OverTime (The Dartmouth Cobras Book 9)

by Bianca Sommerland

  “Deal!” Mackenzie rushed into the room, hugging her sister, then her father. “Thank you, Daddy! You won’t regret this, I promise.”

  “We both promise.” Madison moved to rise, but Lorenzo got up first and wrapped his arms carefully around her. “But…since Mackenzie is helping me with this, I have to help her with what she wants.” Madison chewed on her bottom lip as Lorenzo returned to his seat and Mackenzie took a seat beside her. “I know you didn’t want to talk about the team when I was going in for surgery and you were worried. But I’m getting better and I think it’s time.”

  My cue to leave. Ainsley stood, taking the last coffee and setting it in front of Mackenzie. “I really should get to work.” She smiled at Madison. “I’ll watch that video you suggested, the one about the haunted mirror? We can discuss it Monday after I’ve had all the mirrors removed from my house.”

  “Monday?” Madison frowned. “You’re not coming tomorrow?”

  “Sawyer has hockey practice tomorrow morning. His first one and we’re both excited about it. Maybe, if you’re feeling up to it, you can come watch his first game?”

  “I’d love that, but you should swing by before you head to the rink.” Madison looked over at her sister, as though waiting for her to repeat the request. “Mackenzie gets to see him every day after school, but it would be nice for him to be part of the morning routine.”

  Mackenzie nodded. “That would be really cool, actually. He can help me teach Madison more about hockey. And she could teach him all her ghost stuff.”

  Ainsley nodded slowly. She had a feeling Madison was feeling left out. Life kept moving around her, but she was stuck here, her whole world put on hold while she healed. Even though Lorenzo was working from home, there was only so much he could do to help his daughter feel included. Maybe having Madison’s friends over more often would help, but until then, if Sawyer would bring some energy into the house, Ainsley was more than happy to bring him along.

  “I think he’d like that. I’ll ask him after school and let you know later today.” She said goodbye to the girls, sipping her coffee as Lorenzo walked her to the door. Stopping to put on her shoes, she set her coffee on the hall table. “I hope you didn’t feel pressured to say yes to the kitten because she asked in front of me?”

  Lorenzo smiled and shook his head. “Not at all. It’s sweet that she thought it would make a difference though. She knows I care about your opinion.”

  “Which is why she also brought up the team.”

  “Yes.” He sighed. “You don’t have to leave to avoid the conversation, but I don’t want you to be put in the middle of another debate. One that won’t be as pleasant as a fluffy little addition to my family.”

  “I appreciate that. And I know it’s not an easy topic, but they’ll eventually understand why you have to do this.” She didn’t know how to make this easier on any of them. Lorenzo and his daughters had been through so much. But he was a good father. He’d find a way to get them through this next challenge as well. “If you need to talk, you know how to reach me.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Lorenzo reached for the door, hesitating for a moment. “When I asked you Monday if we could have coffee here, instead of going out, I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. But I’ve enjoyed this. And so has Madison. I’d say she looks forward to your visits more than I do, but that’s not possible.”

  “You’re not ready to leave her alone, Lorenzo. I’d feel the same.” She’d worried having coffee at his house would be too personal, but it had worked out perfectly. He got to be close to his daughter, and Madison had someone else to talk to. Ainsley enjoyed starting her day with them after the rush of getting her son to school.

  Bringing him along would mean an earlier start, but he loved hanging out with Mackenzie. She was older and much ‘cooler’ than his mother. Maybe the chance of getting to discuss comic books and video games with her before school would motivate him to stop sneaking both when he was supposed to be sleeping.

  “If it’s all right with you, I’d love to bring Sawyer a few times in the morning. I think your daughters will be a good influence on him. They’re so organized and well behaved and he’s finding it rough adjusting.”

  Lorenzo’s lips slanted. “You’ve been an amazing influence on Mackenzie. She’s usually rushing out the door five minutes before she should be in her first class, but having the woman she babysits for here has her determined to prove she’s responsible. Which she is, but it’s nice to see her including school in her priorities.” He shook his head. “Boys seemed to be the top one for a while, but between being here for Madison, and staying at your house late while you have so much overtime—”

  “Overtime? I haven’t had overtime at all this week.” A chill ran down Ainsley’s spine. “Lorenzo, how late has she been getting home?”

  Staring at her, Lorenzo shook his head. “You drop her off every night around ten.”

  “No. She leaves my house at five thirty. I would drive her home if I finished that late, but there’s no way I would work that many hours. Not while Sawyer’s still struggling to adjust.” She swallowed hard, hating that she had to be the one to expose Mackenzie’s lies. “I’m sorry, Lorenzo. If I’d known how late she was…we never discussed it.”

  “I didn’t think we needed to.” He pressed his eyes shut and rubbed his hand over his face. “At least I know. Now I just have to figure out what she’s been doing after leaving your house.”

  “Would you like me to speak to her?”

  “No. I’m going to leave this until after school, I don’t want to start an argument before she leaves and have her distracted. But I’d appreciate if you’d text me when you’re on your way home. I’ll meet her as she’s about to leave and the two of us will discuss this.”

  Ainsley wasn’t sure catching Mackenzie in the act was the right way to begin the conversation, but she didn’t feel comfortable questioning Lorenzo’s parenting. If only Mackenzie had been honest…but she hadn’t been. And Lorenzo knew his daughter better than she did.

  She nodded to him sadly as he opened the door, finishing her coffee on the way to her car, then heading to work, the lightness she’d felt earlier gone. The day went by like any other, but she couldn’t shake the sense of unease.

  Which only got worse when she got a call from the school at the end of the day.

  As she hurried to Silver’s office to tell her she had to leave, she sent Lorenzo a text.

  Ainsley: I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but Mackenzie never showed up to pick up Sawyer.

  The reply didn’t come until about an hour later. Sitting at the table, helping Sawyer with a science project he was outlining, she jumped as her phone went off.

  Her stomach dropped as she read Lorenzo’s text.

  Lorenzo: I’m sorry I took so long to reply. I’ve just left Mackenzie’s school. She hasn’t been there all day.

  Ainsley: Do you know where she is now?

  Lorenzo: No.

  There was a long pause. Then he continued typing.

  Lorenzo: I can’t leave Madison alone while I look for her. I know it’s a lot to ask, but would you be able to come over and stay with her?

  Ainsley didn’t hesitate before answering.

  Ainsley: I’m on my way.

  Chapter 27

  “I love you. I don’t care how mad he gets.” Mackenzie rested her head against Heath’s chest as he pulled her into the shadows of the parking garage, his eyes on the door to the player’s entrance, worried—as always—that someone might catch them together. “I thought you were happy to see me today.”

  Heath groaned and banged his head back on the cement wall behind him. “I was, but—”

  “Careful.” Mackenzie lifted her hand to block him from hitting his head again. “You’ve got to be on the ice in twenty minutes. Let’s avoid concussions.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “A good one might save me.”

  “That’s not funny.”

  “No
, but your dad finding you here won’t be funny either. You might not care if he gets mad at you, but I do.”

  She smiled a little at that. “Tell me you love me and I’ll go.”

  “You’ll go home?”

  “No, I’ll go hide out until you’re finished the game. Now hurry up before you get in trouble.” Mackenzie rose up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his, letting out a happy sigh when he stroked her hair. “Do you love me?”

  “Mackenzie—”

  “Shh.” She put her hand over his mouth. “I get it if you’re not ready to say it. I already know you do.” She giggled as she stepped back and he banged his head again. Boys were so dramatic. “I promise you, this time I’ll convince him not to sell the team. Now that Madison’s asking too, he’ll have to reconsider.”

  Heath’s brow furrowed. “But you said he found out you lied about where you’ve been all week. That’s serious, Mackenzie. You need to go home and work things out.”

  She shook her head. He’d trusted her enough to tell her how important the team staying in Dartmouth was. He’d believed her when she’d said she could convince her father. And she would. There were too many people who’d get hurt if she didn’t manage to show her father how wrong he was about the team belonging right here.

  Most importantly, if the team wasn’t here, she’d lose Heath.

  That’s not going to happen. If Dad didn’t think I was serious before, he will now.

  “I’m not going home until he’s willing to listen to me and Madison.”

  “Will you at least call him? Let him know you’re okay?”

  “He knows I’m okay. It’s not that late.”

  Frowning, Heath glanced over at the door as it opened, but it was just a security guard, who simply nodded to him before walking right by. Heath pressed his eyes shut, then rubbed her arms. “We can talk more after the game. Promise me you’ll call him.”

  “Fine.” Mackenzie kissed Heath one last time before he rushed off, wishing him luck. She knew things with her dad were starting to stress him out, but she needed him to trust her.

  She’d tried to make things easier by not telling Heath too much. He didn’t know she’d skipped school—she’d told him she had the day off. That part hadn’t really been planned, but when she’d heard Ainsley telling her father what time she’d finished work all week, she knew she’d end up grounded and wouldn’t get a chance to see Heath for a while.

  After the evening they’d spent together, out on the beach, she needed to make sure he still felt the same about her today. Because last night…it had been cold, but being so close to him, she hadn’t felt anything but warm and loved and special. He’d held her for a long time after and everything was perfect. Madison had even covered for her when she came in late, pretending like they’d been sitting on the porch, talking for hours.

  Dad had gotten so used to her getting home, exactly at curfew, that he hadn’t suspected a thing. He was happy she’d found a job. Didn’t ask her who she was hanging out with all the time anymore. The perfect solution.

  Until his talk with Ainsley.

  If he found out she’d been with Heath, he’d freak, so she’d decided to make it all about the team. Maybe, if he thought she’d been gone so often because he refused to listen, he’d start. He had to. Because she was running out of ideas.

  Pulling out her phone, she shoved back the sick feeling she got whenever she knew her dad would be pissed and tapped in his number. As expected, he answered on the first ring.

  “Mackenzie? Are you all right? Where are you?”

  She swallowed hard. He didn’t sound mad. He sounded scared. “I’m fine. I’m sorry for worrying you, but…I just can’t deal with you saying the same thing, over and over. You’re ruining my life and you don’t even care.”

  “What are you—?” He cut himself off, his voice going calm. Reasonable. “You know what, it doesn’t matter. Whatever it is, Mackenzie, we can discuss it at home. Tell me where you are, I’ll come pick you up.”

  “No. It does matter, Dad. It matters a lot.” She inhaled slowly. Backing down now would make all the trouble she was in pointless. “Keep the team. Let me and Madison be part of its future here.”

  “The team… The team relocating won’t ruin your life, sweetie. Please just come home.”

  “See, you’re still not listening. I’m serious. I’m not coming home until you’re willing to hear what I have to say.” Her eyes teared as she leaned against the wall, cold cement holding her as steady as her resolve. “I’ll call you later.”

  “Macken—”

  Ending the call, she shoved her phone in her pocket. Why had she thought he’d finally change his mind? Because she was so important to him? Even Madison almost dying hadn’t been enough to make him consider how short life was, how important things like the team were to so many people. People like Heath, who didn’t know what would happen to his little brother and sister. Or to his friend who he’d hoped would be able to play for the team.

  She’d tried to tell her father again and again, but he was thinking like a businessman. She didn’t know how to get through to that man. She didn’t know him at all.

  Her father though, the one who’d be worried, the one who’d forget about the money and the team standings and all that other stupid stuff when he realized how important this was to her—she could talk to him.

  But she had to make sure it was on her terms. Which meant he couldn’t find her here.

  “Keep your head up, Ladd! What are you doing?”

  As Sloan slammed his fist into the partition, Dominik’s jaw tensed. Heath had narrowly avoided being taken out by a vicious check for the third time in one shift. The kid could take a hit, but he was going to get hurt if one caught him off guard while he was playing so distracted. His passes were sloppy. He was missing every play.

  His head wasn’t in the game.

  This was the last pre-season game before the season started. The kid should sit this one out, but benching him would bring unwanted attention from management. Then again, him playing like shit wasn’t doing him any favors.

  Sloan moved to stand behind Dominik, his voice low. “Is there something I should know?”

  Lips thin, Dominik shook his head. “He’s having an off night. Sit him the next shift. He’ll be fine.”

  “I fucking hope so.” Sloan motioned for a line change, leaning close to Heath when he slumped onto the bench. “Unless you’re hiding an injury, or dealing with some serious shit, I don’t ever want to see you play that way again.”

  “Sorry, Coach.” Heath bowed his head between his arms, stick clenched tight between his fists. “I think I’m sick.”

  “Is there a reason you didn’t say something before the game?” Sloan patted Richards’s shoulder, getting him to scoot over so he could crouch down close to Heath. His tone had calmed and concern darkened his eyes. “Go check in with the doc. This game isn’t worth risking your health.”

  “Thank you.” Heath pushed off the bench.

  Dominik reached out and grabbed his arm. “If you’re okay to drive, take my truck. Head home and get some rest.”

  Giving him a tight smile, Heath nodded and hurried out of sight.

  About ten minutes later, the first intermission began.

  Sloan put a heavy hand on Dominik’s shoulder as they walked to the locker room. “Did he look sick to you today?”

  “Not this morning, but he was gone most of the day. Maybe he ate something while he was out that didn’t agree with him.”

  “It’s possible. Do you think it was before or after he smoked half a pack and missed a meeting with his trainer?” Sloan’s eyes narrowed when Dominik sighed. “You know more than you’re telling me. Whatever it is, help him figure it out, because as it is, I can’t fight to keep him in the lineup.”

  “I’m doing my best, Sloan.”

  “I know you are, but…Dominik, this relocation isn’t going to be easy. You know as well as I do we might not all make it w
ith the team.” Sloan stepped back as the rest of the team crowded into the hallway. “You need to be prepared. I can’t lose you both.”

  The implication that Heath could get traded wasn’t unexpected, but Dominik wasn’t in the fucking mood to hear it now. He tossed his stick to one of the trainers, stepping up to Sloan as the last of the players filled the room behind him. “Then you better figure out a way to keep us both. Because he needs me more than you do.”

  “Jesus, Dominik, will you listen to yourself? You know that’s not how this fucking works.” Sloan blocked Dominik before he could step by him. “I can’t convince Richter or Keane, that the kid is an important addition to the franchise if he’s not out there proving it. This can’t be personal.”

  “Well it is. Now get out of my fucking way before you’re short two players tonight.” Dominik slammed his gloves and his helmet into his stall, ignoring the stares from the players as he removed his skates, then headed out to the parking garage.

  He had to talk to Heath. Find out if it was some news about his friend getting to him. If he was actually sick. If he could give Dominik anything to use to argue on his behalf. Dominik’s truck was gone. Of course it was gone. He’d told Heath to take it.

  Rubbing the back of his neck, he went back inside, to the player’s lounge to grab his phone. He tried Heath’s number.

  No answer.

  Dialing Sahara’s, he watched the clock on the wall, hoping some answers would get him back into game mode. Because at this point, he was as useless out there as the kid.

  “Dominik? Is everything okay?” Sahara spoke softly, likely trying to make sure Bran and Kimber didn’t hear and start to worry. “I saw Heath leave the bench in the middle of the period.”

  “He said he wasn’t feeling good. Is he back yet?”