Her Hockey Superstar Fake Fiancé: A Strong Family Romance Companion Novel

by Cami Checketts

  Faith packed up her things and headed for work. She used the gym at the lodge to work out and shower and then went over to the spa. Her mind replayed the two times Jag had been here: once for his haircut and once when they’d used the pools together. She smiled wistfully. She was still angry that he could accuse her, but she couldn’t stop herself from loving him.

  Different clients came and went, and all she could think about was Jag and that picture. Shanna walked a nail appointment back at eleven that morning. Faith pasted on a smile to greet the client, but it froze on her face. “Brielle?” she whispered.

  Brielle gave her a brief hug. “Hey, you.”

  “How’s it going?”

  “Horrible, actually, but I’m pretty sure you’re going to help me make it better.”

  Faith’s stomach lurched. She didn’t want to ask her to clarify. Was Brielle going to try to get her to forgive Jag? Faith wanted to love him, but she also wanted to hold on to her righteous indignation. “What are you wanting to do with your nails?” she managed to ask.

  “We both know I’m not here for nails, and I’m thinking you need to cancel the rest of your appointments today and tomorrow.”

  “I can’t do that.”

  “Can’t or won’t?” Brielle raised a challenging eyebrow.

  “Both. What do you want?”

  “I want you to love my brother.”

  “I do,” Faith flung at her.

  “Enough to forgive him for being an idiot?”

  Faith sank into the chair next to the nail station and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t trust me. You can’t build a relationship without trust.”

  “That’s true, but we all make mistakes, Faith. Come with us to Boston and give him another chance.”

  Faith shook her head, biting at her lip to keep from crying. She desperately wanted to go to Jag, but nothing had changed. He’d only sent that one picture. He probably still thought she’d done all the awful things he’d accused her of.

  “Faith.” Brielle pulled a chair up, sat down close to her, and grabbed her hand. “I’m close to Jag. I love him so much.” She gave Faith a piercing look. “He’s loved you his entire life. It’s finally your time to be together.”

  The words made Faith’s heart leap, and combined with the picture he’d sent, Faith thought his sister was probably right. He did want to be together, but he didn’t know how to navigate it any better than she did.

  “Don’t screw it up by being prideful and angry.”

  Faith’s head bobbed. She didn’t know what to say.

  Brielle sighed. “I’m crazy about Mason—I feel so blessed to be with him—but he’s still a guy. Let’s face it: they do stupid crap sometimes, but because we love them, we let it go. That’s how relationships are. It’s never going to be perfect, but if you truly love Jag more than you love yourself, you’re going to forgive him and make it work.”

  Faith was mulling over her words. She was holding on to pride and she could see she was being selfish, but she was still scared. “I love him completely,” she admitted. “But what if I come with you and he doesn’t want me?”

  Brielle chuckled deep and low, then leaned forward and hugged her again. “Oh, Faith. That is the least of your concerns. The man adores you.”

  Faith blinked back tears. “If that’s the least of my concerns, what’s the biggest concern?”

  “What are you going to wear to the game tonight?” Brielle winked.

  Faith couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve got nothing fancy.”

  “We don’t need fancy, but we do need you in some killer jeans, high heels, and Jag’s jersey.”

  Jag’s jersey. Faith wanted to wear it so badly.

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered.” Brielle stood and held out her hand. “Ready?”

  Faith took her hand and stood, determination coursing through her. There was still a chance Jag wouldn’t forgive her, but she had to take the risk. Life without him was no life at all.

  Jag was warming up with the team. He felt great physically, ready to play after the break. Emotionally, he was still a mess. He no longer cared how Sheryl had gotten the information about his MS. She was a witch and got awful information about celebrities all the time. Jag only felt bad that he’d accused Faith. He’d wanted to just fly back to Colorado and beg Faith to forgive him, but there hadn’t been time with practice yesterday and the game tonight. He couldn’t get away until next weekend, and he didn’t want the conversation to happen over the phone. He’d sent that picture of him, but she’d never responded. Maybe it was a stupid move, but when he’d seen that picture online a couple of years ago, it reminded him of the tradition he shared with Faith. Right now, he needed to know how Faith was feeling, hold her close, and beg her with his words, his gaze, and his body to forgive him. Maybe with all three, he’d stand a chance.

  They were skating into a line for the national anthem. He glanced up at the box he had reserved for his family and friends. His eyes widened when he saw the long dark hair, the gorgeous face, and the perfect body … wearing his number twenty-four jersey. Faith. Jag wanted to punch a fist in the air, throw off his gloves, and rush to her, but the national anthem was starting, so he couldn’t do any of those things.

  He took his helmet off, put his hand over his heart, and tried to focus on the flag and the words like he usually did, but his mind was racing. He hoped the founding fathers wouldn’t find him disrespectful, but Faith was all he could think about. She’d come for him. It was the most amazing Christmas present he could think of. He’d known he loved her before, but it touched him deeply to see that she’d laid aside her pride and anger at his unjust words Christmas morning, flown across the nation, and now was here for him.

  The song finished, and the announcer went through the Buffalo Sabres’ starting lineup. Jag waited impatiently, and his gaze kept darting up to the box, where he was certain Faith was focused on him. He was always anxious before a game, but these nerves were out of control.

  “And our favorite centerman, Jag Parros!” the announcer roared.

  Jag skated forward, clutching his helmet in his left hand and his stick in the right. The crowd was screaming uncontrollably. He raised his stick, pointing it at his box. Faith leaned against the glass and pressed her hands against it. His heart leapt. Nothing could ever come between them.

  “I love you,” he mouthed.

  Her answering smile was sweet, and he could see her mouth form the words too. She loved him. He’d waited so long, and he’d never been so happy. He listened to the crowd’s cheers and just soaked it all up. He was going to keep playing hockey. More importantly, he was going to be with Faith. No matter what, he was going to make it work with her.

  He jammed his helmet on and prepared to play. This game was going to be amazing, and the after-party with Faith would be even better.

  Faith couldn’t peel her eyes from Jag as the team warmed up and then stood for the anthem. She forced herself to look at the flag during the song, but then she was right back to staring at the man she loved. When they announced his name, he skated forward, raised his stick, and pointed it right at her. She put her hands against the glass like she used to do from a much lower position in high school, not this lofty box.

  She saw him mouth the words, “I love you.”

  Faith’s heart slammed against her chest, and warmth rushed through her. “I love you,” she said back, aloud.

  Jag grinned, shoved his helmet on, and prepared to play.

  “Are you glad you came?” Brielle asked.

  Faith smiled around at Jag’s family. “Yes. Thank you so much for bringing me.”

  “Couldn’t leave our future in-law behind.” Mason winked.

  Faith grinned, but then she turned back. She wanted to focus on the game. She didn’t move from the glass throughout any of the periods, only taking breaks when the team did and chatting with Jag’s family. Jag played brilliantly. The Bruins won 5–2.

  As the ga
me finished, she wondered how long she’d have to wait to see him. This huge stadium was set up nothing like the rink back in Vail where he’d played in high school. She couldn’t just go down and wait by the plexiglass wall for him to slam into it.

  She watched as the team skated through and slapped gloves with the other team. Jag was one of the last to go through. As he finished, he stared up at her, and his mouth formed the words like they used to: “Wait right there.”

  She nodded. She’d wait for hours if she needed to.

  Jag’s family chatted with her as she waited. She was anxious and just wanted Jag to be here. She loved his family, but she wasn’t sure she wanted them to witness the next scene of her life.

  Jag’s mom pulled out her phone and smiled. “Faith, honey, we’re going to greet Jag in the hallway and give you two some time alone. He wants to know if you’ll wait here.”

  Faith’s stomach leapt. “Of course. Thank you.” She gave them all hugs, said her goodbyes, and then stood watching the open doorway. She could hear voices in the hallway; she was pretty sure Jag’s voice was among them.

  Shifting her weight from foot to foot, she clutched her hands together, and sweat beaded on her brow. She’d come for him, but their last conversation had been pretty horrible. Could they put that, and ten years of misunderstandings, behind them?

  Jag’s strong body appeared in the doorway, and every worry and misunderstanding disappeared. His dark hair curled slightly, still wet from the shower; his lips curved in a grin; and his blue eyes lit up. He strode toward her.

  Faith smiled, fighting tears as how deeply she loved him washed over her.

  Jag stopped right in front of her and held his hands up. Faith trembled as she placed her palms against his. He grinned, and then he wrapped his hands around her waist, picked her up off her feet, pushed her back into the glass, and proceeded to kiss her. Faith lost all ability to think, but she still had the ability to respond. And respond she did, wholeheartedly. His kiss lit up her world and told her that he loved her every bit as much as he claimed.

  He pulled back and let her feet slide to the ground but kept her pinned to the glass. “Faith,” he murmured. “You came.”

  She nodded.

  “I’m so sorry. I was a complete idiot to doubt you. I was scared and angry and …” He shook his head. “All I want is you, Faith. I can’t tell you what it means that you came for me.” His gaze swept over her and heated her clear through. “Wearing my jersey. I love you.”

  Faith wrapped her arms tight around his neck. “It’s always been you for me, Jag. I want to be wherever you are, and I want to be with you.”

  His answering grin made her body tremble with anticipation.

  “Will you marry me?” she asked.

  Jag chuckled, low and deep. “Yes. Yes, I think I will.”

  There was no more time to talk, as he kissed her passionately. Faith held on tight and returned each kiss. She was finally with the man she’d been meant to be with. Brielle was right that it wouldn’t be perfect, but Faith loved Jag more than she loved herself, and now she was exactly where she wanted to be.

  Epilogue

  Twenty-Eight Years Later

  Faith held on to Jag’s hand as a young man pushed the wheelchair, shuffling across the ice at the Boston Bruins stadium. She looked around at the cheering crowd. They’d had a lot of good memories in this arena throughout the years.

  He grinned up at her. “Everybody’s cheering for you, love. How does it feel?”

  Faith laughed. “They’re cheering for you, and you know it.”

  The announcer was rattling off all of Jag’s accomplishments on the ice, as well as the contributions the Parros family had made to hockey throughout the years. Faith raised her left hand while Jag raised his right, waving to the crowd but still holding on to each other.

  Jag had gone on to play five more years after they had married, and he’d retired when he wanted to, not when multiple sclerosis wanted him to. He’d fought hard throughout the years to stay healthy and fit, but the disease still progressed, and though he tried to only use a walker, the wheelchair was sometimes easier. They’d had their struggles throughout the years, but they’d done it together. Their son and two daughters were the icing on the cake. Faith’s constant prayer now was that Jag had some more years in him. She hated the thought of him going to heaven without her.

  The announcer roared, “And now your favorite centerman, Ryker Parros, will present his father with his retired jersey!”

  The crowd was screaming so loud it was almost painful on her ears, but Faith ate up every minute of it. Her son skated confidently out on the ice. His massive frame, dark, curly hair, and bright blue eyes were all Jag; his full mouth and slightly upturned nose were from her. Her heart leapt as her boy skated straight to her, a huge grin on his handsome face. He’d played for the Bruins for two years now, and she and Jag couldn’t be prouder.

  Ryker reached her, bent down low, and gave her a hug. “Hi, Mama.”

  “Hi, sweet boy.” She went on tiptoes. He was so big she was able to barely reach his cheek and kiss it.

  He squeezed her tighter, and she loved every second of it. Hugging her tall, tough son was heaven to her.

  Ryker released her and turned to his dad. Jag pushed to his feet and gave the fans a fist pump. They went nuts. Faith leaned close to hear Ryker say, “Hey, Dad.”

  Jag reached out his hand and grasped Ryker’s shoulder. The two embraced. Faith could hardly hear Jag over the roar of the crowd. “I’m so proud of you, Ryker.”

  Ryker smiled, his blue eyes suspiciously bright. He handed Jag the jersey, and the crowd went even more wild. “Love you,” Ryker said.

  Tears were trickling down Faith’s face as she watched the exchange. Ryker pushed back on his skates and waved to the crowd. Faith glanced up at their family’s box. It was bursting at the seams with his parents, her mom—as her dad had passed away a few years ago—Brielle and Mason’s family, some of her siblings and their families, and most importantly her and Jag’s two beautiful daughters, Mylee and Avery. Her heart was so full of love that it might burst.

  Ryker skated off to join his team before the next period started. She and Jag waved to the crowd as well. The young man who’d escorted them onto the ice rushed out to assist them. Jag sank back down in his chair. Within half a minute, the crowd’s cheers had settled behind them as they were helped off the ice and loaded into an elevator that would take them back to their box.

  Jag’s eyes were shining as he tugged on her hand. “Come sit right here,” he said.

  The young man smiled and focused on the elevator panel as Faith sat on Jag’s lap.

  Jag grinned at her. “Much better.” He might be weaker than either of them would have liked, but he was still strong enough to hold her close.

  Faith kissed him softly and then leaned against him. “We’re so blessed,” she said.

  “Yes, I am.” Jag rested his head against her. “Yes, I am.” He tilted her chin up and kissed her again.

  Faith had no clue how long the young man waited to take them to their suite. She savored the kiss and the moment. Who knew how much longer she’d have Jag? She wasn’t going to miss out on any opportunity to show him how much she loved him.

  Don’t miss any of the Strong Family Romances:

  Don’t Date Your Brother’s Best Friend

  Her Loyal Protector

  Don’t Fall for a Fugitive

  Her Hockey Superstar Fake Fiance

  Don’t Ditch a Detective

  A hardened detective searching for light; an idealistic adventurer needing an anchor. Will the sparks that fly between them bring them together or leave burn marks that can't heal?

  Detective Jed Beckham's life is changed by one encounter with the charitable Cassandra Strong. Her answer, when he tries to convince her he's the right man for her, is a shot of pepper spray to the face.

  Can they overcome their rocky start and find not only love but continue her l
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  Find Don’t Ditch a Detective here.

  Don’t Fall for a Fugitive

  “Do you have a novel, or seven, that you could leave with me to get through the day? I hate to be the one to break this to you, but the books on your Kindle app were ruddy lame, and I don’t dare open my own phone for fear some technology will track me down faster than a police dog.”

  He smiled but pretended to be affronted. “My books are lame? You don’t like Marketing Rebellion and Mind Your Business?”

  “Blimey, no! I should care about reading those kinds of books. Maybe I’d find something that would help my own business grow, but I can’t stand nonfiction.”

  “I guess we’re going to have to agree to disagree yet again.” He folded his arms across his chest and smirked at her. Hazel was struck again by how nicely muscled his body was, as he was wearing a fitted long-sleeved shirt and jogger-type pants. She admired his greatness too. Here he was teasing her when he could easily be turning her over to the police.

  “Sorry,” she said, “I can’t do ‘agree to disagree’ about proper football or reading preferences. I’m one of those who believes everyone must agree with my theories.” She winked to show she was teasing. In this diverse world, somebody would go insane trying to win everyone over to their way of thinking. “Don’t worry, I’ll lure you over to the dark side of a proper reading list soon.”

  “What’s the dark side?” He leaned in closer, and she could smell his crisp scent again.

  “Romance.” She felt her cheeks heat up as his gaze took her in. “I mean romance novels, you know?”