by Rhonda James
"How was your Christmas?" he asks, hands in his pockets as if to announce he's only here to talk.
"It was okay," I answer warily. "I got to spend a few days with Chris, so that was cool. Yours?"
"It was good once Cassie finally started speaking to me," he laughs. "We were in the same house for three whole days before she said anything other than fuck off."
I'm unable to suppress my grin. I can totally picture her tiny ass telling him that.
That's my girl.
"Have you talked to her since you got back?" He's no longer in the doorway. Now he's over by the dresser, pretending to look at stuff.
"Saw her yesterday for a few minutes." I stuff a few more things into a box while keeping a watchful eye on his hands. If he's going to charge at me, this time I want to be prepared. My jaw still hurts like a bitch.
"Are you really moving out?" This time when he moves, he sits on the edge of the bed. My body finally relaxes.
"Rivers, what are you doing here? You told me to get out, and I gave it a lot of thought over break and decided that's probably for the best." I lean back against the desk with my arms resting at my sides.
He doesn't say anything. Just covers his face with his hands and blows out a puff of air. Me? I watch and wait.
"I said and did some things that night I'm not proud of. I was out of line. Hitting you like that. And I was wrong to say those things. Christ, Brantley. Deep down you have to know I didn't mean what I said. It was just hard for me to think of you two together. Then, I come home and find you that way. I mean, it was obvious what you'd been up to, and I guess that just fueled the fire."
"You know, I'm man enough to admit it was shitty of me to look you in the eye and lie to you about my feelings for Cassie. But I never intended for any of it to happen. It just did. And I don't regret a minute of it. That's how I know my love for her is real. 'Cause at the end of the day, I'd risk everything to keep it. Even if it means losing you as a friend. I love her more than anything, bro'. I need you to believe that."
There's a long pause. A lot of emotions pass over his face. Finally ending in a small smile.
"I'm trusting you to take care of her." His eyes actually tear up when our eyes meet.
"You know I will," I answer confidently.
"Yeah, I know. Listen, I'm really sorry for saying those things. For not being the kind of friend you needed. For being an overall prick for the past nine months." We both laugh at this truth.
"I don't want you to leave. And Davis and Masterson are ready to kick my ass if I let you get out of here. I have to be honest, I don't think I can take another ass whipping. Going a round with your crazy ass damn near killed me. Have you been watching that MMA shit again?" He rubs at his side and grimaces.
God, I've missed this asshole.
"So, you're okay with me dating your sister?"
"Not only am I okay with it, I insist. She threatened me as well. I'm warning you, man, she may be little, but she's a pistol."
"Yeah, she recently introduced me to that side of her." Now it's my turn to grimace.
"You know, she gave her ex a verbal smackdown. Even slapped the shit out of him. I heard that slap all the way down the street."
"He better not have fucking touched her," I growl.
"Unfortunately for him, he did. And it wasn't the first time either." I start for the door, but he stops me. "Easy, killer. I took care of it."
"By taking care of it you better mean you knocked his head off."
"Among other things, yes. Suffice it to say, it may be a while before he can easily chew solid foods. And I may have cracked a few of his ribs when I kicked him. Should I go on?"
"Please do. This story is music to my ears."
He continues regaling me with the beating of Justin while helping me unpack. And when Davis and Masterson come home, we all head over to Skeeps. I bring them up to speed on Operation Dimples, and we're all in agreement that while Cassie may be in love with me, my silence has hurt her. I need to show her I'm here for her and will never run out on her again. Proverbially speaking, it's time to hang up my skates.
I don't know how long we were there. Playing darts. Drinking beer. Plotting my next romantic gesture. May have been hours, or it could have been days. The point is, none of us cared. It was just like old times. Us. Beer. And a whole lot of laughter.
All in all, it had been a great day.
***
After talking it over with the guys, I decided I needed to come up with a gesture to show Cassie just how much I love her. The only problem is that it has to be grand. And it has to be soon. That kiss we shared only made me want her more, and I vowed to put her heart before my physical needs.
Temporarily, at least.
Tonight is our game against Minnesota. The tension in the locker room this week has been thick. But as a team, we've never looked better. After two months of play, the lines are finally cohesive, thanks to a few of Coach's well-timed pep talks. Basically, he sat us all down and told us to start working together or get the fuck off the ice. He didn't actually put it that way, but it was implied. Bottom line, we all got the point.
I've just finished tossing my apron in the laundry bin when my phone buzzes in my pocket. Normally, I'm not scheduled to work on days when I have games, but Anthony had called in sick and they needed someone to cover his lunch shift. I've worked at this restaurant off and on for the past two years. The owner, Donnie, is great. He lets me work whenever it fits my schedule, and not the other way around, which is unusual for high-end restaurants.
"Yo, what's up?" I answer as I'm leaving the break room.
"What time do you get out of there?" Rivers yells into the phone. It sounds as if he's inside a washing machine.
"Just leaving now. What the hell is that noise?" I throw a parting wave to a couple of waiters gathered by the POS station.
"I'm at the car wash. Have you given any more thought to what you're going to do?"
"Are you kidding? It's all I've been thinking about. I'm over here wracking my brain and coming up empty. Short of hiring the Goodyear Blimp to do a flyover, I've got nothing."
He gives a snort of laughter. "You'll think of something. Just make sure it's big. This is my baby sister you're trying to romance."
"Yeah, yeah. Sometimes I think I liked it better when you were left in the dark." I laugh loudly, attracting the attention of a few customers. I mouth sorry as I pass, then lock eyes with a familiar face.
Rivers is saying something, but I don't hear him. The gears in my head start churning, and all of a sudden it hits me.
"Rivers," I cut him off, "about that gesture. I think I have an idea..."
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
CASSIE
Him: Can I ask u something?
Me: I'm all thumbs.
Him: If we could go back and do it over, would u change anything?
Me: No. I think we got it right the first time. Would u?
Him: I wouldn't have left u the way I did.
Me: You're back now. That's all that matters.
Him: Will u come 2 my game tonight? I need 2 see u.
Me: I'll be there.
"What the hell are you smiling about over there?" Roni grumbles. "Wait, don't tell me. Another romantic gesture from Mr. Stamina?"
"Ha ha. You're just jealous and you know it." I toss a throw pillow at her head.
"Pfft. What's to be jealous of? It's not as if he's some guy who looks like sex on skates who goes out of his way to make you feel special." She bats her lashes playfully. "I mean, seriously, who could possibly fit that description?"
"B does." I flash an exaggerated grin.
"Yeah, rub it in, why don't ya." She flops on the bed next to me. "What's Mr. Romance up to now?"
"He asked if I'd go watch him play."
"So, what are you thinking, do you want to go?"
"Yeah. I really do. Will you go with me?"
"It'll be a hardship, but if it means that much to you, I'll take
one for the team." She gives a dramatic sigh.
"Just so long as you're not taken by the team. Lord knows we don't need another bunny in training."
"Sweetie, you and I both know there's no training required. Matter of fact, just call me Head Bunny from now on." Her tongue pokes the side of her cheek while one hand bobs in front of her mouth.
"Ohmygod, you are in need of serious help." She falls back with her head in my lap, and we laugh until our sides hurt.
***
The arena is relatively packed this evening. I know the rivalry between these two teams is fierce, but I wasn't counting on having a hard time finding seats.
"I told you we should have left earlier," I grumble. "Now I'll have to watch him from the nosebleed section."
"Don't go getting your Victoria's in a wad." She waves me off. "He'll be just as sexy from up there as he would if we were in the front row."
"I wouldn't know about that. I've never made it to the front row," I huff and begin the long trudge to the top.
"Excuse me," comes a male voice from behind us. "Cassie Rivers?"
"Yeah." I turn and find two security guards there. "Can I help you with something?"
"If you'll follow us down front, we have two seats waiting for you and Miss Parker."
I raise a brow at Roni, but she simply offers a one-shoulder shrug and follows them back down the stairs, all the way to the section behind the bench.
Right away, I sense that something is weird. The large panel of plexiglass separating the fans from the bench is completely missing. One of the nets has been pushed to the side, and a section of red carpet covers center ice. As if all of this weren't already strange enough, a grand piano has been rolled out and left sitting in the center of the carpet.
I'm so busy trying to figure out what's going on, I don't even notice that someone's walked out on the ice and has taken a seat at the piano. I also don't question why my normally chatty roommate has suddenly gone quiet. I assume she's just as baffled as I am.
"Do they usually have musical guests for rivalry games?" I snap my head in Roni's direction, but she's too busy texting to notice I'm talking to her.
"I'm sorry, did you say something?" she asks innocently.
A familiar voice comes over the sound system, grabbing my attention before I can respond.
"Good evening, everyone. Before you all start checking your tickets, I want to assure you that you are in the right place."
"Why is Sebastian Miles at a GL game?" I look around, speaking to no one in particular. This night could not get any crazier.
"I realize this may be a little unorthodox, but a friend of mine contacted me today and told me he needed help showing his girl how much he loves her. Being a romantic myself, I had to say yes," Sebastian's sexy voice drawls into the microphone.
The players take the ice, followed by their coaches, and skate over to their benches. Scotty and Davis are directly in front of me. But there's no sign of #27.
"You need to come with me, sis," Scotty takes hold of one hand, while Davis takes the other. They lift me over the bench and position me so my ass balances on the wall and my legs dangle into the rink.
"Scotty, what's going on?" I look nervously between him and Davis.
"You told the man to prove it. Now sit back, and let him prove it."
"Cassie," Sebastian's smooth voice calls to me, "this song is for you. It's not an original, but seeing as how Charlie is a friend, I don't think he'll mind. I hope I'll do it justice."
My stomach leaps, because I know what he's about to play. Charlie Puth's "One Call Away" is my anthem for B.
He opens with the first note, and I'm immediately giddy because he's singing to ME! Then a lone figure skates out on the ice. Dressed in blue jeans and a white button-down. I've never seen him out of uniform on the ice. He looks so incredibly sexy it's downright sinful. No man should have the right to look that good and be this amazing.
Sebastian is singing, as Brantley skates around the rink. Showing everyone watching all of his moves. Trust me. The man has serious moves. Who knew he was capable of dancing on skates. But the graceful sway of his hips mesmerizes me. When the chorus hits and Brantley rips open his shirt, revealing the T-shirt I had made for him, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. So I do both. And when he skates over to me, I lose it. I push off the wall and wrap my arms and legs around him. Without missing a beat, he skates backwards around the rink with me in his arms. Kissing me silly while Sebastian 'freaking' Miles serenades us.
"Told you Superman was real." He presses his forehead to mine.
"Does this mean you'll keep running to my rescue?" I gently tease.
"I'll always come running for you, doll." He skates backwards, our song playing in the background, and he's staring, his amber eyes filled with love. "God, I've missed you. Walking away was the biggest mistake I've ever made. I miss holding you in my arms. The feel of your lips on mine. I miss our movie nights and listening to you play your guitar. And your touch... I miss that so much. The way you used to run your fingers through my hair at night until I fell asleep. I miss all of it. But most of all I miss the sound of your laughter, because every time I heard it, I knew I was making you happy. It made me feel as if I was finally doing something right. I'm sorry for hurting you. For not trusting that what we've found is everything that's been missing from my life."
"I've missed you so much. I don't ever want to be apart again. I don't think my heart can take it."
"Baby, I'm not going anywhere. Ever again. I learned something while I was away. I learned that by believing in me and loving me, you healed my shattered heart. You took all the jagged pieces and made me whole again. So, in a way, you've rescued me too."
"I've never doubted you. I believe it was our brokenness that brought us together. But if rescuing was what you needed, I can promise I'll go to the ends of the earth for you. As long as we're together, we can survive anything." I nuzzle my cheek into his, oblivious to the eyes watching our every move. "Guess this kinda makes me your sidekick, huh?"
"Nah, you're better than a sidekick." I can feel the pull of his smile against my skin. "You're my Jersey Girl."
I pull back to meet his eyes. "Brantley Cage, are you asking me to wear your jersey?"
"You bet your sweet ass I am." He nips playfully at my lip. "And later, if I'm lucky, that's all you'll be wearing."
"Oh, I think that can be arranged." A wide grin fills my face and he affectionately kisses each divot.
As the song begins to wind down and the faces of the crowd blur around me, he meets my gaze, and all the love he holds for me is reflected behind those amber eyes. With my heart full of love and a happiness I've never known, I lean in and press my lips tenderly to his.
"I love you, B."
"I love you too, Dimples."
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There are so many amazing people I need to thank for supporting me on this project. It truly was a labor of love.
First and foremost, my family. Dan, you are the best husband a girl could ever hope for. Thank you for your patience and your undying love. It was easy to write about a male lead with a Superman complex. You've been my Superman since the first night we met and you came to my rescue. You've been saving me ever since, and for that, I love you! My kids, Taylor and David. I'm sorry for all of the missed moments. The forgotten dinners. I hope it goes without saying that I love you to the moon and back!
My daughter, Taylor - Thank you for designing such a beautiful cover for this book! This one is my personal fave. Thank you for the beautiful book teasers, new banners, and for putting up with me. I know I drive you crazy, and I'm hard to work with, but I wouldn't want to do this without you.
Melissa Mendoza - I thank God every single day for bringing you into my life. In a short span of time you have become a trusted friend. A shoulder to cry on. Someone to laugh with. And someone to bitch with! Knowing you are in my corner makes even the darkest of days brighter. I say this all the time, but I s
incerely mean it. I could not do this without you. I mean, I probably could, but why the fuck would I want to? Sharing this with you makes it so much more fun! Thank you for putting up with my brand of crazy. For all the last minute changes I put you through. For reading every line I write. Even the ones that don't get published. You are my rock and my soul sister. I can't wait for Norfolk!!
Christine Tovey - This book is an extension of my love for you! I love how we connected over Tucker and Gracie. I love all of the inspirational images you send me. And I love knowing you are in my corner. Supporting me. Championing me. Pushing me to write this story, and the next! You truly are a bright light in my life. You're not only an amazing blogger. You're my maple dealer. A shoulder to lean on. And a friend. I love you!! Watch out! Davis is coming next!!!
Sarah Piechuta - Sharing this journey with you has been such an amazing ride. You fell in love with B right from the start. You helped me shape him into the character he came to be. Knowing you loved these characters as much as I did made me work that much harder to put out something we both could be proud of. I sincerely hope you stick around for the rest of this series. I can't wait for you to see what the rest of these guys have to offer the book-loving world!
Jess Hodges - My quiet cheerleader. We don't talk often, but when we do, it's as if time has stood still. I love sharing my stories with you. You always make me feel like I wrote them just for you, which is exactly how an author wants the reader to feel. Always know that a little piece of you goes into every story I write. Love you, lady!
Helena Hunting - What do you say to the author who created your greatest BBF crush? The same one who took the time to read this story (in its absolute rawest form) and gave me feedback and tips to make this story better? Thank you just doesn't seem like enough. But seriously, THANK YOU! I'm honored you were a part of this process. I want you to know I listened to everything you said and took copious notes! You're amazing and a true example of what being an Indie author is all about.