by Sandi Lynn
“Wow. Sorry, but I don’t want any part of this,” Corona spoke as she left the bar.
I threw my hands up in the air. “Thanks a lot, dickwad. What the hell happened to you?”
“We’re just looking out for your best interest, Logan,” Brandon said.
“And my best interest just walked out the door. You know what? Fuck you both.”
I threw some cash on the table, left the bar, and headed back to my apartment. I had no idea what had gotten into them, but they pissed me the hell off. What did Brandon mean when he said they were looking out for my best interest? Assholes. I stripped out of my clothes and climbed into bed. Closing my eyes, thoughts of Brooke crept into my mind. My first game was in a few days and I would have given anything for her to be there to watch me.
Chapter 31
Logan
Stepping into the locker room, my teammates welcomed me back with open arms, except one player named Joe. He had only been on the team for about a year and always made snide comments to me. His attitude sucked ass and if he was on any other team, I would have beaten the shit out of him already.
“Glad you’re back, bro.” Marcus smiled as he patted my shoulder.
“Thanks, man.”
“How’s the leg?” Johnny asked.
“It’s good.”
“I can’t believe you’re back here playing with us. That physical therapist of yours is a miracle worker. Next time I get injured, I’m going to call her.” He winked.
I gave a small smile as I put on my skates.
“You ready, Logan?” Marcus asked.
“Yeah.”
We walked out of the locker room and stepped onto the ice. It felt good to be back out here with my team.
“It’s good to have you back, Logan.” Gene smiled.
“Thanks. It’s good to be back.”
“We need to step it up a notch and win these next games. The last couple of games were sloppy and I have no clue where that shit came from. I don’t have time for sloppy and neither do you. I’ve divided you up into two teams. Team B will wear these solid blue shirts. Logan, you’re going to faceoff with Marcus. I want to see what you can do.”
“Yes, coach.”
“Now, everyone line up and get in your positions.”
Marcus and I stood across from each other in position, waiting for Gene to drop the puck. I glanced over at James to let him know that I was going to pass it to him.
“You ready?” Marcus smiled. “I ain’t going to go easy on you.”
“I’m ready, and I don’t expect you to.” I grinned.
The puck dropped and our sticks collided, but I took control, and with one swift stroke, I passed the puck to James.
****
Brooke
I sat on the edge of the bed with my face cupped in my hands. Logan was playing in his first game since the accident and I couldn’t let him know that I was there to support him. I missed him so much and all I wanted was to hold him and tell him that I was sorry. I wasn’t sure if he was ready for this game or not and that worried me. If things didn’t go well tonight, it could set him back. Owen and Brandon had been keeping tabs on him and reporting back to me.
“Are you ready to go?” Brandon asked as he stood in the doorway of my room.
“Yeah.”
“What’s wrong?”
“This wasn’t what I envisioned while I was helping him. I thought that I would be sitting in the front row, rooting him on and giving him my full support. Not stuck up in a suite.”
“Hey, you get free food and drinks in those suites.” He smiled. “Come on. Owen’s waiting for us to pick him up. My dad and Renee are going to meet us there.”
I stood up, grabbed my purse, and we headed to Madison Square Garden. After Owen and Brandon took me up to the suite, they took their seats down in the front row. This night was huge for Logan. It had been on all the sports news that he was back and playing in tonight’s game. The arena was packed with spectators, awaiting the return of Lightning. I saw signs with his picture on them and his name big and bold, made out of glitter. People were excited that he was back. I had just hoped that it wasn’t too much pressure on him. The Rangers had four games left and they needed to win every last one of them to make it to the playoffs. I took a glass of wine from the silver tray that sat on the counter and took my seat in front of the glass window while a nervous feeling crept inside me. I looked down at the black bag I brought filled with things he might need if his leg gave out.
****
Logan
I sat on the bench in the locker room, gripping the gold cross necklace Tommy always wore. He had given it to me a couple of days before the accident and asked me to hold on to it for him. I thought it was strange, but I never asked him why. It had made me wonder if he knew or thought something was going to happen to him. Bringing the necklace up to my lips, I closed my eyes. This was the first game that we wouldn’t be playing in together.
“You ready to get out there?” Gene asked as he walked up to me.
“Yeah. I’m ready.”
“You fought hard for this night and I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, coach.”
“Okay, men, let’s get out there and kick some Capitals’ asses! Gene shouted.
Stepping out onto the ice, I heard the cheers and chanting of my name. This was it, and to think that I almost didn’t come back. Excitement coursed through me and my adrenaline reached an all-time high. Looking around, I saw my brothers and my dad and Maggie sitting in the first row, cheering me on. The only thing that would have made this night complete was seeing Brooke sitting there with them. I couldn’t think about her. I had to focus on this game and give it my all.
Lining up on the ice, I held my helmet in one hand and my stick in the other while the national anthem was being sung. I closed my eyes and tried to control the nervousness that crept up inside me.
“This is for you, Tommy,” I whispered as the game started.
“And look at him go. Lightning Logan’s first game since his accident and it looks like he never left. Boy, were the doctors wrong about him,” the announcer spoke. “It’s nothing but a miracle he’s back on the ice again.”
First period ended and we headed back to the bench. I took in a deep breath as I felt a twinge of pain in my leg.
“You okay, Jackson?” Gene asked.
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
“You’re looking good out there. Keep it up.” He gave a thumbs-up.
Second period started. I stole the puck from the opposing team and Machard followed me, checking me with his stick and stealing it from me. One swift move and a body slam and it was mine again. Breaking away from him, I passed it to Joe as he took it down the center, only to lose it the Capitals’ forward. Coming up from the side, I stole the puck and moved it from side to side with my stick, dodging the Capitals’ defense and shooting it right into the net.
“And he scores! He’s back! Lightning Logan’s first goal of the night, putting the Rangers in the lead, one to nothing.”
I took in a deep breath as the crowd went wild and my team threw themselves at me with congratulations. Skating off the ice, we took our places on the bench.
“Jackson, how’s your leg?”
“It’s fine, coach.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’s good.”
“Good. You’re back in.”
Third period. All was going good, but I had a feeling Machard was keeping a close eye on me. That motherfucker. Joe passed me the puck and I took it down the side. In a split second, Machard body-slammed me against the glass. My body flew up in the air and I hit the ice harder than I ever had. My leg; the pain was unbearable as I grabbed hold of it. As I lay there, the arena went silent.
Chapter 32
Brooke
I cupped my hands over my mouth as a sick feeling crept into my belly. Not now. This would kill him. I saw the look on his face as he held his leg and let out several screams.
He needed me as he was being carried off the ice on a stretcher. Grabbing the bag I brought, I ran out of the suite and asked a security guard where the Rangers’ locker room was.
“It’s below us, but you can’t go in there,” he shouted as I ran.
Pushing my way through the crowds of people that were gathered everywhere, I finally found the locker room and was stopped by a guard.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked.
Completely out of breath, I spoke, “I’m Logan Jackson’s physical therapist, and he was just carried off the ice on a stretcher. I need to tend to him.”
“Yeah, right.” The burly guy laughed. “Now go back to your seat or I will have you escorted out of here.”
“Gene,” I shouted as I caught a glimpse of him.
He stopped and turned. “Thank God you’re here. Come on.” He waved me through.
After shooting the burly guard a dirty look, I ran to where Gene was standing and he took me to Logan, where the doctor was examining him on the table in the locker room. I didn’t have time to even think about how he was going to react when he saw me. It didn’t matter anyway; I needed to find out what was going on with his leg.
“Out of my way,” I spoke to the doctor as I practically pushed him to the side and reached into my bag for the nerve conductor machine.
“Brooke? What the—”
“Hey, you.” I smiled as I ran the wand up and down his leg.
“Excuse me, miss.” The doctor scowled.
“Let her do her thing, doc,” Gene spoke.
“Nerves are functioning at one hundred percent.” I smiled at Logan.
Reaching into my bag, I pulled out a small bottle and a syringe. After filling the syringe, I injected it into Logan’s leg.
“You know the drill, Jackson. Give it a few minutes.”
“I don’t understand. What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Long story and we can talk later.”
Suddenly, the Capitals scored, tying the game one to one at the end of the third period and on a power play.
“Ah, shit!” Gene yelled as he grabbed his head.
“Put me in, coach. I can score the winning goal.”
“Are you fucking crazy?”
I looked at Logan, who was staring at me with the eyes that mesmerized me every time. I gave him a small smile as I spoke to Gene, “Put him in.”
“Are you sure?” He looked at me.
“If he says he can play, then you need to trust him.”
“Fine.” Gene shook his head and walked away.
I placed his shin guard back on his leg, pulled his pant leg down, and then put on his skate.
“Now get out there and be a hero.” I smiled as I exited the locker room.
He didn’t cuss me out. That was a good sign. He didn’t go into a fit of rage. Another good sign. As I was heading back to the suite, Brandon lightly grabbed hold of my arm from behind.
“Hey. How is he? Did you see him?”
“He’s okay. I gave him a shot and he’s going to be back out there during overtime.”
He let out a sigh of relief.
“Go take my seat and I’ll go to the suite. You should be in that row watching him.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.”
“Yes. I’m positive. Now go and tell the family he’s okay.”
I gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you.”
“No. Thank you, Brooke.” He winked.
Once I reached my seat, Owen and his father both stared at me.
“He’s fine. He’ll be back on the ice shortly.”
“So you saw him?” Owen asked.
“Yes.”
“And yet he didn’t kill you?” He smiled.
“Nah. He’s probably waiting until after the game to do that.” I smirked.
****
Logan
I couldn’t believe she was here. Maybe she did have feelings for me. Who the hell knew after what she put me through the last three weeks. But the fact that she flew all the way from California to attend my first game meant something to me.
“You sure about this, Logan?” Gene asked as he placed his hand on my shoulder.
“I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life as I am about this. Trust me, coach. I can do this. Being defeated isn’t an option for this team.”
“Go get ‘em!” he spoke with excitement.
As I stepped onto the ice with the other team members, the crowd cheered and whistled. The pain in my leg wasn’t completely gone, but it wasn’t going to stop me from finishing this game and taking the win.
I looked directly at Machard and gave the indication that after the game, he was mine.
“Well, holy bells,” the announcer spoke. “Lightning Logan is back on the ice. I don’t believe it.”
I took my position. When I looked over to where my family sat, I saw Brooke sitting there. She gave me two thumbs-up and, instantly, I knew I had to do this for her.
The control of the puck went to the Capitals.
“No. I don’t think so,” I spoke as I swooped in from behind and stole it back.
Racing down the center, defense came at me like mountain lions after their prey. Swerving around each one of them, making a couple of them fall, I took the puck to the net. Ten seconds left. I went to the right, the goalie followed, and like the speed of lightning, I shot it in to the left, watching the puck bounce beautifully off the back of the net. The buzzer sounded. The crowd roared.
“He scores! The New York Rangers win this game against the Capitals two to one!”
I raised my stick in the air and looked over at Brooke, who was standing on the chair cheering for me with a wide grin splayed across her face. My team raced to me, laughing and cheering as we hugged, taking in the victory that was ours.
I threw my stick down and looked at Machard. He threw his down as I took off my gloves and skated over to him.
“You ready?” I asked.
“You bet I am. You going to fight back this time?” He smiled.
“I sure am.” I grinned.
“Let’s go.”
I grabbed his jersey and he ducked as I threw a punch at him. Coming up, he jammed his fist into my side. Fuck, that hurt. I swung him around and grabbed the back of his neck as his fist came at me again. Slamming his head against the glass, I punched him in the face and the rush of blood poured from his nose. One more swing from him right across my eye. Just before I could pound into him again, the refs broke us apart. Machard looked at me with a smile.
“Welcome back, Jackson. You’re one hell of a fighter.”
“Thanks, Machard. I owe it all to one special woman.” I smiled as I skated off the ice.
Chapter 33
Brooke
“Are you sure you don’t want to wait for him?” I asked Owen and Brandon.
“This is your time and you two have a lot to talk about. We’ll catch up with him tomorrow,” Owen said as he hugged me.
Standing outside the locker room, I leaned up against the wall and waited for him to come out. I knew it was going to be a while since I could hear the celebration going on, but when I looked up, I saw Logan standing at the entrance, still in his skates and hockey uniform, staring at me.
“Nice fight.” I smiled.
“Thanks.” He looked down. “Why did you come back to New York, Brooke?”
“I never left.”
His eyes looked up and met with mine. “What do you mean? Where have you been for the past three weeks?”
Slowly walking towards him, I ran my finger along the bruise that was almost covering his eye.
“It’s a long story and I’m going to tell you everything, but not here.”
“You hurt me, Brooke.”
“I know and I’m sorry. But I did it for you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Go change and we’ll go somewhere quiet and I’ll explain it to you. Unless,” I looked down, “you
don’t want to see me.”
There was a moment of silence between us and, suddenly, I grew very nervous.
“I want the truth and I want to see you, so give me about twenty minutes to shower and change.”
“I’ll be waiting right here.” I smiled. “How’s your leg?”
“It hurts like a bitch, but I can handle it.” He grinned as he turned around and walked back into the locker room.
****
After Logan cleaned himself up, we hailed a cab back to his apartment so we could talk. After setting his bag down, he walked into the kitchen and grabbed two bottles of beer from the fridge.
“This place is a disaster.”
“I know. Sorry. I’ve been a little busy the past couple of weeks.”
He handed me the bottle and we both took a seat on the couch.
“So. Where have you been staying?” he asked.
I bit down on my bottom lip and he narrowed his eye at me.
“Brooke?”
“Promise me you won’t get mad.”
“Great.” He rolled his eyes. “That right there is an indication that I’ll be mad.”
“Pinky promise.” I smiled as I held up my pinky.
“Seriously?”
“Yes. Seriously.”
He sighed as he hooked his pinky finger around mine.
“Okay.” I took in a deep breath. “I’ve been staying at Brandon’s penthouse.”
His chest puffed.
“You promised!”
“So all this time that I thought you were back in California, you were staying with my brother?”
“Yes.”
He brought the bottle to his lips and took a large gulp.
“Okay. Continue.”
“I never meant any of the things I said to you in those text messages. I needed you to be angry at me. I wanted you to hate me.” I looked away.
“Why? Why would you want that?”
“Because it was the only way to get your confidence and focus back on the ice.”
When I looked at him, and our eyes met, his displayed nothing but confusion as he sat there in silence.
“Oh God, Brooke.” He slowly shook his head. “You knew that I’d take all my anger towards you out on the ice.”