Hard Lines & Goal Lines (Fast Ice Book 2)

by Stephanie Julian

  Brody’s brows drew down as he settled onto the edge of her desk. “Shit. Have you talked to RJ yet? I haven’t heard anything but then I haven’t been looking. This guy didn’t give you a clue?”

  “No. I don’t want to rile up RJ if this is just a fishing expedition. And I haven’t checked Twitter yet to see what’s going. Now I’m afraid to.”

  Brody huffed, his expression now closer to the grumpy guy he usually was. “Bullshit. You’re not afraid of anything.”

  Totally not true, but she had to maintain some superiority over her younger sibling.

  “It just caught me off guard this morning and you caught me at a bad time. I’ll deal with that in few minutes. What do you need, brat?”

  Only here in the privacy of her office with the door closed did she allow herself to call him by her pet nickname. He surprised her again by not bitching about it.

  “It’s nothing. Not when you’ve got this to deal with.”

  “Spill it. I can spin multiple plates, you know.”

  “Yeah, yeah. You’re Wonder Woman.” He shook his head. “RJ and I were talking about what to get Mom and Dad for Christmas. We need to get this nailed down and soon.”

  Crap. She hadn’t even thought about that yet. Her thoughts must have shone on her face because amusement spread across Brody’s face with all the glee of a ten-year-old who had something to hold over an older sibling.

  “Well, shit. Was that a plate I heard shattering on the floor?”

  She gave Brody the finger as her mind raced. She and her brothers had a reputation to uphold with their parents’ Christmas gift. They always got them the best, whether it was a trip to Paris for the Tour de France (their dad’s bucket list) or two weeks in New York seeing all the shows (their mom’s list) or the African safari or the Mayan ruins tour. Her dad had been especially impressed with that one.

  It was something she and her brothers always did together, but this year they were getting a late start due to the cloud hanging over RJ. After sputtering for a few seconds, her brain kicked into gear and she pulled up her calendar. Christmas was a little more than three weeks away.

  “Can you meet Saturday morning? We can do brunch and hash this out.”

  “Sure. You mind if I bring Tara? I’m sure RJ won’t have anything to do. He never goes out anymore.”

  The look she exchanged with Brody proved they were related. She knew exactly what he was thinking because she thought the same herself. RJ had been digging himself into a burrow and that was totally unlike their brother. The guy was a pure extrovert who thrived on interaction with others. By hiding himself away, he was becoming someone they didn’t know.

  That had to stop. It was making him look guilty and he wasn’t.

  “Bring Tara. I haven’t seen her for a while. You wanna meet at The Brig? If we go around ten, the first rush should be out, and the lunch rush won’t have started yet. I’ve been craving a double order of chocolate chip and blueberry pancakes.”

  “I’ll go wherever you say. Just tell me and I’ll show up and I’ll make sure RJ’s there too.”

  “Okay. I’ll text you both later to remind you.”

  “Sounds good. Hey, you gonna call that reporter back?”

  “Of course.” It wasn’t like she could ignore them simply because they were asking about her brother. “You know, some people actually think it’s easier to work with family.”

  Brody huffed out a laugh. “Those people never have. You want me to stick around for moral support?”

  She wanted to wrap her arms around her brother and squeeze him before she asked what pod he’d emerged from this morning.

  “No. I’m good. But thank you. I appreciate it.”

  They shared a smile before Brody pushed out the chair and headed for the door. “All right. Talk to you later. And try to keep that legendary cool, sis.”

  “When don’t I?”

  She muttered that under her breath as Brody disappeared, closing the door behind him. Leaving her alone with her phone and a call she really didn’t want to make.

  But first, she did a quick internet search. Found nothing new about RJ. Which meant whatever it was hadn’t hit yet. Or the reporter was fishing. Then she called the Los Angeles law firm handling RJ’s case, but no one there had heard of any “new” information being released or even gossiped about.

  Looked like she was going to have to wade in blind on this one. Not exactly how she wanted to start her day.

  At least she knew how it was going to end…dinner with Tim.

  “Oh my god, you’re not gonna believe this, but I convinced Mom to come for a visit. We’re leaving tomorrow morning! We should be there for the game tomorrow night. Give me a call when you can. Love you. See you soon.”

  Standing at the stove stirring the red sauce he was making for dinner tonight, Tim grinned as his sister’s message played from his phone on the counter. Finally. Some good news. This day was looking a hell of a lot better than when it’d started.

  On-ice practice had been light because of the game tomorrow, but he’d put himself through a grueling workout with his trainer this afternoon, trying to work out some of the stress that’d been eating away at him since Tuesday. Starting with that scene with Gabby and her asshole boyfriend then the call from his sister yesterday…

  No wonder he felt like shit today.

  Yeah, I don’t think stress is the reason for that tight muscle in your back.

  Probably not. That one he could put down to his age. Another thing he really didn’t want to think about. What he should be focusing on was the fact that Gabby would be here in less than an hour and he wanted to have dinner ready so he didn’t have to screw with it while she was here.

  Alone with him. In his apartment.

  He couldn’t believe he’d finally managed to convince her to have dinner with him, much less alone in his apartment. Especially after they’d made out like teenagers Tuesday night. He’d thought for sure Gabby’s practical nature would win out and she’d cancel.

  But no. She’d texted him before he left the gym to make sure they were still on. He’d wanted to reply, “Hell yes, we’re still on,” but figured he wouldn’t press his luck.

  Just the fact that she’d checked in made it easier for him to breathe.

  After wiping his fingers on a towel, he picked up his phone and texted his sister to let her know he’d gotten her message and to send their flight details. He’d arrange to have them picked up at the airport and brought back to his apartment.

  His mom knew his pregame routine almost as well as he did, so she knew he’d be at the arena for morning skate, then watching tape with the coaches, out to lunch with the team then back to his apartment for a nap. He’d have to be back at the arena by four so he wouldn’t have a lot of time to spend with his mom and Sunny until Saturday.

  Since his place had a huge guest room with its own bathroom, they didn’t have to stay at a hotel. And it’s not like he had a girlfriend. Although if tonight went the way he wanted…

  Getting ahead of yourself, aren’t you?

  Yeah. But he couldn’t help himself. He and Gabby had known each other for years, since the first hockey camp he and RJ had attended together as teenagers. She’d been RJ’s bratty younger sister who knew the game inside and out, almost as well as Tim did. And she made sure he knew it. Some of the other guys had been intimidated by her, even though she’d been younger than most of them. Tim had been fascinated.

  They’d seen each other a few other times between the time he and RJ played in the OHL and when they’d been drafted, but they’d never spent enough time together. At least, that’s what Tim had thought.

  Six years ago, she’d been a new hire in the Colonials PR department and he’d just been brought up from the AHL. She’d looked him straight in the eyes and told him he’d get eaten alive at this level if he didn’t know what he was doing and that as the backup goalie, he had a much shorter rope than every single other guy on the team making more money t
han him.

  Then she’d gone through the standard public relations spiel for new NHL players. He’d asked her out the second she closed her mouth. She’d raised her eyebrows, told him she wasn’t interested in guys who didn’t have the courtesy to listen to her when she spoke then dropped him at the locker room and left.

  He was pretty sure he’d fallen in love right there. And he’d sworn, someday he’d get her to go out with him. He had a hell of a lot more patience than a lot of guys. It’s what made him a damn good goalie. But it was something he’d had to work at because that’s what you did to get better.

  So, he’d worked at it. Slowly. He’d made a point to talk to her whenever they were in the same room. She’d told him at a team party one night that she’d been a pretty decent midget hockey player. She’d been a fast skater and a decent goal scorer but hadn’t wanted to pursue it in high school. She’d wanted to concentrate on her schoolwork. She’d actually been offered a scholarship to Boston University but had turned it down to go to Temple. But she loved the game, which was why she’d wanted this job.

  Usually, at team parties, they ended up together in a quiet corner, talking. He enjoyed hanging with his teammates, with a few exceptions, but he spent hours with them on planes and buses and on the ice. Sometimes, he needed a break. Sometimes, he just wanted to talk to Gabby.

  Over the past six years, he’d watched her date other guys. Guys who had nothing to do with hockey. Guys who wore suits to work in downtown office buildings where they bought and sold who knew what for more money than he might ever see in a lifetime. And he was one of the highest-paid backup goalies in the league.

  None of those guys had ever stuck around long. Usually because she broke up with them. She’d date a guy a few months then release him back into the wild. And Tim would clench his teeth and ask how she was doing the next time he saw her.

  She’d always said fine. It hadn’t worked out. They hadn’t been compatible. A couple of times, she’d just flat-out said the guy was a dick. Those were the ones Tim would’ve gladly punched in the face, even knowing he’d be suspended for it. Would’ve been worth it.

  And he still hadn’t asked her out. Because he knew she’d say no.

  So what’d changed her mind? That make-out session? He would’ve thought she’d run fast and far in the opposite direction for just that reason.

  Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

  The doorbell rang and adrenaline dropped into his veins like speed. His gut clenched as his heart pounded. When the fuck had he become a teenager again?

  Jesus, calm the fuck down.

  He finally had her exactly where he’d wanted her for years. He didn’t want to fuck it up now.

  Hardwood floors cool against his bare feet, he walked to the door, running a hand through his mostly dry hair before he opened the door. And nearly swallowed his tongue. Luckily, he didn’t make too much of an ass out of himself by letting his mouth drop open.

  Damn, she was beautiful. The most beautiful woman he knew, and he’d met his fair share of movie, TV, and rock stars who came to the games and invited the team to private parties at exclusive clubs afterward.

  “Hey, come on in. Glad you could make it.”

  Gabby smiled and held up a bottle of wine as she stepped through the door. Closing it behind her, he couldn’t resist a quick peek at her ass because, holy Christ, the woman had curves that went on forever.

  When she turned, he met her gaze head on, his mouth curved in a grin that matched hers.

  “Thanks for inviting me. It’s nice to be out of the house and not for work. And have someone else cook.” Her eyebrows rose and he could see the humorous glint in her eyes. “You did cook, didn’t you?”

  “Of course. Follow me into the kitchen and I’ll prove it. Couldn’t let you starve since I know you survive on takeout.”

  He walked by her, battling the urge to bend down and press his lips against her cheek as she huffed out a laugh. Just that soft sound was enough to make his cock twitch.

  Down, boy.

  He didn’t want to scare her away and he didn’t want to push her too far too fast.

  “Pasta and red sauce okay with you?”

  Tuesday night had been the first time he’d had hope that they might take this connection between them to the next level. After doing this dance for all these years, he didn’t want to wait any longer. But he had to be smart. And careful. Even though the caveman inside wanted to throw her over his shoulder and toss her on his bed.

  Immediately.

  “Smells amazing.”

  He barely heard her footsteps on the soft rugs he’d covered most of the hardwood floors with. They’d been among the first purchases he’d made. Thick and soft and luxurious against his bare feet. “Oh, wait. I forgot.”

  “What—”

  He turned to find her bent over, perfectly curved ass in the air as she removed her shoes and socks and set them beside the couch.

  He practically choked on air but managed not to make a complete fool of himself by coughing.

  Fuck.

  She caught him looking and he thought she’d bust him about it for sure. Instead, she just gave him a look he could only describe as pure challenge. It made his breath catch in his throat and his heart pound against his ribs.

  “I know you like people to take their shoes off inside.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  She shrugged, still grinning. “I know. I’m more comfortable with them off. And you’ve got all these rugs, so…”

  Good. He wanted her to be comfortable here. Wanted her to be here. A lot. Of course, he didn’t say that out loud. He might not have an MBA from Wharton like some of the guys she’d dated, but he wasn’t stupid.

  “You wanna help me with the salad?”

  “Ah. So you do have an ulterior motive. You just want me to help you make your rabbit food.”

  His grin returned. “Don’t knock rabbit food. It’s good for you. My body’s a finely tuned machine. That’s good, clean fuel.”

  Stopping on the other side of the kitchen island from him, she leaned against the marble top and grinned at him. “So is chocolate cake. You know…flour, eggs, milk. It’s practically health food.”

  “Still got that sweet tooth.”

  It was one of the first things they’d realized they shared. At the first team party Tim had attended, they’d found themselves reaching for the brownies at the same time. Their hands had brushed, and they’d looked at each other and grinned.

  Pretty much like they were doing now.

  “You’re thinking about that team party, aren’t you?”

  Her question twisted his guts into even more of a knot. “Yeah. You were trying to steal all the brownies.”

  “Oh no. I was trying to get one before the horde descended. I was surprised there were still some left by the time I got there. Especially since you’d already been there a while.”

  Grabbing a large bowl from beneath the island, he set it in the middle then turned to get the salad fixings from the fridge.

  “We all have our vices. Chocolate is definitely one of mine.”

  “I know. It’s one of the reasons I like you.”

  “So there are others?”

  “Other reasons? Of course. You’re tall and therefore useful to have around if I need something off the top shelf.”

  He grinned. “Hey, you can’t blame me for that mess in your office last year. You asked me to get that box off your shelf. You didn’t tell me that box held about five years’ worth of paper crap.”

  For the next twenty minutes, they stuck to easy conversation. They made the salad. He boiled water and tossed in the fresh pasta he bought in bulk from a stand in the Reading Terminal Market because, damn, it was good.

  And when they sat down to eat, they continued to pretend they were just two friends having a meal together. They talked about food and wine and movies they’d seen and every damn thing except that kiss Tuesday night.

  He
could live with that. For now. Because he knew, eventually, they would talk about it.

  By the time they finished the meal and he set a plate of brownies on the table in front of the fireplace, he’d worked himself up to the conversation he really wanted to have. But he’d be damned if she didn’t beat him to it.

  “So,” she took a deep breath, “I guess we should talk about what happened Tuesday night.”

  Well, hell. He hadn’t expected her to jump into this conversation with both feet, but her face had that expression she got when she approached a problem. She wore it a lot more now that RJ was home.

  He didn’t want to add to her problems. He didn’t want to be one of her problems.

  Leaning back into the oversize chair directly across from hers, he took a pull on his beer then set the bottle on the table next to him.

  “Do you want to talk about it? Or do you just want to forget it happened?”

  He readied himself for her to say, yeah, she’d rather just forget it. Then again, she could’ve done that in a text, and they could’ve gone back to their pre-kiss friendship. She could ignore the pull between them, and he could go back to wanting her and knowing he couldn’t have her.

  Her head tilted to the side, her expression carefully clear. “Is that what you want? To forget about it?”

  He shook his head. “You should know me better than that, Gabby.”

  You know what I want.

  He didn’t say the words out loud, but they hung between them in the silence that followed. She continued to hold his gaze, hers steady, searching for an answer he wasn’t sure he wanted her to find. Because if she knew how fucking much he wanted to kiss her again, she might run in the opposite direction.

  “We do know each other pretty well, don’t we?”

  It wasn’t at all what he’d expected her to say and he frowned, which made her lips curve in a grin.

  “Like now.” She leaned back into him. “I know exactly what you’re thinking.”

  Was she teasing him? He’d be damned if he could tell.