Adrian: An Ironfield Forge Hockey Romance
Page 31
Adrian
Exhibition games in the preseason usually meant nothing.
They were a glorified practice—an opportunity for the few questionable men on the roster to prove themselves before the coaches made their decisions and cuts.
But, for the Ironfield Forge, the expansion game was the first time we suited up, took to the stage, and introduced ourselves to the league.
And we lost miserably.
But at least we were all on the same ice, wearing the same uniform, skating in the same direction.
It wasn’t much, but it was a start. And even the loss meant a hell of a lot more to my team than the win did to our opponent.
We’d lost together.
We’d worked together.
And the only way to survive the franchise’s deliberate sabotage was to overcome it together.
The arena sounded the siren marking the end of the game. A rousing groan echoed from the few hundred people in the stands—mostly friends and family. Didn’t expect much from Ironfield just yet. Most of the city was still unaware they even had a hockey team. The rest would learn soon enough. An 8-1 loss wouldn’t instill confidence in the fans, but we could turn it around.
We only needed the chance.
The ice had a good chill. A game well played meant a uniform soaked with sweat and water. It was a familiar weight. Same for the heavy equipment strapped to my body. I never felt whole without the skates, pads, and helmet.
And cup.
Probably my most prized possession.
I circled the rink twice, allowing the rest of the team to funnel toward the locker room. The ice was beaten up, slushy, and splattered with blood and spit. The lights came up throughout the arena. Bright. It let me see the damage of the night, though it was only a bruise on my wrist.
Almost disappointing. Blood was sexier. Grittier. Then again, blood upset Clover’s morning sickness. It was better that I’d go home whole and unwounded. Meant she tucked even closer to me on the couch…
And under the covers.
A renewed strength flooded through me. The hard work, sacrifice, and hours in the weight room had paid off.
I was stronger than I’d been before the injury.
More focused. More complete.
And it wasn’t just the new team, second chance, or thrill of the game.
It was her.
I’d never understood balance before. All this time, I thought it meant the spin of the puck against my stick or standing tall after a tough hit. But it was a physical feeling. Something raw, powerful, and thoroughly new.
I had the game. The ice. The team. But after the whistles blew and the jersey came off, I now possessed something else.
A home. A life. The future.
And a baby on the way.
That was worth losing my first exhibition game with the Forge.
We had a lot of work to do, but I was finally the right man to lead the team to our inevitable success.
The music pulsed and echoed around the arena. My team had left the ice, trudging down the tunnels into the locker room. I hopped the barrier and stomped my skates against the rough carpet. The last bit of slush kicked from the blade, and the equipment manager offered to take my stick.
Not tonight. This one was going home with me. A present for my unborn baby.
This didn’t amuse Clover.
She waited for me in the tunnel with the few other cheering family members, greeting their returning athletes. The crowd pressed in tight, corralled by coaches, trainers, security, and the media.
Magnolia Mallory did her best interviewing the one player who had scored a goal. Unfortunately, Vasha spoke little English, and his Russian was often layered in so many foreign curse words I wasn’t sure what he said could be aired.
Mags shot me a wink and declared that the lighting wasn’t right so near the locker room. She shuffled the cameras inside, granting us as much privacy as the chaos after a game could offer.
“You are not taking that stick home…” Clover sighed over the word. Home. Must’ve sounded as good to her as it did to me. “You haven’t unpacked the rest of your stuff yet.”
“This is for the baby.”
“So were the two cribs you bought. The three mobiles. The changing tables. The dresser completely stuffed with Ironfield Forge onesies.”
“Got a lot of room to fill in that nursery.” I grinned. “Hell, we’ve got a half dozen other rooms in the house. I should start stocking up now.”
“One baby isn’t enough?”
I pitched my glove to the ground and pulled her in close. Clover knew better than to hug a sweaty player immediately after a game, but she dug her fists into my jersey and sighed.
Her captured kiss tasted sweeter than any victory.
“I’ll never get enough of you,” I groaned. “Never enough babies. Never enough hugs. Never enough…” I kissed her again. She fell back against the wall, and it was only by the grace of the Sports Nation camera crew I didn’t steal more than that. “I wasted so much time denying my feelings for you. It stops now.”
Her fingers toyed with the letter C embroidered into my jersey.
“So…you’re saying you owe me twenty-five years’ worth of attention, devotion, and sexual favors?”
“At least.”
A biting profanity echoed from inside the locker room. It silenced the hall as the door flung open. I spun, taking the hit instead of Clover. Fortunately, my pads dulled most of the blow.
So much for only one bruise.
“This is bullshit.” Beau’s voice carried over the tunnel’s conversations. The Sports Nation camera crew eagerly trailed after him. “Fucking bullshit!”
The rookie hadn’t dressed for the game. A two-week league suspension was a generous punishment for his involvement in the bar fight. He was lucky he’d escaped jail time, though a solid portion of his eight-figure salary would go toward legal fees and arbitration—criminal, civil, and fighting with the league.
But the rookie wasn’t tossed out onto his ass. Any other franchise would’ve cut or traded the kid, and no other team would’ve picked him up.
Luckily for him, the Forge gave him a second chance. And we all knew the real reason why they had vouched for the rookie.
Oz followed. He’d cast off his goalie pads and followed Beau into the hall. His cackle bounced off the walls.
“See you at home, Beau!” He snickered as Beau’s middle finger offered the rebuttal. “Don’t be late. Wouldn’t want to break your curfew!”
Clover watched in puzzlement. “What in the world?”
Soon enough, the entire league would know. I stole the scoop from Sports Nation and told her myself.
“The disciplinary committee wanted to suspend Beau,” I said. “Instead, the Forge convinced them to place him on a sort of probation. A player-to-player mentorship program.”
“With Oz?”
“For this season—and until he can learn to behave—Beau Beckett will be living under Oz Zane’s roof.”
“You’re kidding.”
“He’s gotta shape up. If that requires constant supervision by a member of the Forge, so be it.”
Clover laughed. “So…not only does he have to move in with Oz, he has have a player with him at all times?”
“Morning, noon, and night. I guess the coaches waited until after the game to tell him.”
“And Oz is the mentor they picked?”
“Apparently, Oz is good friends with Beau’s older brother, Brady Beckett. He plays for the Thunderstrike. They all grew up together, so the coaches figured it’d be an…easier transition.”
Clover anticipated the problems before everyone else. “And when Beau and Oz come to blows over petty household and family issues?”
“They’re grown men. Beau can manage living in Oz’s basement.”
“And if he can’t?” She nibbled her fingernail. “Nothing like pitting the superstar rookie and the starting goalie against one and other.”
&
nbsp; “They’ve known each other since they were kids. What could possibly come between them?”
A lively, singsong voice echoed from the tunnel. “Oz!”
Oz turned, utterly bewildered as a beautiful young woman broke into a full sprint and jumped into his arms.
“Zinnia?”
Oz laughed. They shared the same smile, same eyes, and same chocolate skin tone. Zinnia brushed her thick curls from her face and brightened the entire tunnel with her Tinkerbell laugh.
“You didn’t tell me you were coming to the game,” Oz said.
“I wanted to surprise my big brother!”
“One hell of a surprise. How long are you in town?”
Zinnia stared at her brother with pure adoration. “For as long as you need me. I decided to move home—with you.”
Clover and I grimaced at the same time.
“Uh-oh…” Clover muttered.
The lovely young girl grabbed her older brother’s hand and squeezed. Her grin was infectious, her laugh delightful, and her curvy body every bit the temptation a rookie in trouble couldn’t refuse.
Fuck me.
“God damn it,” I said. “I thought this was a foolproof way to tame Beau.”
“Oh…he’ll be tamed all right.” Clover arched her eyebrows. “But you’ll need to mop up the blood once Oz kills him.”
“A captain’s work is never done.”
She twisted into my arms once more, standing as tall on her tippy-toes as she could reach. Didn’t do much. I frowned, unsatisfied by her quick peck.
“You better get in the showers…” She glanced down and hummed in delight.
“Not sure the guys wanna see me in this condition.”
“Well, I certainly do.” Her words thrilled me with delicious promise. “So hurry up, Captain. I can’t wait to get you home.”
“Yeah?” I grinned. “And what will we do there?”
“Isn’t it obvious? First, we make love. Then we start the rest of our lives together.”
“You sure that’s what you want?”
“A perfect life with my best friend?” Clover placed my hand over her flat tummy—a lovely secret for just the two of us. “It’s a dream come true.”
“And there’s so much more to come.”
“Like what?”
“Well, you for starters. Then me. Then you again.”
Her smile turned wicked. “Oh, you do make such lovely promises.”
I lowered my voice, marveling at this beautiful woman and how eagerly she stared at me, touched me, wanted me. “Tonight, I’m going to prove just how much I love you.”
“Only tonight?”
“Tonight…and every night after. Think you can handle that?”
“I do love a challenge.”
“You better love me more.”
“Always have.” Clover shoved me toward the locker room, devilishly seductive and wonderfully cruel. “Now go back to your team, Adrian Alaric. Get your shower. Give your speeches. Have your meeting. Because tonight? You’re all mine.”
And for the first time in my life…
I couldn’t wait to leave the ice behind.
The End
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Coming February 2021
BEAU - Book 2 of the Ironfield Forge Hockey Series
Their ultimatum was simple: Either I stay out of trouble, or I get kicked out of the league.
Easiest way to control the “uncontrollable?”
Constant. Fucking. Supervision.
So the leash goes around my neck, and I’m tethered to Oz Zane for the season - gotta stay in his house, eat his food, live by his rules.
Sounds like a shit deal…until I discover one sassy little perk.
Zinnia Zane.
Oz’s baby sister.
She’s a sexy little kitten with no idea how to use her claws. Forbidden. Virginal. Un-corruptable.
Until one night when she gets too close to my bed, and I teach her how good it feels to get into trouble.
Because the secret is—you don’t gotta behave to keep everyone happy.
You just gotta make sure they don’t find out.
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All-star linebacker Cole Hawthorne is a beast on the field, destroying offenses one broken quarterback at a time. Though he’s a gifted athlete, his violent reputation makes him a liability to his team and a villain in the league.
As Cole’s agent, it’s my responsibility to convince the brooding loner that being traded is better than getting banished from the game. If he loses his contract, this single mom is out of a job.
So, it’s up to me to tame the beast.
But the closer I get to the ferocious monster, the harder I fall for the passionate man underneath. He’s crude and charming. Tough and sweet. Dangerous…but even he can’t resist my baby’s giggle.
Denying my feelings might protect my heart, but the trading deadline is closing in. When Cole reveals the dirty truth about the trade, I can’t let the league rip us apart.
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Standalone Romances
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Bad Boy’s Redemption (Previously Bad Boy’s Revenge)
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