Icing: A Seattle Sockeyes Puck Brothers Novel (The Scoring Series Book 4)

by Jami Davenport

  “Chris doesn’t look too happy,” Delaney whispered in my ear, distracting me from my worries.

  “I wonder what we’ve missed. Sasha is disruptive enough, but my mom… God help him. He’s going to need it.”

  “Is your mom that bad?”

  “She can be. She’s a radical troublemaker. She doesn’t like to back down or work on a mutual solution. It’s her way or the highway, and she has no problem resorting to rioting, destruction, or lawlessness to prove her point. In fact, I often feel as if she relishes creating drama and causing discord.”

  Before Delaney could respond, Chris rapped on the desk with an old gavel I’d never seen him use before. We’d never been the kind of group to follow any kind of meeting rules. “Listen, everyone, let’s get started.”

  People settled in their seats and quieted, though the group wasn’t great at taking orders. It took a few more raps of the gavel. Delaney didn’t care for the disorganization and met my gaze, rolling her eyes. In fact, she didn’t approve of the direction this group was taking. I wasn’t sure I did either, but I felt a sense of obligation to the group and to my mother not to abandon them. Besides, I might be able to defuse any volatile situation, especially ones that involved my mother.

  Before Chris had a chance to open his mouth, Sasha stood up, snatched the gavel from Chris, and took the floor. Chris, not being a particularly strong personality, sat down and yielded the floor to him.

  “Okay, we’re going in, and we’re going in strong. We’ll be on-site Monday at noon, and we’ll be relentless. We’re going to make Parker sorry that he’s chosen this route. Elite athletes and billionaires will not dissuade us from our cause. Their intentions are evil. They’ll soon be taking over every park in this city for their buildings. We must stand solid. This is the tip of what we can do. We’ll have demands that must be met, not only for this project but for future projects.”

  Delaney stood up and shouted to be heard over Sasha’s ranting. “I have a question.”

  Scowling, Sasha didn’t have much choice but to acknowledge Delaney. Because of her father’s powerful position in Congress, she carried a lot of clout with the people in the group. “What is it?”

  “Have any of you spoken with Mr. Parker about our concerns?”

  Sasha seemed flummoxed by her question. “Uh, no, I see no point in it.”

  “I volunteer to speak with him. As you know, my boyfriend is one of his players and finds him to be a reasonable person. I believe my connections can get me a meeting with him.”

  “You and your connections,” Sasha spat out with unnecessary venom. What an ass.

  “That won’t be necessary.” My mother stood too. “You’ve missed our last few meetings, so you wouldn’t know what our plans are or what has transpired. The time for talking is over. Parker has made his position clear, and now we will make ours clear.”

  Delaney fisted her hands at her sides. She was angrier than I’d ever seen her. “You are missing an opportunity to come to a mutual compromise.”

  “There can be no compromise with the wealthy elite,” Sasha snarled. “But you’re one of them. What would you know?”

  Delaney snarled right back. I watched with wide eyes as she went toe to toe with Sasha. He wasn’t smart enough to stop even though she bested him in every argument he presented.

  “Monday we march, we protest, and we make sure he knows our stance,” my mom interrupted their argument. “If you don’t like our direction, you can leave.”

  “Such a shame, as I was considering naming you one of my generals,” Sasha added.

  “Generals? This isn’t a war. This is an opportunity to make our voices heard and find a peaceful resolution to the problem.”

  “The only resolution is our resolution. This tree today, and all the trees in Seattle tomorrow. We will not allow it.” Sasha rallied the troops, and the sheep were following in line.

  Delaney threw up her hands. “I’m done.” She grabbed her purse and turned to me. “Are you staying?”

  “I…I don’t know.” I was torn, so very torn. I’d been a part of this group, helped build it from the ground up. We’d done so many good things. I couldn’t abandon it now because the going got rough. If I left, who would steer it back to our mission? Not Sasha, and certainly not my mother.

  “No, I’m going to stay. I’ll find a ride home.”

  Delaney nodded and gave my shoulder a squeeze. “I’ll call you later.”

  I smiled up at her. She hesitated, studying me momentarily with worried eyes. I nodded to let her know I’d be okay. I’d handled way tougher situations than this one. This’d be a piece of cake.

  Or so I hoped.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Bad Idea

  ~~Steele~~

  After a few short days at home, the team was flying out tomorrow morning for another long road trip. I loved hockey, don’t get me wrong, but I hated leaving Cin behind. I missed her horribly in ways I’d never thought I’d miss anyone before. She’d burrowed her way into my heart so quickly, I hadn’t mounted the proper defenses, and now I didn’t want to.

  I’d finished morning practice and was about to head home for lunch and my ritual nap when our captain stopped me.

  “Hey, Coach wants to talk with you.” Ice gave me one of those looks that said a lot while not saying anything. I was in trouble, but I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what I’d done.

  “Any idea why?” I chanced the question, hoping our captain would give me a clue what I was walking into.

  “Good luck.” He grimaced and shrugged, either unwilling or unable to clue me in.

  I trudged to the coach’s office like a man trudging to the gallows. I’d played a shitty game last night, but everyone was entitled to a shitty game once in a while. Other than that, my performance had been dependable. Maybe dependable wasn’t enough anymore. Maybe I was being traded.

  Fuck.

  By the time I knocked on the door and Coach invited me in, I was working myself up into a miniature panic. I wasn’t prone to panic, but right now I wasn’t feeling so great. My stomach was queasy from stress, and my head pounded.

  I paused in the doorway. Sitting at Coach’s table with Coach was the GM.

  Shit.

  This was not good.

  The GM didn’t get involved in mere conversations about a player’s performance the night before.

  Next to the GM was the team’s marketing director. I hadn’t had much contact with her because I’d never been a publicity problem for the team. If I recalled, her name was Jillian Costa, and she had a rep as a ball-buster.

  “Hi,” I said lamely and sat down in the chair that Coach indicated. He sat next to me. The sympathy I saw in his eyes alarmed me. Gorst wasn’t known for sympathy or touchy-feely crap.

  All eyes turned to Ms. Costa, and I realized this was her show. Based on her reputation, I’d stand a better chance with one of the men. Half the team was afraid of her, and the other half avoided being under her scrutiny.

  “We have a situation, and I believe you might be able to assist us.”

  I let out a whoosh of air I’d been holding in. Whatever was going on, they weren’t trading me. “Be glad to.” Right now, I’d do any charity event they required, I was so relieved.

  “Good.” Her smile was positively feral and scary as shit. I’d bumbled my way into something, and I had no idea how much of an issue it might be for me.

  I pasted a smile on my face, hoping to look cooperative.

  “I’m sure you’re aware of the situation regarding the repurposing of Beecher Park into a center for athletes transitioning out of sports into other careers?”

  Oh, shit. I hadn’t seen this coming. I nodded warily, not happy to be navigating this particular minefield.

  “We understand your girlfriend is one of the organizers of a movement against the building of the center.”

  “She’s not exactly against the center, just the location.”

  “As you know,
prime real estate within Seattle city limits is almost impossible to come by, especially this close to the SHAC. It is absolutely imperative that this center continue.”

  “I understand, but I don’t know what I can do about it.”

  “You can do plenty. Convince your girlfriend to find another cause to fight for, and we’ll donate one hundred thousand dollars to the charity of her choice.”

  That seemed reasonable to me. An old cedar tree in exchange for one hundred K. No brainer there. “I can do that.”

  “I knew we could count on you.” Mr. Calhoun grinned at me. “You’ve always been a team player, Steele, and we appreciate and reward team players on the Sockeyes.”

  I wasn’t sure if he was issuing gratitude or a veiled threat.

  “I’ll do my best, but she’s somewhat headstrong.”

  “Regardless, we have no doubt you’ll be able to convince her,” Ms. Costa said.

  I wanted out of here before they asked any more of me. “If that’s all…”

  “That’s all,” Coach groused, grumpy at being forced into something that wasn’t directly related to hockey.

  I rose to my feet and hurried out of the building and into my car. After I pulled out of the parking garage and down the street, I paused. The protesters were assembling on the sidewalk in front of Beecher Park. I didn’t see Cin anywhere. She’d worked late last night and was hopefully just getting up. I’d catch her before she joined this group. I did recognize Cin’s mother, who was handing out signs to various people milling about.

  I had to catch Cin before she came down here. I had utmost confidence she’d be thrilled with Mr. Parker’s offer and do her part to stop the protests. No one gave up one hundred K over a tree.

  I met her in the hallway as she was heading out. We hugged and kissed, and I briefly considered carrying her to my bedroom, but she pushed away from me.

  “I’m sorry, I have to go.” She sounded as reluctant as I felt.

  “Hey, babe, I have great news.”

  She glanced at me, the door, and back to me. She was late as usual and was in a hurry to get to Beecher Park. “I don’t have any time.”

  “I know you’re late, but you’ll want to hear this. It’ll be worth it.” I was excited, anticipating how happy she’d be with the deal the Sockeyes wanted to strike.

  Cin glanced toward the door, as if she was contemplating making a run for it. Instead, she heaved a sigh and waited for me to continue. “What is it?” There was a tinge of impatience in her voice. No one got between Cin and her causes.

  Herc had been sitting in the entryway between us. He yawned and waddled to his dog bed, snoring as soon as his big head hit the cushion.

  “I just got out of a meeting with Sockeye management.”

  She eyed me warily. “You’re not being traded, are you?” Momentary panic crossed her face. While I hated to see her in distress, I did feel good that such an idea bothered her.

  “No, nothing like that. Nothing at all. Sockeyes management has been trying to reach out to your protest group, and they aren’t getting a response.”

  By the rigid set of her jaw, I didn’t think she believed that story.

  “They have. Because they weren’t successful, they asked me to present a proposal.”

  “They asked you? You’re a hockey player. You don’t make executive decisions.” Her beautiful eyes narrowed with suspicion, and her expression of distrust broke my heart.

  This wasn’t going as well as I planned, so I rushed to get through the minimal details that’d been shared with me. “Management is willing to donate one hundred thousand to whatever cause you choose if your group agrees to stop the protests and arguments against the building plans.”

  Her nostrils flared with anger, and I knew too late that I’d made a grave miscalculation in how my message would be received.

  “They’re trying to bribe me? They think my principles can be bought? Even worse, do you? You don’t get this, do you?” She was standing as tall as she could and leaning toward me with such emotional fury I staggered back a step.

  “I thought you’d be happy.”

  “Okay, I am. The charity of my choice is saving the cedar tree.”

  Cin didn’t wait for a response. She turned on her heel and stomped out the door.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Arrested

  ~~Hyacinth~~

  That infuriating, arrogant man…

  I stormed out the door, stabbed at the elevator buttons, and paced the small space until it stopped in the lobby of the condo building.

  I was furious, disappointed, and devastated all at once. I didn’t know which emotion I felt more of.

  Steele didn’t know me at all or understand me. All these months while he’d listened quietly as I passionately talked about my causes, he’d been blowing smoke up my ass. He hadn’t cared. He’d humored me. He’d led me to believe we had a foundation we’d build on over time. I didn’t fool myself that our relationship would always be harmonious, but we’d have good times, and we’d have great make-up sex after we fought about something.

  Now as I thought back on it, Steele had never voiced approval of my work. In fact, his silence spoke volumes. Sure, he’d shown the proper level of interest, and I’d assumed his interest was acceptance.

  Imagine my shock to find out he’d never accepted our differences.

  I felt betrayed, like someone had opened up my chest and squeezed my heart so hard it took a heroic effort to just pump blood through my veins.

  I would not cry. Damn it. He wasn’t the first guy I’d fallen for, though I’d entertained the possibility he might be the last. I was wrong. So very wrong.

  I approached Beecher Park, and the closer I got, the more noise I heard. I temporarily forgot about Steele as I hurried to check things out. I wasn’t hearing the sounds of a well-organized rally with chanting and cheering. I was hearing something way worse, like the beginnings of a riot. I’d feared this might happen. Chris knew a lot of outside agitators, and he’d most likely invited them to join us. My mother didn’t need agitation. She was a born agitator.

  As I rounded the corner, I assessed the situation. Several men and a few women were confronting police, shouting, and refusing to move. I glanced around for my mother and spotted her in the bed of a pickup with a bullhorn.

  “We won’t back down! Stand your ground!” she shouted into the bullhorn, and the agitated crowd took up the chant. The police watched warily, not making any aggressive moves, which I feared wouldn’t be good enough for my mother. She wanted them to be the aggressors to further her agenda and incite the group all the more.

  This wasn’t going to end well.

  I accepted partial blame because if I’d been here earlier, I might’ve diffused this situation before it got this far.

  Then I saw it all playing out in my head before it happened. Ethan Parker, the subject of this group’s hatred, which they’d been building over the past several weeks, strode down the sidewalk. He held up his hands to show he meant no harm, but my mother wasn’t in a benevolent mood. I was almost up to her perch on the tailgate of the pickup.

  She opened her mouth and shouted obscenities at Mr. Parker, then much to my horror, she raised her hand to throw a tomato at him. A fucking tomato. That was low even for her.

  After that, everything happened in slow motion.

  Mr. Parker caught sight of my mother and froze. I grabbed her by the ankle and yanked, pulling her off the pickup to the ground. My actions were too late. A barrage of tomatoes flew through the air, and chaos reigned. The police moved in, arresting everyone they were able to catch. Mr. Parker was hustled off by his security staff. At least no one had good aim. He appeared to be fine. He glanced over his shoulder and our eyes met. Recognition shone in his gaze before he turned back around.

  I was so screwed.

  My arms were yanked behind my back, and I was handcuffed along with my mother and led to a squad car. I didn’t bother pleading my case. Now wasn�
��t the time and no one would be listening. I was put in the back of a police car, not my first time, and I stared out the window at the remains of the protest as most of our group had left or been taken into custody.

  As we pulled away from the curb, I spotted a familiar figure on the sidewalk.

  Steele stared straight at me and right through me.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Join My Team

  ~~Hyacinth~~

  The next morning, Delaney arrived to bail me out of jail. The guys had left that morning on a road trip, so I went back home. I had a week to decide what to do and where to go. I couldn’t live here.

  “You didn’t have to do that. You took care of Herc and that was enough.”

  “Actually, Steele took care of Herc last night. I got him in the morning when the guys left on their road trip.”

  “Oh, he did?” At least, Steele and my dog were getting along.

  “Did he say anything?”

  “Nothing.”

  I sighed. Of course he didn’t. He’d be pissed as hell at me.

  “Another thing. I didn’t bail you out of jail. Mr. Parker did.”

  “Ethan Parker?” I was incredulous.

  “Yes, and when he gets back from the road trip with the guys, he’s asked to meet with you and me specifically. He doesn’t want any other members of the group there.”

  “I can’t blame him. Is he angry?” I was miserable and angry at myself for getting into such a jam, yet I’d have intervened and stopped my mother again if necessary.

  “I’m guessing he is, but he did call this meeting, so there’s that.”

  “To tell us this isn’t happening or to work with us?” I wondered out loud, not requiring an answer.

  “You should’ve left that group, Cin. Why did you stay?” Add Delaney to the ranks of people currently pissed at me. She glared at me, disappointed I hadn’t walked away from this debacle before it’d gotten worse. Maybe I should’ve, looking back. It’s so hard to second-guess yourself.