Ice Dreams Part 2

by Melissa Johns

  They welcomed him to the suite and Hunter's dad put a drink in his hand. "Let's go cheer on our boy!"

  The players skated onto the ice and everyone stood for the anthem. Madison and Mike sat in the front row of the suite. "They seem really nice," he stated.

  Maddy nodded. "They are wonderful. They are the parents that I always wanted."

  "I wish I could say something that would help you with this."

  She smiled. "Believe me, I'm ok. I'm surviving, day by day. That's the best I can do. I'm starting over. I'm heading down to the school next week to buy my books, finally starting a career and doing something that I can be proud of."

  He watched her and finally spoke. "You are an amazing person."

  She smiled and turned her attention back to the ice. She cheered and shouted for Hunter. Carter scored to tie the game late in the second period. Mike headed up to the bar and grabbed another beer. He handed a bottle of water to Madison. "With all the screaming, I thought you needed this."

  Madison laughed. "Thank you."

  They watched the game as Hunter's family were the perfect hosts. With minutes left in the third period it looked as if they were going to go to overtime. Madison watched the clock and looked for Hunter on the ice. They brought out their heavy hitters and top scorers.

  The clock ticked away as Carter and another one of his teammates skated towards the net. Madison stood up as the other team was called for a last minute penalty. The crowd went crazy. Everyone was on their feet. The atmosphere was electric. Madison looked around the arena and grabbed her phone. She took a video of everyone on their feet. She couldn't believe she was here. She looked at Mike, who was just smiling at her.

  "It's amazing, right?"

  She nodded. Her attention went back to the ice as the play started again. They managed to set up the power play and put a lot of attention on the net. Carter's shot went wide right as the team regrouped.

  Madison looked up with only twenty seconds left before overtime. Carter passed the puck to his teammate when she heard the sirens and lights flash. He managed to get the shot top shelf in the net. They won! They tied up the series at three and one game stood between them and the cup finals.

  Madison jumped up in the air as Hunter's mom grabbed her and hugged her. The arena erupted as Mike twirled her around. "Thank you so much for bringing me here!"

  She smiled as she adjusted her shirt and moved to hug Hunter's brother. The fans started to empty the arena. As Alicia ran into the suite and hugged her. "Our boys looked amazing!"

  Madison nodded. "They really did, didn't they? That was an incredible game."

  "What did you think Mike?"

  "Awesome game, I'm looking forward to seeing the next one."

  Alicia turned back to Madison "The guys are meeting us downstairs."

  She nodded as she hugged Hunter's parents. "Call me, Madison. We will do lunch, ok?"

  "That sounds great, Helen. I will get your number from Hunter."

  She hugged his dad and brother and headed towards her parents suite. Madison waved and said good bye to her parents. They headed towards the elevators and down towards the locker rooms.

  The crowd was massive. As the guys came out of the locker room, the fans mobbed them for autographs. Alicia talked to Mike as Madison scoped the crowd for Hunter. Carter came out first and made his way through the crowd and into Alicia's arms. "Hey beautiful, great game huh?"

  They shared a kiss as he turned towards Madison. "It was one of the biggest rushes of my life.”

  "You were amazing. Carter, I would like for you to meet Mike. He's my neighbor and newest friend."

  "Hey, nice to meet you, take care of my sister when she's at home."

  "No problem. I'm a huge fan of yours. I really want an autograph but I feel like Madison will judge me."

  Carter laughed. "I have an old stick at home. It's yours."

  Mike beamed like a kid on Christmas morning. "That's awesome. I really don't care if she judges me now."

  Madison shook her head. "Where's Hunter?"

  "He's coming. He has a surprise for you."

  "What did he do?" she asked.

  "You will like it, trust me."

  Madison smiled as her attention went back to the crowd. She saw him exit the locker room and gasped. "He cut his hair!"

  "Yeah, he said he wanted a change. Do you like it?" Carter asked.

  Madison nodded. "He's sexy as hell. Excuse me, while I rescue him."

  She made her way through the crowd of fans as he spotted her. He smiled as he scooped her up and planted a kiss on her lips. She heard a mixture of cheers and boos.

  Hunter put her back on her feet as he smiled at the girls. "You just wish it was you!"

  Madison shook her head as they left the crowds and entered a back hallway. Hunter looked over at Mike. "Hey, did you enjoy the game?"

  "It was incredible! Thank you for the ticket."

  Alicia jumped in. "Hunter, he saved Maddy's life."

  Hunter stopped in his tracks and looked at Madison. "What happened?"

  "Some guy grabbed me when we came into the arena. He wouldn't let me go. Mike jumped him, pinned him against the wall and told him that I was your girlfriend. They backed off."

  Hunter leaned down and kissed her again. "Are you ok?"

  "I’m fine. Mike was the hero."

  Hunter looked at Mike and extended his hand to him. "Thank you. I owe you. You just went up a peg in my book."

  Mike smiled. "She's my friend. No one messes with my friends."

  Hunter looked back at Maddy. "I'm so happy that you are ok."

  She smiled. "I love your haircut."

  "I'm happy to hear that."

  They continued to leave the arena as she leaned over and whispered, "It's really sexy. I just want to run my fingers through it."

  He smirked and stopped. "Guys, we will catch up to you."

  Hunter pulled her over to his truck and took her around the dark side of the truck bed. He leaned her back against the driver side door and kissed her. "You can touch me whenever you want."

  She moaned softly as her fingers went into his short hair and she pulled him close again. His lips parted as his tongue found hers. His hands grasped her waist as she could feel his excitement towards her.

  He pulled back. "You look sexy as hell tonight. This shirt is amazing. I want to rip it off right now."

  Madison blushed. "Not in public you won't!"

  He smirked. "Haven't you ever had the sex in public fantasy? The fear of getting caught, your blood racing as people walk right around you and not realizing what you are doing."

  Madison's breathing deepened. She felt light headed as he spoke to her that way. "Did the temperature raise about twenty degree out here?"

  He laughed. "No, that's just us. We are drawn to each other."

  She smirked and kissed him. "Come on, let's go find the others."

  He groaned as he reluctantly released her. They found everyone in front of the arena. "Hey Maddy, Carter said we should stay in the city until the next game."

  She looked at Hunter. "It's fine with me. My parents will host you again, same to you, Mike. It would be an honor to have you in the suite again."

  Madison asked, "Mike, do you need to head back though?"

  He shook his head. "I have friends in the city. I can take a taxi over to their place."

  Hunter shook his head. "We will drop you off. It's no big deal."

  "Thanks, I appreciate that."

  Alicia smiled. "Awesome. Maddy, I will call you tomorrow. We can go shopping for some change of clothes while they are at practice."

  Hunter, Madison and Mike headed towards his truck. They dropped him off a couple of blocks away from Hunter's apartment. Madison jumped out and walked him to the door. "Thank you for everything tonight, Mike."

  He smiled. "It was my pleasure." He hugged her. "I meant what I said, Madison. I would do anything for my friends. Here's my number. Any emergency, call me."

>   Madison watched him as he walked through the doors. She hopped back into Hunter’s truck and he reached for her hand. "I guess I was wrong about him. He's a good friend to have around."

  Madison smiled as she looked down at his phone number. Anytime - he wrote.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Hunter opened his door as Madison looked around. "I love your apartment."

  He smiled. "I'm happy that you approve."

  "I'm going to use the little girl's room. Be right back."

  He nodded. "Make yourself at home."

  Madison walked through the massive size living room and down the hallway. She flipped on the bathroom light and fell in love with his bathroom again. It was bigger than her bedroom. She washed her face and looked in the mirror. She removed her hair clip and ran her fingers through her hair. It had started to grow back out but she loved it. It suited her.

  She opened the door and headed back towards the kitchen. She walked into the living room and noticed Hunter had taken off his suit jacket and unbuttoned his dress shirt. She leaned against the wall and watched him pour a couple glasses of wine. He just oozed sexuality.

  He looked in her direction and smiled. "What's going through your mind?"

  "I feel inferior when I'm around you."

  He frowned. He walked into the living room and handed her the glass of wine. "I'm not having this conversation with you again."

  She smiled. "I know. One day I will accept that you actually want to be with me."

  Hunter grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down on to the couch. He lay on top of her and kissed her lips. He deepened it and played with her tongue.

  She ran her fingers through his hair as she placed her forehead against his. "I love you."

  He smiled. "I love you too. Please listen to me when I say you are the hottest, sexiest woman I have ever known. You are so innocent and sweet and I fell in love with the whole package."

  She bit her lip and looked at him. "Take me to bed."

  He smirked. "God, I love that I bring out that side of you." He reached for her hand and pulled her towards the bedroom. Hunter made up the earlier events by holding her all night and making love to her.

  In the morning, Madison rolled over and felt Hunter beside her. She ran her fingers over his bare chest and smiled. She finally felt at home. She slid out of bed and grabbed one of his shirts. She buttoned it up and headed towards the kitchen. She looked in the pantry and decided to make him breakfast in bed.

  She was finishing the pancakes as he walked into the kitchen. He only had on a pair of boxer shorts as he wrapped his arms around her.

  "You ruined my surprise, Hunter. I wanted to bring you breakfast in bed."

  Hunter moaned softly in her ear. "I wanted you as my breakfast in bed but I woke up and you were gone."

  She blushed as she plated their breakfast.

  "I love that blush."

  Madison moved around him and placed the plates on the table. "Come eat breakfast."

  "I loved that you cooked for me."

  She smiled as they ate breakfast together. "Do you have practice today?"

  Hunter nodded. "Yes, I need to be at the arena around ten this morning and then I should be home around five."

  Madison nodded. "I will call Alicia and do some shopping with her."

  "I know this isn't going to make you happy but I want to make sure that you are ok. Do you need any spending money?"

  Madison pushed away from the table and cleared their dishes. She didn't know what to say to him so she stayed quiet.

  He got up and followed her. "Maddy, please don't be mad at me. It's a valid question. You just moved here, you don't have a job yet. I know that Carter paid for your rent but you need cash to survive. I want to help."

  She turned towards him. "I don't want to take anything from you. You have already been generous enough to me and if I had to take money from you, I couldn't handle that!"

  Hunter wrapped his arms around her and wiped her tears. "Ok, I won't bring it up again but if you need anything, you just have to ask and it's yours."

  She nodded and walked around him. "I'm going to take a shower. Do you have a t-shirt I could borrow? I can wear my jeans again."

  He nodded. She knew he could sense her change in demeanor. "Anything in the drawers is yours."

  She smiled. "Thank you." She disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door. She leaned back against it and closed her eyes. She was trying to be so strong in her decisions but only felt weak at that moment.

  She slipped off his shirt and climbed into the shower. She stood underneath the hot water as it cascaded around her. She ran her hands down her body and wished for strength to find her way.

  As she finished in the bathroom and wrapped a towel around herself, she walked into the bedroom. Hunter was sitting on the bed waiting for her. "I wanted to give you some space. Believe me, it was tough."

  She smiled. "Thank you. It's all yours."

  He got up and kissed her lightly. "I will drive you over to Alicia's and pick up Carter when I'm done in the shower."

  She nodded as he disappeared into the bathroom. She sat on the bed and felt all the chemistry that they had the night before disappear. She wondered if she should have just accepted his money.

  She walked over to his dresser and started to sift through his t-shirts. She grabbed one of his heavy metal shirts and slipped it on. She dried her hair and slid on her jeans. He walked out of the bathroom just as she finished up. His towel hung from his hips in that sexy way. She walked over to him and kissed him. “I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t offer you money like that but I want you to be covered if you need something.”

  “I really love you for it and I promise you that if I need anything, I will let you know.”

  He smiled and kissed her lovingly. “Let me get dressed and I will drive you over to their place.”

  She nodded as she went into the living room and grabbed her phone. She noticed that she had a text message waiting for her. She scrolled through and saw it was from Mike.

  Good Morning - I hope I didn’t wake you but wondered if you wanted to grab lunch - Mike

  Heading over to Alicia’s now - I will let you know - Madison

  Madison put her phone back in her purse. She walked onto the balcony and looked at the city. The sun was shining, it was warmer then it was the day before. Summer had arrived. Madison sat at his small table and chairs and enjoyed the warmth.

  Hunter walked towards her and smiled. “I really like that you are here with me.”

  She smiled. “It’s such a change for me. But, I’m ready for it. It’s only been a couple of days but I found a friend. I’m helping prepare for a wedding and my wonderful boyfriend is heading towards the cup finals.”

  Hunter laughed. “Don’t jinx me!”

  “Have you received any more information on the trade rumors?”

  He nodded. “My agent called this morning and said teams are starting to ask questions. I have a strong feeling that I’m not staying here.”

  Madison pouted. “But you don’t know for sure. Your management could step up and give you a multiyear contract.”

  He nodded. “Yes, they could but with all this interest, they could use me as a pawn to get a better draft pick.”

  She stood up and wrapped her arms around him. “Well, let’s just hope for the best.”

  He nodded and grabbed her hand. “Carter is waiting for us.”

  He drove them over to Carter’s apartment as Alicia was finishing up breakfast. “Good morning, guys. How was your evening?” She winked.

  Madison blushed. “It was great. I’m ready to enjoy this sunshine.”

  Carter walked into the room. “Hey sis, I can I talk with you for second?”

  She nodded and followed him into his office. He shut the door and hugged her. “I feel like we haven’t talked since you got here. How’s the apartment?”

  “Thanks to your fiancée, it
’s perfect. Everything is unpacked and livable.”

  He smiled. “Yeah, Alicia loves that stuff. I heard you found your dress for the wedding.”

  She nodded again. “It was fun. Thank you for picking up the cost of it too.”

  He waved it off. “Not a problem, I know you are trying to figure everything out right now. As we talked about before you moved, the apartment is covered for the next month. If you need more time, just tell me and I will continue to pick up the cost.”

  Madison frowned. “No, I’m going to look for a job as soon as I get back into town. I can’t live off of you forever.”

  He smiled. “I picked up all your school information.” He handed her a folder. “It’s your class schedule from what you selected. You just need to go pick up your books but you can do that on your first day, if you wanted to.”

  “Thank you so much, Carter.”

  “It’s never a problem. Are you excited to start school?”

  She nodded. “I really am. Though can I ask you something?”

  He nodded. “Of course you can.”

  “Is Hunter going to get traded?”

  He sighed. “I don’t know. He’s a huge asset to our team. If we lose him, it leaves us a huge hole in defense. But, it’s a big business. Upper management makes the decisions. Between you and me, I think he’s leaving.”

  She frowned and started to cry. “I’m finally starting to figure out my place in this world and he’s a big part of it.”

  “I know but it’s the game. You know that.”

  She nodded and wiped her eyes. “I guess we will just figure it out in time, right?”

  He nodded. “Alicia told me that Mom and Dad latched onto your friend Mike last night.”

  She sighed. “It was so embarrassing. Just because of his last name he’s an asset to them. I wanted to bury my head in the sand.”

  He chuckled. “They are unbelievable. They are still in town until the game is over tomorrow night.”

  “I figured as much. It’s ok. It’s a big city, right?”

  He nodded. “Good girl. I’m glad we had a chance to talk. I’m so happy that you are here, Maddy.”

  She stood up and hugged her brother. “I am too Carter.”