Match Penalty (Utah Fury Hockey Book 2)

by Brittney Mulliner

“Hey.” Chloe was standing in front of the team’s bench looking at her laptop.

  “Hi. What are you doing?” Why was she working right now? She was in the middle of an event.

  “Our food caterer is running behind. I’m trying to find games or something we could do to keep everyone occupied while they wait.”

  I looked out at the ice where people were skating. They looked content to me. “Why don’t you just let them hang out?”

  She scrunched her nose. “What if they get bored?”

  “Bring out some sticks and pucks and have the guys teach them a bit. Or have them take shots at Olli.”

  She closed her laptop and stood. “You’re right. That’s perfect.”

  “Let’s get out there and see how it goes for a few minutes. If people start getting restless we can bring out the equipment.”

  She smiled and followed me. I hadn’t skated in years. Things with school got to be too much. Chicago had some fun places to go, but with my school and Clark’s bar exam, we didn’t have much time for fun.

  It felt good to be back on the ice. I’d learned to skate when I was learning how to walk. It came with the territory of being a hockey player’s daughter. My mom eventually learned so she could come out with my dad and me.

  But it had been a long time. I swung out my arms, trying to balance when Chloe took my hand. “I’ve got you.”

  I glanced over at Chloe and smiled. “It’s been a little bit.”

  She laughed and led me around the rink a few times until I felt comfortable.

  “Did you ever play?”

  She shook her head. “I took skating lessons with Erik when we were little but never had the desire to play. Watching him was good enough for me.”

  It was nice having someone that understood my childhood. It was rare. Hockey was such an important aspect of my family and for hers. She told me she tried not to date any of the players until Reese. I didn’t either, but our reasons were different. She hadn’t wanted to interfere with Erik’s game. I’d made the mistake and learned my lesson.

  Though, she managed to find a good one with Reese.

  The guys on the team seemed nice enough. They had their heads on straight, and Dad made sure they stayed in line, but that didn’t mean I would ever make the mistake again.

  Plus, I had Clark.

  According to his five-year plan, we’d be getting engaged in the next two years and married in three.

  When he’d first shared his plan with me, it didn’t sound romantic at all. I hated that he planned out our future without talking to me, but I’d learned to appreciate it. It took out the guessing and uncertainty. I would only have to be nervous when the two years passed, and he hadn’t asked me. Until then things were going according to plan.

  “Chloe. Madeline. Come over here.” Erik and Hartman were skating with a group of kids.

  We skated toward them and I smiled at the kids. “Are you guys having fun?”

  A small girl holding Erik’s hand nodded. “I found Prince Erik.”

  “Oh really?” I asked.

  Erik was beaming. Great. The last thing he needed was an ego boost. He didn’t look like Prince Erik. His chestnut hair and brown eyes ruined it, but that didn’t necessarily mean he wasn’t prince worthy.

  “He’s my boyfriend.” She said it with such confidence I almost laughed.

  “He’s a very lucky guy.”

  Erik nodded while she beamed up at him.

  “Well, I’m Erik’s sister, so doesn’t that make me a princess?” Chloe asked in a princess voice.

  The girl’s eyes widened. “Yes!”

  Another little girl came up to us, holding hands with an older boy. The boy met our eyes, but the girl didn’t look up. “Can my sister skate with you?”

  I nodded, and Chloe bent down and smiled at the little blonde. “Of course, you can. What’s your name?”

  “Delta.” She looked up for second before dipping her head.

  “She’s really shy, but she asked me to skate with you guys.” The boy looked to be about eight but seemed so much more mature. I wondered if it was him or Delta who was fighting cancer. He seemed so protective. I guessed it was her.

  “Let’s go.” I took his hand and Chloe took Delta’s free one. “What’s your name?”

  “I’m Drew.”

  “Nice to meet you, Drew.” I looked down at him, but he wasn’t paying attention to me. He was watching his sister. She didn’t seem confident on her skates, but Chloe was doing a good job of keeping her balanced.

  “Do you want to meet any of the players?”

  He shrugged but his eyes darted to Olli near the goal.

  We did a loop around before I caught Chloe’s eye. I tilted my head toward the goalie and she nodded. We led the kids to where he was showing another little boy his helmet.

  “Hi, Olli.” Chloe got his attention as the other boy skated off. “We have some friends we’d like you to meet.”

  Olli grinned and came toward us.

  “This is Delta and Drew.” I looked down to see Drew looking up at Olli like he was meeting his favorite superhero.

  Olli must have noticed. “Hi, guys. Do you want to try hitting some pucks and see if you can get them past me?” He winked, and Drew shook his head.

  “I can’t.”

  Olli looked confused. “Why not?”

  “You’re the greatest goalie in the world. I can’t score against you. No one can.”

  Wow. This kid seriously loved him.

  “I have an idea then. How about I get us some pads and we have people try to score on you and me. You can show me what you can do, and I’ll try to help.”

  Drew looked hesitant, but Olli was able to convince him. Chloe and I brought Delta to the neutral zone with the rest of the group, so the kids and players could shoot at the goal. The players seemed to go easy on them, but the other kids were trying their best. Olli gave Drew directions and showed him how to block. Within ten minutes, Drew had blocked three on his own.

  Chapter Six

  Erik

  The crowd was extra loud tonight. Or maybe I was noticing it because I recognized some faces. The kids from yesterday were back to watch us play. I looked forward to this game each year. We all had personal cheerleaders in the form of pint-sized humans and their families. I loved our fans, they were a huge driving force behind our success, but having the lower bowl full of children that didn’t get to experience many nights out like this felt special. They’d remember this. For just a few hours, we got to make them smile and forget their pain.

  We were up two and having fun. The guys liked to put on shows on nights like this, so we’d been talking to the Arizona Rattlesnake’s guys planning some fights to get the crowd going.

  It wasn’t uncommon to stage a few fights, and so far, no one had gotten hurt. The Rattlesnakes knew what tonight was, so they were willing to play it up for the kids.

  I passed the puck to Hartman, who took it behind the goal and passed it back. I saw an opening and shot.

  Make that up by three.

  The guys surrounded me, and I grabbed the puck from their goalie and went to the glass. I tossed it over and laughed when a small boy caught it with a look of utter astonishment on his face. Yeah, he’d remember this night.

  I went back to the bench and sat as the guys congratulated me. I heard my name called from behind me and I turned to see Chloe standing on her seat cheering. She was wearing my jersey tonight instead of Reese’s. Oh good. It was my night. I laughed and waved. Madeline was sitting next to her with a wide smile. She was wearing a jersey too. I watched, waiting for her to move so I could see who’s it was. She pulled her hair over her shoulder and I saw the big C. Really? Hartman’s? I guess he was the captain, so it was a safe choice, but come on.

  The seat next to her was empty, until I checked again, and Emma was sitting next to her. Huh. No suit tonight. He didn’t seem to be around very much.

  I wanted to ask Chloe what was going on with them, but
I knew she’d make a big deal about it. She’d threaten me, warn Madeline to stay away, or worse. She could tell Madeline I was asking about her. I was just curious. Coach had told me they were serious. They moved here together. That made it sound like they were committed, but he was never around, and she always seemed to be. Was he fine with her hanging out with twenty men? Didn’t he worry about her? Or us? He was a fool if he didn’t.

  If I were with a girl like her, I’d be concerned if we were never together. If it’s just about him being busy at work, that’s the worst excuse I’ve ever heard. Olli and Porter, heck even Reese, have rigorous training schedules, promotional events, and travel for games, but they made every effort to be there for their wives and girlfriends. If they could make it work, then so could the suit.

  That wasn’t a problem I could tackle right now. I focused on the game, watching the Rattlesnakes for weaknesses. Their defense was lacking. That’s why we’d been able to get past them three times to score.

  They weren’t a huge threat to us. They usually floated in the middle of the pack in our conference, so losing wasn’t a big deal to them. Although, their captain this year had changed. Magellan was a new trade for them, and he thought he could single-handedly turn the team around. But all the determination in the world couldn’t reverse years of bad recruitment and coaching. The team needed an overhaul, but he was on the ice screaming at his team.

  Great leadership.

  He’d already checked a few of our guys. Three major penalties had been called on him, allowing us to score twice on power plays. I’d have to send him a thank you note after the game.

  He was getting more and more agitated. I’d feel bad for the guy if he wasn’t so obnoxious. Screaming his brains out wasn’t going to get his team to do what he wanted. Our third line was coming in, so I stood with Murray and Hartman. I threw my legs over the wall and dropped onto the ice.

  Murray went into the heart of the action and got the puck away. He hit it deep into the Rattlesnake zone where I was waiting. I turned and pushed through their defense. To my left, Hartman was open, so I passed to him, feeling them closing in on me.

  Hartman got it and sent it along the boards to where Murray was waiting.

  I moved to the center, trying to get open. I signaled to Murray, and he passed when the force of a semi-truck hit me in the back. I threw up my arms to brace myself. My legs were pulled away, in the opposite direction of where I was falling.

  I heard the snap more than I felt it.

  My legs went numb.

  I looked around and Murray and Hartman were coming to me. There was a weight on my back, but I saw Brassard bend down and pull it away.

  “Schultz, you’re alright. Just stay there.”

  “Don’t move, Erik.”

  “I’m going to kill him.”

  “The refs saw it.”

  “Did they call it yet?”

  “Erik? Erik? Can you hear me?”

  “Schultz, man. It’s okay.”

  “Move over.” Coach? What was he doing on the ice? I turned my neck to see him, but someone held my helmet in place.

  “Just relax, Erik.”

  Coach’s face was finally in my vision. “Schultz, don’t move. They’re bringing a gurney.”

  A gurney? Had someone been shot?

  “What for?”

  I heard a few chuckles, but they stopped quickly.

  “You, Erik.”

  I’d been hit thousands of times. I was fine.

  I blinked and took inventory of my body.

  I made a fist with both hands. Fine.

  I tried to turn my neck, but someone was still holding it in place. That was fine though.

  I was pretty sure it was fine.

  I wiggled my toes but didn’t feel anything. Move. Nothing. I tried to bend my knees but felt nothing.

  What was going on?

  Was there someone still on me?

  “Get off.” I looked at Coach, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes. “Tell them to get off me.”

  He dropped his head. “No one’s on you, Erik. Don’t try to move.”

  What was he talking about? Of course, there was someone on me, otherwise I’d be able to move.

  I wasn’t injured.

  I was fine.

  “Here they are.”

  My helmet was gone then something wrapped around my neck. “We’re keeping everything stable, Mr. Schultz. We’re going to get you out of here.”

  “Are we going to the training room?”

  I was lifted onto a gurney and we were moving on the ice.

  “No, we’re taking you to the hospital.”

  “I’m fine. I don’t need to go to the hospital.”

  The young guy, a paramedic judging by his uniform, was staying next to me.

  “What’s wrong with me?”

  “We’re not sure there’s anything wrong yet. We’re just being cautious.”

  “I can’t move my legs.”

  “The staff at the hospital will be able to run tests and figure out what happened.”

  “Erik!” Chloe’s voice echoed through the tunnel. How did she get down here so fast?

  “Ma’am, I need you to stay back.”

  “He’s my brother.”

  The guy looked down and me and I tried to nod but remembered they put a brace on. “She’s fine. I want her to come to the hospital with me.”

  “Okay. Follow us.”

  We went through the tunnels to a side entrance where emergency personnel parked during the games. Time seemed to be moving in fast forward. We got to the hospital in seconds, but I knew it was at least fifteen minutes away.

  The guy from the arena was replaced by a team of people all wearing navy blue scrubs. “I’m right here, Erik.”

  “Okay.” Chloe would figure out what was happening. She was good at being in charge. She took care of everything.

  I was in a room with people surrounding me.

  “Someone cut him out of all of that.”

  “Don’t you dare!” I almost laughed at Chloe’s concern.

  “Chloe, it’s just a jersey.”

  She suddenly appeared over me. “I’m not letting them ruin all of your equipment.”

  “Ma’am, please step back. We need to see what’s wrong.”

  “Do you see blood?”

  “Ma’am, that’s not—”

  “I’ve seen him through hundreds of injuries. I know him better than anyone and I know he will kill me if I let you touch his stuff. Give me a second.”

  She tugged and gently moved me around until I was down to just my long sleeve shorts underlayers.

  “Now. Feel free to have at him.”

  I knew that voice well enough to know she was glaring at everyone in the room.

  I went to three different rooms as they ran every test under the sun. I wanted to rest. I told them if I could just sleep it off I’d be fine, but they ignored me.

  Finally, they wheeled me back into the room where Chloe was waiting.

  “We’ll let you know as soon as the results come in.”

  “Thanks.” She sounded calmer now.

  “You can rest now, Mr. Schultz.”

  I didn’t bother fighting it off. My eyelids closed and the noise of the machines around me disappeared.

  Chapter Seven

  Madeline

  Mom and Dad went straight to the hospital after the game. I’d driven with my mom, so that’s why I was in the waiting room. That’s all. Not because my heart had taken up residence in my throat since I saw that idiot Magellan hit Erik from behind. I cared a normal amount for his wellbeing. I cared like any other fan. I’d feel like this if was any of the guys.

  Right.

  My knee was bouncing like it was trying to set a new speed record.

  Dad walked back to where the team gathered.

  “The results are in. There’s a doctor speaking with Chloe now. When he’s done, we can go in and get more information.”

  Poor Chloe. She wa
s going through this alone. They wouldn’t let Reese back to be with her. He was pacing in front of the doors with a look of murder on his face. I’d noticed a few extra security guards arrived, but he wasn’t going to do anything. He just wanted to get to Chloe and Erik.

  “Dad, will they tell you what’s going on?” He wasn’t family, but he was the closest thing besides Chloe.

  “If Erik or Chloe gives them permission, the doctor will let me know what his status is.”

  I hated how stressed he looked. Well, how everyone in the room looked. The guys had to finish the rest of the third period, but no one’s head was in the game after Magellan got a match penalty and was kicked out of the game. The Rattlesnakes weren’t even bothering to defend or try for a goal.

  The air had been sucked out of the arena.

  I hated that all of the kids had been there to see it.

  It was the definition of an illegal hit. Erik didn’t even have the puck when he got checked. Then the idiot had hooked his legs with his stick and pulled them out from under Erik. It was like his body was being split in two. How he wasn’t screaming in pain was a mystery.

  Chloe gasped and stood with the rest of the crowd. When Erik didn’t get up, she’d disappeared. She must have sensed what was going on before they made any announcements, or the paramedics arrived.

  Brassard and Reese fought Magellan and landed a few decent punches before the refs finally decided to intervene. It was like they were letting them get a few in. No penalties were called on them.

  It was a good thing they’d gotten them in then because the scumbag was thrown out of the game minutes later.

  I hoped the league would review it later and suspend him for a few games. It was completely uncalled for. It had been a fun game. It looked like both sides were enjoying themselves up until the hit.

  Every face around me was somber. Their brother was in there and every one of the players took that personally.

  Hartman’s silence scared me. I expected him to make a speech to help with the morale in the room or at least assure everyone Erik would be fine, but he was sitting in a corner by himself, staring at the ground.

  I hated it.