Crossing Center Ice: A Christian Romance (The Callaghans & McFaddens Book 5)

by Kimberly Rae Jordan

  As they worked through a set of new exercises, Kenton resolved to make a phone call later that afternoon. While Avery was doing everything within her power to help him, he was also going to do something to help, over and above the instructions from the team.

  “From what the trainers told me this morning, I’m going to need more equipment and space than we have here,” Kenton said. “Is there any chance you’d be willing to meet with me at a gym to continue the therapy and exercises?”

  “I suppose. What were you thinking?”

  “Gabe co-owns a wall climbing place that has a private gym space as well. He said I could work there, and the guy he owns the gym with is a personal trainer, so between the two of you, I’m hoping I can have all my bases covered.”

  “I guess that would work. I knew that we’d move past my knowledge eventually, but apparently they still want physiotherapy as part of your rehab program at this point.”

  “Yep. I figured this was the best of all worlds. Could you meet me at the gym in the mornings instead of here? Or are you planning to go back to the clinic?”

  Avery’s lips thinned as she shook her head. “Not for awhile.” She hesitated. “If ever.”

  Though he probably shouldn’t have felt that way, Kenton was relieved. Even now he could still see the lingering remnants of the bruises on her face, and it angered him that someone had put their hands on her in violence.

  “So if we met there around ten that would work for you?”

  “Yep. That would be fine. It will give us plenty of time to work before I have to be here for your mom.”

  “You’re not sick of us yet?” Kenton asked with a grin.

  “Not yet, but maybe by Christmas. Well, not sick of your mom. She’s a sweetheart.”

  “And you’re saying I’m not?” Kenton tried to look offended.

  “Are you saying you are a sweetheart?” She glanced over at him. “And your mom’s opinion of you doesn’t count. We moms always think our sons are the best.”

  “Well, pretty sure none of the guys on the team would call me a sweetheart. And my siblings would also be a big no on that.”

  “I rest my case.” Avery sat down at the desk and began to type. “Not saying you aren’t nice—you made my boys’ dreams come true, after all—I just wouldn’t peg you as a sweetheart.”

  “Well, I’ll settle for nice and maybe work my way up to sweetheart,” Kenton said then paused as he considered what he’d just said.

  The silence that settled over the room was weighty, and it appeared that his words had also registered with her. Rather than risk making the situation more tense by trying to explain away what he’d inadvertently said, Kenton moved the focus back onto the new schedule.

  “So I’ll text you the gym’s address, and we can meet up there tomorrow morning at ten. That okay with you?”

  “Yep, that sounds good. Do you happen to have an email address for the trainer at the gym? It might be beneficial for him to go over the exercises before we get there tomorrow.”

  “I don’t have it, but Gabe does. I’ll text that to you too, once I get it from him.”

  “Perfect. I think it would be good for him to know the expectations of the trainers as well. Make sure we’re all on the same page and working as a team.”

  “That’s what we need,” Kenton agreed, ignoring the twinge of guilt he felt over the fact that he planned to make a few decisions on his own. He knew what everyone would say, but no one would be the wiser as long as he stopped everything before he stepped back on the ice. He needed to stack the recovery odds in his favor, so he’d do whatever he had to to make that happen.

  Deciding that if he stuck around, he risked more awkward conversation, Kenton said goodbye and headed out of the therapy room. He went to his room to take a quick shower then went in search of Gabe to get the info he’d promised Avery.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Avery pulled into the parking lot of the wall climbing gym the next morning, grateful that the plows had been out overnight and had cleared not only the main roads but the parking lot as well. She took a moment to send a text to her mom then climbed out into the blustery day.

  While it had been cold the day before, it had turned windy and snowy overnight. She would have much preferred to stay home, but that wasn’t going to happen. Not when she had a job to do.

  As she reached the entrance to the gym, Avery reached out to grab the handle and pull the door open. Even though she’d only been in the cold for a few minutes, the warmth felt welcoming.

  “Hi!” the woman behind a long counter called out as Avery walked further into the gym. “How can I help you?”

  Avery veered over to where the woman stood. “Hi. I’m Avery, and I’m supposed to be meeting Kenton and Hunter here.”

  “Of course. Nice to meet you, Avery. I’m Cathy.” The woman waved toward the end of the counter. “C’mon around and follow me.”

  Avery rounded the counter and joined the woman. She led the way into an office and then through a door on the other side. They walked into a large room with high ceilings. The room was brightly lit with both natural light from the windows that lined the top of the outside wall as well as light from the large bulbs in the ceiling.

  She immediately spotted Kenton and his brother, Gabe, seated on a bench with a large man who looked like he knew his way around the exercise equipment that filled the room. All three got to their feet when they saw the women.

  “I believe you guys are waiting for this lovely lady,” Cathy said. “I hope she knows what she’s getting into.” The woman turned to Avery. “And if you need to change or use a bathroom, come find me. I have a key to a private room that the boys aren’t allowed to use.”

  “We’re not that bad, Cathy,” Gabe said with a roll of his eyes.

  “Oh, yes. Yes, you are. The infrequency with which you guys wash your gym clothes is beyond alarming,” she replied as she spun on her heel, her blonde ponytail fanning out behind her.

  Avery watched her go before turning back to the guys who were all chuckling.

  “She’s right,” the large man said. “We can be that bad.”

  “Avery, let me introduce you to Hunter,” Kenton said with a wave of his hand at the man. “You already know Gabe, right?”

  She nodded as she held out her hand to Hunter. “It’s nice to meet you and put a face to a name after texting with you.”

  Hunter’s hand engulfed hers but was surprisingly gentle as he gave it a firm shake. “Thanks for the info. I think we’ll be able to get Kenton back in shape.”

  “That’s what I want to hear,” Kenton said. “So how about we get to work.”

  Avery gave him a sideways look at the harsh tone of his voice as she took off her coat and laid it on the bench with her bag. Was he uptight about starting this next phase of his recovery? He’d taken so much in stride already that she would be surprised if that were the case.

  “I guess you’ll start with Avery and let her do her things first, and then we’ll get to work on the exercises they want you to do.”

  Avery had sent Hunter the exercises that Kenton needed to work on in order to reach the level the team wanted him at. She’d also sent him a copy of the test that she would perform on Kenton weekly to determine how much he was improving.

  “Let’s do the test again,” Avery suggested. “That way you can see what they’re looking for.”

  At Hunter’s nod, they got to work. By the time they were done just over an hour later, Kenton was sweating more than he usually did during their sessions. That was due mainly to the more challenging exercises he had performed for the first time since surgery. His absolute focus brought forward memories that Avery would rather have not had. Below the focus though, she could sense frustration simmering. Frustration that his body wasn’t doing what he wanted at the level he was used to.

  Hunter had had to rein him in a few times, reminding him to drop the intensity. Avery was glad that he was there to do that because she wasn�
��t sure she could have. She could be firm when she had to be—and she had been a few times already—but there was an edginess to Kenton that made her uneasy. She wasn’t sure how he would have reacted to her telling him to take things down a notch. Somehow Hunter was able to do that calmly and in such a manner that Kenton had followed his instruction without arguing.

  “You happy with how things went today?” Hunter asked. The question was addressed to both of them, but Avery waited for Kenton to reply first. His reaction to the session was of interest to her.

  “It’s nice to be working out again, but really, this is nothing.”

  “It’s a step,” Hunter told him. “You skip this step, and the level of fitness you want to attain will be even further out of reach. I think when you take the test again next week, you’ll be encouraged to see the improvement. As long as you don’t overdo it and strain your knee.” He turned to Avery. “And your thoughts?”

  “I think it was a good start. Something that we can build on going forward. And I agree. The test next week will help to show how these exercises—simple as they may be—are helping to improve your strength, flexibility, and balance. I’m happy with how the three of us have worked together today. Gives me hope for future sessions.” She went to where she’d left her things. After shoving her papers into the bag, she picked up her coat. “I need to head out, but I’ll see you guys again tomorrow.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Kenton said. He was limping slightly as they left the room and walked through the office to the main part of the building.

  “If you’re experiencing pain or tenderness, use some ice on your knee and stay off it for the rest of the day. It isn’t used to being worked over like that, so you might feel a bit of pain. Don’t try and suffer through it. Baby it for these first few sessions.”

  “Baby it?” Kenton asked with an arch of his brow. “You don’t tell an elite athlete to baby themselves.”

  “Oh, but I just did.” Avery grinned. “And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll do it. See you later.”

  She pushed the door open and headed out into the lousy weather, wishing she’d remembered to start her car beforehand. Instead, she climbed into a cold vehicle and sat there shivering as she waited for it to warm up a bit.

  While she waited, Avery took a minute to text her mom and let her know she was done at the gym and heading for the Callaghan home. She knew that her mom was nervous about her being on the roads when the weather was so blustery, but she didn’t have any choice. All she could promise was that she’d drive carefully and text to let her know when she arrived safely.

  “You didn’t send me a list of Benjie’s practice and game times,” Kenton said when he called her later that night.

  Avery let out a silent puff of air, wishing that he had forgotten all about that. Of course, it appeared Kenton didn’t have much else to focus on, so it made sense that he would remember. “Sorry about that. I’ll get it to you soon.”

  There was a moment of silence before Kenton said, “Would you prefer I not go?”

  This time Avery’s sigh was audible. “It’s not that. I just really don’t want Benjie to come to hope that you are someone who can show up for him all the time. The longer you’re here and the more time you spend with him, the more likely you are to foster that hope for him. We all know that you’ll be leaving again in a few months. I’d rather not have my son left heartbroken because someone he came to rely on no longer has time for him.”

  “That’s kind of harsh, don’t you think? To assume that once I go back to LA, I’ll ignore him.”

  “He already holds you in high regard, but right now, you’re still on a pedestal, out of reach. The more time he spends with you, the more likely it is that he’ll come to see you as something more than his sports hero.”

  This time Kenton sighed. “I kinda see where you’re coming from, but I honestly like your kid and Elliot too. Spending time with them has been a good reminder of why I started playing the game. Sometimes you lose sight of that when you’ve been playing at the elite level for a long time.”

  Avery closed her eyes and settled back in the recliner where she’d been reading when he called. She could see where he was coming from too, but her first loyalties would always lay with her son—even when it involved someone like Kenton. Though she appreciated all he’d done for Benjie and Elliot, there would come a day when he’d go back to LA and continue on with his career, leaving them behind.

  Her boys weren’t there to entertain Kenton while he had nothing better to do. Somehow, she had to find a happy medium between protecting Benjie and Elliot and allowing them to spend time with the man they both idolized. “One time. Practice or game, you choose. Seeing him skate is a guarantee at a practice, but not always at a game as the coach rotates the players. There are games he doesn’t play as much.”

  “How about a game, but if he doesn’t play, I can go to another game or a practice?”

  She knew that Benjie would be so disappointed if Kenton came to a game and the coach didn’t put him in to play. “Okay. Deal. He has a game this Friday night at seven-fifteen at the Gateway Community Centre.”

  “Is there a good chance he’ll play at that game?”

  “Yeah. He didn’t play much last game, so it’s pretty likely he’ll play more this one. He’s been doing good at practices too.”

  “Good. So I’ll be there with Tristan on Friday. Looking forward to it.”

  “I’m not going to mention it to Benjie for a couple of reasons. First, just in case your plans change, but also because he won’t be able to focus on anything else this week if he knows you’ll be there.”

  Kenton chuckled. “Oh, to be young again.”

  “You’re not that old. I dare say our parents still think we’re young.” Since Kenton’s birthday was easily available on the medical information she’d been given, Avery happened to know that she was eleven months older than he was. “But I will say, when I see the energy these kids have, it does make me feel my age.”

  “Would it be okay to bring more people to the game if they want to come?” Kenton asked. “After all, my family are big hockey fanatics. Some of my brothers are actually part of an adult league and play once a week through the winter months. I haven’t gone to their games though. That would be too tempting…or discouraging.”

  “I suppose if others want to come that would be fine. Benjie usually only has me and Elliot to cheer him on.”

  “Your mom doesn’t go to the games?”

  Avery hesitated then said, “Hockey’s not really her thing. Sometimes I’ll FaceTime her while at a game if Benjie is playing a lot.”

  “How about his dad?”

  A sick feeling settled into Avery’s stomach. That was one subject she would never discuss with Kenton. “He’s not part of our lives anymore.”

  “I would have to say that it’s his loss,” Kenton said. “Benjie’s a great kid.”

  “Yes, he is, and it’s no thanks to his father.” Sensing that Kenton would probe more if given the chance, Avery decided it was time to end the conversation. “Anyway, it’s usually just the two of us there, so I’m sure that Benjie would love to have more people there to cheer him on.”

  “Sounds good. Guess I’ll see you tomorrow at the gym.”

  “Is the knee feeling okay?” she asked, unable to keep her therapist curiosity at bay.

  “Yeah. I took it easy for the rest of the day. Reacquainted myself with a few video games I hadn’t played for a long time. Gabe kept me company since he was feeling a bit worn out from the workout as well.”

  “While I’m not glad that your brother is injured, it is kind of nice that you’re able to workout together like that.”

  “It is. I’m thankful. In talking to other players who’ve had ACL reconstruction, some mentioned how lonely the recovery process can be. You’re no longer with your team and given the months’ long recovery, that can mean a whole season apart from the life you’re used to living. That was
one of the reasons I decided to come back here. At the very least, I’d be surrounded by family, and they’ve always been my biggest supporters.”

  “That’s good that it worked out for you, but the team’s medical staff seem very focused on you.”

  “Oh, the team’s management and medical staff would definitely stay in touch regardless of where I was. Given they hold my contract, they’re going to want me back on the ice in tip-top shape as soon as possible. I’m their property, after all.”

  Avery hated that he saw himself as the property of the hockey team. “What would you do if you weren’t playing hockey?”

  “Probably coaching it, or involved in sports in some way as a gym teacher or maybe sports medicine. I’m just glad I didn’t have to try to figure out what else to do. I’d devoted a lot of time and energy to hockey. If I hadn’t made it professionally, it would have felt like a waste of time.”

  “I think there are times Benjie dreams of playing in the NHL, but Elliot is more down to earth about it, quoting the stats of how few kids actually go on to play professionally. The odds are not in his favor, and Elliot reminds him of that and tries to encourage him to foster other interests too.”

  “Elliot’s a smart kid,” Kenton said. “And sadly, he’s quite correct on the low chances of making it into the NHL, but sometimes a kid has the natural talent that, combined with a good work ethic, will take him far.”

  “Like you?”

  “I was fortunate that I had the desire to work hard, natural talent, and a father willing to invest a lot of time in me and my love of the sport. I dare say that Gabe might have made it as well, but to him, it was just a game. He had absolutely no interest in the hours I put into practice. He was great to practice with, though, because he was fearless and pushed me, but that was about it for him.”

  As she listened to him talk about his family’s involvement in his sport, Avery felt bad that she hadn’t been able to offer the same thing to Benjie. She paid for him to play each season, but she didn’t have the money for private coaching or ice time. She wished she did, but at the same time, she really didn’t want him to pursue a professional athletic career of any kind. She’d seen what the life of a professional athlete was like firsthand and really didn’t want that for her son.