Breakaway

by Sophia Henry

  As I glide through the rest of the course, I pass a few of the other people who fell out of our raft. They’re trying to hold on to rocks near the water’s edge. It’s really hard to do. The water is fast and powerful and the rocks are super slippery, but they’re probably freaked out and don’t want to do the dead bug thing. I get it. It’s scary if you’ve never done it before.

  Finally, my ride ends and I’m dumped into the stagnant water. Another guy from our boat pops out right next to me.

  “Nice ride, eh?” I say, treading water, even though my vest will keep me afloat.

  “Thank god it’s warm today,” he responds, and we share a laugh.

  I crane my neck, waiting for Bree to sail down dead-cockroach-style and join us. I doubt she’s one of the rock huggers. She’s too experienced to choose that option.

  A few minutes later I see our raft coming down the rapids, still going strong. There are only two people inside—Bree and the guide. They slide into the pool and paddle over to me and the other guy. I grab the side of the raft and use my arm strength to lift myself up and climb into the boat. Then I grab the other guy’s arm and assist him in.

  I slide onto the seat next to Bree. “You’re a total badass.”

  Her cheeks are red and she’s soaked, but she’s still got a grip on the oar. “A badass who won the bet,” she responds.

  Without thinking, I lean over and give her a quick kiss right on the lips. Everything about her is sexy and alive. It makes me want to spend every second with her. When I pull away I see that she’s smiling and I know I’ve made the right move.

  “We never set the terms. What does the winner want?” I ask.

  A sly smile creeps onto her lips and her eyes hold a mischievous sparkle. “More of that. But lower.”

  We’re sitting next to each other, but we’re still in a raft with two strangers. I glance up to see if we have an audience.

  “Get it, man,” our guide says, sending an air fist bump across the distance between us.

  Bree laughs. She and the guide start rowing us to the giant conveyor belt that will take us back to the start of the rapids for another go.

  —

  I can honestly say that the day I spent with Bree at the Whitewater Center has been one of the best days of my life.

  Bree is effortlessly, girl-next-door sexy. She’s the quintessential California girl people write songs about. Which is a refreshing change from the LA-type girls who caught my eye in the past. The ones who come around when they see hockey players getting table service at a club. Too much makeup, not enough clothes, ready to drink, smoke, and snort whatever they’re offered.

  I’m not saying they’re bad people. Hell, I’ve met some really cool chicks while out in LA and Vegas, but there’s always a layer of fake I can’t get past. I mean, I can look past it for one night, but those aren’t the kind of girls I want to be with long-term. I want to recognize the person I went to bed with when I wake up the next morning.

  “Today has been amazing,” Bree says, leaning back in her chair. She lifts a plastic cup of whatever craft beer she ordered to her lips.

  We’re sitting at a table outside of River’s Edge, the bar and grill inside the Whitewater Center, watching other rafters and kayakers go through the rapids.

  I lean back and let the sun warm my face. People around us talk and laugh. Rafters scream. Someone on the zip line whooshes over our heads.

  “They have a yoga series on Thursday nights. We should come up here for it,” I suggest. “Do you like yoga?”

  “I’m a California girl to the core,” Bree answers. “You should see my downward dog.”

  “I’d love to.” My eyes veer to her ass, which she’s sitting on, so it’s not like I have a view of anything good. But when she mentions downward dog, I can’t help but think about how the pose is head down, ass up. And then my stupid, fucking dirty mind goes straight to how much I’d love get behind Bree while she’s in that position and…

  “What are you thinking about, Luke?” she asks, her question jerking me out of my fantasy.

  “Huh?” I shake my head and lift my eyes to hers.

  “You have this happy, dazed look on your face.”

  “Honestly?” I ask. She smiles and nods. “I was thinking about you naked in the downward dog position, and how if we were at my condo right now, I’d be fucking you from behind.”

  Bree snorts and spews beer all over the table. She wipes her mouth with her palm, then rubs it on her shorts. “You’re so freaking awesome, Luke.”

  “Yeah, well, you bring out the best in me, Bree.” Even though she appreciated the frisky comment, I feel the need to follow it up with something serious. Because I don’t want her to have the impression that she’s just a piece of ass. “I like being with you. I keep thinking of all the things I want to do with you. All the places I’m going to take you to.”

  “Tell me more.”

  “Well, we’ll obviously come here at least once a week. It’s open year-round and there’s always something to do, even if we’re just hiking the trails. And one of the local theater companies organizes the Shakespeare on the Green festival in the park across from the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.”

  As I speak, Bree’s smile dims and I wonder what I said to make that happen.

  “Not a Shakespeare fan?” I ask. “We can cut him out.”

  “Willy S. is cool, it’s just, you know I’m only in Charlotte for a few more weeks, Luke,” Bree says softly, as if she’s afraid her words will break me.

  “I know, I just thought…I thought maybe you’d stay.”

  She looks away, out at the rapids. At first, her silence stings like a slap shot to the nose. Bree is the first woman I’ve ever wanted to see every single day. I can’t believe that it’s only one-sided.

  When she turns back to me, she smiles. “Maybe,” she says.

  Though I know how she feels about getting too involved, I could tell things had changed over the last few weeks. We’d started getting close to each other on a deeper level, so much so that she’s already dug her way into my heart and burrowed right in.

  At first I thought how quickly I fell for her and the intensity of my feelings were just a distraction—a way to take my mind off the fact that I’m not playing hockey anymore. But it’s not like that at all. When we aren’t together, I actually crave being with her. Just thinking like that fucks with my head. I hate being dependent on anyone or anything.

  “I just want to let you know that you’re going to spend every free second with me from now until the moment you leave.”

  “Oh, really?” she asks.

  “And I’m pretty sure you’ll be riding my dick for a ridiculous amount of those seconds,” I add, to lighten the mood. I know she’s smiling, but instead of catching her eyes to show her just how fucking hot I am for her, I turn my gaze back to the rapids, still going strong even though there aren’t any rafters.

  Bree may not want to admit how much she likes me yet, but I’m not letting this relationship go easily. Spending the rest of my life with someone had never crossed my mind before I met her, and I’m not letting her leave for California until she realizes how serious I am.

  Chapter 20

  Bree

  Love happens when you’re not expecting it—or looking for it. Dammit!

  I told myself—and Luke—that I didn’t want a relationship while I was in Charlotte. There’s no reason to start something hot and heavy when I’ll be back in California, or some other city, in a few months. Yet here I am, falling head over heels in love with Luke Daniels, despite my best efforts to fend it off.

  Who would’ve guessed I’d find the man of my dreams in Charlotte fucking North Carolina?

  I’ve always loved the career I chose, but I’d never felt happier or more fulfilled with every aspect of my life than I do right now. I have a beautiful apartment, great coworkers who have quickly turned into friends, and a kick-ass boyfriend.

  Boyfriend. I didn’t expect to
use that word at all during my six months here, but Luke, the sexiest, kindest, most incredible man I’ve ever met in my life, broke through my barrier and has me thinking about a future—with him. He’s smart, sweet, and has his shit together. Something I can’t say about half the men our age I’d attempted to date back home. I’m impressed that Luke didn’t let his injury get him down, choosing instead to roll on with his life.

  And I’ve rolled right into his over the last few months, spending every second I’m not at work with him. My time in Charlotte is coming to an end soon, and the thought of leaving him makes me sick to my stomach. But I can’t let Luke see that, and I can’t let it affect my work, either.

  “Hey Tinkerbell,” Tonya calls out. “You have a phone call on park two.”

  At first I think it must be a patient’s family member, since anyone else would know to call my cellphone while I’m at work. But my cell is always in my locker during my shifts, so I wonder if it’s an emergency of some sort. I rush to the nurse’s station, pick up the receiver, and press the button for the called parked on line two.

  “This is Bree. How can I help you?”

  “I’m at the airport. Can you come pick me up?” It’s Mason. Why is my brother calling me at work?

  “What?” I ask, confused. “What airport?”

  “Charlotte.”

  “Why?” I shriek. Then I lower my voice, since I’m at work and I don’t want to cause a scene, or have anyone think something is wrong. “Why are you in Charlotte?”

  “Dad said I needed a change of pace.” I hear Mason yawn from the other end of the line.

  “Really? I told him not to send you here.”

  “Where else was I going to go?”

  “I don’t know? Washington, DC? Mexico? Fucking Russia?” I say in a hushed tone.

  “What’s your problem, Bree?”

  “This was my change of pace. Mine. To get away from you.” I feel horrible as the words leave my mouth, but I can’t help it. I specifically told Dad no over the phone and in a written response to his email with flight times. I should have known he’d go behind my back and do it anyway. No one in the Collins family became successful by taking no for an answer.

  “Just come and pick me up already.” The annoyance in Mason’s tone riles me up.

  “I’m at work. Which you know, since you called this line.”

  “You didn’t answer your cell.”

  “Because I’m working.” I stress again, rubbing my forehead. The never-ending list of things I’m supposed to be doing right now races through my mind.

  “I’m sure they’ll understand if you take time to come get me.”

  “This is not a desk job, Mason. I have patients to take care of—sick patients. I can’t just leave.”

  “So what do you want me to do? Sit here and wait for you?”

  Oh my gosh! I want to teleport to the airport just to choke him. “You’re twenty-four years old! Figure it out,” I snap.

  “Fine,” Mason huffs before he hangs up on me.

  My hands shake as I set the phone back down.

  “Who was that?” Tonya asks.

  “My brother,” I answer, trying to compose myself. No one at work deserves the anger meant for my brother. “He wants me to pick him up at the airport.”

  “I take it you didn’t know he was coming to town?”

  I pull the chair out from under the desk and collapse into it. “Nope.” I cradle my face in my hands and rub my cheeks, as if the conversation exhausted the shit out of me. Mason infringing on my life is the last thing I need right now.

  “Do you need to go get him? I can call Leona and ask if she can come in early.”

  “No.” I shake my head. “He’s a big boy. He can figure it out.”

  “Damn, Tinkerbell! You cold!” Tonya teases me, pinching my arm. “Maybe we should call you the Ice Queen instead.”

  “Well the Ice Queen has had enough. There’s nothing for him here.”

  “You know how athlete types are. Issues, issues, issues,” Tonya sings.

  Instead of responding, I walk away to check on my next patient. Tonya knows I’ve been seeing Luke, though we’ve been careful to keep our relationship under wraps at the hospital.

  Every workplace is filled with gossipmongers. The last thing I need is nosy people getting the wrong idea about me and my work ethic. There are people who get their shit done and call it a day. And there are people who stick their nose where it doesn’t belong—in their coworkers’ business. That’s how rumors get started. That’s also how assumptions are made and reputations get ruined.

  My life isn’t an episode of a TV medical drama. My personal relationships aren’t anyone’s business. Imagine how deflated the busybodies would be when I leave to go back to California.

  If I leave to go back to California. Though I’d brushed it off when Luke had suggested I stay in Charlotte, the more time I spend with him, the more I want to. The city itself is not my ideal, as four hours is too far from the ocean, but being here with Luke makes it livable. Enjoyable, even.

  I make a mental note to call my contact at the staffing agency and see if my assignment could be extended for a few more months.

  There are some things you can’t leave up to chance.

  Chapter 21

  Luke

  Why does time seem to go so fucking fast when you’re having the time of your life? Bree’s assignment in Charlotte is almost over and that scares the shit out of me, because I’m pretty sure she’s not going to stay. But instead of dwelling on that, I’ve made it my mission to enjoy every second with her.

  A date at an ice rink is the cheesiest possible place a hockey player can take a girl, so avoiding it seemed like the right thing to do. But for me, there was also a mental barrier. The ice rink is the one place I’ve continued to visit on my own, because it’s where I feel most at home—the only place I feel completely at ease. I wasn’t sure I wanted to share that part of myself yet. Then I realized she’s the only person I could share it with, the only person I trust with the fresh, raw wound.

  “Extreme Ice Center.” Bree reads the sign out loud as we pull into the parking lot. “You’re taking me ice skating?”

  “Did you expect anything different from a former hockey player?” I ask, winking at her. The word former doesn’t even stick in my throat because this is Bree, the person I can be myself around.

  “It’s sweet.”

  “But cliché,” I say, rolling my eyes.

  “Why did you bring me here if you thought it was cliché for a hockey player to take a date here?”

  “I’m selfish,” I admit, pulling into a parking space near the back of the lot. “I want to be on the ice so badly I skate any chance I get.”

  Everything inside me jolts to life when I’m on the ice. My passion, my talent, my personality—they all pulse with every stride. The macho, cocky side of me wants to show off for Bree, since she never got to watch me play. I wish she could have seen me in those games just before the injury, when I was at the top of my fucking career.

  My hand rests on the gear shift between us when I feel Bree slide hers over mine. “It’s okay. I understand.”

  My gaze moves from our hands to her eyes. “You’ve been told you couldn’t be a nurse anymore?”

  “Of course not.” She shakes her head. “But I’ve been told I should be able to help people I can’t. I know how it feels to be hopeless and desperate. That’s why I came here.” She leans back against the passenger seat. “I know how it feels to have to tell someone that he can’t play hockey again, because I was the person to crush my brother’s dreams. It hurt me, too. It’s not the same, I know. But it kills me to see him so depressed and angry.”

  I squeeze her hand.

  “Sure, he heard it from multiple doctors first, but I know he relied on me to get him back on the ice, as if I had magical powers they didn’t have. I tried to be that hero for him. I researched. I met with countless doctors. I looked into Eastern medi
cine, and even voodoo,” she says. Though it sounds like a joke, Bree doesn’t smile, so I have a feeling it isn’t. “It kills me to see him wasting his life.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He has zero motivation for anything. But he got hurt in Juniors, so it’s not like he was an established player and offered a job with the team.”

  I wince at her words and her face crumples. “I wasn’t insulting you, Luke. The Aviators did exactly what a professional team should do for its franchise players. But Mason was seventeen. The expectation for him was to go home and go to college. Or get a job. But he didn’t do either. He graduated high school and now he sits on my parents’ couch playing videogames and watching YouTube videos. The fire in his eyes is gone.” She pauses as if she wants to say something else, but doesn’t.

  Every word pushes through my heart like a dagger. “I understand how he feels, Bree. I went through a really rough period before I had surgery on my neck—and after. The prognosis didn’t look good. I was pissed. Depressed. Fucked up. I felt like a failure. I couldn’t believe everything I worked so hard for was gone.”

  “How did you move past it and appreciate your current role with the team? Because Mason hasn’t done that.”

  I know she means well, but Bree doesn’t know shit about how devastating it is for an athlete who had enough talent to make it to Juniors—or pros—to be told he can never play again.

  It feels like someone broke into my home, stole everything I own, and buried me alive in the backyard. Too deep to get out, but not deep enough to not hear everything going on around me. Once you’re dead, there’s no resurrection—there’s just walking around like a fucking zombie.

  “I know that playing isn’t safe. Does that matter? Nope. I still want to be out there on the fucking ice.” I bang my hand against the steering wheel. “So here I am, almost a year later, still stuck in limbo in the first three stages—denial, anger, bargaining.”