Lightning

by Sandi Lynn

  LIGHTNING

  Sandi Lynn

  LIGHTNING

  Copyright © 2016 Sandi Lynn

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used factitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Photo & Cover Design by: Sara Eirew @ Sara Eirew Photography

  Model: Alex Boivin

  Editing by B.Z. Hercules

  Books by Sandi Lynn

  If you haven’t already done so, please check out my other books. They are filled with heartwarming love stories, some with millionaires, and some with just regular everyday people who find love when they least expect it.

  Millionaires:

  The Forever Series (Forever Black, Forever You, Forever Us, Being Julia, Collin, A Forever Family)

  Love, Lust & A Millionaire (Wyatt Brothers, Book 1)

  Love, Lust & Liam (Wyatt Brothers, Book 2)

  His Proposed Deal

  Lie Next To Me (A Millionaire’s Love, Book 1)

  When I Lie with You ( A Millionaire’s Love, Book 2)

  A Love Called Simon

  Then You Happened

  The Seduction of Alex Parker

  Something About Lorelei

  One Night In London

  Second Chance Love:

  Remembering You

  She Writes Love

  Love In Between (Love Series, Book 1)

  The Upside of Love (Love Series, Book 2)

  Sports:

  LIGHTNING

  Table of Contents

  Books by Sandi Lynn

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  About The Author

  Chapter 1

  “He shoots and he scores!”

  The crowd cheered as I skated around the ice with a wide grin and my stick proudly held up in the air. The adrenaline that rushed through me never got old. The first game of the season and three goals, shot by yours truly, bringing home the win for our team. My teammates gathered around me; wild beasts throwing their bodies around in excitement at the victory that was ours. Screams filled the arena. I scanned the crowd, but the only thing I could focus on was how my dad wasn’t there to watch me. Skating off the ice, the team headed to the locker room where champagne sprayed all over us, celebrating our win.

  “You’re fast and furious, bro,” my best friend and teammate, Tommy, said.

  “Thanks, Tommy. We all played a great game tonight.”

  Our coach, Gene Young, entered the locker room with a wide grin on his face.

  “Excellent game, boys. I’m proud of each and every one of you. Practice tomorrow at eight a.m. sharp. Our next game is with the L.A. Kings and I want to blow those sons of bitches out of the water. Losing isn’t an option. Understand?”

  “Yes, coach,” we all spoke as he walked out of the locker room.

  There was much celebrating to do and we were about to head out to Louie’s Bar. Grabbing my bag, I walked out of the locker room where my two brothers, Brandon and Owen, were leaning up against the wall.

  “Great game, bro.” Owen fist-bumped me.

  “You were amazing out there tonight. I’m so proud of you.” Brandon smiled as he patted my shoulder.

  “Where’s Dad?” I asked with a hint of disappointment.

  “I’m sure he was passed out drunk somewhere,” Brandon spoke.

  I didn’t know why disappointment shadowed inside me. He rarely attended my games, and when he did, he was usually drunk before he showed up.

  “Forget about him.” Owen hooked his arm around me. “Let’s go find some girls and get laid tonight.”

  As we walked into Louie’s Bar, the team was already sitting down at our usual table. Taking our seats, I grabbed the bottle of beer that was already waiting for me.

  “To the amazing Lightning Logan.” Beer bottles clinked together.

  That was what they called me, Lightning Logan, because I was as quick as lightning on the ice. I was introduced to hockey when I was six years old when my dad took me to my very first game. From that moment on, becoming an NHL hockey player consumed me. It was my life and all the hard work I’d put into it paid off. I was scouted by the New York Rangers at the age of seventeen when I played for my high school team and took us to the nationals. Scoring three goals in under a minute and being the fastest player on the ice snagged me a place on the team with a starting salary and contract that nearly gave me a heart attack. A year after proving my value, consecutive wins and scoring the goal that won us the Stanley Cup with four seconds left in the game, I was endorsed by Nike, Gillette, Coca Cola, and Polo Ralph Lauren, bringing me into the top ten highest paid endorsed athletes in the world.

  I had it all. Fame, fortune, and pretty much any woman I wanted. Dating to me was an occasional dinner and sex. Or most of the time, just sex. A lot of one-night stands, especially when we played away games. Relationships and commitments were a definite no for me. I was already in a committed relationship and it was with hockey. The one and only love of my life. I’d watched some of my teammates with their girlfriends and it never worked out. The arguing and the constant jealousy were always at the forefront of their relationships. I didn’t have time for that shit, nor did I want it. I was happy being a bachelor, doing a job I loved more than anything in the world and fucking beautiful women, knowing they’d be gone the next morning.

  After kicking back another beer, I got up to use the restroom. When I was finished, I walked out and saw a pretty girl who stood about five feet four with long black hair leaning up against the wall.

  “Hey.” She smiled. “Aren’t you Logan Jackson from the New York Rangers?”

  “Hi, and yes, I am.” I politely smiled back.

  “I was at the game and you were amazing out there.” She bit her bottom lip.

  Placing my hands in my pockets, I spoke, “Thank you.”

  “Today’s my twenty-first birthday and the tickets were a present from my friends. They know how much I love hockey.”

  She had a great smile and big brown eyes. I needed to celebrate my win and she was just the girl to help me with that.

  “Since it’s your birthday and your twenty-first, let me buy you a drink.”

  “Thank you. That would be great.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “Tori.”

  “Nice to meet you, Tori.” I extended my hand to her.

  When I walked back to the table to tell the guys I was sitting up at the bar with Tori, my brother, Owen, lightly took hold of my arm and pulled me into the corner.

&nbs
p; “Way to go, bro.” He smiled.

  “It’s her twenty-first birthday and I’m just buying her a drink to celebrate her legal drinking age.” I winked.

  “Have fun tapping that ass.” He patted me on the back before he and Brandon left the bar.

  ****

  The rustling of the sheets and a low moan awoke me from a sound sleep. I lay there frozen, trying to remember my actions from last night. My head hurt. Too many beers followed by several shots of tequila really did me in. The only thing I remembered was her screaming out my name multiple times.

  “Morning,” she whispered in my ear as she placed her hand on my shoulder.

  “Morning,” I mumbled.

  “I had the best time last night and the best birthday ever.”

  “I’m happy you had a nice birthday.” I got up from the bed and went into the bathroom. “I have practice in a couple of hours, so I think it’s best if you got dressed and headed home. I can call you a cab.”

  I threw on a pair of sweatpants and headed to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee.

  “Are you serious?” she asked as she emerged from the bedroom.

  “Serious about what?”

  “About me leaving. I thought maybe last night meant something. I mean, it just seemed like we had a connection.”

  Shit. She was one of those girls. I rolled my eyes before I turned around and looked into her sad puppy eyes.

  “Listen, Tori. You’re a great girl and all, but last night was just a one-time thing. We both drank too much and had some fun. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one-night stand you’ve had.”

  The sadness in her eyes turned to rage. “Actually, you are. I don’t do this kind of thing. I’m not that kind of girl.”

  “Then why did you do it with me?” I asked nonchalantly.

  “Because I felt something when we first met and I got the vibe that you felt it too. I guess I was wrong,” she spoke as she slipped her feet into her heels. “You may be a good fuck, but you’re a total asshole, and you know what? Karma is a bitch.” She stormed out the door, slamming it behind her.

  I sighed as I poured myself a cup of coffee. Walking into the bathroom to take a shower, I heard my phone beep with a text message from Owen.

  “How was that chick last night?”

  “I don’t really remember. But she just left all pissed off and called me an asshole.”

  “Lightning Logan strikes again. Anyway, you’re going to dinner at Dad’s tonight, right?”

  “Shit. Is that tonight?”

  “Yep. Seven o’clock.”

  “Why is he having us over for dinner anyway?”

  “Apparently, he met someone and he wants to introduce us to her.”

  “Fuck. You have got to be kidding.”

  “Nope, bro. Just be there and try to be nice.”

  “I can’t make any promises.”

  The feeling in the pit of my stomach wasn’t a good one. Whoever this woman was, I hoped she knew what she was getting herself into. Anger ripped through me and the only way I knew how to deal with it was taking it out on the ice.

  Chapter 2

  I started my warm up with some diagonal dribbles, increasing my speed until I was at full force around the ice before moving the puck from side to side. I started practice on my own before the rest of the team arrived.

  “Hey,” Tommy shouted from the other side of the wall. “Are you ready for me?”

  Looking up at him with a smile, I spoke, “Bring it on, bitch.”

  He furiously skated out on the ice, heading towards me with his stick in position, ready to steal the puck out from under me. Moving my stick from side to side, protecting the puck in every way possible, I shot it across the ice as Tommy and I raced for it.

  “Dude, you’re on fire today. What’s up?” he asked as his stick stole the puck.

  “Going to my dad’s for dinner. I guess he met someone.”

  “Is that a good thing?” We battled for the puck.

  “I’m not sure yet.” Our sticks tangled and I stole the puck.

  “It’s been eighteen years, dude. It’s about time your old man went out and met someone.”

  “Eighteen drunken years. I wonder if she knows he’s an alcoholic.”

  “Guess you’ll find out tonight.”

  Coach Gene and the rest of the team skated out on the ice as he told us to line up for conditioning.

  “Okay, listen up, boys. Tomorrow night, we play against the Washington Capitals on our turf. I don’t want any mishaps with them like last season. I know some of you have problems with the players, but for the sake of the game, keep it clean. They won their first game of the season like us. Let’s not let them win their second game. When you’re done conditioning, I want to go over some new plays for tomorrow night’s game. Now let’s get moving.”

  About thirty minutes into practice, the coach called me off the ice.

  “What’s up, coach?”

  “I’m putting you on warning right now for tomorrow’s game. That little stunt you pulled last season with Gavin Machard cost us the win of the game, not to mention the fact that he was out all season rehabilitating the knee you broke.”

  “He came at me first.” I pointed my finger at him.

  “Doesn’t matter. You broke the kid’s knee and cost him the season and us the game. Stay away from him. Do you understand me? You’re the best player on this team. Shit, you’re pretty much the best player in the whole damn league. Don’t fuck it up, because I will pull you from the game.”

  “No you won’t. You need me and you know it. Without me on this team, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

  “You’re a cocky son of a bitch, Logan. Now get back out there and finish practice.”

  “I don’t need practice, coach.” I winked as I skated back onto the ice.

  ****

  Upon exiting my building, Ollie, my brother Brandon’s driver, opened the door.

  “Good evening, Logan.” He politely smiled.

  “Good evening, Ollie.” I smiled back as I climbed in next to my brother. “Where’s Owen?” I asked, as I didn’t see him.

  “He’s going to meet us there. He had something to do.”

  “I swear to God, if he bails, I’m kicking his ass.”

  Brandon chuckled. “He’s not bailing and I’m sure he would kick your ass, little brother.”

  Pulling up to my childhood home, I sighed. “Are Aunt Vanessa and Uncle Alan coming?”

  “I don’t think Dad invited them. I believe it’s just us.”

  Climbing out of the limo, my stomach twisted in a knot at the fact that I had to face my father, who couldn’t bring himself to my first game last night. When we walked into the house, he greeted us at the door, shaking Brandon’s hand first. I walked away and went into the kitchen to grab a beer before he had the chance to say anything to me. Opening the refrigerator, I noticed there wasn’t any.

  “Good to see you, Logan,” my father spoke as he walked into the kitchen with Brandon. “I’m sorry I couldn’t come to your game last night.”

  “Yeah. Whatever, Dad. So where is this woman you so badly want us to meet?”

  “I’m right here.” A woman who stood approximately five foot five answered as she entered the kitchen.

  My father walked over and hooked his arm around her. “Boys, I’d like you to meet Maggie. Maggie, these are two of my boys, Brandon, CEO of Jackson Software, and Logan, professional hockey player for the New York Rangers.”

  She extended her hand to Brandon first and then to me. I lightly shook it.

  “It’s nice to finally meet both of you. Your father has told me so much about you.”

  Rolling my eyes, I turned and opened the liquor cabinet. It was empty. Before I could ask about it, the front door opened and Owen walked in.

  “Now that everyone is here, let’s sit down to dinner,” my father spoke as he placed his hand on the small of her back and led her to the table.

  Maggie was a
n attractive woman. She wore her blonde hair in a short bob-cut style that complemented her green eyes. She looked around the same age as my dad, fifty-eight. Maybe a year or two younger.

  “Dad, where’s the beer?” I asked.

  “There isn’t any.”

  I narrowed my eye and arched my brow at him. “What?”

  “I’ve quit drinking,” he spoke.

  I chuckled. “Yeah, right. Seriously, where is it?”

  “I’m not joking, son. I haven’t mentioned this to you boys yet because I haven’t seen you in a while, but I’ve stopped drinking and I’ve been going to AA meetings. That’s why I couldn’t go to your game last night. I had a meeting.”

  I looked over at Brandon and Owen, who had the same expression on their faces that I did.

  “In fact, that is where I met Maggie. She’s my sponsor.” He reached over and placed his hand on hers.

  “That’s great, Dad,” Brandon spoke.

  “So let me get this straight.” I placed my napkin on the table. “You decide after eighteen years to give up the booze and then you date your sponsor? Isn’t there some rule against that?”

  “No. There’s no rule against that,” he replied.

  “And how long have you been sober, Maggie?”

  “Five years.” She smiled.

  “Maggie and I have been seeing each other for the past couple of months. She’s great support and we enjoy each other’s company.”

  Shaking my head, I got up from the table.

  “Logan!” my father shouted. “Sit down and finish the dinner that Maggie so kindly prepared for us.” He pointed at me.

  “You don’t get to tell me what to do, old man. You haven’t done that in eighteen years and now you think you’re going to start? Fuck you!”

  My father got up from his seat. “You will not use that kind of language in my house and especially not in front of Maggie. If you can’t show some respect, then get out!”

  “Don’t worry. I am.” I stormed out of the dining room and out the front door. Before too long, Brandon and Owen were by my side.

  “Bro, what the fuck is the matter with you?” Owen spoke as he grabbed my arm. “She seems nice and Dad quit drinking. Doesn’t that count for something?”