by Anna Albo
“Do you now?” he said, sitting at the edge of the tub.
“You know I could just pull you in here.”
“And ruin this good suit? I have a better idea. How about I just get out of it?”
“I like that idea.”
She watched him shed each piece of clothing. First his shirt, then his slacks. Allie couldn’t take her eyes off his sculptured physique. Her insides came alive at the sight of him.
“You make taking off socks sexy,” she said with a giggle.
“Oh yeah?” he said, flinging one across the room, then the other.
He sank into the water behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. Allie rested her head against his shoulder. “Let’s stay here forever.”
“The water will get cold.”
She pinched his arm. “Not funny.”
“We could be together if you move in with me.”
Allie traced the muscles in arms. “I want to, but don’t you think it’s risky?”
“Not if you own a place in my building. It would be a coincidence.”
“I’m considering it on one condition. Cate moves in and pays you rent, and I give you all the proceeds from the sale of my condo.”
“And you move in with me?”
“And I move in with you.”
“I think that’s probably the best deal I’ve ever not negotiated.”
“I hope we don’t get caught.”
He kissed her neck. “We won’t get caught.”
CHAPTER 28
The season wound down and with less than a few weeks to go, Eddie made a visit. He summoned Allie to his office. She took her usual seat across from him. He leaned back in his chair and put his feet up.
“I’m cleaning house, Allie,” he proclaimed. “I’ve instructed Tyler to get rid of anyone he wants. I’ve given him a few more bucks to go after a half-decent GM and told him to sign a couple of free agents this summer. Anyone else who needs to go?”
Allie opened the folder she’d brought along and handed it to Eddie. “This is a list of our current roster. The names highlighted in yellow are a problem.”
Eddie scanned over the list. “There are seven names on this list. That’s an awful lot, don’t you think?”
“Two are alcoholics, one has personal problems with his wife, another has a possible drug problem and the other three are just your general, run-of-the-mill troublemakers.”
“Fortunately, two are going to be unrestricted free agents. I don’t have to ask where you got this information, do I?”
“I’d prefer you didn’t ask. The second list is my personal observation of management who have either grown stale or are here to pick up a paycheck. You might want to confirm my findings with Tyler.”
Eddie got up and poured himself a drink. He held the bottle up to Allie but she shook her head. “It’s going well with Cavallo?”
“Yes. He means a lot to me.”
“Do you love him?”
“It’s too soon for talk of love.”
Eddie took a gulp of his scotch. “I know your heart is with him, but remember that women throw themselves at these guys each and every day. You sure he’s going to resist the women?”
“I hope so.”
“I’m not going to tell you how to run your life, but don’t make the same mistake your mother did. She fell in love with a pretty face who thought she’d be his meal ticket. Once he figured out I wasn’t going to fund their lifestyle, he took off on the both of you.”
“Eddie, he knows I’m not a rich woman. He also knows that my wonderful uncle is not going to fund my lifestyle.”
“You may have told him that, but does he believe it?”
“He makes a lot of money playing for the Falcons. I don’t think he needs me.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“But I have a question for you because you’ve always been a great judge of character. How would you compare Blake and Will?”
“Why would you bring up that piece of garbage?”
“I’m curious.”
“I hated Blake, but I didn’t want to interfere with your life. You had to make your own mistakes and learn from them.”
“But what if we had gotten engaged. Or worse, married?”
“That wasn’t going to happen.”
“How do you know?”
“I just know.”
“There has to be more to that. What aren’t you telling me?”
Eddie sipped more of his scotch. “The pissant came to me looking for a job. You know, top management. I told him he had to rise through the ranks, just like everyone else. Well, he didn’t like that much. Then I had a few questions for him, and I didn’t like any of his answers. It was then I told him that you weren’t my daughter and if he thought you were going to come into a huge inheritance, well, he was sadly mistaken. He broke things off with you weeks later.
“Now, I’m not proud that I had a hand in what he did, but it goes to show he wasn’t sincere and I knew it. I just hope you aren’t angry with me.”
“No. I’m glad you did it. Blake was so phony.”
“And so you know, I’ll always take care of you, he just didn’t need to know that.”
“I don’t expect anything from you.”
“You’re like a daughter to me. And I take care of family.”
She picked at a piece of lint on her dress pants. Did she tell Eddie everything? She hated keeping things from him. “Don’t get mad at me, but I’m moving in with Will. I put my condo up for sale.”
Eddie’s expression darkened. “Allie, I don’t like this. If anyone finds out, you put me in a difficult position. I can’t protect you from the fallout.”
“We are being extremely careful. In fact, Will bought the place a few floors down from him and put it in my name.”
Eddie cringed. “Not only do you owe him something, you’ve put yourself in the same building as him.”
“If people see us it will make sense since I own a place in it.”
“I’m not going to argue with you, but I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“I do.”
“I’m guessing then that you’ll be staying on in St. Paul? I was worried this would be your first and last year here.”
“Despite how some people treat me, I love this team. I am determined to make my mark here and move up the ranks. I know people will always wonder if I’m here because of you, but it makes me want to prove myself even more. I have a vision for this team and with me here able to give you the information you need, I know this team can turn it around. I know they can be winners.”
Eddie smiled. “You’ve been the only one who has ever cared about the Falcons. Even years ago, I knew you loved the team and that’s why I offered you a job here again. If anyone can help turn this around, it’s you. I know you believe in it and so do I.”
“I feel inspired, Eddie.”
“Me too. When this team hits the ice next season, a lot will have changed around here. And if I don’t see wins on the board, heads will roll.”
CHAPTER 29
Will was skating off the ice after a long practice when he was greeted by one of the Falcons head office minions. The kid couldn’t have been more than twenty and was standing in the corridor, watching the guys file past him, not even noticing he was there. When Will approached, he gave a timid wave.
“Mr. Cavallo?” he asked timidly. “I was told to meet you down here. Mr. Stewart would like to see you in his office right away.”
“Mr. Stewart or Ms. Stewart?”
“Mr. Stewart,” the kid stammered.
“What’s your name?”
“Kevin.”
Will nodded then put his hand on the kid’s shoulder. “Kevin, we’re a bunch of normal guys. Don’t be so nervous.”
Kevin smiled. “I’ve never come down here before. I started a few weeks ago and I’m in awe of all you guys.”
“Hang out here more often. We’re all pretty friendly.”
&n
bsp; “Thanks. Don’t forget, Mr. Stewart wants to see you immediately. He said that you’re not supposed to see Allie first. I don’t know who Allie is, but I figured you did.”
“No worries, I understand.”
Will knew Eddie was in town. He’d never been asked to meet with him before, but that was then, before Allie. He showered, dressed and made his way up to the offices. Eddie’s executive assistant was seated at her desk typing away on her keyboard, oblivious to Will standing there. He cleared his throat and she looked up.
“I’m supposed to meet with Mr. Stewart.”
“Mr. Cavallo. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
She picked up her phone while Will milled around. Nerves bubbled up in his stomach. He had a feeling he knew why he’d been summoned. Eddie had the power to do whatever he wanted and it worried Will.
“You can go in, Mr. Cavallo.”
Will took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He grabbed the doorknob and stepped inside. Eddie was sitting behind his desk, his reading glasses pulled down his nose. He looked up at Will and pointed at the seat across from him. Will dutifully sat, folding his hands together in case they shook.
“Hello, Will. Thank you for coming so promptly.”
“Hello, Mr. Stewart.”
“Please call me Eddie. You’re probably wondering why I called you to my office.”
“I think I know why.”
He took off his glasses and set them down on his desk. “A lot has happened these past few months, and I thought we better talk before the season is over and you go on your merry way,” Eddie said, looking Will right in the eye. His gaze intimidated Will more than he thought possible.
“I know this is about Allie.”
“Correct. I’m not sure how much Allie has shared with you about her past, but her father walked out on her when she was young and that’s when I stepped in. I’ve always considered her like my own child, and I look out for her as much as I do my own two kids. I want to see her happy and right now she’s very happy. The problem is that you are a large part of that happiness.”
“Eddie, I know—”
“I wasn’t finished,” Eddie continued.
Will sank back and remained silent.
“I don’t know where you’re coming from. Is Allie a bit of fun for you? A challenge? Do you get a high from the risk? Or do you genuinely care for her?”
“I love her, Eddie.” Will couldn’t believe those words had left his mouth, but they’d been so easy to say. She was the only woman he’d ever said it about and meant it.
“The two of you haven’t been together long. How can you know you love her?”
“I just do. When it’s right, there’s no doubting it.”
“And what makes you think you’ll feel that way a year from now? Even six months from now? I know how you guys behave. I know how a lot of men behave. You will not do that to my Allie. She’s smart and has a heart of gold. You will not jade her. You will not destroy or break her heart.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
Eddie folded his arms and gave Will a long look. “I’m grooming Allie to run the Falcons. I realize she has a long way to go, but her climb cannot be interrupted. I will not let her throw away a career or her life for you or for any man. You’re going to have to make some tough decisions, Will. If it comes down to it, will you sacrifice your career for her? If you’re found out, I’ll have to trade you and the relationship will be over. She will not follow you. You will not let her. Or you will have to walk away from the game you love. I wonder if you’ve considered the stakes. You’re thirty-two years old, you could easily have another five or six years left in your career. Maybe more. Would you give that up for her?”
“We haven’t come to a point where we’ve had to deal with it.”
“You realize that if it does happen, you won’t have weeks or even days to think about it. The decision will have to be made instantly.”
Will wrestled with a lot of thoughts in his head. He tried desperately to come up with another solution that would include keeping them together and saving his hockey career, but he was coming up with nothing. “If I had to, I’d walk away from the game.”
“That’s the right answer, but I’m a bit worried how long it took you to say it.”
“I was trying to find a way to have my cake and eat it too,” Will said, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.
“The only person around here eating cake will be me.”
Will didn’t know if he was joking around but decided not to continue the game. “I’ll make sure that we never have to make that decision.”
“Do you know how long it took me to find out about the two of you? Days. If your affair comes out, the fallout will be enormous.”
“I know.”
“We’re going to have to set a few rules. If you do anything at all to hurt my Allie, I’ll destroy your career. You’ll never play another game in this league. Is that clear?”
“Yes.”
“I went to bat for the both of you. I prevented the trade for her, not you, but I’m sure my interference raised a lot of questions. That means the two of you will need to be even more careful. One slip up and it’s over.”
“I understand.”
“You don’t want to let me down, Will.”
“I won’t.”
“And you won’t tell Allie about this conversation. She doesn’t need to know about this.”
“You have my word.”
“And if you have any doubts at all, you can end things with her now, before too much damage is done. But don’t wait too long. She’s already invested too much in you already.”
Will left Eddie’s office and disappeared before anyone else saw him.
WITH THE TEAM IN LAST place and a first overall draft pick all but assured, the last few games were tough ones. Will tried to pump everyone up, to tell them to win the last two games for the fans, but all he got back was grumbling. Their own captain was more interested in talking about his summer vacation and all the golf courses he planned to hit.
Nine guys were hitting the free agency market. Will didn’t expect any of them to be back and when they took the ice for their final game, the crowd gave a muffled and mostly muted cheer. There were more empty seats than filled ones. A part of Will got sentimental. He hated seeing a season end. A good chunk of the guys wouldn’t return and he hated that part of the game. But the Falcons needed a clean slate. From what Allie had told him, Eddie planned to blow the team up. As he skated around the ice for warmup, he wondered who was safe. Baker? Patterson? Jack? Gagnon? Anyone?
Like every other game, the Falcons put in very little effort and lost 6-1 to Calgary. As the guys filed back into the locker room, he wondered if Allie was the reason he was staying. One call to Graham and he could be gone in a second, but that meant leaving her behind. That wasn’t going to happen.
“What are your plans this summer?” Jack asked.
Will figured he was safe. Eddie would keep the young talent, at least until they got too expensive. “I think I’ll stick around here a while. How about you?”
“Vikki and I are going to give it another shot. She’s going back home with me to meet my folks. I know you think I’m crazy, but I love the girl. She gets me.”
Will wasn’t about to argue. The only way Jack would learn his lesson was when Vikki finally gave up on him and met some new guy. Then he’d get it. The hard way, of course. “I hope it works out for you guys.”
“I never asked how it went with that chick you had in your room. You still see her?”
“Yeah, but I’m keeping it quiet for now. She doesn’t like the attention.”
“That’s cool of her. Most of the chicks around here want the fame and fortune.”
“That’s true.”
“I’ll see you when we do our last team meeting.”
The guys filed out of the locker room one by one. Will made sure he was the last one to leave. He gathered a few things and walked down the
long and empty corridor to his car. He had a feeling big things were about to happen. Allie had gotten through to Eddie and he could only hope that the team would be reinvigorated.
TWO DAYS LATER WILL cleaned out his locker. All the guys were there, signing memorabilia and saying their goodbyes. They were also talking. Eddie had fired the entire coaching staff. He’d also fired the marketing director, chief financial officer and chief executive officer. Will expected more casualties. The only one spared seemed to be Tyler Strewchuk.
Will waved to the guys but Patterson caught him on the way out.
“I wanted to say goodbye in case I’m not back next year. I have a lot of respect for you, and I’d hate if you left before I got to say that.”
“You getting all sentimental?” Will asked, trying to lift the mood.
“You never know what could happen. I’m getting the feeling this team is going to look a whole lot different next year. I think old man Stewart finally woke up.”
“It definitely looks that way.”
Patterson extended his hand and Will shook it. “It’s been a pleasure and I hope to be on the same team with you next year.”
“Me too.”
Will packed up his car then made his way upstairs to Allie’s office. Kyle and his team were overseeing the players’ departures and making sure the fans didn’t bother them. Will found that amusing. There were more journalists than fans milling around.
Will stepped into her office and closed the door behind him. Allie had already drawn the blinds. He kissed her cheek and she smiled. He noticed that about her. She smiled when she saw him and that made him feel good. He’d become accustomed to scowls and pouts. Sometimes both.
“Was that depressing?” she asked.
“Yeah. I think a lot of guys see the writing on the wall.”
“More firings are about to come. We’re going to have a skeleton staff around here until the vacancies are filled, but Eddie promised to hire good people. He’s dumped a lot of money into the Falcons coffers and Tyler is pretty happy about it.”
“As sad as the wake was downstairs, I have a gut feeling that next year will be better.”