18
Amelia
“There’s Tiny!” I looked over my shoulder to see Tony and Kevin, the stars of the Cougars, towering in the doorway.
I smiled and laughed. “I was hoping we’d moved past that by now.”
Tony shook his head. “No way. Tiny and mighty will never be forgotten.”
Kevin chuckled, a low deep sound. “Thanks for coming in again, Amelia. Having another set of eyes during training has been really helpful. We can’t afford any more injuries, and the guys actually listen to you.”
I did my best to remain professional and not let the fact that one of the best players in the league was talking to me like we were friends. “Of course. I like working with you guys.”
Tony slid onto an open table and pointed at his shoulder. “Right here, Tiny.”
I went through the motions of tapping his shoulder. I’d started coming to their daily workouts before practice in addition to their home games. In the past few weeks, we’d formed a routine. “How’s the knee?”
He shrugged. “Not too bad.”
“Do you want to tape it or do you still like using a sleeve?” I questioned as I motioned for him to bend it over the table.
“I prefer the sleeve.”
I nodded and watched carefully as he bent and straightened it. I patted the top of his knee. “You’re good.”
He smiled as he hopped off the table. “Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
“Good luck tonight.”
Kevin took his place and pulled off his shirt. I swallowed at the sight of his rippling muscles. Oh boy.
“Still having problems?” I was proud that my voice didn’t shake as I reached for a different sized tape.
“Not too bad, but this still helps.”
It turned out to be quite useful that I knew their injuries since I didn't have to ask questions about where and how to tape. I replicated what I did for every game and told myself not to rub his back more than necessary. “Feel okay?”
He smiled at me, and I may or may not have sighed. “It’s great thanks.”
I followed his hand as he raised it over his defined chest and ran his fingers through his dark hair and watched me as I crossed the room.
“I’ll see you in a bit.” He stood and pulled his warm up shirt back on.
I smiled and watch him leave.
“Someone’s got a crush.” The whispered voice in my ear made me jump. I spun and came face to chest with a very muscular, very shirtless man.
I let out a squeak and stared up at Chris Harper. The one Madi had warned me about when I first started working at the clinic. She was right. Not only did he flirt endlessly, but he tried daily to set me up with someone. I was running out of excuses.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you waiting.”
He grinned down at me like a cat that found a mouse. “A little difficult when you’re so focused on one thing.”
I took a step back and ignored his quiet laughter. “How can I help you?”
He leaned back against the counter and lifted a knee. “Just need this one taped.”
I hurried to get what I needed while he moved himself so his leg was resting on the table. I laid the tape next to him and mentally chastised myself for being so engrossed in a client.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “Kevin has that effect on most women.”
I blinked up at him and shook my head. “Madi told me to tell you hi.”
His face lit up, and I was grateful for the distraction. “Oh, Madi. The one that got away.”
I laughed. “Still pinning after her? I thought you tried to set her up.”
He mumbled something about hockey players, but I didn’t catch his words. “What about you?”
I glanced up from his knee and met his stare. “What about me?”
“Are you going to date any of these guys? I know you want Kevin, but unfortunately, he’s recently taken. I can set you up with someone else, though.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Unless you like what you see?”
I fought the urge to slap him with the extra tape. He’d probably take that as flirting and think I wanted him. “No thank you.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Why not? You don’t have a ring.”
My gaze darted to my empty ring finger. “I don’t think it’s appropriate.”
“Nah, that’s a terrible excuse. You’re just scared, but don’t worry, I got you, girl. How about Tony or James?”
I shook my head. “You’re done. Go win a game.”
“If I win will you go on a date with someone I set you up with?”
I put my hands on my hips. “No.”
He walked backward out of the room with a sly smile. “That’s cause you know we’re going to win.”
He was right. I knew the odds of them winning against the team from central Florida were high. I just shrugged and waved him out of the room.
“I’ll wear you down, Tiny.”
I groaned, not loving that the nickname had spread. He turned down the hall, and I could hear him laughing at me. I blew out a breath before moving around the room to clean up. No matter how many times Madi warned me about his teasing, I wasn’t prepared for the back to back to back onslaught of these guys.
The TV in the corner was showing the pregame activity and I realized I was missing the Fury game. I pulled out my phone and set it on the counter so I could keep track of both.
During the second period Tony went for a lay-up and landed wrong. He wobbled into the training room a few minutes later and threw himself onto a padded table. The pain had been evident on his face, so I was ready.
“That didn’t look fun.” I placed two ice packs on either side of his knee and wrapped them to stay in place.
“Not really.” He groaned and dropped his head back.
“Do you feel like you tore anything?” It was too soon to know how bad the injury was. The area was already swelling, so I couldn’t tell by looking.
He shook his head with a grimace. “I just tweaked it real good.”
Hopefully that was all, but his pain made me think it was something worse. Darrin walked in at halftime with a tight expression.
“How you doin’, Tony?” he asked as he pulled the ice packs away a bit.
“I’m okay,” Tony said with a huff.
Darrin met my eyes and shook his head. “We’re taking you to the hospital to get imaging done.”
Tony didn’t reply just gave a tiny nod. He wasn’t arguing or teasing and it made my stomach sink. Over the past few weeks he’d worn me down until I considered him a friend. I hated seeing him in pain.
“Let me go check where the wheelchair is.” Darrin walked out, and Tony reached out a hand.
I stepped forward and took it. “You okay?”
He squeezed it and whispered something I couldn’t hear. I leaned down. “What?”
“A kiss would make me feel better.”
I choked back a laugh. “You’re crazy.”
His opened his eyes and pouted. “Please.”
I shook my head, not hiding my smile. “You must be in more pain than I thought if you’re this delusional.”
“Come on, Amelia. It’s a dying man’s wish.”
“You’re not dying, Tony.”
“You don’t know, Tiny. This could be the end for me. Do you really want to live the rest of your life knowing you turned me down? You’d let me die without the one thing in the world I want?”
His voice and strength made a miraculous return.
“No way.”
He smirked. “Fine. How about a date first? Then we can work up to a kiss.”
“You know I can’t date players.”
His eyes narrowed. “Says who?”
“Me,” I challenged.
“You got a boyfriend?”
Nope. I thought there was a chance of something between me and Derrek, but after the forties party I lost hope. He had every opportunity to tell me or show me how he felt and had said nothing. I needed to let
go of my crush.
Maybe a date with a basketball pro wouldn’t be the worst thing. I gave Tony’s hand one final squeeze before pulling away. “No, I don’t.”
I could feel his eyes on me as I moved around the room, pretending to be putting things away. “Then why turn me down?”
I pushed my hair out of my face and sighed. When I faced him, he was propped up on his elbows. “There’s someone isn’t there?”
There was no point in lying. Who was he going to tell? Maybe the rest of the team, but it didn’t matter. They might even stop asking me out if they knew I was interested in someone else.
I finally broke down and met his pensive gaze. “Yes.”
His eyebrows shot up. “But he doesn’t want to commit?”
“No, I don’t think he’s interested in me, period.” I dropped my eyes to the floor and waited. When he didn’t say anything, I peeked up. He was staring at me like I’d grown an extra head.
“What idiot wouldn't be interested in you? Tell me who it is. I’ll take care of him.”
I laughed him off. “It’s okay. I guess we’re just destined to be friends.”
“No man wants to be just friends with you, Tiny.”
“The pain is really messing with your head.”
He glared at me. “Don’t do that. Don’t discount what I’m saying. If this guy is too dumb to see how lucky he is, then you walk away.”
I smiled and nodded. “You’re right.”
His eyes narrowed. “That was too easy.”
“No, you’re making perfect sense. I shouldn’t wait around hoping he’ll notice me. I can still be friends with him, but I should move on. For my own sanity.”
Darrin walked in with two paramedics pushing a stretcher. “Time to go, Tony.”
They loaded him on and were moving out the door before he could say anything else to me. I’d given Derrek time to show me he had feelings for me, but it hadn’t happened. That was fine. We were meant to be friends. I needed to accept that and move on.
The rest of the basketball game went on without any more injuries. I turned off the Fury’s game when Tony came in, and I wanted to check the score but I didn’t want to know if Derrek had called or texted me. I didn't want to see an invitation to hang out. I didn't want to know if he already picked up dinner. I filled the tubs with ice for the guys that dared to take an ice bath and finished everything else Darrin asked me to do before heading home. I didn’t take out my phone.
I just wanted to go home, rinse this day off me, and find the strength to do what I knew I needed to.
19
Derrek
I checked my phone before tossing it back in my duffle. Nothing. Again.
It had been over two weeks since I’d seen Amelia, and besides a few vague texts, we hadn’t even spoken. My best option would be asking Nikolay about her, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to deal with the brute.
The night of the gala, I felt something. I knew she did too. But since then it’s like she’s avoiding me.
I knocked on Coach Abrams’ door and waited to be called in.
“Hey Derrek, take a seat.” He adjusted his glasses and waved at the empty chair across from him.
I fell into it and cringed at my sore muscles.
“Feeling it?” he asked with a cruel smile.
He knew I was. Since I was playing every game, he’d taken personal satisfaction in killing me every day. I used to crave the attention he poured on Olli during practices. Not anymore.
“You’ve been off.” His blunt statement threw me. That wasn’t what I was expecting him to say.
“What do you mean? We’ve only lost one game, and it was last week.”
His eyes held mine. “You’re slipping. I can see it, and you need to admit it.”
I rubbed my hand over my face. I swear this guy was never happy. He was almost as bad as Romney. “I’m tired, but we had four games last week. I have a chance to recover this week.”
“You’re distracted.”
I narrowed my eyes. As helpful as these meetings had been at the beginning, they were now grating. He wasn’t my therapist so why did he feel the need to dig?
“I’ll do better.” It was the only response I had. I wasn’t in the mood to have him push me into some emotional confession.
“Why can’t you just say it?”
He wasn’t angry, but I could see his impatience as he clenched the pen in his hand.
“I’m not sure what it is you’re looking for, Coach.”
He shook his head. “If you think I’m going to give up and let you leave, you’re mistaken. You should know better than that by now.”
“What do you want me to say?” I grumble.
“Tell me why I’m only getting eighty percent from you.”
I sighed and threw my head back. “That’s not true and you know it.”
He didn’t blink as he watched me, waiting.
“I’m working as hard as I can. My stats are better than ever. I was ranked the NHL’s top goalie last month. What more can I give?”
“You tell me.”
I twisted my neck, cracking it in several places. “I’m allowed a personal life.”
His eyebrow twitched like he was holding back a reaction. “I know.”
“Then let me have one.”
“Not if it’s affecting your performance.”
“It’s none of your business.”
His lip quirked up. “It’s my job, actually.”
I almost stood and walked out, but I wasn’t interested in getting replaced by someone from the farm team.
“Is it the team?” He pressed. “I thought things were getting better.”
“It’s fine. We’re fine,” I snapped back at him.
“Then?” he pushed.
I wasn’t going to be allowed to leave until I answered. He wouldn’t even bat an eye at keeping me here for hours.
“There’s a girl.”
He sat back with a satisfied smile. “There always is.”
“We got really close when she first moved here, at least I thought so. We hung out a lot. We could talk to each other about anything. We went out a few times, but a couple of weeks ago she just fell off the face of the earth. She doesn't take my calls and only replies to my texts with one word answers days later.”
“Is she seeing someone else?”
The possibility felt like a sucker punch to the gut. I hadn’t even considered that. What if she was? I felt sick. “I don’t know.”
“Have you asked?”
“No, I can barely get her to answer me as it is. I doubt she would tell me about her relationship status.”
“You care about this girl?”
I nodded.
“As a friend or are you interested in something more?”
“I really like her.”
He watched me while I shifted in the seat. “Then figure it out.”
I scoffed. As if it was that easy.
“Call her. Talk to her. Find out what’s going on. Either accept that she’s moved on or fix whatever you did wrong.”
“Why would you think I did something wrong?”
He tilted his head to the side. “Because you’re a man. It’s what we do.”
Fair point. I didn’t think there was anything I needed to worry about though. I didn’t remember doing anything wrong. Just one day she pulled away.
“Fine. I’ll work on it.”
He waved me off and I took the opportunity to get out of his office before he changed his mind.
I walked back through the halls and debated talking to Nikolay again. He might know what was going on with her, but I didn’t want to drag him into this unless absolutely necessary. I knew Madi or Elena would have information, but once I crossed that line the whole Pride would be alerted. No thanks.
By the time I got in my car, my mind was made up. I called her and waited as it rang. I was preparing to leave another message when her voice surprised me.
“Hi Derrek.�
�
I shook off my shock. “Amelia. Hi. Wow. I didn’t think you would answer.”
“I’m sorry.” She sighed. “Things have been so crazy lately. I feel like half the time I don’t even know where I am.”
That threw me off. She was usually either at the clinic or the Cougar’s arena. “What’s been going on?”
“Oh. Nikolay didn’t tell you?”
My stomach was knotted with uncertainty. “No, he hasn’t mentioned anything. Why?”
There was a long pause, and I could hear people talking in the background. All men. I figured if she was busy, she wouldn’t have answered but now I felt like I needed to apologize for bugging her.
“Sorry about that. The Cougars offered me a position.”
I shook my head, not understanding. “You mean, for the home games?”
“No, well yes, but more.”
I felt like there was suddenly a million miles between us. Why did it feel so strained to talk to her? “What do you mean?”
“They offered me a full-time position with the team. I’m leading all recoveries and monitoring workouts on top of being there for the games.”
So, she was a full trainer now. “That’s great. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.” She sounded tired. “The traveling is rough, but I’m getting used to it.”
“Wait, you’re traveling with the team?”
“Yeah. It’s crazy, right?”
Crazy was one word for it. Why didn’t she tell me any of this?
“How long has this been going on?”
She blew out a breath. “Two weeks now. Wow it feels like so much longer.”
So at least I knew why she had disappeared on me. I ran my hand through my hair. This was so much to take in.
“Are you still working at the clinic?”
“No. I wanted to, but Madi said I would be too busy and she was right.”
Everything in her life had changed, and she hadn’t told me? A dozen emotions washed over me. Doubt, confusion, frustration, even pain.
“Wow. I can’t believe it. Congratulations, Amelia.”
“Thanks.” I could hear the smile in her voice, and it was the only thing that made this conversation worth it. At least I could tell she was happy. “I miss you.”
Scoring Chance (Utah Fury Hockey Book 9) Page 13