My heart stops when I see who it really is. “Oh my God, Birmingham is too damn small,” I mumble as I see Elliott standing there with Carson.
“Everything okay, sweetheart?”
Of course, he would say sweetheart at this very moment. “Go get dressed. We’ve got a lot to do.”
Carson winks at me and leaves me alone with Elliott. Awkward doesn’t even begin to cover the feelings I’m having right now.
“Hi, Elliott.”
“Kinley. You look…nice.” He looks me up and down as if he isn’t sure if I do or don’t.
“Thanks. How’ve you been?” I pray that Carson hurries.
“Good, you know, just working a lot. Actually, you would know about that.” He slightly sneers at me.
I drop my head. I hate that I hurt him so much. I’d known him since high school. When we went to college, we started dating. It was a good relationship, and I did love him, but I wasn’t in love with him. When I graduated college and started working at LSMP, I knew that this is the life I want. Not worrying about laundry, having kids, or any of that.
“What are you doing here, Kinley?” I can hear the hurt in his voice.
“Carson is the newest spokesman for our fall line. I’m here to go over plans with him.” I don’t need to tell him that, but I owe him at least a small explanation.
“In a towel?”
“Hey,” I say firmly. “We’re not married anymore. I don’t have to explain anything to you.”
Carson comes back into the kitchen in a loose pair of jeans and a tight gray t-shirt. His tattoo is still exposed.
“Everything okay, Kinley?”
I nod.
“Well, come on then, Elliott. Let’s get this over with.”
I watch my ex-husband walk away from me, and I let out a sigh of relief. I feel like a shitty person. He was a good guy, and I screwed him over. Maybe someday he’ll forgive me.
I look around the extremely large kitchen, and I’m sure my half of my apartment will fit in here. In fact, I know my whole apartment would fit in the living room. I mean, who in the world needs thirty rooms in one house? I guess Carson Lee does. Talk about over the top. I look at the back deck window and see a massive warehouse in the progress of being built. What the hell is that going to be?
“Kinley.” I turn to see Carson and Elliott standing there. “You sure you’re okay?” Carson asks again.
“I’m fine, really.”
“It was good to see you again, Kinley,” Elliott says before shaking Carson’s hand and leaves.
“Should I fire Elliott?” Carson cautiously asks me.
“No, don’t fire him.” I wave my hand away at him. “He’s excellent at his job and honest. Whatever he’s doing for you will be great.” That’s the truth. Elliott is a hard worker and good at his trade.
“How do you know him? Are you getting laid?” Carson scoffs.
I’m not sure if I should tell him, but I might as well. “No, Carson. Elliott Blake is my ex-husband. He’s the one who divorced me. My mama was telling you about him the other night.”
“Oh. I guess you’re ready to work then?”
“Yes, please.” I’m thankful that he changes the subject.
Carson heads over to the black rod iron table, and we sit down. I pull out the papers. My boss finally approved of the campaign, and I’m really excited to tell him.
“Are you ready to hear all about your summer adventure with me?”
“Don’t really have a choice, but sure, why not?”
“Well, get ready because we’re going to spend a lot of time in Utah.”
“Utah?” His face scrunches up in confusion. “You want me to spend my summer there? As long as I can get laid, it shouldn’t be too bad.”
“Well, you can import whatever Ice Girl you need as long as you’re at the shoots on time and dressed. Speaking of which, we’ll need to get your measurements. You, of course, will be getting all the clothes first, and I need to make sure I have the right sizes.”
“You may need a yard stick for some of my measurements.” He wags his eyebrows at me.
I groan. “And I’m sure a toothpick will be needed for others.”
“Ha. Ha,” he jokes back. “What is the theme or whatever you want to call it for this thing anyway?”
I giggle. “It’s very simple, and perfect for you. It’s Fashionable Bad-boy.” I show him the proposal. “We’ll have about five female models in the women’s clothes, and then you’ll be the only guy. But please remember, no orgies when the camera is rolling. This isn’t going to be a porno,” I sternly tell him.
“That is one thing I can say I don’t do. No recordings.” He continues to thumb through the papers.
“I’m so glad to hear you have standards. We’ll be in Utah almost the entire month of July, and it will be a variety of shots. This will be a national line, and LSMP is banking on your reputation to push it over the top. There will also be commercials that will be filmed during this time, which is why we’ll be there so long. I will have a full schedule ready at the end of May. Hopefully, you’ll be done with your playoffs by then because we’ll need to have a fitting. If not, then I may have to travel with you for a few days. I really don’t want to do that.”
“Hopefully, I won’t be done with my playoffs by then. Even you should know that a team wants to make it to the end of the season to win the championship, but it feels nice to know that you have no faith in me. I’m about to turn thirty and I still haven’t won the Cup. Who knows if I ever will, but I’m going to fight like hell for the chance and you are hoping that we’ll get out early? For a fucking campaign for clothes? I know you have something riding on this for your career, but I do have one of those as well and I would like to accomplish something other than good stats.” His face is a little red from the anger pulsing through him.
“Are you drinking? I was simply saying if. I’m sorry if it came across the wrong way. I hope you reach your goals. And just because you’re about to turn thirty doesn’t mean you have to quit being a hockey player. Does it?” I snap back at him. There’s no need for him to get pissed at me.
“No, but when your career is all you have, you want to do something with it before you get too old or get injured and have to retire before you’re ready. You want to know you have done something worth all that hard work.” He sounds sad.
“Carson, you’re in good shape. I’m sure that you will have a successful season.” I try to sound hopeful.
“Says the girl who doesn’t know shit about hockey. Are we done?” The hard expression that I’m used to is painted on his face.
“Yep, I’ll keep you in the loop of everything that is happening. We will be going through the sketches of the clothes this week. Have a great day, Carson.”
Chapter Eight
Carson
“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, my favorite person, Carson,” she rushes. “Happy birthday to you,” Gracie finishes.
“Thank you, Gracie. That sounded perfect.” I hold the phone between my ear and shoulder as I lock the door to my house.
“Really?” she asks in that hopeful tone only a child can do. “I practiced a few times once Mommy told me I could call. Are you going to have a party for your birthday? You should have a party. And cake.”
I chuckle. “I’ll have a party and a big slice of cake, just for you.”
“Okay. When are you coming to see me? I miss you bunches.”
“I miss you too, but I’m not sure yet, Gracie. I’ll come see you soon, though, okay?” I tell her as I get into my car.
“Okay. I hope you win tonight since it’s your birthday. Mommy said I could watch on TV.”
“Did she? Well, I’ll try my best to win for you. I gotta go. Thanks for calling me, Gracie. You made it one of the best birthdays ever.”
On the drive to the rink, I end up talking to Gracie for a few more minutes and then her mother. If Gracie is watching, then we definitely need to win.
~
Happy birthday to me! We won the game today as planned, and now there’s a massive party at my recently finished personal ice rink. Music has the place vibrating. Models have every man in this place hard and there’s a huge supply of alcohol. The entire team is here. They brought people, and those people brought even more people.
As I scan the room, I see body shots being done and dancing on tables and the bar. There’s a girl standing in front of me, running her hands down my chest. I have to give her props because there are three other girls around us and she decided to take charge between them, which is how she ended up against me. I lean down to kiss her just as I hear someone call my name.
“Let’s play, Carson! C’mon!” Tyler shouts from somewhere nearby, close enough that I can hear him.
I move past her lips to her ear. “I’ll be back later, sweetheart.” She’s upset as I go over to where he’s standing, but I don’t care. After taking a quick sip of my beer, I set it down on the nearest surface and take my skates that Tyler hands me.
“Three on one?” I question, noticing there’s only a few other people on the ice. “You know I’m going to kick your asses, right?”
He grins. “We’ll see.”
After I lace up, I skate onto the ice and face my guests. “You,” I start loudly to be heard, “are all about to witness an old man beat three youngsters. Four, if you count the goalie.”
“Let’s do this already,” Tyler mutters from behind me.
“Suit yourself.”
We start a little game, the crowd cheering when I get the puck and booing when my teammates do. I reach out, stealing the puck from Tyler, and head towards the goalie. Once I’m close enough, I rear my stick back and slap it towards him.
Of course, I shoot, I score.
“Wooooo!” I holler. “What did I tell you?” I skate over to get off the ice, wanting a beer. The first girl I see, a big-breasted blonde, smiles at me. Fuck a beer. I walk up to her, take her face in my hands, and kiss the hell out of her.
“Hey!” A guy shoves my shoulder. “That’s my girl.”
“Sorry.” I laugh. “You’re a lucky guy. She’s a great kisser.” I don’t give him time to respond before I walk past them, patting him on the shoulder as I go. My fingers fumble with my laces after I found a place to sit to remove my skates.
“Hey, Carson.” I lift my head at a girl’s voice. This time, it’s a brunette and I remember seeing her dancing earlier. She sits next to me, placing her hand on my thigh.
“Hey. You’re not someone’s girlfriend, are you?”
She giggles, shaking her head. “No, I’m not.”
“Good. Having fun?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
My head tilts to the side at that. “You guess? Oh, sweetheart, that’s just not going to work.” She smiles, but I have a feeling we’re thinking of two different things. I’m not ready for my night to end, so she’ll just have to stick around until I am. “Tyler!” Where the hell is he? The girl looks disappointed. I lean over, kiss her, and then tell her to stay awhile.
Standing, I go to find Tyler and a couple of the guys. They’re by the bar, surrounded by more women. I slap him on the shoulder.
“Wanna race? I’ve been informed my party is getting boring, apparently.”
Tyler grins. “Hell yeah.”
We grab two other guys and run up to the house to my garage. After getting the keys, we crank the four wheelers and drive back down to the rink. The rumble of the motors and our absence has brought some people outside.
“Y’all know the route as good as I do,” I say, standing up. “Losers cough up a thousand bucks each for the winner. Deal?” Everyone nods at our usual bet. I find the brunette in the crowd and point to her, curling my finger so she’ll come over. “Want to count us off?” She grins, nodding. “Good. I’ll get you off later.” I wink before sitting back down.
The guys laugh and shake their heads, but it stops as the girl starts to count. We take off, heading for the trail we use when we ride. I end up behind Tyler, but am able to gain speed faster than he can after we round a curve to pass him. I keep going full speed until I cross our imaginary finish line first. To celebrate my winning and being $3,000 richer, I do a couple of donuts. When I finally stop, I pull up beside the girl, helping her up behind me.
I glance at the guys. “I’ll collect Monday, boys. See y’all later.”
Then the girl and I ride up to the house, going straight for the bedroom once we get there. Could my birthday get any better?
Chapter Nine
Kinley
“How do you talk me into these dates?” I growl at Cassie through my speakerphone.
“Look, you’re making me go to Utah during one of my busiest months to take pictures of a hockey player, so you’re going out on this date.” She disconnects the call.
I toss my phone on my couch and head to the bedroom. I can’t believe that I’m going on a blind date. I usually don’t do this type of thing, but I haven’t been on a date in almost two months. I flip through my dresses in the closet and try to find something that’s classy and not trashy. It’s not like a have a lot of seductive clothes, but I may have a few hiding in the back.
I settle on a light purple wrap dress. It’s cool outside, so I pair it with my black trench coat. My hair is down and I put in a few curls. I even leave my makeup light and roll my eyes because it’s time for me to go.
I didn’t want the guy to know where I lived, so we agreed to meet at the restaurant. All I know about him is his name is Jackson, and he’s a doctor at a local hospital. Cassie said he’s very cute, but we don’t always see eye-to-eye on the definition of ‘cute’.
I fluff my hair as I walk into the bar and grill. I assumed that we would go to a nice eatery, but I guess he likes the more relaxed atmosphere. I look around the room, hoping to see the guy in a black blazer, and of course, there are like twelve guys like that.
I try to remember everything Cassie told me, and I think I see him. I walk up to a guy, but he said he wasn’t him.
“Kinley?”
I turn at the sound of my name. “Jackson?”
“Hi.” He sticks out his hand, and I shake it. “I have a table over here.” He leads the way.
Jackson isn’t bad looking. He’s tall, and I can tell he works out, but nothing like Carson.
Carson?
I don’t want to think about him at all.
Jackson pulls the chair out for me, and I remove my coat, taking my seat. He sits across from me and already has a large beer in front of him.
“Sorry, I wasn’t sure what to order for you.”
I wave my hand as if it isn’t a big deal. “It’s fine.”
He flags the waitress down, and I order a beer too. We are quiet for a moment before I can’t stand another moment of it. “Cassie told me you’re a doctor. What field?”
“Podiatrist.”
“Oh, that’s interesting,” I lie. Who would want to touch people’s feet all day?
“Cassie said you work in retail.”
“Well, I’m a campaign director for LSMP,” I clarify for him. I don’t just work in retail. Geesh, he acts like I work at the GAP.
“I’ve heard of them. What are you working on now?” He keeps looking around the room and not at me.
“Um, nothing huge.” I can tell this date is going to hell. I’m thankful I have a beer in front of me and damn near chug it.
“Wow, flashback to your sorority days, huh?” Jackson smirks at me.
“Excuse me?”
He chuckles. “Cassie told me that you two were in a sorority together, and with the way you were drinking, I was wondering if you were having a flashback?”
I smile politely. “No, I was thirsty.”
We talk for a while, but it’s mainly about the weather, celebrities, and the decor of the bar. This date is a total bust, and I make the excuse of an early morning meeting.
“On a Sunday?”
&n
bsp; Crap. “Yep, the clothes business is a twenty-four hour job.” I stand up and he helps me with my coat.
Jackson walks me to the car, and I’m hoping that it will be a simple hug because I don’t want to kiss him. The two beers he bought weren’t worth it.
“I did have a good time.”
He did? Well, maybe it’s all the girls’ asses he was ogling that made his night.
“It was a pleasant evening. Bye.” I jump in my car quickly and speed away.
Nope.
No way in hell am I ever talking to him again. I don’t care if he is a doctor. My phone begins to ring, and I hit the button on my steering wheel to answer it.
“Kinley!” I hear someone scream from the other side.
For the first time tonight, a real smile appears on my face. “Where are my girls?”
I hear a bunch of my sorority sisters yell the bar they’re at, and I turn to the left, heading to them.
Into the wee hours of the night, my sisters and I dance, do shots, and laugh until it hurts. It’s exactly what I need before I have to dive into all the work ahead of me for this campaign.
Let’s not forget that I need to start going to hockey games too.
Chapter Ten
Carson
My heart has been beating a thousand beats per second it seems all day today. We’re down 3-2 in the first round of the playoffs. We need this win tonight or my season is over. Once that happens, I’m off to Utah apparently. I much rather be here as long as possible, fighting for the best trophy in sports. All we need to do is win this game tonight and then the next one.
During warm-ups, I spot Kinley in the crowd behind the net. Mild surprise runs through me that she’s here before I place all of my focus on the task before our team. I listen to every word Coach says, which boils down to remember the goal here, and then hope like hell we can deliver.
The first period doesn’t go as well as planned. We feel disconnected and have been inconsistent. We’re down 2-0. Everyone tries to rally together for the second before we go back on the ice. We’re tense, but we’re fighters too. It shows because we play in their zone quite a bit but only convert one goal.
Finding Carson Lee (Oh Captan, My Captain #3) Page 4