Lance glanced my way and I caught a hint of aggravation. “I’ll wait for you,” he said.
“That’s okay. Please go ahead. I just have to talk business with Killian for a minute.”
An uncomfortable note of silence hung in the air before he walked away.
“Sweetheart?” I said, watching her expression. “What was that about? You let him call you that, but he’s not your boyfriend?”
She sighed deeply. “He’s in denial.”
“Maybe you should tell him to fuck off instead of being so nice to him.”
“After tonight, trust me, I’ll be telling him something very close to that.”
“Good,” I said. “You have fun with that.”
“Yeah. And you enjoy your mediocre romp in the sheets with what’s her name.”
“Who said I’m sleeping with her tonight?”
“Please, Killian. Why else would you endure her company for an entire evening?”
“I’m definitely in the mood to fuck, but I’ll be dropping Celia off on my way home. What about you? You sure you’re not gonna let Lance spread your legs tonight? If so, I hope he brought his Viagra.”
Sid smiled and rolled her eyes. “He’s forty-five, Killian. That doesn’t mean he’s impotent.”
“Answer the question, Sid.”
“No.” She sipped her champagne, looking nervous but not meeting my eyes. “I’m not sleeping with Lance.”
“Is this an on again, off again thing? You sure he’s not your boyfriend?”
“Very sure.”
“But you’ve fucked him before.”
“I said I’m not sleeping with him, alright?”
“You better not let that motherfucker eat your pussy.”
“Jesus, Killian. Who do you think you’re talking to?” she muttered.
“If you give me your number, I’ll text you later to make sure you’re going to bed alone,” I said, sighing as I saw Celia making her way toward us.
“There you are!” she squealed. “I’ve been looking all over for you! I thought you were going to come and look at the silent auction stuff.”
“You ready?” Sidney asked.
“For …?” My attention was being pulled in two directions.
“My number.”
I pulled my phone out, entering her number as she gave it to me.
“Later, then,” she said, her eyes meeting mine.
“Later. I’m keeping my promise. You better keep yours.”
Her smile was full of unspoken words. But she didn’t have to say anything for me to know she wouldn’t be letting Lance fuck her tonight. I wondered if, like me, she was more turned on by what she and I weren’t going to share tonight, than by what would come easily with anyone else.
Sidney
I could hold up my end of an argument any day of the week, but when I was truly pissed I said absolutely nothing. Lance knew this, and during the entire drive back to my apartment he begged me to talk to him.
“We need to work this out, Sidney. I know I haven’t been the man you deserve, but I’m ready to try again. You know we make a great team.”
I’d heard it all before, and I was so done with it. My last remaining hope that Lance and I could remain friends had vanished tonight. If I ever saw him again it would be too soon.
When we arrived at my condo, instead of parking out front Lance circled the block, still talking a blue streak.
“I’m here and we’re face to face now. Let’s work this out, sweetheart.”
I was sick to death of listening to him and I just wanted to get out of this stupid car and get up to my condo. Obviously I was going to have to try a more direct approach, “You’d better stop this car right fucking now, Lance.”
He shook his head and looked surprised, and then cruised into an empty parking spot. “So this is it?” He leaned toward me, angling for a kiss.
“No,” I said, venom in my tone. “Eight months ago was it, but you refused to move on. And as far as tonight goes you put the final nail in your own coffin. I can’t believe you made a comment like that in front of everyone, let alone one of my players.”
“That was only because he’s one you’ve got the hots for. I could see it all over your face.” I almost laughed at his petulant tone.
“Lance, I wish you well. But I can’t talk to you anymore. Please, don’t call me again.”
I got out of the car and closed the door, not looking back. He pulled away as I was unlocking my front door. Maybe – hopefully – he’d understood me this time. I’d been foolish to believe he would ever be satisfied with just being friends.
Once inside, I went up to my room and changed clothes and took off my makeup, relieved to be in for the night. While I was brushing my teeth, my phone dinged signally a text message. I finished what I was doing, grabbed my phone and climbed into bed. I was ready to chat and I just knew this message was from Killian.
Killian: U alone?
Me: Yes. Did you take Barbie back to her Dream house?
Killian: Yep.
Me: Did you kiss her?
Killian: U jealous, boss?
Me: Just curious.
Killian: No. U let Oldie kiss u?
Me: He tried. Didn’t get very far though.
Killian: You were the most beautiful woman in that room tonight. Probably in all the other rooms in the world, too.
I stared at the words on the screen, reading them twice before responding. It was unlike Killian to say something so sweet, with no sarcasm or bravado to cover himself.
Me: Thank you. Can I keep the t-shirt?
Killian: lol, sure. U like it?
Me: I’m wearing it right now.
Killian: Damn. Nice. I wouldn’t give that shirt to just anyone btw. It was my lucky shirt in college. Wore it for 32 games straight without washing it once.
Me: That’s hot in a way I can’t explain at all.
Killian: What were u like in college?
Me: Total nerd. Picture glasses, a bun and a turtleneck sweater.
Killian: Fuck yeah. Nothing but the sweater? You vixen.
Me: Ha. More like nerdy dress slacks.
Killian: With stripper heels, right?
I laughed out loud, the sound filling the silence of my empty condo.
Me: Always. Bet you were a golden boy hockey star in college.
Killian: Not exactly.
Me: ?
Killian: Long story. Not a text kind of thing.
I frowned, the possibilities flying through my mind. No way had he worked his way through school – he had to have gotten a full ride to Penn State with hockey. Serious girlfriend? It seemed unlikely, knowing him.
Killian: You would’ve had a better time with me tonight.
Me: I know.
Killian: Guess we should go to sleep.
I glanced at the alarm clock and groaned. My wake-up call for a six AM workout was just four hours away.
Me: Right. Goodnight.
Killian: Send me a pic of you in my shirt.
Me: Sorry, I don’t do selfies.
Killian: I didn’t mean your face. Just your tits. ;)
Me: You’ll have to use your imagination. Goodnight, Captain.
Killian: Night, boss.
Chapter 5
Killian
Keri’s grin was smug when she turned to me and Liam. She’d stopped us in the tunnel and we both gave her a questioning look.
“Alright, so you’ll be building some positive PR by skating with fans this afternoon,” she said.
“Right.” Liam nodded. “Just don’t bitch if I knock anyone over.”
She put a hand up to stop us from moving forward. “Maybe I need to mention that these are young fans.”
I scrunched my face skeptically. “Young as in … teenagers?”
“Uh, no. They range in age from five to seven.”
“Oh, hell no,” Liam said, crossing his arms across his chest. “I’m not a fuckin’ babysitter, Keri.”
�
�They’ll have chaperones with them.”
“You know, maybe you should ask some of the other guys,” I said. “I’ve never been around little kids.”
“Oh, don’t give me that. You two are the ones whose images need a makeover.” Her blue eyes sparkled with the same kind of confidence that reminded me of Sid.
“I can teach ‘em how to throw a good right hook,” Liam said, cocking his head. “And share some colorful words they may not know. Or, what about how to break your stick over an opponent’s head? That’s all some useful stuff.”
Keri gave him a no-nonsense glare. “Liam, come on, I’m asking you to do this. Please. You’ll have fun, and so will the kids.”
His face lit up in a grin. “Okay. We’ll do it.”
“Speak for yourself,” I muttered. “I don’t know shit about dealing with kids.”
“Just be nice,” Keri said. “And no swearing.”
An hour later Liam nudged me as we approached the ice. “You do the talking. That’s the captain’s job.”
“Thanks, asshole,” I muttered.
There were about a dozen kids lined up on our bench. The closer I skated to them, the more I tensed at the sound of their giggles and high-pitched conversations. I didn’t know how to handle kids.
But how hard could it be? They were just small people. I stopped in front of the bench and looked them over. They were bundled in a rainbow of coats, hats and gloves, and they quieted when they saw me.
“He’s a hockey player,” one boy said in a low, awed tone.
“Hey, guys,” I said, leaning on my stick. “I’m Killian, and I’m the captain of the Flyers. This is my teammate Liam. You guys excited about ice skating?”
“Yeah,” the sound of their shout was about enough to knock me over.
“Good!” I said. “You guys have any questions before we get started?”
“Have you ever fallen down on the ice?” a boy blurted out.
“All the time. Especially when I was learning to skate. You just have to get back up and keep trying.”
Another boy raised his hand and I pointed at him. “Got a question?”
“What if I have to pee while I’m skating around?”
“No worries, we’ve got bathrooms here. One of the…grown-ups can take you.”
“Mr. Killian?” A boy with a shaved head was wiggling around on the bench.
“You got a question for me?”
“I need to fart.”
I looked at Liam, trying not to laugh. One of the chaperones looked embarrassed and was about to scold the poor kid.
“It’s cool, man,” I said. “Let it rip. We’re open about that stuff here.”
A little girl with dark curly hair was waving her hand around frantically.
“Got a question?” I asked her.
“Um, I have my own ice skates. They used to be my sister’s, but now they’ve mine. They’ve got purple stars.”
“Awesome,” I said. “Wish mine had stars on ‘em.”
The kids were all squirming and it was evident they’d been sitting long enough.
“You guys ready?” I asked, looking around at them. The chorus of excited responses made me laugh.
The rolling walker contraptions kids used when they were learning to skate were lined up on the ice. Liam and I, and the chaperones, each had to be responsible for two kids. Mine were both boys.
“What are your names?” I asked them.
“Jerico,” a boy with milk chocolate skin and huge brown eyes said. “Everyone calls me Jerry.”
“Sam,” said the other kid, a skinny boy with glasses and a mop of blond hair.
“Alright guys, just hold on to those walkers and skate. I’ll be right here.”
Jerry’s eyes widened. “You can skate backwards?”
His awestruck expression made my chest feel full. “Yeah. I’ll teach you how once you’ve mastered going forward.”
“Did you use one of these when you learned to skate?” Jerry gestured at the wheeled blue contraption.
“Uh, no, I didn’t. They weren’t invented back then.”
“Then I don’t wanna use it either,” he said.
“You might fall on your … butt. It’ll hurt.”
He shrugged. “Can’t hurt worse than a ‘whippin. My dad’s really strong.”
“My dad’s in jail,” Sam said.
I looked at the two little boys, wishing I knew what to say. What struck me most about them was that they both looked so happy and eager. They reminded me of the way I’d felt as a little kid – like every day was an adventure.
“You know what?” I said to them. “My dad left home when I was a baby. I had a great mom who raised me all by herself. And ice skating and hockey helped me feel better if I ever got sad about my dad.”
Jerry gave me an adoring gaze and I reached for his hands. “You hold on to me, Jerry, and Sam, you push that cart thing right next to us, okay?”
Music from a local radio station streamed through the arena’s speaker system and we set off down the ice. It was slow going at first, but Jerry and Sam wouldn’t quit trying. We did lap after lap, and they never got tired of skating.
The two hours flew by, and I was sorry when the chaperones rounded the kids up to leave. Jerry left the line in front of the door and threw himself against me with a powerful hug.
I hugged him back and he stared up at me with unabashed admiration. Had the past couple of hours been better for him or for me? It was a toss-up.
Liam and I met Keri near the front door. She was handing out tickets for our next home game to the kids and the chaperones.
“Hey, if you come to the game, come see me, okay?” I said to Jerry. “I’ll show you the locker room.”
“You will?” he asked, a huge grin on his face.
Liam and Keri stood with me as the kids left, waving and shouting goodbye.
“So you endured,” Keri said.
“Those kids are a trip,” Liam said. “I’d do that again. Let me know anytime you need me.”
“Yeah, me too,” I said.
“That meant a lot to those kids,” Keri said. “They’re from a local after school program and I think it was the first time any of them had been ice skating.”
“You did good, Keri,” I said. “That was a cool thing to set up.”
“If we were in the military I’d say ‘at ease’ right now. You’re free to swear and talk about women again,” she said with a laugh.
Liam gave her a playful look. “There’s only one woman I’m interested in,” he said.
She blushed and looked away. Apparently I wasn’t the only one with a thing for someone affiliated with our team.
Sidney
I’d known Brian Stern since I was a little girl with bright red pigtails. He was a friend of my father’s, which made it all the more annoying to have to seek a favor from him.
“Brian,” I said when he answered the phone. “It’s Sidney Stahl.”
“Sidney!” he boomed into the phone. “Been a long time. How are you?”
“I’m doing well, and you?”
“Good. And you sure as hell are doing well. Picked up a minor league team, I hear.”
This was my opening. “I did. That’s actually why I’m calling you.”
“You need help finding talent? Just say the word.”
Brian was a retired scout. One of the best. His influence was still far-reaching.
“I want to talk to you about Killian Bosch,” I said.
“Bosch?” Brian grunted. “That kid’s a damn mystery to me, Sid. Had it all. He was in with … Boston I think it was. They wanted him as soon as he finished college, but then he went to hell. Crazy partying, fighting – just reckless behavior. Jumped off a roof at a party if I remember right. He put a guy in the hospital, too. Busted up his face really bad. By the time he graduated, no one wanted to touch him except the Flyers. No offense, Sidney, but beggars can’t be choosers.”
I sighed, considering my words. Did I w
ant to lose my star? Hell no. But I knew this was the right thing to do.
“He’s grown up since then, Brian.”
The guffaw at the other end of the line made me roll my eyes. “Not from what I hear. He’s still fighting off the ice and getting arrested on a regular basis.”
Retired was apparently just a state of mind to Brian. Clearly he still knew what was going on with the game he loved and all its players.
“He’s cleaned up his act since I got here.”
It wasn’t completely true, but it wasn’t completely false, either. Seeing Killian leading that boy around the rink by the hands today, both of them laughing, had reached something inside me. I’d broken out in a sexually frustrated sweat, but I’d also seen the sweet goodness in him. He just needed someone to believe he was worth investing in.
“Sid …” Brian started.
“Just listen—”
“No, you listen. There are endless players out there who have talent and who won’t be a headache. The talent’s too thick for someone like you to take on a risk.”
“Have you seen him play? He’s got more than talent. He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen, Brian, and you know I’ve seen a lot.”
There was a beat of silence on the other end of the phone. “Well … I guess I wouldn’t mind seeing your team play a game. I heard you’re whipping ‘em into shape. Proud of you, girl.”
My throat tightened at the words. I wanted to hear those same words from my father, but hearing them from Brian still sent a swell of pride into my chest.
“Thank you. I owe you one.”
Brian grunted his dismissal. “Your dad’s done a lot for me. You don’t owe me a thing. But you won’t know what game I’m coming to. This boy better have his A game every time he hits the ice, ‘cause if he has an off night—”
“I’m not worried about that. Thank you, Brian.”
“I’ll be in touch.” After his gravelly send-off, he hung up.
I smiled to myself and decided to sneak into the stands and see if I could get one more look at Killian with the kids.
Killian
Once again I was walking toward Sid’s office for no reason. It was evening and the arena was quiet, but I had a feeling she’d still be there.
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