The Penalty Box: A Vancouver Wolves Hockey Romance

by Stone, Odette

  Mica’s expression didn’t budge an inch.

  Andrew didn’t seem to notice or care. “And this is Charlie. She works at a sports agency. Or so she tells me.”

  Mica’s gaze flicked back to me. His expression hardened. “Charlie is my fiancée.”

  Fiancée. That word did not sound right coming out of his mouth. He actually managed to make it sound like a swear word.

  A long pause ensued before Andrew recovered. Shock marred his face as he turned to me, almost accusing. “You never told me you were engaged!”

  Andrew couldn’t have made this situation worse if he tried.

  My laugh sounded forced. “Well, we didn’t really have time to share that much.”

  He nodded and said with sincerity, “Well, hopefully, that will change. I meant what I said. You’re invited out to walk with us any night of the week.”

  I needed to end this conversation. I bent over Sandy, loving how she lifted her face to mine. I gave her furry face a good rub and said, “Be a good girl.”

  Mica stood, waiting.

  “Thanks, Andrew.” I glanced over my shoulder. Mica, without saying a word to Andrew, followed behind me up the driveway.

  Mica opened the door and then held it for me. I kicked off my shoes and decided that this was one of those moments when Mica could use some alone time. I started to make a beeline towards my bedroom, but his voice behind me stopped me cold.

  “Who was the guy?”

  I spun around, working to be casual. “I went for a walk and met his dog first. He invited me to join the neighborhood dog-walking group.”

  Mica sounded calm. “You don’t have a dog.”

  “He let me borrow his.”

  Mica moved farther into the kitchen and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms as if to settle in to have a conversation about this. “You didn’t tell him you were engaged.”

  “I didn’t want to get into it.”

  “Why’s that?”

  His voice remained so calm and rational, so I didn’t understand why I felt so rattled.

  “Does it matter if some random person walking down the street knows that I am engaged or not?”

  “It matters.”

  he was making me feel guilty for something I didn’t do. “It seemed like a lot of information to volunteer to a complete stranger.”

  He didn’t move but continued to study me. “He invited you to walk with him again.”

  Why did I feel so nervous? “Him and a group of twenty other dog walkers. It wasn’t just him.”

  Mica’s tone was even and emotionless, but he was throwing me with his intense blue stare and crossed arms.

  I worked to change the conversation. “So, uh, where did you go?”

  He reached into his pocket and pulled something out. With deliberation, he placed it on the island in front of me. My eyes dropped to the signature eggshell-turquoise ring box.

  Holy shit.

  “That’s for you.”

  I didn’t move a muscle. “Thanks.”

  “Aren’t you going to open it?”

  Did I have a choice? I stepped forward and, with trembling fingers, opened the lid. Nestled in white satin was the most gorgeous engagement ring I think I’d ever seen. It was a solitary emerald-cut diamond with a slender platinum band encrusted with tiny diamonds. The whole thing sparkled and glittered in the light.

  “You bought me an engagement ring.” I stupidly stated the obvious.

  “Of course.”

  “I thought we were just going to wear wedding bands.” I was no jewelry expert, but I knew that this engagement ring had cost thousands of dollars. It seemed like an extravagant, unnecessary expense.

  “Why would you think that?”

  I couldn’t, for the life of me, bring myself to meet his eyes. “I don’t know.” I lightly touched the large diamond. “It’s stunning.”

  “Try it on.”

  With shaking fingers, I picked it up, but my numb, fumbling fingers dropped it. In slow motion horror, I watched as it skidded towards him across the marble countertop of the island. He moved fast, catching it in mid-air before it hit the floor.

  He looked down at the ring in his hand before asking, “Which hand do you want to wear it on?”

  “What?”

  “In Russia, we wear our marriage rings on the right hand, but I know in America, you prefer the left hand.”

  “I guess my left hand.”

  He motioned for me to give him my hand. I reached across the island and he captured my fingers in his. I watched his face as he slid the ring on my ring finger. His expression was one of intense concentration but otherwise hard to read. With his huge fingers, he twisted the ring on my finger. “Almost a perfect fit.”

  I didn’t breathe until he released my fingers. I pulled my hand back and studied the massive diamond. Every way I turned my hand, the diamond caught the light and glittered. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Our eyes met. I didn’t know what to make of his expression. The guy was so hard to read.

  I swallowed hard. “Did Krista send you a text about tomorrow?”

  “She did.”

  “She told me not to come into work tomorrow.” I flushed, wondering why this felt so awkward. When Krista sold me on this crazy idea, she told me it’d be nothing more than a paid acting gig. Now it felt like there was a lot more going on, but I didn’t know how to interpret any of it.

  “Can you be ready to leave by eleven?”

  I nodded.

  He strummed his fingers on the island granite. “Okay, see you tomorrow.”

  Did that mean he was leaving again? Being in this place by myself felt lonely. Maybe if I tucked myself in my room and gave him space, he wouldn’t leave.

  “I’ll be in my room if you need me.” I turned and disappeared into my room, but moments later, I heard the beep of the alarm and the front door slamming shut.

  Chapter 10

  MICA

  I went for a long and hard run, trying to come to terms with the fact that I was getting married at noon today, but every step I took, my thoughts repeated.

  I don’t want to get married.

  I don’t want to get married.

  I tried to organize my thoughts, lose the emotion and see the big picture.

  It’s a fake marriage.

  So why did this feel so damn real? Why did I feel like I was signing away my goddamn freedom, my happiness, and everything good for the rest of my life? I felt like there was a noose being tied around my neck, and the tighter it got, the more panic I felt.

  I knew, on some level, my reaction was over the top. Why couldn’t I be rational about this situation?

  Because you’ve seen what marriage can do to two people.

  I didn’t want to think about my parents. My entire life had been about avoiding their fate. I had never met two people who made each other more miserable than my parents made each other. When I was a kid, every wish I made was that they would free themselves from the pain and suffering they caused each other. But they never divorced. They never even considered it. I had asked my mom once why she had never divorced my father. She looked at me with blue eyes that matched my own and said, “Because we married for life.”

  It made no sense to me at the time, and it still didn’t. But I swore when I was a kid that I would never marry, and the older I got, the harder I held onto that promise to myself.

  This marriage wasn’t even a guarantee that I could help my career. It was a long shot, and I was starting to believe it was an over-the-top move that would accomplish nothing. Krista believed Mark would change his mind about me. I failed to see how something as stupid as marriage would make that happen.

  All I knew is that I didn’t want to get married.

  Still breathing hard, and without taking off my runners, I walked into the kitchen. Charlie sat at the island, eating a bowl of yogurt.

  “I can’t marry you,” I said, my breath
heavy from exertion.

  She blinked up at me, and for a second I thought I saw hurt. Then nothing. She put her spoon down. “Okay.”

  Hands on my hips, I tried to calm my breath as I spoke. “Yazimoto is taken care of. He won’t hurt you or your brother. I’ll get you set up in an apartment. You can keep the clothes and the ring. I just can’t marry you.”

  Her wide eyes clung to my face, but understanding and care infused her voice. “That’s fine, Mica.”

  She said it was fine, so why did I feel like such a dick? “You okay?”

  She looked conflicted by my question. “Yes.”

  She didn’t speak, but her eyes held all her questions.

  I worked to explain my change of heart. For some reason, it was important to let Charlie know that this wasn’t about her. It was about me. “Krista said this would be a fake marriage. Just a piece of paper. But that’s bullshit. This would be a real, legal marriage. Husband and wife. If we go down to city hall, that’s real. A judge will marry us. That is not pretend.”

  I couldn’t even put in words how much aversion I felt towards marriage.

  “I understand.”

  I added for good measure, “This is me, not you.”

  Her expression became thoughtful, even concerned. “What will happen with your career?”

  “I don’t know.” I ran my hand through my wet hair. “I’m not even sure if this would’ve helped.”

  On the island between us, my phone started to ring. I had zero intention of answering it, but her eyes dropped to the screen.

  “It’s Mark Ashford.”

  I swore under my breath.

  She gave me a look that reminded me of Krista. “You should talk to him. Try to figure out your next move.”

  I knew she was right. With reluctance, I reached forward and swiped the phone on, not caring that I put him on speakerphone.

  “Petrov speaking.”

  “Mica.” His voice boomed. “Am I catching you at a bad time?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Good. Good. I’ll keep this short because I know you have a big day ahead of you. Krista told me your news. I couldn’t be happier to hear that you’re marrying Charlie Watt.”

  I looked at Charlie. She was sitting there, wide-eyed, staring at the granite in front of her.

  I should tell him the truth. “Uh, thank you.”

  “You know, I was worried we wouldn’t be able to extend your contract. I was having issues trying to overlook this recent event, Mica. It was too much.”

  My heart dropped as he sealed my fate.

  “But Krista has really gone to bat for you. She said that you’ve been so determined to not let your past define you. And when she told me you were willing to settle down and get married, that you wanted to make some serious lifestyle changes, I went to bat for you too. I talked to the board and convinced them we need you back. How would you like to suit up for tomorrow’s game?”

  I could feel my heart pounding in my throat. “I’ve only served two games of my six-game suspension.”

  “Well, that suspension was a directive of our team, not of the league, so we can do whatever the hell we want.”

  I wanted to play so bad. My time away from the Wolves had felt like torture. Now he was offering to forgive and forget. But that wouldn’t last if I didn’t marry Charlie. As soon as he figured that out, I would be as good as gone. “I don’t know what to say.”

  His voice softened. “You and I have had our differences. I know how it feels to be young with nonstop women and money at your disposal, but I think our team is better than that. When we have a strong family foundation, both at home and in the locker room, that is how we win championships.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Do you think your wife will forgive me if I ask you to come back tomorrow night?”

  I couldn’t bring myself to look at Charlie. “I think she’d be more than okay.”

  “Good, good. And I might have slipped your happy news to the team. There will be some players happy to see you back on the bench.” He chuckled. “Give Charlie a heads up: they might be planning a little celebration for you both after tomorrow night’s game.”

  “Thank you.”

  “No need to thank me, Mica. This is all your doing. You’re showing me you’re capable of commitment. You’re stepping up.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Now don’t let me keep you. Go enjoy your day.”

  “Thank you.”

  I pressed the off button and could barely bring myself to look at Charlie. She sat with her sleeves pulled down over her hands, which were fisted over her mouth.

  Her eyes were downcast, focused on the countertop.

  “Say something.”

  Her big brown eyes lifted to me, but she didn’t speak.

  I pinched the bridge of my nose and squeezed my eyes shut. “We need to get married.”

  “But you just said this would be a real marriage.” She sounded breathless.

  “I know what I said.”

  “But…”

  I felt like the most selfish asshole in the world. I swallowed and looked at her. “I’m sorry. I’m screwing this up.”

  She took a big breath. “It will save your career.”

  “It will.”

  Out of all the things I thought she would feel, the sadness that crossed her face was the last emotion I expected to see. It hit me like a hard, left-hook to my gut, making me feel queasy.

  She slid off her stool. “I’ll go get ready.”

  * * *

  I stood beside Charlie in front of the judge as he went through the motions of marrying us. The judge cleared his throat, looking pointedly at me.

  “You can now face your bride and repeat after me.”

  I turned to face Charlie. She was staring directly at my chest, not looking up at me. This whole thing felt wrong. I felt terrible about this morning, and I had said things that I already regretted.

  “Look at me,” I said under my breath to Charlie. Her reluctant eyes lifted to mine. I was committing to her. It might be the last choice I wanted to make, but my commitment was real.

  The judge nodded at me and said, “Please repeat after me.”

  There was so much trepidation in her eyes. I mentally willed her to keep looking at me as I spoke my vows of marriage to her while simultaneously and silently communicating my own version of that vow to her.

  “I, Mica Petrov, take you, Charlie Watt, to be my wife and to live together in marriage.”

  I don’t want this, and you know that, and for that I am sorry.

  “I promise to love you, comfort you, honor, and keep you.”

  I will never love you, but I will comfort, honor, and keep you as mine.

  “For better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.”

  I am rich and you are poor, but I will look after you. No matter what.

  “And forsaking all others, I will be faithful only to you.”

  I will never cheat on you, and I expect the same damn commitment of celibacy from you.

  “So long as we both shall live.”

  I won’t make the same mistake my parents made. We will divorce, but I will try my hardest not to make this year suck too bad for you. No matter what it costs me.

  Her eyes dropped as soon as I finished speaking. I slid her wedding band on her finger.

  “You may kiss the bride.”

  She gave me a rueful smile as I bent my mouth towards her. Our lips met so tentatively. I could feel her mouth trembling against mine. Not knowing what possessed me, instead of lifting my head, I pushed further against her mouth, deepening the kiss. Her eyes went wide, opening her gaze to mine.

  She tasted fucking delicious.

  That thought made me pull back. She flushed a pretty pink and as she pressed her lips together, she looked anywhere but at me.

  “Congratulations,” the judge said. “You’re now husband and wife.”

  * * *

  A
fter the ceremony, Krista organized us in a series of poses for photos in front of city hall, which she deemed perfect to release on social media.

  “This is the start of your happily-married campaign,” she assured me, when I grumbled over the number of pictures she insisted on taking. Charlie didn’t speak a word. She did what Krista asked her to do and smiled for all the photos, but she barely looked at me.

  Krista pulled me aside when Charlie went inside to freshen up. She did not look happy. “What the hell is going on?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Charlie’s house burned down?”

  I pressed my lips together. “Yeah.”

  “So, she’s moved in with you?”

  “Yup.”

  “What’s going on between you two?”

  “Nothing,” I insisted.

  She raised her eyebrows and poked me hard in the chest. “You two are acting like polite strangers. Did you fight?”

  “No.”

  “Are you giving her a hard time?”

  “You’d have to ask her that.”

  “Well, you pretending to be in love is about as convincing as one of those after-school specials. That’s how shitty your acting is. You’re like two strangers who aren’t comfortable with each other, and you need to figure this out before the entire world figures this out.”

  I didn’t know how to figure this out. “I’ve got this under control.”

  “Mark said you’re playing tomorrow.”

  “He called.”

  She gave me a critical look beneath her fake eyelashes. “What the hell is going on with you, Mica?”

  “We’ve had a tough weekend with Charlie’s place and getting ready for today.”

  “Tomorrow they are having a celebration for you. The whole team and the WAGs. You’d better have your game face on.”

  “We will.”

  She nodded, satisfied. “Is Charlie okay?”

  I completely freaked her out.

  “Like I said, we had a tough weekend.”

  “You treat her right, okay?”

  “I am.”

  “Go. Both of you. Take the day off. Get your stories straight, because everything is riding on tomorrow night, and you’d both better be more convincing than you were today.”