Attacking Zone (Utah Fury Hockey Book 4)

by Brittney Mulliner

  “I’m not the type to hold a grudge.”

  I didn’t realize that was an insult until I noticed her wounded expression. Oh right. She held a grudge against me.

  “Anyway, let’s eat.” I picked up my fork and began shoveling noodles into my mouth. After training today, I was starving. I knew I shouldn’t have pushed myself so hard, but the guys kept challenging me.

  I watched her finally start, but she poked her fork at the pasta before finally taking a bite.

  She instantly moaned. “Oh wow. Wyatt, this is delicious.”

  I wiped my mouth. “Thanks.”

  “How did you learn to cook?” She was taking in another mouthful before I could answer.

  I shrugged. “It’s just noodles and premade sauce with some leftover grilled chicken.”

  “But it’s so good.”

  She was acting like I’d just served her some fancy dish.

  “Well, thanks.”

  We continued eating in silence. Me enjoying the momentary quiet, and her eating like the food was going to be ripped away. Did she not eat? She made a comment about not being able to afford a tow, but she could afford food, right?

  “So, tell me about Baltimore, or Fort…” I’d forgotten which one she said.

  “Meade.” She smiled. “I lived just off the base with my uncle.”

  I nodded. Was this the point where I could ask about her parents? She never brought them up, just an uncle.

  “I lived with him since I was nine, even through college.”

  I had to ask, and that was basically an invitation.

  “What about your parents?”

  Her smile dimmed a bit.

  “You don’t have to tell me. Never mind.”

  Her jaw clenched once before relaxing. “I just don’t talk about them very much.”

  I got that. I probably wouldn’t either.

  She cleared her throat. “My dad was killed in action when I was two. I don’t remember him at all. My mom was killed when I was nine in a car accident.”

  Wow. That was heavy. No wonder she didn’t talk about it. She seemed so put together. More than I think I’d be in the same situation.

  “And that’s when you moved in with your uncle?”

  She shrugged and put down her fork. “He was on tour when Mom died. The Red Cross contacted him and his unit, but he wasn’t given leave. Since it was up to his commanding officer, there wasn’t much he could do to get home sooner.”

  “So, what happened?”

  “I was in the foster system for eighteen months. By then Uncle David was able to get home and discharged from active duty. He got a position at the recruitment center near the base, so he was still involved with the army, just not as a solider.”

  I couldn’t imagine what she’d gone through. A lifetime’s worth of heartbreak all before she was ten.

  “Were you close to your uncle before?”

  She shook her head. “No, he was my dad’s little brother. They both enlisted when they were eighteen.”

  I wanted to ask more but she was staring ahead, lost in her own thoughts. I was surprised she was giving all of this information. I thought she would be a lot harder to crack, but once she started talking it was like the flow couldn’t be stopped.

  Maybe it was good for her to talk about it.

  “Must have been tough.”

  She smiled. “I thought it would be too, but it felt like we just clicked into place. He didn’t know what to do with a little girl, but he tried so hard. I was just grateful to have a family again.”

  “What about grandparents or other aunts or uncles?” I knew it was too late, but I wanted to help the little girl version of her. I hated the thought of what she had to go through.

  “My dad’s parents already passed. My mom’s mom was alive, but she was in a care home, and her dad had passed away around the time she had me. Mom was an only child and Dad’s only sibling was his brother.”

  As hard as what she went through had to have been, I couldn’t picture myself in her uncle’s place either. If someone called me and told me I had a nine-year-old niece that I needed to adopt I don’t know what I’d do. Panic?

  He gave up his career to raise her. I hoped one day I could meet him. Someone that selfless must be incredible.

  “I’m so sorry you went through all of that.”

  I wasn’t particularly close to my parents, we had our own issues, but I couldn’t imagine life without them.

  Her eyes met mine as she smiled. “It was hard, but I’m better for it. Uncle David gave me everything I wanted and needed. I had a whole community supporting me.”

  I nodded. “That must have been hard to leave.”

  Her smile wavered. “It was, but I know I’m supposed to be here now. I’ll get to go back home soon enough.”

  I appreciated her optimism. Maybe I’d judged her a bit harshly at first, but that could be for her own protection. Be rough or mean at the beginning, then there’s little risk in getting hurt.

  There was more to her. I knew there was. More than what she’d told me so far. I couldn’t explain why but I wanted to know her. The good, the bad and the ugly. She intrigued me. She was stronger than I thought, passionate, too.

  When she was done, I rinsed off all the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. “I know I promised hot chocolate, but I’m too full. Do you mind if we wait?”

  She shook her head. “No problem. We can watch a movie.”

  I was glad she made the suggestion. She could have pretended to be tired to get rid of me. I went to the couch and turned on the TV.

  “All the movies are there.” I pointed at the stand with glass cabinets.

  She sat down in front of them and began looking through. “What are you in the mood for?”

  “Anything. Maybe not one of those natural disaster movies though.”

  She laughed. “Yeah, probably not the best time for that.”

  She ended up selecting an action movie she said she hadn’t seen before. I put it in and returned to my end of the couch. It was a large sectional, so we could each lie out without coming close to touching each other.

  Once the movie started, she seemed to relax and even snuggled under a blanket that was lying on the arm of the couch.

  Halfway through, I went to the kitchen and made us each a mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream on top. I set it out in front of her on the coffee table and sat down beside her.

  A few minutes later she picked up the cup and took a sip before smiling. “This is yummy. Thanks.”

  I looked over at her and smiled. She looked tired, and comfortable. I wouldn’t mind if she fell asleep. It wasn’t like the storm was letting up anytime soon. It would be easier for me than trying to convince her to stay at midnight.

  By the end of the movie, she was fast asleep. I stood and spread the blanket out to cover her feet. She looked so peaceful. So beautiful. So incapable of pulling pranks, but I knew better.

  I moved away before she woke up and saw me staring down at her. The last thing I needed was for her to think I was some creep.

  I checked the locks and went to my room. I didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable if she woke up and saw me sleeping on the couch with her. After showering and brushing my teeth I climbed into bed and promptly passed out.

  My alarm went off at seven. I laid in bed thinking about the upcoming game. I’d watch enough footage of the opposing team to have a game plan, but I still wanted to get in early to go through things with Coach.

  Kendall.

  I’d forgotten I had a house guest. I got dressed in some sweats and walked out to the living room.

  It was empty.

  I checked the bathroom, but she wasn’t there. Had she really just disappeared? I looked around for a note or something to let me know where she’d gone, but there was nothing.

  Fine. Just fine.

  I opened my home to a near stranger. Fed her. Gave her a place to sleep and this is how she repays me? Disappearing in the
night?

  I went to the windows and looked out. Most of the snow had already melted. Hopefully she made it to her car okay. Not that it was even working.

  What was her thought process? Why would she bail?

  Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to think about it. I had to get ready for a game.

  Chapter Six

  Kendall

  I was a coward. I knew that. I shouldn’t have left before he woke up. I felt like I was sneaking out after a one-night stand.

  He didn’t deserve that. He’d been so kind to me. Especially, when I gave him no reason to be. I just didn’t want to wait around to see the look on his face when he realized I was still around. He’d be annoyed. Disappointed he still had to deal with me.

  So, I’d done us both a favor. Avoiding any and all awkwardness by leaving before five. My body woke up naturally at that time since it was when I got up to go to work, but I still felt groggy.

  Fatigued. I’d felt that way more often than not lately.

  I shook the thought away.

  The blizzard was over and most of the snow was already gone. I walked the two blocks back to my car and got in. My phone was dead so if I needed to call a tow I was screwed. Joey wouldn’t be here for another half hour or so. I could wait that long. It wasn’t nearly as cold as last night.

  I tried to start the car, just in case last night had been a fluke.

  It came to life on the first try.

  “What the heck!” I wanted to get out and kick the car. What was its problem last night? Did it want to leave me stranded in the cold? Stupid hunk of metal. I slapped the steering wheel once for good measure then started driving home.

  When I walked in I was met with silence, as per the usual. I plugged in my phone and turned it back on. I had a few voicemails and texts from Uncle David.

  Oh no.

  He was probably freaking out not being able to get a hold of me. He hated when he couldn’t reach me. It was one of the promises I made before moving out here. I would always have my phone with me. Oops.

  He was probably thinking the worst. Not that I could blame him. He’d had too much happen to him. Too many deaths. Lost too many. When he couldn’t get in touch with me, that’s where his mind went.

  He was going to kill me.

  I called him back and took a deep breath. I could handle whatever lecture he had for me.

  “Kendall? Are you alright?” I could hear the panic in his voice and I felt awful.

  “I’m so sorry Uncle David. There was a freak snow storm last night. My car wouldn’t start so I stayed over at…” I couldn’t tell him where I’d really been. He would lose his mind. First, that I stayed at a strange man’s place. Second, I was with one of the Furies. No way. “At a friend’s house. My phone died, and I just barely got back home.”

  He let out a sigh and I could picture him sitting in his office with his elbows on the desk, holding his head. I knew that pose. I’d seen it hundreds of time. But I’d never been the one to cause it. Not even when I crashed his truck.

  “I’m really sorry, Uncle David.”

  “It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re safe. You said your car wouldn’t start. Did you have someone look at it?”

  I sighed. I still couldn’t believe it. “No, when I tried this morning it started right up. No problem.”

  “Huh. Maybe the cold messed with it.”

  Maybe. Stupid car.

  “How are things going? How are you liking the new job?”

  I was grateful for the subject change. It surprised me that he didn’t ask more about who I stayed with, but I wasn’t going to offer any additional details.

  “It’s going really well. I really like the owner. She’s a cool lady.”

  “Good. I’m glad you like it. We sure do miss you down at Callie’s.”

  I chuckled. I’d worked at Callie’s Café since I was fifteen. All through high school and summers between semesters at college. “I miss it too.”

  “Have you been up to the school yet to check it out?”

  “Just to the library.”

  “Good. It’s probably nice to start in the summer semester. Less crowded. You don’t have to stress as much.”

  “Yeah, it will be nice to ease into getting around without dealing with thousands of people.”

  We were both quiet for a minute. I missed him, and I could hear in his voice that he missed me.

  He’d been a bachelor his whole life. When I came to live with him, it’d been quite the shock to his routine. He left active duty in the infantry and returned to civilian life. It was a complete change of pace for him, but he did it for me.

  I just hoped one day I could repay him. Somehow. My goal was season tickets to the Harbors. Not that tickets could measure up to the sacrifices he made, but it was a step. There was no real way for me to make up for what he’d given me. Maybe I could buy him a house on the beach for him to retire to?

  Ha.

  Like I could afford to buy myself a house, let alone one for him.

  Not with specializing in my field. I’d be working for very little but helping the children would be worth it.

  “How are things back at the center?” she asked.

  “Busy, as usual. Anthony Meyers asked about you again.”

  I cringed. Anthony was a nice enough guy, but I wasn’t interested in him and nothing I seemed to do or say got that message through. I was pretty sure he didn’t like me. He just wanted to be connected to Uncle David. He had a weird hero worship thing going on for my uncle.

  “You’ll have to tell him I’m very happy and very far away.”

  Uncle David laughed. “The poor guy is heartbroken over you moving away.”

  “Just because he’s less likely to become your sort of son-in-law.”

  “Now Kendall. You be nice. He’s a great guy.” I knew he was trying to be serious, but I heard the smile in his voice.

  “He’s in love with you, not me.”

  “He’s just easily impressed.”

  I rolled my eyes. My uncle’s war stories were entertaining, sure, and he’d been a great solider, but that had nothing to do with me.

  “Maybe change the subject whenever he brings me up. Out of sight out of mind.”

  He laughed again. “I’ll try that.” He paused. “Have you checked in with the doctor there?”

  I cringed. That wasn’t something I wanted to talk about. “No.”

  He sighed. “Soon?”

  “Yeah. Soon.”

  “I sure miss you, kid.”

  My heart broke just a little bit more. I missed him so much. I knew I was where I was supposed to be, and one day I’d return home, but it still hurt being away.

  “I miss you too.”

  “You just need to start making some friends, plants some roots there and you’ll forget all about your grump old uncle.”

  I laughed. “You’re neither grumpy nor old.”

  “I’m getting there.”

  I shook my head as I changed into workout clothes. “You’re forty-five. That’s young.”

  “Says the twenty-three-year-old.”

  “Oh please. I’m heading out to go for a run.”

  “Have you met with Dr. Thompson yet?”

  I cringed. I was supposed to meet with her a few days ago, but I cancelled. I wasn’t ready.

  “I have an appointment with her next week.” That wasn’t exactly a lie. I planned to reschedule my appointment, he didn’t need to know that though.

  “Sounds good. Let me know what she says.”

  “I will.”

  “I’ve got to go mow Ms. Larson’s lawn and later I’ll be at the boys’ club so I might not be around my phone.”

  I admired him so much for his willingness to serve. If he wasn’t doing something for me, he was helping a neighbor or volunteering in the community. That’s what made him such a great solider and leader. He put everyone else first.

  “Okay. I love you.”

  “Love you too, kid.” I
could hear the sadness in his voice. He missed me as much as I missed him.

  I hung up and fought the tears threatening to explode from my eyes. If I let it start, I knew I would be a mess for the rest of the day, and I wanted to enjoy my day off while I still could. Before a tear could fall, I jumped up and changed into running clothes.

  I put in my headphones as I jogged down the stairs. Once my music was playing I headed toward the university. My breathing slowed into a rhythm as the pavement passed under me.

  Twenty minutes later, I was across from the hospital. I hadn’t intended on coming this way, but my feet brought me here. I couldn’t get away with avoiding this for much longer. Uncle David would stay on top of it. He probably already called to make sure my files were waiting. Dr. Thompson knew I was coming. She’d been the one to approve my move. I should go. I should meet her.

  I urged myself forward, but my body didn’t react.

  If I went in, it would be real.

  I couldn’t escape it. It wasn’t gone now that I lived in Utah. A cross-country move didn’t make it go away.

  The longer I waited, the more it would build up. I needed to get it over with.

  Later.

  I turned and ran, putting distance between me and the hospital.

  I’d face it later.

  A few days of being normal. Of no one knowing. Watching. Worrying. Questioning.

  I’d had my time off, but it wasn’t something that was going to magically disappear, no matter how badly I wanted it to.

  My feet pounded against the pavement. I changed direction, not going anywhere in particular, just away.

  Minutes later, I was in front of Wyatt’s building.

  I hadn’t meant to. I didn’t plan it. At least, not consciously.

  My breathing came out in labored puffs. I shouldn’t be struggling this much.

  It was the altitude.

  Right.

  I was fine.

  A crowd of people hovered near the doors, staring into the building. I stepped closer and tried to look in. What was so interesting? Had something happened?

  I took another step and accidently bumped into a man.