by M. E. Carter
Like the look on my beautiful wife’s face as she cradles our daughter-in-law’s stomach.
Never did I think when I walked into that elementary school that my life would have such a ripple effect and end up affecting so many of the lives in this room, even indirectly. And to think, it all started because one self-absorbed man lowered his pride, got over himself, and had a change of heart.
I’m so glad I did.
The. End.
BUT WAIT!
You didn’t think that was the end of Tucker, did you? That he would get traded and we never know what happens to him? No way, my friend! Turn the page for a sneak preview.
Under Fire Sneak Preview
Florida can suck it.
I’ve been here two months and I haven’t found one good thing about this place yet.
The mosquitos are the size of vultures only they don’t wait until you’re dead to attack. The same fucking alligator likes to interrupt my afternoon commute every day and no one has figured out how to relocate him. Some dude got naked on the roof of the local Publix and peed all over the parking lot mere minutes before I got there to do my shopping. And it rains ninety-five percent of the time.
Maybe ninety-five percent is a slight exaggeration, but no shit, the humidity here is unreal. I should be used to it. It’s not like San Antonio is dry, but something about it raining so much keeps this place damp as hell. Even my hair frizzes and no one has ever mistaken me for having so much as a wave in this mop.
The only thing I have enjoyed is the regular outings my new teammates have set up.
They’re a good group of guys. Mostly everyone is single, being that it’s a pretty young team, so no one ditches our bonding time to go home to a wife or girlfriend. Unlike that fucker Liam Tremblay at the Slingers who became somewhat of a buzz kill once he got himself a steady girlfriend.
Speaking of, I should probably call him and see if he can try making a smoked turkey on his new YouTube channel. He’s got some good recipes on there, but I could use a little help with my new smoker.
Slamming my car door, I make my way to the entrance of the most opulent building I’ve seen in this part of Tampa so far. Not that I should be surprised. Hiltons aren’t known for being shabby.
I’m greeted by a valet who holds the door open for me.
“Honeysuckle Bar and Grill?” I ask as I step inside the air conditioning.
He points across the huge lobby. “All the way past check-in and take a right.”
“Thanks so much.”
I start to feel a little more in my element the closer I get to my destination. I could use a night out with my new buddies to take the edge off of my game. We’re starting to work together well on the ice, but it’s taking some time to gel. That’s part of why I never say no when someone suggests an outing. The more we know each other off the ice, the better we’ll communicate on it.
Also, I just never say no when someone suggests an outing. I’m too much of a social butterfly.
Entering the small venue, I take a quick look around and almost immediately find who I’m looking for. It’s not hard to spot the huge guys taking up almost the entire back of the room. The poor business dudes sitting at the bar who came here looking for a hook up appear awfully dejected knowing all the ladies are looking at the wall of men in the back instead.
What can I say—us hockey players are hot.
“Hey! You made it!” my buddy Maksim Ivanov greets, arms wide like he’s going to come in for a hug. If a table full of beer and half-eaten appetizers wasn’t in his way, he probably would. Maks has lived in the States since he was a little kid, but still claims the parts of Russian culture he thinks make the most impact. Like kissing your teammates in celebration.
Frankly, I think he’s just seeing how much shit he can get away with, but I humor him because… well mostly for the same reason he does it. The reaction we get when I don’t act like he’s weird cracks me up.
“Of course, I made it.” I grab his hand, intertwining our thumbs because that’s as close as we’re going to get to each other with all these people around us. “You think I would miss checking out the place you picked for us to hang tonight? It’s nice.”
It’s no Frui Vita, but it has its charms.
“Of course, it is! Nothing but the best for us!” He turns and gives flirty eyes to some chick that’s hanging all over him. “Nothing but the best for all of us.”
I can see they’re about to maul each other with their tongues so that’s my cue to get out of dodge.
“What are you drinking, Ivanov? Looks like you need a refill.”
Only the thought of free booze can pull Maks away from the possibility of immediate sex, even if it’s just a temporary distraction.
“Vodka. Beluga Gold if they have it.”
I shake my head. Of course, he’d choose the most expensive brand when I’m picking up the tab.
I push through the crowd and head toward the bar and flag down a bartender. She looks up at me, a smile on her face that immediately falls as soon as she sees me.
That was weird.
I glance around, wondering if she was actually looking at someone behind me, but no. It was me that gave her that sour puss reaction.
I settle in and wait for her to take my order.
And wait.
And wait.
And finally, I flag her down again. She huffs, clearly irritated by me but I have no idea what I’ve done. I just got here.
She finally approaches, her blonde hair pulled back in a sporty ponytail, her black and white uniform crisp and clean. She looks vaguely familiar but I can’t figure out why. The look on her face isn’t at all the friendly expression I would expect from a place like this.
“What do you want?”
I’m taken aback by her aggressive tone, but I play it off. Maybe she’s having a frustrating night or I remind her of someone she hates.
“Um… do you have Beluga Gold?”
One of her eyebrows rise. “Big spender, aren’t you?”
“It’s for my buddy over there. I just want a beer. Whatever you have on tap.”
She rolls her eyes and walks away without any indication she heard me. But I watch as she gets the vodka off the shelf so I assume I’m still going to be served.
Leaning against the bar while I wait, I turn around to see Maks’s tongue practically down that same woman’s throat. I chuckle to myself. I should have known it wouldn’t take him long. If her wandering hands are any indication, I may end up shooting this vodka by myself when they take off and get a room.
I hear the slam of a mug being forcefully placed on the counter behind me. Sure enough, half my beer has spilled over the rim.
As the pissy bartender grabs a shot glass and begins filling it with Maks’s liquid gold, I grab my credit card. She doesn’t make any eye contact with me, just treats me like a pest. I’m so confused but feel like I need to get to the bottom of this.
“Um… Miss?”
She finally looks up, still annoyed but at least I’m getting a response.
“Have I done something to make you mad?”
Her nostrils flare and her eyes narrow. “Really? You’re seriously asking me that?”
The longer this goes on, the more my head spins. “Really.” Then it hits me. “Oh boy. You used to work at that sports bar over on West Main, didn’t you? Listen, I’m so sorry if I didn’t tip you enough. My friend Maks there,” I gesture over my shoulder and Don Juan himself, “he drug me out that night before I could add anything to the tip jar. But I’ll make it up to you tonight. I promise.”
If it’s possible, the look of anger on her face gets even more severe. She huffs a humorless laugh before finally looking at me dead in the eye. “Fuck off, Tucker.”
I’m not sure which surprises me more — that she knows my name, or that she throws a twenty-dollar shot in my face before storming off.
Under Fire, the first book in the brand-new Florida Glaze series is coming next
year!
About the Author
ME Carter didn’t set out to write a book. She just had a random story rolling around in her head after working with her local PTA. Then one day, it became all-consuming and had to be written down. This should come as no big surprise since she has always had random stories rolling around in her head.
She lives in Texas with her four children, Mary, Elizabeth, Carter and Bug. Get it? ;)
You can follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorMECarter, on Instagram, or her website www.authormecarter.com.
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Other books written by M.E. Carter can be found here. (https://www.authormecarter.com/reading-order)
Other books by M.E. Carter
Hart Series
Change of Heart
Hart to Heart
Matters of the Hart
Matters to Me
Matters to You
Matter of Time
Texas Mutiny Series
Juked
Groupie
Goalie
Megged
Deflected
#MyNewLife Series
Getting a Grip
Balance Check
Pride & Joie
Amazing Grayson
Charitable Endeavors
(Collaborations with Andrea Johnston)
Switch Stance
Ear Candy
Model Behavior
Better than the Book
Smartypants Romance
Weight Expectations
Cutie and the Beast
Weights of Wrath
Collaborations with Sara Ney
Friend Trip
Kissmas Eve
New Years Steve