Line Change: Utah Fury Hockey Book Three

by Mulliner, Brittney

  They were probably used to being around Coach. They didn’t have anything to fear. I was the only one on thin ice.

  Colby didn’t seem to notice my inner battle and continued asking questions. “How long have you been on the team Erik?”

  “Four years.”

  “And you like it here?”

  “I love it.” He put his arm around his fiancé and they smiled. “I hope to stay here for my career.”

  “Is that normal for hockey players?”

  He shrugged. “It can happen. It’s definitely more common than in basketball.”

  Colby nodded. “That’s what I’m used to.”

  Madeline perked up. “Did you date a player?”

  What? Why would that be her first conclusion?

  Colby laughed. “Oh no. I’ve worked for a few.”

  Madeline still looked confused.

  “I’m a personal assistant.”

  “Oh.” With the way her eyebrows shot up I figured she didn’t know that before. Why wouldn’t Chloe have told her? She eyed me before looking back to Colby.

  “I bet you have some interesting stories to tell.”

  Colby laughed again. “Not as many as you’d think. My clients have been pretty easy so far.”

  “How about now?” Reese asked with a smirk. I narrowed my eyes at him, but no one seemed to notice.

  “Noah’s great. It’s a new world for me though. I didn’t know much about hockey before meeting him.”

  Madeline gaped. “Wait. You’re his personal assistant?”

  Colby nodded while I eyed the blonde. Why was that surprising?

  “Sorry, you guys just look so comfortable with each other. I assumed…” She shook her head and looked around the table, but no one else said anything. “Sorry. I thought you were a personal assistant for another athlete and that’s how you two met.”

  “Oh no. We’re not together.” Colby waved her hands while I decided if I should be offended by how quickly she dismissed the possibility.

  “Huh.” Madeline smiled, looking confused.

  Huh? What was that supposed to mean? I wanted to demand answers, but our waitress came with our food and the topic died.

  I ate in silence wondering what she meant by that. We looked comfortable together? Did we? I mean, we’d spent a lot of time together in the past few days. But it was all business. Was it weird for me to be hanging out with my assistant? I didn’t know. I’d never had one and didn't know anyone who did.

  Maybe there was a line I was supposed to draw. Keep some distance between us. But I didn't want that. I liked how things were. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if we got closer.

  Colby didn’t seem to mind the question though. She ate and laughed and talked with everyone like nothing was wrong.

  So, it was me. I was the one left out, confused, and questioning everything.

  I hated feeling this way. Like I was out of control. Out of the loop.

  “Hey! It’s Noah!” Chloe pointed to a TV screen hanging over a booth a few feet away. My face was on the screen with a quote I couldn’t read.

  Erik nudged my shoulder and smiled while Reese held up a hand for a high five. “I bet that doesn’t happen every day.”

  I returned the high five and shook my head. “This is pretty surreal.”

  Erik nodded. “It took a while to get used to it, but pretty soon your face will be everywhere, and you’ll stop noticing.”

  “I don’t think I will.”

  Colby grabbed my arm. “It will be okay. I know this seems crazy now, but this attention comes with being in the NHL.”

  I nodded. I couldn’t do much else. It was like I was in a different world. Or living someone else’s life. Someday this might all click, but not at this moment.

  I looked up to see Madeline staring at Colby’s hand on me. When she saw me watching her she smiled and winked.

  That woman. She was going to drive me crazy. It wasn’t like I could ask to talk to her alone. Not unless I wanted to face Erik’s wrath, but what was with all the looks and little comments?

  I tried to ignore it and finish my burger, but I lost my appetite. No one seemed to notice. They finished and kept talking and laughing until finally, Reese stood.

  “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m exhausted.”

  Everyone followed, and the guys tossed cash on the table. I reached for my wallet and added a twenty to the table.

  Colby hugged the girls and said goodbye before following me to the car. “That was a fun night, thanks for inviting me.”

  “Yeah.” I opened her door and waited for her to get in before walking around to the driver’s side. At least she had a good time. For some reason, that mattered to me.

  Chapter Eight

  Colby

  Noah seemed different, off, all night but I didn’t want to push him. There was a lot for him to take in. His first NHL game, the press afterward, going to dinner with his teammates, and seeing his face on TV. That was more than any person should have to handle in one week, let alone one day.

  I let him think on the drive home. Letting him process, but once we parked back at his place he didn’t move to turn off the car or get out. I waited. I didn’t want to push him. He didn’t ask me to leave either, so I sat in silence.

  “Tell me about your family.”

  The question caught me off guard. I looked at him, but he was staring straight ahead. At the cement wall.

  “My parents are still together. They live in a suburb of San Francisco, where I grew up.”

  “Any siblings?”

  “An older sister. Amy. She’s married and has two kids. She lives about thirty minutes from my parents.”

  “Are they sad you don’t live there too?”

  I waited for him to look at me, but he was frozen. “Probably not. I doubt they care.” I cleared my throat. “I haven’t really been home since I left for college.”

  He raised a brow and I continued. “We were never very close. Business and obligations always came first. I was mostly raised by nannies. My parents aren’t the sentimental type. They’re just happy I have a career.”

  “So, you don’t want to go back?”

  “Not necessarily. I want to be where my work takes me. I love Salt Lake. Even though the snow can suck sometimes, I love being here.”

  “Okay.” With that he took out the keys and opened his door. Just like that I guess the conversation was over. I wanted to ask him about his family, but now wasn’t the time.

  At the back of the car I said goodbye. I watched him walk away to the elevator. His shoulders were slumped, his head was down. This wasn’t the Noah I knew. His charisma was gone. I could only hope he was just overwhelmed from the day. He’d rest and be back to normal.

  I walked to my car and headed home. I was walking through my front door when my phone rang.

  It was Bryce.

  Why would he be calling me? At close to midnight?

  Oh no. Something happened to Noah. He was jumped. His house was broken into. He fell and broke his leg.

  Hundreds of horrible situations ran through my mind before I could tell myself to answer the call.

  “Hello?”

  “Colby. I’ve got news.”

  “What is it?” I tried to keep the panic out of my voice, but I knew he could hear it.

  “You need to pack your bags.”

  “What?” This was so much worse than I could have imagined. I was being fired. That was why Noah had been so quiet around me. He was firing me. He couldn’t even do it himself. He made his agent call me? Anger flooded through me.

  What had I done? Had I said something at dinner?

  Was that why he was asking about my family? Probably making sure I had somewhere to go when I was broke and homeless. Goodbye money. Goodbye dreams of being debt free. Goodbye business plan.

  “You’re moving.”

  What? “Where?”

  “In with Noah.”

  My head was spinning. What was he talking abo
ut? “Did something happen? Is he safe?”

  Why would they want me to move in? If there was a security threat, they needed to hire a bodyguard. Not me. I’d break my hand trying to punch someone.

  “Noah’s fine. For now.”

  There really was a threat! I wasn’t prepared for this! I could get dry cleaning and organize his schedule. I couldn’t protect the guy!

  “What’s going on, Bryce?”

  “There’s been a surge of attention on Noah that we didn’t anticipate.”

  “I saw him on the news tonight.”

  “Yes, he’s all over the local and national news. His face is all over the internet. There are already fan groups forming. People saying they’re going to stalk him. Marry him.”

  I stopped in the hallway. “You’re telling me he has fans?”

  “Yes.”

  “And this is cause for concern?”

  Bryce sighed. “In this case, yes. Look, Colby. You and I are both more experienced with this sort of thing. We know what to expect, we know how things work. Noah doesn’t. He's like an innocent child. We need to protect him. Mostly, from himself. I don’t want this fame going to his head.”

  I didn't want that either. Money and fame that came too fast and too soon has led good people down very bad paths. I didn't want to see Noah get lost in that. He was too good.

  “What would moving in with him do? I can make sure he doesn’t watch TV but it’s not like I can take away his phone.”

  “You’re not going there for that.”

  “Then what?” He was speaking in code and it was getting on my last nerve.

  “You’re going to be his girlfriend.”

  I fell against the doorframe leading to my room. “What?”

  “You’re going to pretend to be his girlfriend.”

  “Why?”

  “If you two are photographed together and he talks about you in interviews, I think some of the unwanted attention will die down. Plus, you’ll be able to keep an even closer eye on him. Make sure he’s not hanging around the wrong people or making any stupid decisions.”

  “I can’t date my clients, Bryce. How am I supposed to build a reputable career if I date one of athletes? No one will take me seriously.” I had a hard enough time as a woman in this field trying to work her way up. I couldn’t risk ruining my reputation or having people think I was unprofessional.

  “No one will know you work for him. You’ll keep your other clients and I’ll spread a story that you guys met at an event.”

  “The team already knows who I am. I can’t make sure none of them say anything.”

  “Let me deal with that. You just need to keep up the façade until things calm down.”

  I rubbed my forehead trying to get the information to process. “Does he know?”

  “Yes.”

  “He agreed?” He was probably just listening to whatever Bryce said.

  “Of course. I wouldn’t be calling you if he didn’t.” Yes, he would. If he thought it was the best decision, he’d go through with it no matter what either of us said.

  “For how long?”

  “Who knows? Until the attention around him dies down.”

  “Then we’ll have a pretend breakup?”

  “Sure, I doubt people will care at that point. You can move back to your place and go back to normal.”

  “Why am I having to move in with him?”

  “Because there are already cameras outside his building. If we want you two to be taken seriously you have to live with each other.”

  “There are plenty of serious couples who don’t live with each other.”

  “That’s true. But you are not one of them.”

  “Bryce, I’m not moving in with him.”

  “It’s not negotiable, Colby.”

  I shook my head. I wasn’t going to let him dictate my life. I might be under contract with him, but this was not included.

  “No.”

  “What?”

  “I’ll be over there as much as I can. I’ll keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn’t get in over his head, but living with him is out of the question.”

  “We’ll double the pay for the time you live with him.”

  What? That was unbelievable. Noah couldn’t afford that.

  But Bryce could. It must mean a lot if he was willing to pay me to do this.

  I could use the money. My student loans would disappear in a few months if I went through with this. No more worrying about being able to pay rent. No more taking on too much work just to make ends meet. I could actually get ahead. Build my business.

  “Bryce, I don’t feel comfortable moving in.”

  There was a long pause. I checked my screen to make sure the call was still connected.

  “Fine.”

  “Fine?” Did that mean I didn’t have to or that I was fired?

  “You don’t have to move in.” I sighed and felt like I could take a breath for the first time during this phone call. “But I want you around. As much as possible, Colby. I mean it. If he’s going to the store, you’re with him. If he’s making an appearance, you’re on his elbow. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  He sighed. “I’ll still double your pay for the next two months.”

  I couldn’t believe it. I thought I was going to get fired for standing up to him and now I was getting the raise?

  “Thank you so much, sir.”

  “There’s a lot riding on him right now, Colby. Don’t let him make a single mistake. There are too many eyes on him.”

  “I understand.”

  “And remember this is a professional relationship. Do what you have to for the cameras, but your job is managing him and his image. Don’t forget that.”

  He didn’t need to say the words for me to understand his meaning. Nothing could happen between us. Not for real.

  “Okay. Have a good night, Colby.”

  I hung up and dropped my head against the wall. Again. And again.

  What had I gotten myself into?

  I sent Noah a text to let him know the plans had changed.

  His response came in a minute later. He wanted to talk. Lovely.

  I turned around and headed back out the door.

  Once I got back to his building I parked and looked around, but I didn’t see anyone in the garage. I took my bag and hurried to the elevator.

  Worrying about paparazzi was new for me. I’d have to pay more attention to what I was wearing and if I’d washed my hair now. This was probably something Chloe and Madeline were used to. I’d have to talk to them later about it. See if they had any tips or tricks.

  I couldn’t believe this was happening.

  A fake relationship?

  It was weirder that I’d agreed to it. It was the best thing for Noah. And he was my client, so I had to keep his best interest in mind. Even if that meant putting my life on pause for the money and for however long his moment lasted.

  Remember the money, Colby.

  What if the Fury signed him? What if he was here for good, and the people loved him? What would that mean for us? Would we have to stay together? No. That was ludicrous.

  He’d break up with me at some point, so he could date for real. Probably models.

  Great. Making myself upset over unknown futures was not something I needed right now.

  I got off the elevator and walked down to Noah’s. He was waiting for me with the door cracked open.

  “Hey girlfriend.”

  His smile was back. He seemed like he was happy. Hopefully whatever funk he was in was over.

  “Hi boyfriend.” I laughed at his goofy smile. “This is so weird.”

  “What? You don’t want to date me?” He pretended to be offended but ended up smiling. “You’re right, this is weird.” He stepped forward wrapping me in an awkward hug. As weird and forced as it felt, I kind of didn’t mind. I mean, getting to be in his arms wasn’t such a bad thing. I inhaled and mentally slapped myself. No enjoy
ing myself. No melting into him. This was business.

  I stepped back and kept my bags close to me. I knew where the guest bedroom was, obviously, but I didn't want to push past him or force myself into his space. I needed him to take the lead on this one.

  “Come on in.”

  I followed silently. Sure I’d been in his apartment, but I suddenly felt out of place. Like there was a new meaning to being here. Which there wasn’t. Everything was the same. Kind of.

  “Hungry?” Noah called as he walked into the kitchen.

  We’d just eaten, but Noah always seemed to be hungry. Probably all the exercising he did. I bet a game made it even worse.

  “Maybe.”

  I looked in, between his arm and the door, but there was very little food. We hadn’t gone back to the store together, but I’d been back to keep up the stock of his favorites.

  “Do you want me to go grab something?”

  He turned his head and looked at me over his shoulder. He froze as his eyes dropped to my lips for a moment before meeting my eyes.

  “No, it’s okay. I was just hoping ice cream, or something had appeared.”

  “You told me no sugar.”

  He shut the doors and faced me with his arms crossed. “I know. I just crave it sometimes.”

  “But you don’t want to eat it.”

  He shook his head. “No, I shouldn’t.”

  “You’re so strong. I’d cave after one day of no sugar.”

  He shrugged. “I know I feel better and perform better when I’m eating clean.”

  “So, if I told you I have a candy bar in my purse, you wouldn't want to share?”

  His eyes narrowed. “You’re lying.”

  I slowly shook my head and took steps backward to the living room. He grinned and shoved past me.

  “You won’t look in a woman’s purse.” I yelled but he was already gone. I laughed and hurried, but when I caught up he was holding the chocolate above his head like it was a trophy. He was trying to look intimidating, probably to keep me from going after it, but I couldn’t help but laugh. “Give it back, Noah. You don't want to do this.”

  His lips twitched. He was trying not to smile. “I think I do.”

  I took one step forward, keeping my hands out like I was approaching a dangerous animal. “Noah. You just said you feel better when you don’t.”