The Player and the Tattoo Artist (New Hampshire Bears Book 8)

by Mary Smith

  I get the station ready to do his outline when Amara comes in to work her shift. She had texted me earlier letting me know she’d be in this afternoon. She didn’t say why. Once she and Nathan lay eyes on each other, I can see the connection between the two of them. They are going to be together for a long time. People just don’t have a connection like them.

  “Hey,” Amara says. I’m certain she doesn’t even know I’m in the same room.

  “Hey.” He breathes out.

  I hold back my smile. It’s sweet to see them together. They’re staring at each other not saying anything as the phone begins to ring.

  “Amara,” I simply say her name and she jumps.

  “I’ll get it.” She practically shouts and rushes away to the front desk.

  I giggle and begin to work on Nathan. “How come you two just don’t date?”

  “Simple. Alden.”

  I stiffen at his name.

  “Something’s going on between you two, isn’t there?”

  “What do you mean?” I avoid answering him directly.

  “Because he’s ready to kill everything in sight. I’ve never seen him like this. Normally, he’s the most laid-back guy but today at practice it...it wasn’t him.”

  I try to keep my focus on the outline on his arm. However, I’m not sure what to say or do. I’m hurting for him, but I won’t let it overtake me.

  “It’s because of our father.” Amara came back over. “He wants us to meet his new family.”

  “The same father who had divorce papers served to your mother at the hospital while you were getting chemo?”

  I stop and gasp. “Are you kidding me?”

  Amara sits down on the spare stool I have. “Yes. It’s true. Alden was there helping me with my homework when she was served. We all knew he had another girlfriend or whatever, but we didn’t think that would happen. It wasn’t soon after that Alden stopped speaking to him.”

  My heart is breaking for another reason. I can see a young, impressionable teenager seeing his sick sister and overworked mother’s deep sadness and he put up his walls. It explains a lot of how he is shut off. I tune everything out but my line work. I know Nathan and Amara are talking. I get lost in my work until I finished.

  “All done.” I begin to wipe down. “We can finish it up tomorrow.”

  “Thanks.”

  I wrap him up as he is still gazing at Amara, and it makes me hope someone will look at me the same way. Yes, I’m pining over my broken heart and should be hating everyone in love. But I’m happy for them. I really am.

  As Nathan is about to leave I watch him lean close to Amara and whisper something in her ear. The girl is about to explode with excitement, but she keeps it reigned in until he’s gone and then she bounces up and down clapping.

  “He wants to take me out.”

  “I’m happy for you.”

  She rushes over to me, hugging my neck. She steps back and suddenly turns serious. “What did he do?”

  “Who?”

  “My idiot brother.” She takes my hand and guides me into the office. “Talk.” She shuts the door.

  “How do you know something’s wrong?” I try to play it off.

  “Please.” She rolls her eyes. “He’d look better if he was rolled over with a steam roller. And you don’t seem that far off either.”

  I sigh and tell her everything that happened at my house last night.

  “He’s a huge dumbass.” She sighs. “Listen, I know Alden better than anyone else, and I know he’s not really a jackass. It’s not an excuse for what he did last night and when I get a hold of him, I’m cutting off his balls, but you have to know how much he hates our father. Jack leaving ruined Alden and he’s not been close to any female – until you. He loves you, I know it.”

  “He doesn’t love me. I was just a girl who told him no.”

  KACE HAS BEEN quiet since hockey practice. I know when he’s like this he wants to say something. When we walk into the house I ask him if he is okay.

  “Did you break up with Alden?”

  And there it is…

  I have dreaded this question because I can see the pain in his eyes. He adores Alden, and I know he loves him as a father figure.

  I bend down to him and try to find the words. No matter what I say or how I say it, it’ll hurt him. This is the hard part of parenting. Trying not to break your kid’s heart. As I open my mouth to try to sooth this over, there’s a pounding on the door. I’m certain it’s Alden, who is probably drunk again. I open the door without asking who it was and fall back. There’s a pain in my jaw, and it takes me a second to realize I’ve been hit.

  “You think you can hide from me.”

  I realize it’s Rocco. He’s in my house.

  “Mom!” Kace yells and runs toward me, but Rocco grabs him. Kace is kicking and screaming.

  I shake my head and rush over to them. I jump on Rocco’s back and claw at his eyes until he releases my son. “Kace, run. Run as fast as you can.” I order him and he does.

  Rocco is becoming more pissed off and he slams me back into the entertainment stand and I cry out in pain. I lose my grip on his face and fall on my ass. He heads for the door. I grab his ankle, tripping him up. He doesn’t completely fall and easily finds his footing again before he turns around and kicks me in the ribs. All the breath leaves me and I gasp to try to find it.

  “You took my son away from me. You think you can get your rich fucking boyfriend and take away my son.” He screams at me.

  I found air and say, “You hardly ever saw Kace. No one took him from you. You’re an asshole who I don’t want around my son.”

  He grabs my hair and pulls me to my feet. I’m fighting back as hard as I can. The last thing I remember is Rocco telling me, “You’ll never have a happy life until I kill you.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Alden

  I’VE NOT LEFT my bed since coming home from practice. My anger is gone and the humiliation of what I did to Baylor is what I’m feeling. Why the hell did I treat her like shit? Why didn’t I tell her I loved her? Why did I get drunk? It all goes back to Jack. He’s fucking scum and now he wants to weasel his way back into our lives.

  There’s knocking on the door telling me it’s Amara.

  “Go away!” I shout.

  “Not happening.” She pushes open the door and comes storming in. “I have a few things to say to you.”

  “I don’t care.”

  “The fuck you don’t.” She comes around the bed and glares at me. “How dare you treat Baylor this way? Who do you think you are? You’re in love with her, but yet you treat her like something you scraped off your shoe.”

  I sit up and groan. “You don’t have to remind me.”

  “Apparently, I do. I guess you’ve lost some brain cells. So, let me ask again, who do you think you are?”

  I put my elbows on my knees and stare at my floor. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, let me explain it to you.” Her voice booms. Normally, my sister would never yell, but I know I’m deserving of it. “You’re not Jack.”

  I freeze and slowly look up at her.

  “You’re not him. He made his choice to leave us and run away from responsibility, but you’re different. You are the most caring, kind, responsible man I know. You have looked after me all these years and protected me. You may have been a manwhore, but you’re not a liar. Until now.”

  I continue to stare at her in disbelief as she speaks.

  “You love Baylor. You love Kace. You want to be a family, but you’re scared. You’re scared because you think you’ll turn into Jack and you don’t want Baylor to go through that pain. Well, guess what, dumbass, she’s in pain and you caused it.”

  It’s as if Amara is in my brain and can read every emotion I’m having. I do feel like Jack. I can remember the pain Mom had been in when she received the papers. I know how she worked hard to give us a good life. I know I closed myself off from relationships but somehow Baylor ha
s my heart now.

  “I ruined it,” I finally say.

  “No, you cracked it. But I heard it can be fixed.”

  This captures my attention. “What do you mean? Have you talked to her? Doesn’t she hate me?”

  Amara smirks. “Oh she hates you all right and you’ll have to do a lot of ass kissing to get on her good side again, but she loves you.”

  “She told me.”

  “And what did you do?”

  I shake my head trying to delete the memory from my mind but can’t because it really happened.

  “Alden, fix this. You can before it’s too late.” She sits down next to me, and I’m thankful she’s finally lowered her voice.

  “I don’t know how.”

  “Oh please, stop it. You do know how. I want you to man up and get your ass over there.”

  I’m not sure where to even start when, or if, I’m able to talk to Baylor again. I know how hardheaded she is and isn’t one to quickly forgive. Hell, I’ve barely taken her on any real dates or shown any true feelings to her.

  “Go to her.” Amara pushes on my shoulder. “Go on before it’s too late.”

  I take another deep breath and I’m about to head out when my cell phone rings. Kace’s name is flashing.

  “Hey, Buddy.”

  “Alden.”

  He sounds out of breath and I stand feeling my heart drop.

  “He’s hurting Mom.”

  “Kace, who’s hurting her? Rocco?”

  Amara stands with me.

  “Yes, I’m across the street again. Mom told me to run.”

  “Stay there. Tell them to call the police. I’m on my way.”

  “Hurry, Dad. Please hurry.”

  “Talk to Aunt Amara while I drive.” I hand her my phone and we’re both already in my car – I can’t even remember running down the stairs.

  Normally, the drive to Baylor’s house would take between fifteen to twenty minutes...I made it in eight. I didn’t care about a ticket, red lights, or police. I need to get to Baylor and Kace. I need to make sure they’re okay.

  When I pull up I see police and an ambulance. I throw the car in park and together we run over to an ambulance where I see Kace.

  “Dad!” he yells for me, and I race to him gathering him up in my arms.

  “Are you hurt?” I put him down and examine him.

  “My arm hurts a little bit, but they took Mom.”

  “Where?” I look up at the paramedics. “Where did you take her?”

  “Are you her husband?”

  “Yes,” I answer without blinking. I had to be with her. They told the hospital. “Do you need to go?” I ask Kace. “Is your arm damaged?” I look at it. It’s bright red and might possibly bruise.

  “I need to see Mom.”

  “If you want to take him, you’ll have to sign this.” The lady hands me a clipboard and I scratch my name.

  “Let’s go.” I grab his hand and we take off but an officer stops me.

  “We need to talk to the boy.” He nods to Kace.

  “We’ll be at the hospital, you can talk to him there. Where the fuck is the lunatic who hurt Baylor?”

  “He’s there.” He points over to the car, and it took everything I had not to go over there and pound in his face.

  “I want every charge pressed against him for hurting my family.” I growl and then head to the car with Kace and my sister.

  As fast as I can get us there, I do. We all go in together and finally someone tells me what’s going on after I have to tell them twenty times I’m her husband. We’re led into a small waiting room and we wait.

  “Kace, do you have Lois’ number?”

  “Yes, I’ll call her.”

  “No, just get her number and I’ll call her.” I know Baylor will want her here.

  “Here.” He hands me the phone as she picks up.

  I quickly give her the rundown of what I know, which is nothing except for us sitting in a room and waiting. Kace is curled up to my side and I can’t bear to let go of him.

  “Baylor Royer’s family.”

  We all stand as a doctor walks in. “That’s us,” I say.

  “You’re the husband?” I can see he recognizes me and I’m almost certain he won’t tell me any information.

  “He’s my dad. Is my mom okay?” Kace speaks up.

  Did he call me Dad?

  “Okay. Ms. Royer is okay. She has bruising on her face, jaw, and back. She has a broken rib and did lose consciousness for a short moment. I’m sure she has a concussion, but we need to do more testing. However, she’s asking for her family.”

  “We can see her?” I hold Kace’s hand tighter.

  “Yes. Room eight-fifteen.” He nods and walks away from us.

  Together we follow the signs to the room. Just as we’re about to go in, I stop Kace. “Stay here with Aunt Amara for one moment.” He goes to protest but shuts his mouth. “I’ll be right back.” I kiss his forehead and open the door to Baylor’s room.

  I have seen a lot of bruises and cuts throughout my career but never on the woman I love. Her bright brown eyes find mine and I almost collapsed right there on the floor. She begins to cry and carefully I put my arms around her.

  “I’m sorry, Baylor. I’m so fucking sorry.” I repeat it over and over. “I love you. I swear I do and I’m never leaving you.”

  “I love you too,” she says and I feel the tears rolling down my cheeks. “Where’s Kace?”

  I pull back a little. “In the hall with Amara.” I examine her face. The swelling is slightly growing with a purplish color. “I love you. I should have told you last night. I shouldn’t have treated you like shit. You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted to be with.”

  She sniffs. “We barely know each other.”

  I shake my head. “I know I want to be with you and no one else. I know your kindness, love, and compassion is something that’ll make me a better man, husband to you, and father Kace.” I kiss her softly on the lips. “I’ll protect you. I promise.”

  “Okay.” She’s trying to smile, but I can see it’s hurting her. “I need to see Kace.”

  I nod and kiss her again before going and bringing him and Amara in. He tries to be strong and brave, but the boy looking at his hurt mother brings tears to his eyes.

  I will not forget my promise to Baylor. I will love her, protect her, and never leave her or Kace. I’m in it for the long haul. She’s right, this is new for me and we don’t know a ton about each other, but we’ll get there.

  We’ll do it together.

  I CAN’T LEAVE her side, so Amara took Kace back to my house. The police came by and took a statement from Baylor. Rocco is in jail and will be there for as long as I can make him be there. We did find out that she had a slight concussion and they want to keep her overnight.

  I hold her hand until she drifts off to sleep and I stare at her. I trace her tattoos, study her beautiful face and stunning features. She’s my world. She’s my love. She’s mine.

  When the morning comes, Amara took Kace to school and brought fresh clothes and toiletries. I help Baylor get dressed and clean her up and take her home. To my house.

  I almost want to pick her up and carry her, but she won’t let me. I make sure she gets into bed. I grab her a cup of coffee, her phone, and the remote.

  “Do you need anything else?”

  “I’m fine, Alden. Why aren’t you at practice?”

  “Look at the time.” I point over to the clock. “I have to leave soon, but I won’t go.”

  “Please, go. Amara already said she’d get Kace.”

  I smile. “I’ll be home soon.” I give her a soft kiss.

  “May I say something without you flipping out?”

  “Of course.”

  “I want to date you, get to know you better, and be with you.”

  I chuckle. “I want all those things as well. I also want you to move in with me.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Putting the chicken before the
egg.”

  “Or am I putting the egg before the chicken.” I counter.

  “Stop making me laugh. It hurts.” She holds her side.

  I love hearing her laugh again. It’s a simple thing, but it warms my heart. “When you get well, we’re going to start dating.” I kiss her again and get ready to head to the arena.

  I NEVER UNDERSTOOD the statement ‘floating on cloud nine’ until this moment. I’m almost skipping into the locker room and all the guys notice. The jokes, snickers, and laughter start, but I don’t care. Baylor is okay. She’s my girlfriend and life is good.

  “Let’s get on the ice,” Coach Long yells.

  As I hit the ice I’m ready to take on round two of the playoffs. We finally know we’re playing the Gamblers. They’re not our biggest rival, but they are good. The difference – we’re better.

  Practice is outstanding. Every play is better than the last. I feel warmed up and ready to take on the world. Nathan and I keep joking and teasing Teo, along with some of the other guys. It’s like old times.

  As we change Nathan asks to talk to me. “I need to get back to Baylor. Will it be fast?”

  “Yes.”

  We walk out to the parking lot and I notice how nervous he is. “Do you remember talking to me about not letting the brother stand in the way of the girl I want to date?”

  I had to think for a second, but then it came back to me. “Oh right. How did it go? Did you tell the bastard to fuck off?” I chuckle.

  He pauses and stares at me then says, “Fuck off.”

  “What?” Then it hits me. The light bulb goes off, and I take a step back. “You want to date Amara.”

  “We’ve been talking—”

  “You’ve been talking to my sister?” Suddenly my good mood leaves.

  “She’s not twelve, Alden, she’s an adult and I want to date her.”

  I get up in his face. “Over my dead body will you ever date her.” I move past him and jump in the car.

  I’m fuming mad all the way home. Amara knows how hockey players are. They sleep with women, eat a lot of meats, nap when they can, and live hockey. Nathan will never put her first in his life. He’ll keep his focus on being the number one goalie in the PHL. She deserves better. She needs a real man who will wait on her hand and foot, not someone who is on the road the majority of the year.