realize it.

  If he didn’t fix this by tomorrow, I was going to have to take matters into my own hands.

  Chapter Ten
>
  Erik

  Chloe came back. Her bags had been in her car the whole time, and when she parked in front of our building, she came in with me. I hadn’t expected it. I thought I would have to beg and grovel. I should have known. She’s a better person than me. She knew I needed her.

  Madeline was right.

  “You should shower. You stink.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I had two training sessions.”

  “No excuses. Go clean up. I’ll make dinner.”

  I raised an eyebrow and waited.

  “Okay, I’ll order something.”

  I laughed on my way down the hall. Reese had confessed he did most of the cooking on their nights in. Chloe tried. She did. But she just wasn’t good. I blame our parents. They didn’t make her cook. Or me. Not that I was around much to learn.

  Our mom was a fantastic baker and Dad was pretty great at everything else. They enjoyed it, so we were never required to learn. They swore one day they’d teach us their secrets, but they never had the chance.

  Once I was clean and dressed, I limped my way back to the kitchen. My favorite Chinese food was spread out across the island.

  “Thanks.”

  “Of course. Just remember to cut down on your carbs since you’re not training as hard.”

  I gave her a look as I made up a plate. “Thanks for the tip.”

  She shrugged. “I know. You’ve got this. I just wanted to remind you.”

  “Remind me that I’m not able to play?”

  “No need for that tone. I’m on your side, remember.”

  She was right. I couldn’t take out my anger at the situation on her. I’d be hungry and helpless if I offended her and she left again.

  “Sorry.”

  “Come on. That talent show started last night and I recorded it.”

  I sat on the couch next to her and rested my leg on the coffee table.

  “Do you want some ice?”

  I shook my head. “Maybe after we eat.”

  She turned on the show and sat back. “Are you still coming to Olli and Emma’s housewarming?”

  “Tomorrow right?” I took a bit of chow mien and chewed while a guy threw flaming pins in the air and juggled them.

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay.”

  She left me alone for the rest of the night. She cleaned up dinner and went into her room. I stayed up for a few hours watching game highlights. It might not have been necessary since I wouldn’t be dressing out for a while, but I wasn’t going to let myself break habits. Getting sloppy or complacent now would show when I got back.

  The team played on Sunday, so we actually had a light Saturday. I worked out with the team, as much as I could, and told them I’d see them later at Olli’s.

  When I walked through the door to my apartment I froze.

  There was an unfamiliar scent.

  Chocolate?

  I sniffed.

  No.

  We didn’t have desserts in the house. Well, besides Chloe’s not-so-secret ice cream stash.

  “What’s that?”

  I dropped my bag in the living room and met Chloe in the kitchen.

  She spun still holding a bowl and spoon. “I’m making brownies!”

  Oh no.

  She wasn’t allowed to use the oven.

  Not after she tried cooking a pizza. Still in the plastic wrap. For an hour.

  I bought a new stove after that.

  “Why?”

  “The rest of the Pride was volunteering to bring stuff tonight, so I said I’d bring a dessert.”

  “Why didn’t you stop at a bakery?”

  She gave me an incredulous look. “I can do this.”

  I narrowed my eyes.

  “I can. I’m even making a batch with protein powder, so you guys can eat them.”

  “That sounds…interesting.”

  She dropped the bowl on the counter with a heavy thud. “I found the recipe online. It’s healthy and yummy.”

  I shook my head and walked out.

  “I’ve been practicing with Reese.”

  “Poor guy.” I mumbled.

  She appeared at the entrance to the hallway. “What?”

  “I’m going to shower.”

  I’d have to warn everyone before they tried those. I’d have them take one and find a way to throw it out without her seeing us.

  She tried her best. She did. But with me being out the team couldn’t afford everyone getting food poisoning.

  I got ready and pulled on a T-shirt before meeting Chloe in the living room.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yup.” I grabbed my keys and ushered her out the door.

  She directed me to Olli and Emma’s new house in the foothills of the mountains. It was about thirty minutes from the arena, but I realized why Olli would make the sacrifice when we pulled up to the gate.

  There was a security guard checking names, and he let us in after checking both of our IDs.

  “Was that really necessary?” Chloe rolled her eyes.

  “We have security at the building too.”

  She shrugged.

  I pulled up the drive and parked behind Hartman’s car. I got out and waited for Chloe. The house looked like it belonged in the mountains with large wood columns and stonework across the front.

  “Wow.” Yeah. That was the best word for it. Maybe they were onto something. Sure, the penthouse was convenient, but it didn’t feel like a home. Not like this.

  “I should get me one of these.”

  Chloe laughed. “It would be so quiet. It’s too big for just you.”

  I almost said she’d live with me, but then I remembered she wouldn’t. I’d have to tell Reese how much she likes it. They could be neighbors.

  We let ourselves in and followed the voices. Most of the team was hanging around and Chloe broke off to find the girls and set up her lethal brownies.

  “Erik, how’s it going?” I greeted Olli and the rest of the guys.

  “This place is great, man.”

  Olli smiled. “Emma’s been working on it for months. She loves it, so I’m glad.”

  Reese walked up and I patted him on the back. “You might want to get ahold of their agent. Chloe’s in love with this place.”

  His head fell back in a sigh. “Great. Thanks a lot, Olli.”

  Olli shrugged and walked off. The group dispersed until it was just me and Reese.

  “That might not be a bad idea though, Erik.”

  A knot formed in my throat. I tried to swallow it down, but I just had to nod.

  “I know I should probably sit down with you, somewhere private.”

  I looked around for an escape route. We were surrounded.

  “But honestly, I want witnesses.”

  I could jump over the coffee table, but there’s no guarantee he wouldn’t come after me.

  “I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I think it’s time.”

  Maybe the ground would open up. The house had a lot of work done, though. It was probably too solid.

  “What I’m trying to say is…”

  I could faint. Just pass out right here.

  “Since your dad isn’t around, and I know how much you mean to her…”

  My knee. I could fake pain. Have it buckle. Make a scene.

  “I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

  Why wasn’t my heart stopping? If there were ever a time for a heart attack, it would be right now.

  “I promise I’ll always take care of her. I’ll do everything I can to make her happy.”

  I couldn’t stand it anymore. He obviously had quite the speech planned. I looked at him square in the eyes and cleared my throat. “You have my blessing.”

  He looked taken back. “Really?”

  I nodded. “As long as you promise to stop talking.”

  He smirked but nodded.

  I rubbed a hand over my face. “I need a drink.”

  He laughed. “Too bad it’s midsea
son. Get some root beer for me.”

  I walked away and almost walked through the front doors. That was not something I’d prepared for. Not at Olli’s housewarming party. Not surrounded by the team. Not yet. I wasn’t ready to give her up yet.

  I reached for the door when it swung open, almost hitting me.

  “Oh. I’m so sorry.” Madeline looked up and realized it was me. Her smile faltered just a bit before she recovered. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  I nodded and tried to step around her.

  “Wait.”

  I ignored her and walked out onto the wide patio. There were two wooden rocking chairs off to the side, so I made my way over and plopped down.

  She followed me. Of course she did. I was seconds away from breaking down and she just had to be there.

  She didn’t say anything at first. Just sat there with a container on her lap.

  All of downtown was lit up below us. It was quite a view. Would I ever have this? A wife? A house on the hill? Roots?

  I’d been here for almost five years and I lived like it was temporary. It could be. Everything in the NHL was. My contract was up for review. This could be my last season. How could I leave these guys? Chloe might be the last of my blood family, but these guys were my family by choice. I couldn’t leave this.

  “Do you want a cookie?”

  Her voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “Are they normal?”

  She looked at me like I might be just a bit crazy. “Yes?”

  “Not protein cookies?”

  “That’s a sin.”

  “Okay then.”

  She reached into the container and pulled two out. She handed me one and bit into the other one.

  I took a bite. Huh. It was good.

  I chewed and let the chocolate melt on my tongue. It was way good. When was the last time I’d had something like this? Never during the season. Sweets weren’t worth the extra work I’d have to put in at the gym or on the ice, but I couldn’t turn her down.

  It was nice to sit back and watch the sunset. Eating a chocolate chip cookie like there was nothing else in the world that mattered. It was a fleeting fantasy. I’d chosen this life. I knew the sacrifices required before I committed. My parents made me well aware of all I would have to give up. No chance at a normal life, but I made the decision. I’d never regret it.