“I’m here for the practice but I’m not sure where to go.”
He eyed me then took a step back. “Wait here.”
He disappeared down the steps and returned a minute later with a gorgeous brunette in tow.
She sized me up with a look only women seemed to perceive. “You’re Kendall?”
I nodded, grateful someone knew what was going on around here.
“Nice outfit.”
I fought the urge to touch my Harbors jersey. She seemed like the type that could smell fear.
“Wyatt told me he invited someone, but you couldn’t possibly be the right person.”
She tilted her head and looked at me almost like she pitied me. I didn’t know who this woman was, but I was feeling a bit intimidated.
“I am. He invited me last night. I can show you the texts.”
She took a step closer to me. “No one that was personally invited by the captain of the Fury would be insensitive enough to wear another team’s jersey to his practice. He’s someone that deserves respect from his friends and fans. Not just because he’s the captain.” She took a step forward, narrowing her eyes. “But because he’s one of the best people I know. If he thought you were worthy of his attention then you would know better. So, you couldn’t possibly be the person he invited.”
I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, or run away. I waited for a moment for her to tell me she was kidding, but she didn’t crack. I had a shirt on under the jersey. I could just take it off, but I wouldn’t. Wyatt knew me. He knew how I felt about the team, and he invited me anyway. I rolled my shoulders back and hoped she couldn’t tell how intimidated I was.
“Thanks so much for your opinion, but I’m here because Wyatt invited me. I’m not here to start a war or heckle.” I nodded to the security guard and he handed me over an all-access pass. “Thanks.”
I walked past her and down the stairs without a second glance. She could boss other people around, but I wasn’t going to take it. I was from a military family after all. A little yelling and empty threats didn’t scare me.
There was a group of women sitting down at the glass so I stopped toward the top of the section and took a seat in the middle of the row. The brunette walked down a moment later and sent me a scathing glance as she passed.
Hopefully pissing off the queen bee wasn’t too much of a problem for Wyatt. I doubted we’d be apologizing to each other anytime soon.
I focused on the players on the ice looking for Wyatt. He was number fifty-five, but I didn’t see him out there. A few players were on the bench, so maybe he was taking a break.
A group of guys on the bench all stood together and got on the ice as another five took a seat. One of the players headed for the center of the ice and I finally saw Wyatt’s number. It was so surreal being here. I was seeing the behind the scenes side of hockey like I’d never been privileged to before. I took a few pictures to send to Uncle David for later.
Wyatt was amazing. So fast and he seemed to know what was going to happen ten seconds ahead of everyone around him. There was a reason he was one of the best in the league and I was witnessing it first-hand.
It was hard to reconcile the person on the ice with the person I knew. To me, he was just Wyatt. My customer. Someone that I’d screwed up with too many times, but he always forgave me.
He wasn’t just the captain or a player. I think I could actually consider him a friend. He had accepted the apology drink and agreed to start over. He invited me here. Those were things friends did…right?
I wasn’t sure when the transition happened, but it was a strange revelation. I wanted to feel comforted by it, but it made me nervous.
Were we just friends?
I was attracted to him, for sure. But was there any potential for more? Did I want there to be?
I snapped out of my thoughts when I saw a woman stand and start walking up the stairs. She was a pretty blonde with a small baby bump. She smiled and came down my row before sitting next to me.
“You’re Kendall?”
She didn’t seem nearly as intense as the last woman.
“I am.”
Her smile grew. “I’m Emma Letang. Olli’s wife.”
Olli Letang was the goalie. I felt like I was in another world. I was sitting, talking to Letang’s wife.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too. Chloe told me you were here.”
Chloe must have been the she-devil. Emma seemed to notice my reaction and laughed. “Yeah she can be a bit hard to take at first. She’s just very protective of the guys.”
“I picked up on that.”
Emma nodded. “She’s Erik Schultz’ sister and Reese Murray’s fiancée. You could say this team is her whole life. Those guys out there,” she said, pointing at the ice, “are her family. She can come across as a jerk, but she’s really just trying to watch out for them.”
I nodded but didn’t really understand. How could she protect those big guys? It’s not like I was going to storm the ice.
She watched me for a second. “A few of them have been hurt before. Taken advantage of. Had women pretend to love them just so they could get their claws on their fame or money. Chloe doesn’t want that to happen again.”
Oh. Got it.
I nodded. “It’s not like that with Wyatt. We’re just friends, barely even that.”
Emma smiled and tilted her head. “You’re the very first person he’s ever invited to a practice.”
“Really?”
She seemed to register my surprise before nodding. “Our captain is a very private person. He’s got a lot of heart, but I think he’s afraid of letting people in. I heard you’ve been to his home?”
I nodded.
“That’s a first too.” She laughed. “I’ve never been to the new place.”
This was all too confusing. What she was saying didn’t seem to match up with the person I knew. Sure, he was reserved, but he wasn’t a recluse.
“Wyatt must see something in you. I hope the rest of us get a chance to see it, too.”
I smiled but felt unsure of what she meant. Did she think he was going to kick me to the curb?
“This world is hard, Kendall. It can chew you up and spit you out if you’re not careful.”
“What do you mean?”
Her smile weakened. “The fame that comes with his position can be a lot to handle. If word got out that he was dating someone they would be all over you. Your home, your work, everywhere. I know Wyatt is just a person to you.”
I raised my eyebrows. How did she know that?
She smirked. “I felt the same way about Olli when I met him.” She turned and looked at the ice. “To the rest of the world, Wyatt is the captain of the championship team. He’s never publicly dated. He’s kept his life insanely private. Anything that gets to the press is done with purpose.” She paused and sighed. “If you two start dating, you’ll either have to keep it a secret which has its own challenges, or you’re going to have to prepare yourself for the media mess that will follow. It’s not going to be easy or fun and it will probably drive you two apart. You have to be sure of what you want with Wyatt. Both of you could get hurt.”
That was a lot to take in. A lot to really think about. “But we’re just friends.”
She patted my arm. “For now.”
I rolled my eyes and she laughed.
“You’d be surprised by what happens around here and who ends up together. Don’t count him out before giving him a shot.” She leaned forward, “If that’s what you want. Please, don’t drag him along if you aren’t interested in a future with him, and if you’re not willing to pay the price.”
She made it sound so grim. Like it would cost me my life, but she was right. He wasn’t just a normal customer. He was a really big deal. If we came out as a couple, there would be a media circus to deal with. I really needed to decide if I wanted that. If I could handle it.
Uncle David would hate it. Not because of Wyatt being a Fury. H
e would worry about me. My mental state, my health, my ability to leave the house without being hounded by paparazzi.
This was all something I had to consider.
I looked out and found Wyatt again. Would he ever be interested in me in that way? Emma could be talking about a future that would never come to fruition. I could be worrying about nothing.
“Thanks, Emma.”
She nodded. “You can come and sit down with us. I promise most of us don’t bite. You just might want to keep an eye on Chloe.”
She stood and walked away before I could respond. I appreciated her coming and talking to me. It did make me feel better knowing not everyone down there hated me. She’d left me with a lot to think about.
Did I want something to happen with Wyatt?
Yes.
Did I want something to happen with the captain of the Utah Fury?
Not so much.
They were the same though. I couldn’t have one without the other. Emma knew first hand everything this life came with.
I watched Wyatt move on the ice. Was he worth the risk?
I wanted to stay up here where I was safe. If I wanted there to be a chance for a future, I needed to make an effort.
I stood and walked down to the front rows. Emma smiled and patted the empty seat next to her. Once I was seated, she introduced me to the women around us.
I smiled and tried to ignore the looks I got. I crossed my arms, trying to cover the enormous Harbor logo, but it was no use. They glared, even shook their heads.
These women might not like me, but Wyatt did. That’s what mattered.
Chapter Eleven
Wyatt
I’d spotted Kendall in the stands during practice, but when I was done in the locker room she was gone.
I didn’t want to push her, but I wanted to know how she liked it. I’d hoped she’d sit with the Pride, so she could get to know some of the women, but she was alone several rows up from them.
I had a media day and an away game, so I wouldn’t get to see her for a few days. I sent her a text, but she never replied.
I didn’t get it. Was she upset about something? Had something happened? I hated not knowing almost as much as I hated the fact that I cared.
Brassard wouldn’t leave me alone about it. He caught me checking my phone and made fun of me the entire trip. I didn’t care. He was probably jealous I had someone to talk to. Not that she was replying.
I needed to get home.
I needed to talk to her in person.
We won the game and were finally heading back to Salt Lake. I just had to wait a few more hours before I could see her.
I shook my head and put my headphones on.
I couldn’t remember ever caring this much about a girl. Not through high school or college. And I was still confused why I cared now. She wasn’t exactly my type. She didn’t like my team. She’d been gruff and unpredictable, but there was something about her that kept pulling me back. She tried. She apologized for her mistakes. It was like two forces were warring inside her. She wanted to be rude and push me away, but at the same time she made the first move to talk to me and it had been her that wanted to fix things between us.
She was confusing, and I couldn’t stop whatever was pulling me to her.
It was all her broken pieces that made her real. She wasn’t perfect. She wasn’t all put together. I could tell that I was barely scratching the surface. There was so much more to her and I was dying to dive in and understand.
I just hoped I had the chance.
When we touched down I turned on my phone, hoping for a missed text or call but there was nothing. That was fine. I’d just have to go to her.
I got home and dropped off my bags before turning around and walking down to the café. I saw her behind the counter before I walked in. She was smiling and chatting with a man who was smiling at her almost like they were flirting. I was instantly jealous of him. She looked so carefree. Why wasn’t she like that with me?
I opened the door and got in line. She didn’t notice me until it was my turn to order.
“What can I get for…Oh.” She looked up and seemed surprised to see me. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
She blinked and looked around. “What can I get for you?”
“A regular, please.”
She nodded and turned to fill it. When she handed it to me I didn’t immediately pull away. “Can we talk?”
Her mouth opened but nothing came out.
“She certainly can. You’re due for a ten. Go sit.” Her manager waved her away and Kendall seemed to follow the directions on autopilot.
I took my normal spot and set my coffee on the table watching as she took the seat next to me. “How are you?”
She nodded. “Good.”
“Good? I was worried.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Why?”
She really didn’t get it? “You disappeared on me? I’ve tried calling and texting you but haven’t heard anything.”
She bit her bottom lip and it triggered more panic within me. I paused, trying to proceed cautiously. “I’m just glad everything’s okay.”
She nodded. “Yeah, sorry. I should have replied sooner. Things were a little crazy this weekend.”
“What happened?”
She blinked and looked away. “My uncle was supposed to come, but something came up and the base needed him for something.”
She wasn’t showing it, but I knew that must have been hard. She was obviously close to him, he was her only parent. It would have been disappointing.
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugged. “I’m used to it. Army first.”
I hadn’t been around that world, but I could understand. I scooted forward until I could touch her. I put my hands on her arm and waited for her to meet my eyes. “I’m really sorry. I know how close you two are. I’m sure it’s hard being so far away from him and your home.”
She nodded and blinked again, this time I could see tears in her eyes.
I stood and pulled her hands up with me. “Come on.”
I walked us to the backroom, not caring if her manager got mad. I didn’t want her to get upset in front of everyone.
She was sniffing, and I pulled her against me and wrapped my arms around her. “I’m sorry, Kendall. I’m sorry I wasn’t here either.”
She let out a sigh that seemed to rattle her. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not. I know you’ve been through a lot. You of all people don’t deserve any more disappointments.”
She rested her head on my chest. “I just miss home.”
I nodded and rested my chin on the top of her head. “I get that.”
“Do you miss your parents?”
She didn’t know how loaded that question was. “Yes.” The simple answer was I did. They were my family, of course I missed them.
“Do you get to see them?”
“Not really.”
She tilted her head back and looked up at me. “Why?”
I was glad her mind was off her own sadness, but this wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have.
“I don’t have much time off to see them.”
“Why don’t they come see you?”
A great question. One I’ve asked myself for the last eight years. “I don’t know.”
She tilted her head up and looked me in the eyes. “They don’t visit you?”
I shook my head.
“Can they?”
I shrugged. “They definitely have the means. It’s the effort or desire they lack.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “They don’t even try?”
I shook my head again. “No. They could afford to be at every game, home or away, but they don’t care to.”
“I’m sorry, Wyatt.”
I smiled at her genuine concern. “Thanks, but it’s okay. We were never really close.”
“They’re missing out.”
“You think so?”
She nodded. “It’s rea
lly too bad for them.”
My eyes met hers and I felt something. Something that hadn’t been there before. A pull? A spark? I couldn’t quite pinpoint it, but it was definitely there.
I watched her, waiting to see if she felt it too, but she backed up. She stepped out of my arms and I suddenly felt empty.
“I’m sorry about this weekend, Wyatt. I won’t ghost you again.” She tugged on her ponytail.
“Is everything else all right?”
I watched her carefully, waiting for any reaction.
She flinched and shook her head. She was lying. I took a step toward her and fought the urge to wrap my arms around her again. She’d felt so right being close to me.
“Did something happen at the practice?”
She avoided my eyes. “No.”
She was lying.
“Did one of the women say something to you?”
She looked up and crossed her arms. “I can take care of myself, Wyatt.”
So, something had happened. I closed my eyes. Chloe. She was like a ruthless momma bear. Fiercely overprotective. Which I appreciated up until now.
“I’m sorry, Kendall. I should have warned you about Chloe. She can be a bit much sometimes, but she means well.”
Kendall’s eyes dropped to the ground. “It wasn’t her.”
I put my hands on her shoulders and rubbed them gently. “What happened?”
She licked her lips and didn’t respond.
“Hey? You can talk to me. What was it?”
She blinked and met my eyes. “I met Emma.”
Emma? She was upset about Emma? She was the nicest person you could ever meet. Why would that upset her?
“Did she do something?”
She shook her head.
“Did she say something?”
She shrugged. I felt like I was pulling information from a child.
“What did she say?”
She sniffed. “She just pointed some things out.”
“Like what?” I was starting to panic.
“She just made me realize that you’re more than this guy.”
“What?” I was getting more confused.
“You’re not just my customer from the café. The one that saved me during a snow storm and made me hot chocolate. You’re the captain of the Fury. You’re a huge deal. You’re a celebrity. I’m not. I’m not from this world.”
Attacking Zone (Utah Fury Hockey Book 4) Page 7