Home Ice

by Rachelle Vaughn

  “I know you did. I was pissed and I didn’t want to talk.”

  “I don’t blame you.” There was silence again and then she said softly, “I love you.”

  Her words made his heart ache. “I love you, too.”

  She sighed with relief. “Really? You don’t hate me?”

  “No.” He didn’t sound convinced. “Do you hate me?”

  “Oh, no, Ben.”

  “Good. Because I’m really sorry.” Really sorry.

  “You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m the one who screwed everything up.” She was the one who ruined their future together.

  “Can we work this out? I know it’ll be long distance, but I still want to try.”

  “I think so. There’s just so much going on right now and I didn’t handle your news very well. I‘m supposed to support you and be there for you and I totally blew it.” Tears stung the back of her eyes.

  Jeez, I’ve never cried this much in my life.

  Where were all these tears coming from lately? She felt like Niagara Falls in the flesh.

  “Oh, sweetie. You’re not supposed to do anything. I just had everything planned out in my head and it didn’t quite turn out that way. I’m sorry I stormed out on you. I was just so damn angry.” He was beginning to understand the idea of how crimes were committed in the heat of passion. He had never cared about someone the way he cared about Ally and she sure knew how to get a reaction out of him.

  “I just want to be with you and I’m terrified at the thought of you moving away,” she sniffed.

  “I can’t imagine being without you, but I’ll take what I can get while we figure this out.”

  “Okay.”

  It was a start.

  “Where are you?” she asked. “You sound far away.”

  She had no idea how far away he would be in the morning.

  “I’m at the dam. It’s beautiful out here at night.” He tucked his free hand in his pocket to ward off the chilly night air.

  “Mmm. There are a million stars out tonight.” She put her hand up to the cold window pane in her bedroom.

  He looked up at the night sky. Exactly a million stars twinkled down at him.

  “God, I’ve missed talking to you every day. This last week has been hell without you.”

  “I lost my job,” she said out of the blue.

  “What? Why? What happened?” He looked back down at the dam. He forgot that so much could happen in just a week’s time.

  “The Kaufmann’s are closing down the office and retiring. They couldn’t keep up with the competition from the new clinic down the street.”

  “Oh, Ally. I’m sorry. What are you going to do now?” Come to Colorado with me. No excuses this time.

  “I guess I’m gonna take some time off and spend it with Gram. She still isn’t back to a hundred percent yet. I thought she would have bounced back by now, but…” She let her sentence trail off.

  “If you need anything…” Like help packing, so you can come to Colorado with me.

  “Thanks. Hey, it’s getting late, Ben. I should probably go.”

  “Okay. Listen, my flight leaves in the morning. Maybe I could come over and say goodbye?”

  “You’re leaving already!? But training camp doesn’t start for another--” She stopped herself from finishing. They’d already been through this and it wasn’t going to do any good to fight it. She’d have to let him go. No matter how much it tore her apart.

  “I know it‘s early. I just want to get settled in and start training and spend some time with Aunt Nan and Coach before the season starts.” It was a lie. He just didn’t see any reason to stick around Red Valley. Staying would make it that much harder when he finally had to go.

  “I understand.” Another lie, this one from her.

  “I’d like to see you before I go.”

  “We’ll be here. I’m officially unemployed now and have nowhere else to go.”

  Except to Colorado with me, Ben thought. He looked up at the Milky Way and wished he could use it to turn back time.

  * * *

  The next afternoon, Ben sat on the plane watching the city disappear below him. Now he was back to square one, with a duffle bag full of video games and his toothbrush. In some ways, though, he was leaving with a little less than when he first moved to Red Valley because now he was leaving a piece of his heart behind. Or, more precisely, the whole damn thing.

  He shoved headphones in his ears and cranked up his iPod, trying to drown out the sounds of his departure. The in-flight movie had started and the passengers and crew were settling in for the eight hour flight to Denver.

  That morning, he’d put Moose on his original flight and Ben had pushed his flight back so he could have time to say goodbye to Ally. Flashes of their goodbye kept taking over his thoughts. Ally had cried, although he could tell she was trying to act strong. She was crushed to see him go and he felt like a shit for leaving so much earlier than he had to. But he had his reasons. And they were good ones, too. He had proposed to the woman he loved and she had flat out told him no. If that wasn’t reason enough, than tough.

  Gram was also sad to see him go. She told him to give Ally time and that “she was finding her way.” And that Ally would eventually come around because he was a good man. If he was such a good man, wouldn’t she be dropping everything to marry him? But, Ben knew better. Nice guys always finished last. Always had, always would.

  He just couldn’t understand why Ally had to be so damn stubborn. He just couldn’t wrap his brain around it. When they could be starting a new life together, she insisted on holding on to her old one. It wasn’t like he was asking her to give up everything to become missionaries in a third world country or become research scientists in Antarctica. All he wanted was a normal life with her, complete with a new house, financial security and even a damn white picket fence it that was what she wanted.

  He would have bought her diamonds and fur coats if that was what it took, but he knew she didn’t give a hoot about material things. It wasn’t that easy. She lived her life for the love of her family and friends and for experiences that money couldn’t buy. So, then why the hell didn’t she want to be with him? He knew he couldn’t and wouldn’t try to buy her love. She didn’t live life on those terms. He just wanted her unconditional love and to love her in return. He wanted to be in her circle. He’d put his heart on the line and failed. Now, he feared she would never completely let him back in.

  He was willing to give her all the time in the universe, but he still didn’t think he should have to. She had made her choice and now he was left to pick up the pieces.

  Chapter Twenty

  Welcome Home

  In Denver, Jerrold picked Ben up at the airport. Flying in the day before, Jerrold had already checked over the apartment to make sure Ben would have everything he needed. He stocked the fridge, picked Moose up from the airport that morning and made sure the dog made it to Bobby and Nan’s house safe and sound.

  Jerrold wanted the move and transition to Denver to be as seamless as possible for his number one client. Especially after finding out that Ben’s girlfriend wasn’t making the move with him. He needed Ben’s mind to remain focused on hockey and hockey alone. Jerrold wasn’t going to let some blonde bombshell from Red Valley get in between Ben and the Gordie Prince Cup. Even if she was the love of Ben’s life.

  “Nice car,” Ben said referring to the silver Mercedes that Jerrold picked him up in.

  “Yeah. It’s a rental.”

  He couldn’t, very well, pick up his star client in an economy class car, now could he? “I’ve got your keys for the apartment.” He tossed them over to Ben. “It’s a pretty nice little place. I think it’ll be perfect for you until you decide on something more permanent. Let me know if there’s anything you need.” Jerrold would have done Ben’s laundry if he had to. He knew he was sitting on a goldmine. “Your truck is in the parking garage at the apartment and I made sure your car made it safely to your Aunt
and Uncle’s.” Bobby and Nan had an extra garage to store the Corvette until Ben could find a house. Ben didn’t want his baby getting banged up in some parking garage.

  “How’s Moose?” Ben asked while he tried to find a clear station on the radio.

  Jerrold chuckled. “He’s great. The big lug thinks he just took a really long nap and woke up in doggie heaven. Nan is already spoiling him to death with treats and toys. He’s gonna have a rough go of it, I tell ya.”

  Ben smiled and looked out the car window. Denver‘s buildings and skyscrapers loomed on the horizon, towering like giant, silver stacked Rubik’s Cubes.

  Jerrold noticed that Ben was more quiet than usual. He hoped it was because he was busy taking everything in and trying to get used of the idea of being back in Colorado and not because he was thinking of Ally.

  “Here we are,” Jerrold announced as he pulled up to the building.

  So this was it. Home sweet home. The luxurious high-rise residences of Rocky Mountain View Apartments. Thirty-one soaring stories in the heart of downtown Denver. Ben’s new abode was at the intersection of anything and everything.

  The valet took Jerrold’s keys and they went into the building. Inside the sparkling lobby, Jerrold went to the elevators. “This place is great, Benny. You’re going to think you’re living at a five-star hotel.”

  “Yeah,” Ben looked around the lobby, “I can’t believe I get to live here. It’s beautiful.”

  Inside the elevator, Jerrold gave Ben the valet ticket for his truck in the parking structure along with vouchers for the in-house coffee shop. “You’re on the thirtieth floor, so you’re going to have a great view of the city. Oh, and there are a few other guys from the team on this floor, too. Marc-Edouard Boulet and Jakub Cavanagh are down the hall from you.”

  When they reached the thirtieth floor, they found apartment number 3F and Ben opened the door with his new key. The apartment was immaculate. It had an open floor plan with recessed lighting, a fireplace and beautiful modern furniture. The view from the living area showcased the snow-capped Rocky Mountains and the downtown city skyline.

  “Wow,” Ben said in awe. “This is way better than I expected it to be.”

  “The Blizzards have really gone above and beyond for us. There’s more,” Jerrold continued. “The building has room service from the restaurant downstairs, a twenty-four hour concierge service, and complimentary valet parking. Everything is expense paid by the organization, so you don’t have to worry about anything.” Jerrold led him down the hallway. “You have one bedroom and one bath and a fully stocked kitchen. Again, let me know if there’s anything else you need. I’ll be working out of the Denver office now, so I’ll be close by.”

  “Thanks Jer. I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

  “It’s my job, buddy. It’s my job.” It was the truth. That was why Jerrold King got paid the big bucks.

  * * *

  Once Ben arrived back in his hometown, his schedule was jam-packed. Jerrold had booked him a solid stream of interviews ranging from TV to radio. Today’s interview was at Colossal, a leading satellite radio station.

  At the station, Ben was led into the recording booth by an intern and introduced to the DJ who would be conducting the interview. Ben was excited to be on satellite radio. It was a good way to be welcomed back to Denver and to get back into the hockey swing of things. Denver was rolling out the welcome mat and Ben appreciated the recognition.

  “Hey Ben.” The DJ stuck out his hand. “Thanks for doing this. My name is D.J.”

  Ben smiled at the clever name and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you D.J.”

  D.J. motioned for Ben to sit down in the chair across from his. “Please, have a seat and go ahead and put on a headset.”

  D.J.’s own headset was casually draped around his neck. From his Bermuda shorts to his faded Pink Floyd t-shirt, everything about D.J. was casual. That was the beauty of being on the radio.

  Ben did as he was told while D.J. explained the ropes. “The interview we’re doing today will be airing during our UNHL Player Profile segment of the show.”

  “Cool. It’s been a while since I’ve done a radio interview,” Ben said honestly.

  “Well, it’s pretty basic press conference stuff. We just have a few questions about you coming back to Denver and that kind of thing.”

  “Okay. Sounds easy enough.”

  “Great.” D.J. the DJ put on his headset, swung a microphone in front of Ben and counted down. “We are going on the air in 3-2-1.” He nodded to Ben and the on-air light lit up behind him.

  D.J. belted out his radio voice and addressed his satellite audience. “Hello and welcome to the show. This is Channel 204, the UNHL station. Where we bring you up to date with all of the latest insider information about the UNHL. Today, I’m proud to announce that we have a very special guest in the studio today. With us today is none other than the Denver Blizzard’s newest acquisition, Benjamin Price. Ben, thank you for taking time out of your day to be here.”

  “Thanks for having me,” Ben said into the microphone.

  “So, Ben. How does it feel to be back in Denver?”

  “Good. Real good. Everyone’s been great. It’s good to be back.”

  “For the past five years you’ve played for the Red Valley Razors. How has the transition been for you coming from California?”

  “It was a pretty smooth move. I have family here in Denver, so that’s helped a lot. I’m looking forward to getting back on the ice here in a few weeks for training camp.”

  “Was it hard for you to leave Red Valley?”

  If they only knew, Ben thought and answered the question. “Um, yeah. It was a little difficult to leave a place where I’ve called home for the last five years. There are a lot of really great people in Red Valley.” One in particular.

  “Do you have any hard feelings against Red Valley for not re-signing you?”

  “Oh, no. Definitely not. They did what they needed to do for the organization and I left on good terms with everybody. I’ll be friends for life with a lot of the guys from the team.”

  “Speaking of family, how do you feel about playing under your uncle, Head Coach Bobby Price?”

  “I feel good about it. It might be a little strange at first, but Coach taught me everything I know about hockey, so I know he’ll be straight with me and let me know what areas I need to work on.”

  “There’s been a lot of speculation about you playing under your uncle. Do you see yourself getting special treatment from Coach Price?”

  “Definitely not. Actually, it’s the complete opposite. Coach has no problem with breaking me down and straightening me out. He’ll chew me up and spit me out if he has to. I may be biased, but he’s the best coach in the league and I can assure you there will be no handholding. He demands a lot of everyone and I’m no exception. If I do my thing and he does his, we’re gonna get out there and win some hockey games.”

  “I’m sure the fans are curious, Ben, what have you been doing all summer during the off-season?”

  “Well, after I made the move out here, I’ve just been trying to settle back in. I’m going to start working with a trainer and that’ll take up a lot of my time.” Ben stayed on neutral ground. The entire nation didn‘t need to know that his love life had gone up in smoke over the summer.Once again, D.J. addressed the audience. “If you are just now joining us here on the UNHL Channel, we’re talking with Ben Price, the newest member of your Denver Blizzards.” Then D.J. turned it back over to Ben. “Ben, despite the Razors failed attempt to get into the playoffs, you had a stellar season. Do you think you can have another 35 goal season with the Blizzards like you did with the Razors?”

  “Sure. It’s something that I think can definitely happen again and it would be nice. I want to score as much as I can, obviously, but the team winning games is the most important part.”

  “Do you think there’s more expectation of you from the fans and the league because you’ll be play
ing in your hometown?”

  “Yeah. There’s always going to be that pressure and expectation, but I just have to work the kinks out and get out there and do what I do best.”

  “Well, there you have it everyone. We have been talking to Ben Price who will be wearing a blue jersey this season and doing what it is that he does best. Scoring goals and winning games. Ben, thank you for your time and we wish you the best of luck.”

  * * *

  Coach wasted no time getting Ben on track for the upcoming season. A few days after Ben arrived in Denver, Coach called at the break of dawn.

  “We can’t afford to use training camp as a place to get back in shape.” Again, Coach talked like Ben spent all summer growing a beer belly, never leaving the couch.

  “I know, Coach.” Ben yawned. “Did you find a trainer for me?”

  “I’ve made arrangements for you to work with a conditioning coach until training camp starts. He’ll work on an intensive program to help you get ready for the season and it’ll help give you more edge on the ice. The guy’s name is Vin Russell. He specializes in high intensity workouts to build and cultivate energy and help elevate your game.

  Coach’s fondness of the word intensity didn’t go unnoticed.

  “Sounds good,” Ben mumbled into his pillow.

  “We’ve got to work on your confidence, Benny. The damn coaching staff at the Razors really beat you down. Confidence helps you make good decisions under pressure. Vin is going to help you work on your bad habits and make things second nature. I expect you to drive to the net more this season.”

  “Right. Drive to the net.”

  “Meet him at ten tomorrow morning.”

  “I appreciate this, Coach.”

  “Vin is excellent,” Coach said and let out a sinister chuckle. “You’ll thank me later.”

  Barely in town for a week, Ben found himself at the gym standing in front of Charles Atlas himself. The word ‘intense’ definitely came to mind. Vin Russell turned out to be a body builder in spectacular shape. He must have weighed 230 pounds of pure muscle. Vin was a no-nonsense, all work and no play kind of guy and Ben could immediately see why Coach liked him so much.