Tears burned my eyes, but I pushed them away. I felt violated. Exposed.
That was such a precious moment to me. Who would do this?
Noah was the only other one in the area. He was the only one who knew. But he wouldn’t.
Would he?
He was doing everything he could to get the contract. That didn’t mean he would do this.
I had just told him good press was crucial.
He wouldn’t.
But he was the only option.
I couldn't believe that.
I got out of bed and threw on some sweats and a coat. I needed to leave. I needed out.
I grabbed my keys and went down the elevator. I was too upset to drive, so I went out the front doors and was immediately swarmed by cameras.
“Are you engaged?” A voice shouted, and I ignored it.
“Are you the lucky number three?”
How had they found me? They were never at my building before.
“How did he ask?”
“Are you pregnant?”
That one really bugged me, but I pushed through them and hurried to the closest café. They didn’t follow me in while I ordered my coffee.
I wanted to hide inside, but people were staring at me. They knew I was the reason for the commotion and I didn't want to disrupt anyone else. Just because I’d willingly brought this on myself didn’t mean I needed to bother anyone else.
I walked out and ignored their comments. I should've brought headphones.
I didn’t want to listen to them. I didn’t want to hear what they were saying. I also didn’t want to go home.
I was stuck. Neither option was appealing.
I crossed the street and walked into the park. If I answered them would the questions stop, or would that just encourage them to ask more?
Probably the latter.
They were like a wild animal, rabid for information.
I wandered until I ended up at the pond. I looked at the bench. The one we’d sat on during our first official outing as a couple. It almost seemed fitting. I walked over and took a seat.
I sipped my coffee and stewed.
How could he do this to me? To us?
We could pose and pretend in front of the cameras, but that was a private moment. That was real.
At least, I thought it was.
Had it just been a publicity stunt for him? I really hoped not. I don’t think we could recover from that. I could forgive a lot, but that was a line we couldn’t cross.
“Where’s Noah?”
“Did you two fight?”
“Is the engagement over?”
I stared at my cup, trying to block them out.
I was almost finished with my drink when the questions began again. “Noah, where have you been?”
“Are you two engaged?”
“Is she pregnant, Noah?”
Ugh, would they drop that one?
I looked up and watched him come toward me. I looked at the frozen pond and ignored his approach.
“Colby. I’m so sorry.” I ignored him, and he sat next to me. “You have to believe me. I didn't tell anyone what happened. Someone must have been listening.”
That’s what I wanted to think too, but I knew better.
“Stop it, Noah. There’s no one else who could have heard. We were alone on the dance floor.”
“People can read lips. They could have had a mic on me.”
I stopped him.
“You expect me to believe someone wired you?”
The paparazzi were still yelling out questions but were standing far enough away to let us talk.
“I don’t know, Colby. I’ve been wracking my brain since Bryce called me. I have no idea how they found out.”
“Bryce called you?” I finally met his eyes.
“Yeah, he told me good job. I didn’t understand until he told me about the news that was spreading. He told me we’re on all the tabloids. Some are saying we’re getting married. Some say we broke up and got back together last night.”
“How did they find out?”
He shook his head. “I have no idea, Colby. It could have been someone working the event. Maybe a reporter was there. I don’t know, but I swear to you it wasn’t me. I wouldn’t share our moments with the world.”
I felt a little better knowing that. I trusted him. I did.
Maybe I let my fear get the best of me. I should have stopped and really thought about it. Or talked to him. We really needed to communicate better.
“I don’t want to be mad at you.”
He smiled. “Then don’t be.”
I slid next to him and put my arms around his waist. “How did you find me?”
“Well, I came back from getting breakfast and you were gone. I ran down to the café and they told me you’d been there but left. They said you were being followed and they thought they saw you come here.”
“It’s a big park, how did you know I’d be here?”
He kissed my forehead. “It’s our spot. It’s where I would have gone.”
I smiled at that. I might not have planned on coming here, but my feet brought me. Maybe my body knew exactly where I needed to be.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have accused you of that.”
He pulled me in tighter. “I would have thought the same thing if I was in your position. I’m just glad you forgive me.”
I looked up and met his eyes. “There’s nothing to forgive.”
He kissed me lightly before pulling back. “Are you hungry? I have breakfast waiting for us.”
I nodded and stood. “Yes, please.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Noah
I reheated the breakfast burritos I’d gotten us and set them in front of our spots at the bar.
“Thanks, Noah.”
I nodded. She wasn’t the same. There was something still wrong. We ate in silence while I tried to figure out how to get it out of her.
When she was done, she sighed and started pulling the remaining tortilla into tiny pieces.
“What is it, Colby?”
She looked at me and dropped the tortilla. “I’m freaking out a little bit.”
“About what?”
She shrugged, but I wasn’t letting her off the hook that easily. I knew something was going on. I just needed her to talk to me.
“What is it?”
She was silent for a moment. “I’m scared.”
Her voice was barely a whisper. I would have missed what she said if I wasn’t watching her. “Of what?”
She shrugged again, and I realized I was going to have to pull this from her. “Please talk to me, Colby.”
She looked at me with watery eyes. “I’m scared of us.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Us? What does that mean?”
“What if we don’t work? What if we mess up what we have?”
I shook my head. “Colby, we spend almost all of our time together. You know me better than anyone. I like to think I know you, too. We are basically a couple. Now it’s just official…to us. Why does that scare you?”
“What if it doesn’t last?”
“You can’t think like that. You can’t doom us from the beginning. We’re going to try and we’re going to be amazing together. In a week, you’ll wonder why you ever doubted.”
She tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “There’s so much at stake. You’re not going to want to work with me if we break up. I should find someone to replace me.”
I put my arms on her shoulders and turned her toward me. “What? No. I swear to you. I will not let this affect our professional relationship.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “Colby, I care so much about you. I promise to take care of you. I promise to do everything in my power to never hurt you.”
She sniffed, and it broke my heart. I never wanted to be the cause of her pain.
“Okay.”
“Okay? You trust me?”
“I have to.”
I nodded.
“You do. I’m not really giving you any other option.”
She smiled. “Nope.”
“I’ve got to get ready for practice. Are you coming?”
She nodded. “I’ll be there.”
“Great.”
I kissed the top of her head and hurried to my room. I had an idea, but I was going to need the help of some of the guys.
I texted the team and asked for anyone that could, to get to practice early. Then I showered and changed.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Bye. Be safe.”
I kissed her quickly before grabbing my bag and walking out.
When I got to the locker room Erik, Hartman, Brassard, Reese, Olli, and Porter were all waiting.
“What’s going on, Malkin?”
I looked at Hartman and rubbed my hands on my sides. I was nervous, but I knew this would work.
“I need your help. It’s not going to be easy, but it will be worth it. To me.”
They all looked at each other then back at me.
“What is it?” Erik looked skeptical.
“How well do you guys know the song, ‘I just called to say I love you?’”
They all groaned, but Reese laughed. “Oh man. What are you going to do to us?”
I told them my plan and to my complete astonishment they agreed. We went out to the ice and practiced before everyone else got there. When Coach Rust got there, I pulled him to the side and told him my plan. He wasn’t exactly happy I chose to interrupt practice, but he didn’t tell me no.
“Thanks, Coach.”
He shook his head and waved me off. I was getting nervous as women from the Pride began to fill in. I didn't see Colby though. Had something come up? Was she not coming anymore?
She had to. I wouldn’t freak out until practice started.
I did a few laps, racing Reese, before gathering with the team in front of Coach Romney.
When he dismissed us to run drills I glanced at the section where the Pride was. There she was.
She waved, and I smiled and waved back.
Yes.
I tried to focus. I really did, but my mind was on what was coming. Luckily, we didn't have that many people watching today. I don’t know if I could go through it with the general manager watching.
When Rust blew the whistle, the music changed. My song came on and a few of the guys looked around. They were probably confused. Stevie Wonder wasn’t exactly on our normal mix.
I skated to the center of the ice and began the steps we practiced. Next, Erik joined in, then Reese, Olli, Hartman, and Brassard. By the time we got to the chorus the rest of the team was laughing hysterically and the Pride was hovered around Colby. They knew what this was. My eyes didn’t leave hers as I skated closer to the glass in front of her. I sang out the words.
“I just called to say I love you.”
Her mouth dropped, and her cheeks were flushed.
The music ended, and I waited for her reaction. Everyone was watching us. I could feel it. Do something Colby. Anything.
Emma nudged her, and Colby smiled. She stood and put her hand on the glass. I put mine up against hers. “I love you.”
I shouted it even though I knew she could hear me if I spoke normally.
“I love you, too.”
Everyone started cheering and I saw a tear fall from her eye. I shook my head. That wasn’t what I wanted. I never wanted to make her cry. She wiped it and started laughing.
Good. She was happy. Those were happy tears.
A whistle blew behind me and Coach Romney was waving his hand. “Alright, that’s enough lovey dovey stuff for today. Get back to work.”
I looked back at Colby and she blew me a kiss. I waved and went back to the drills.
The rest of practice flew by. I knew Coach was pushing us hard for my little interruption, and when he finally called it I was dead on my feet.
I followed the guys into the tunnel and was slammed into the wall by a body.
“I can’t believe you did that.” Colby’s face was flushed.
I wrapped my arms around Colby. “Were you surprised?”
“Completely. How did you pull it off?”
“I got them to come to practice early and we put it together. Turns out Hartman has moves.”
She laughed, and her smile could have lit up the room. “You made me so happy.”
“You make me happy. I’m sorry I acted like an idiot. I promise I’ll work on having more of a balance.”
“Good.”
“Malkin. In my office. Now.” I cringed at Coach’s voice. He did not sound happy.
“I've got to go.”
“Good luck.” She leaned forward and kissed me briefly. It was enough to make the worry disappear. Coach could tell me anything. He could yell at me until his voice went hoarse and I wouldn’t care.
I went into his office where he was waiting for me. “Take a seat.”
I did and waited. I knew from experience with my parents to never speak first. They’ll get you to admit to something. Nope. I wasn’t digging my own grave.
“Aside from the little charade you pulled today, you’ve been excellent lately. I’m really proud of how far you’ve come.”
I nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
“I know you’ve been working hard, and you really blew me away at the last game.”
I was shocked. Coach didn’t seem like the type to give compliments freely.
“I’m not the only one who’s noticed.”
I sat up. Was this it? Was he going to tell me the decision?
“The office has been impressed as well.” He opened and drawer and pulled out a folder. He opened it and slid it over to me.
“They want you, as do I and the rest of the team, to officially join the Fury.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding. I couldn’t believe it. I’d done it.
“Thank you, Coach.”
He cracked a smile. “You did this. You deserve it.”
I shook my head. This had been my dream since I first started to skate. I wanted this so bad and now it was my reality.
“Take it home and look it over. Have your agent read over it. Sign it when you’re ready and bring it back.”
I closed the folder and stood. I knew it wouldn’t matter. I would take any amount they offered for any length of time. None of that mattered. I was going to stay, and I was going to be with Colby.
I opened the door to a full hall. Colby rushed forward followed by Erik, Reese, Chloe, Madi, Hartman, and Brassard.
“What did he say?” Colby asked with as much excitement as me.
“Are you fired?” Erik asked with a laugh. Madi punched him and turned to face me.
I slowly held up the folder. “I got a contract!”
Everyone started cheering. Colby wrapped her arms around me and everyone else joined in a massive group hug. This was real. This was my team.
“I’m so proud of you.” Colby kissed my cheek.
“Me too.” Reese kissed my other cheek which caused a chain reaction. Everyone tried to plant one on me. I tried to dodge them but there were too many.
“Welcome to the fury, Malkin.” Hartman was the last to get me.
“Thanks guys.”
“I knew you could do it.”
I looked down at Colby. “Thank you.”
“I love you.” She smiled, and I couldn’t help but mimic her.
“I love you too.”
Thanks for reading!
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Xoxo B
Coming in November:
Wyatt and Kendall’s Story
He’s the captain of the Utah Fury, and she’s the number one fan of their rivals. Can their attraction overcome their differences?
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Keep reading for a sneak peek into their story.
Wyatt
I stepped out my building pulling my cap lower over my eyes with my left hand, strategically blocking my face from the cameras. Even with my lame excuse for a disguise, it was hard to cover up the fact I was over six foot and a bit more muscular than the average person.
I walked down the sidewalk with purpose, I checked in the windows of the shops I passed but didn’t see anyone following me. Had they really missed me?
Huh. Maybe moving had worked.
When I asked Chloe and Colby for recommendations on where to live, they both said the same building as Noah Malkin. It was close to the arena and within walking distance of plenty of restaurants and cafes.
It was fine with me. My address had gotten out to too many reporters, and even the public. The guys helped me move in at night, so no one saw.
The reporters and paparazzi at this building were on the lookout for Noah and Colby, so I was able to hide in plain sight. They were one of the most famous couples right now, at least in the sports world. Noah was the top rookie in the league and people loved them together.
Their notoriety was a blessing for me. It’d been almost a month since I moved in, and still no one outside of the team knew where I was. It was glorious. I had more freedom than I’d ever had since joining the NHL almost ten years ago.
I checked over my shoulder one more time before walking into the café Noah had introduced me to. He said no one had ever bothered him and the other customers ignored him. It sounded perfect the first time he told me about it, and now it was a part of my routine. I came every morning that I could.
I had a regular drink, a regular seat, and a regular barista.
It was predictable. Reliable. My one source of normalcy in my crazy life.
I got in line and waited. I didn’t check my phone or look at the TVs. This was my place of peace.
When I got to the counter I paused. This was not Matt. Matt was a college student with more piercings than a tattoo parlor and a beanie that had most likely never been washed. I liked Matt. He didn’t talk.
Line Change: Utah Fury Hockey Book Three Page 19