Winning it All (Men of the Ice Book 3)

by Michele Shriver

  “That’s right. Thanks for understanding.”

  “Of course. Special Kay has to be the priority,” he said. “You do need to take some time for yourself, though. Which is why I’m taking you out after the game.”

  “After?” Had she really heard him correctly. “It’ll be like ten o’clock.”

  “Probably.” Trevor shrugged. “Which means Kaylen will be well asleep. And it’s Friday, so you don’t work tomorrow, do you?”

  “No...” He sounded determined, but Dani hedged. “That doesn’t mean I’ll feel like going out.”

  “Come on. How long has it been since you’ve enjoyed a good meal out and some time just for you, away the pressures here and at your job?”

  “Since forever,” Dani admitted. “Or longer than I can remember, anyway.”

  “Which means you need this,” he persisted. “Come on, what do you say?”

  “It does sound nice...”

  “I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’” Trevor grinned. “Where shall I pick you up?”

  “I have a better idea,” Dani said after a second. “Why don’t you meet me at Chris Madrid’s?”

  Trevor’s eyes lit up at the mention of their old favorite. “It’s still here?”

  “Heck, yeah. It’s a San Antonio institution.”

  “One more reason to love this city,” Trevor said. “Okay, Chris Madrid’s it is. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Me, too,” Dani said, and realized she meant it.

  Trevor nodded in the direction of Kaylen’s room. “Can I go in and say hi?’

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’d rather you didn’t,” Dani told him. “It’ll make her think about your game, and she’ll want to go and...”

  “Got it,” Trevor said, nodding. “Some other time, then.” He gave her a smile. “At least I still get to spend some time with her beautiful mother. I’ll see you later, Dani.”

  “Yes, and good luck tonight.” She watched him walk away, wondering exactly what she’d gotten herself into. On the one hand, the idea of an evening out away from the hospital sounded nice and normal and was probably exactly what Dani needed, except for the fact that the evening was with Trevor, the only man she’d ever truly loved. Was she ready to go down that road again? Would she ever be ready?

  She pushed open the door to Kaylen’s room. Her daughter was awake and sitting up, but Dr. Russell was right—her pallor was pale and her eyes lacked their usual sparkle. Dani hoped it was just fatigue from the chemo, and not something else, something worse, going on inside her frail body. “Hey, kiddo. Dr. Russell says you’re not feeling well today.”

  “No.” Kaylen shook her head. “I’m so tired. The nurse wanted me to take a little walk, but my legs are like jelly.”

  This definitely wasn’t typical Kaylen, but Dani didn’t want to panic. She’d had bad days before and rebounded. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be here sooner,” Dani said.

  “That’s okay.” Kaylen leaned her head back against the pillow. “You’re going to stay now, right? We’re going to watch the game on TV?”

  Dani pulled a chair close to the bed. “Yep. I’m staying put. And of course we’re going to watch the game.” She didn’t want to tell Kaylen that Trevor had invited them to watch it in a luxury suite. She’d made the right call in declining that offer. No way was Kaylen feeling up to that, but she’d be devastated nonetheless at missing out on the opportunity.

  Chapter Six

  The game against their instate rival Dallas didn’t go the way the Generals hoped, ending in a decisive four to one victory for the Stars. The only saving grace was that Trevor tallied the primary assist on the team's only goal, scored by Colton on a power play. It was nice to record another point on his personal stat line, which Trevor hoped would help him earn the new, long-term contract he coveted, but the loss in the standings didn’t help San Antonio’s playoff chances. There was very little margin for error now.

  The mood in the locker room was predictably somber after such a one-sided loss, and Trevor was relieved he wasn’t one the team’s alternate captains and obligated to meet with the press after the game. Sometimes he hung around anyway. Even if he didn’t wear a ‘C’ or an ‘A’ on his sweater, he wanted to be seen as a leader on the team and he didn’t mind talking to the media. Most of the local crew was respectful enough and didn’t badger him about his past.

  Tonight, though, Trevor was anxious to leave. Instead of going home to an empty apartment, he had a date with a beautiful woman he’d never stopped loving. Okay, Dani might argue about it being a true ‘date,’ but Trevor thought it met the basic parameters. He bade goodbye to his teammates and hurried out of the arena to his car and made the short drive to Chris Madrid’s.

  It wasn’t a fancy restaurant, or in the greatest part of town, and although Trevor wanted to take Dani some place very nice, it was hard to turn down a return to the restaurant that had been one of their favorites a dozen years ago. Of course, back then he’d been on an AHL salary, waiting for his big break in the NHL. Now he’d had it, and blown it, but even on a one-year ‘prove it’ contract, he could afford to treat a woman to the best. But if Dani wanted to eat at Chris Madrid’s, it’s where they would go. Maybe she’d suggested it out of nostalgia, meaning she still harbored feelings for Trevor and what they’d once shared.

  It was late, and approaching closing time, but there was still a crowd. He found Dani waiting in a corner booth and she waved him over. She wore black jeans and a red button-down shirt, paired with red boots, and looked as beautiful as any woman he’d ever seen.

  Trevor, meanwhile, felt very over-dressed in the suit and tie that was the customary attire for players before and after games. He tugged at the tie to loosen it, wishing he’d discarded it and left it in the car. “Hi. Have you been waiting long?”

  She shook her head. “No. Just got here. I didn’t leave until the game was over. Tough loss.”

  “Yeah, it was brutal,” Trevor acknowledged. “Have you ordered?”

  “Nope. Waiting for you. I thought one of us could hold the table and the other get the food,” Dani said. “As you can see, this place is still crazy.”

  Trevor took a look around. “It sure is.” Apparently San Antonians still loved their greasy burgers. “I’ll go get the food, if you know what you want.” He picked up the menu on the table. “Has it changed much over the years?”

  Dani grinned. “Not at all. Your old favorite is still here.”

  Sure enough, the tostada bean burger, complete with refried beans, chips and hot sauce, appeared to still be a mainstay on the menu. “Then I know exactly what I’m getting.” Trevor set the menu back on the table. “You?”

  “The same,” Dani said. “And fries, along with a mango margarita, if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all,” Trevor said. “I’ll be right back.” At least given the late hour, the line wasn’t too long. He walked over to stake out his place, taking in the familiar surroundings. It was hard to believe he’d been back in San Antonio since September and hadn’t been back to Chris Madrid’s, or even looked it up to see if it was still around. Trevor knew the reason for that, though. The place held too many memories and he missed Dani too much. Was it foolish to hope that now that fate had brought them back into each other’s lives, they might be able to rekindle what they had? Dani didn’t appear to have anyone else in her life, and even if she’d kept a bit of a distance so far, she also hadn’t exactly pushed him away.

  ***

  Dani watched Trevor saunter over to the line to order food, his stride confident in a suit that fit him perfectly. It didn’t escape her notice that several other women in the restaurant admired the way he looked as well. In spite of struggles in recent years, Trevor Collison was still an attractive man who could turn heads with the best of them, and Dani didn’t think that was only the nostalgia talking. If anything, he’d grown into his looks even more over the past twelve years. He was a man now, and one who carried baggage, not the b
rash twenty-one year old who’d gotten his first taste of stardom and longed for more.

  The line moved quickly, given the late hour, and within a few minutes, Trevor was back, carrying their drinks. Dani raised eyebrow as she spied the beer bottle he set on the table. “Can you...” She shook her head. What was she thinking by second guessing him? “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It’s a fair question, considering,” Trevor said as he sat down. “I don’t drink very often these days, but I still like a good beer every once in a while, and my problem was never with alcohol. With this, I can stop at one or two. Addiction is a funny thing.”

  Dani nodded and took a sip of her margarita. The mango flavor and the slight buzz of alcohol was exactly what she needed. “I’ve heard that, and I didn’t mean to imply that you don’t know what you're doing, or you’re not in control.”

  Trevor waved his hand dismissively. “It’s fine. I told you that.” He smiled that same easy-going smile she’d fallen in love with all those years ago. “I haven’t always given you a reason to trust me or hold me in the best light.”

  “No,” Dani admitted. “But you were a lot younger then. We both were.”

  “I was a punk,” Trevor said.

  “No, you weren’t. Not always.”

  He chuckled. “Okay, I turned into a punk.”

  “You changed, yes.” Dani couldn’t deny that. When she’d first met Trevor, he was a kid of barely twenty, fresh out of junior hockey and toiling away in the minor league, dreaming of his big shot in the NHL. His salary wasn’t huge on a two-way contract, but it was more than most guys his age, and he’d known how to show her a good time. While it was hard for a kid from Manitoba to adjust to life in Texas, Trevor worked hard and paid his dues, and Dani fell in love with his quiet demeanor and work ethic. Then one of the Ottawa Senators’ wingers suffered and injury and Trevor got his first call-up to the NHL. The taste of stardom and the big leagues must have been too much, because he came back a changed man after his twelve game stint with the big club.

  “Yeah, I did,” Trevor admitted. “It was hard not to. The environment there was so different from here.” He touched the beer bottle to his lips and took a drink. “Do you ever wonder what things might have been like if you’d followed me to Ottawa that season, when I made the NHL club for good out of training camp?”

  Their number was called and Trevor stood up to get their food order. “Hold that thought.”

  Hold the thought, as if she could possibly dismiss it from her head? The truth was, Dani wondered all the time what things might have been like. Sure, she would have had to leave her home town behind and move to a different country, but Ottawa was reportedly a beautiful city and no doubt she could have adapted. More importantly, her daughter would have had a father. Or would she? If anything, Trevor’s new found fondness for celebrity after his first call-up proved that he was in no way ready to settle down, be faithful, and be a dad. No, his struggles over the years certainly proved that he wasn’t ready for any sort of commitment. Right?

  Trevor returned, setting the heaping burgers topped with chips and cheese, on the table. “Man, these still look fabulous,” he said.

  “They still taste fabulous, too.”

  Trevor took a big bite, swallowed, and washed it down with a swallow of beer. “You aren’t kidding. This is heaven.”

  Dani took a bite of her own burger and had to agree. There was a reason this remained one of her favorite places in town to grab a bite to eat. “Is it weird to be back?” she asked, aware she was kind of changing the subject away from his original question.

  “In San Antonio? Yes, but I have some good memories here, so when I was looking for a new contract after Carolina let me go, this was my first choice.”

  Was it his only choice, though, given he far he’d fallen, Dani wondered. “I’m glad. It’s been great for San Antonio to have hockey back.”

  “Yeah, the city seems to have really embraced the team. It’s a great environment for our home games.” He popped a french fry in his mouth. “So did you think about what I asked?”

  He wasn’t letting her forget, that was for sure. Dani took a drink, trying to get her thoughts in order. “Yes, I think about it all the time,” she said. “And of course, I wonder ‘what if,’ but I try not to live my life that way. You weren’t ready then, Trev, and neither was I, so let’s focus on the here and now, okay? I’m glad you’re back.”

  “Me too,” Trevor said. “More than you know. And I’m fine focusing on the here and now.” He raised his bottle. “To the future, and new beginnings.”

  Dani hesitated, but only for a second, before raising her glass and touching it to his bottle. “Yes. To the future and new beginnings.”

  Chapter Seven

  With the uncomfortable conversation set aside, they passed the time while they ate their meal getting caught up on the past dozen years—sort of. Dani suspected that Trevor wasn’t entirely forthcoming about his issues with drugs that almost cost him his professional hockey career, but she didn’t really blame him. It couldn’t be easy to talk about, and besides, she hadn’t exactly been completely honest with him, either. After all, she was still keeping one very big secret.

  Even though they’d come in separate cars and met at the restaurant, Trevor insisted on following Dani home. Was he being gentlemanly, wanting to make sure she got home safely, or was he merely trying to get in her pants? The answer still wasn’t entirely clear after he parked his car in her driveway and followed up the walkway of her modest house.

  “You didn’t need to see me home,” Dani insisted as they stopped outside her front door.

  “Need to? No. But I wanted to.” In the light from her porch lamp, she could see his blue eyes clearly. His expression was earnest, sincere, not like a man who simply wanted to score.

  “Thanks,” Dani said. “I had a nice time tonight. It was good to get away from the hospital and all the stress for a little while.”

  “You’re a good mom, Dani,” Trevor said. “Your little girl is lucky to have you. And her father is an idiot for not wanting to be part of her life.”

  “Maybe.” Except he doesn’t even know. “It’s complicated. Anyway, thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” He moved closer to her, the light casting a shadow on his face. “Would you mind terribly if I kissed you good night?”

  “You mean for old time’s sake?” Dani twirled a strand of hair around her finger. She was so out of practice with men, and flirting, and dating. The whole thing.

  “Or the future, and new beginnings.”

  That line again. It scared her, yet excited her at the same time. “In that case, I’d think I’d like it very much if you did kiss me.”

  It proved to be all the invitation Trevor needed, as he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. The first touch of their lips was sweet and chaste, but it was immediately followed by one more searching, as Trevor’s tongue probed its way into her mouth. After a second’s hesitation, she responded in kind, allowing full entry, and as Trevor pinned her against her doorway, Dani found herself awash in the familiarity of his touch and his lips on hers. It may have been twelve years, but the attraction between them hadn’t died, at least not from her end, and judging from the bulge forming in Trevor’s groin, not from his, either. It would be so easy to invite him inside. She wanted this physical connection. She needed it. It had been far too long. Still, it scared her, too. Reluctantly, Dani pulled away and tried to catch her breath. “Trevor...”

  “I know, I know.” He backed away and adjusted his suit jacket, as if that might hide his growing erection. “Too much, too soon. I’ll go now. Good night, Dani.”

  It wasn’t what she wanted, yet it was. He was right. It was too soon. “Good night, Trevor.”

  She watched him walk to his car and get in before she unlocked the door of her house and went inside. It was so quiet these days, with Kaylen in the hospital. Dani paused briefly by her daughter’s room before heading to
her own. Once there, she stripped out of her clothes and lay down on the bed before reaching into the drawer of her night stand. Damn Trevor Collison for getting her all hot and bothered and then leaving her to spend the night with only her vibrator to pleasure her.

  ***

  My how he’d changed. Trevor knew he’d face some ribbing from the other guys—especially a player like Casey—for leaving a beautiful woman standing on her doorstep when he wanted her, and judging from the way her body responded to his kisses, she wanted him, too. Yet that was exactly what Trevor did, and hard on notwithstanding, he thought it was the right thing to do. Dani had way too much going in her life right now, and he wanted to take things slow and give her the place she needed. Too bad his cock had a mind of its own and was less impressed with Trevor’s decision.

  The drive to his high-rise building was short, and Trevor was grateful to have the elevator to himself for the ride to his condo on the eighth floor and could avoid any stares at his crotch. He unlocked the door with the intent of heading straight to the bathroom for a cooling off shower, but suddenly Trevor had another idea. He pulled his phone out of pocket and dialed Dani’s number.

  “Hello?” Was it his imagination, or did she sound out of breath?

  “Hey, it’s Trev,” he said. “I, uh... just wanted to make sure you got in okay.” Yeah, smooth Collison, really smooth.

  A chuckle came over the line. “You left me on the front porch. All I had to do was turn the key in the lock.”

  “I’ve heard that can be tricky, though,” Trevor said. “So what are you doing now? Is this a bad time?”

  “Not really,” Dani answered. “I’m in bed... not sleeping, though.”

  Was that a hint, or his arousal playing tricks on his hearing? Either way, Trevor’s pants were way too tight. He undid the zipper as he walked to the bedroom, allowing his cock to spring free. Much better. “What are you doing then? Reading?”

  “No, not that either...”

  Was she killing him on purpose? Trevor discarded his jacket and pants and sat down on his bed. No shower would be able to cool him off now. He needed to finish, and hopefully Dani would help him. “Hmm. What then?” He took his penis in his hand.