Playing His Part: A York Bombers Hockey Romance (The York Bombers Book 7)

by Lisa B. Kamps

  Ben stared at the phone in disbelief. Had she just—

  How did you find me?

  That babe you rented your studio from told me. Said you married some hockey player. It was easy after that. A long pause. You got married out in Vegas—right after you called the cops on me.

  I didn't—

  Don't lie, Nat. Another pause, then that cold voice echoed from the phone's speaker again, the odd disappointment replaced by sharp anger. Give me the ring.

  What?

  You heard me. Give it up.

  No.

  You owe me five thousand dollars, bitch. Now give it up.

  No! It's my wedding ring.

  "It's not worth it, Natalie. Just give him the fucking ring!" The hoarse words fell from his mouth in a desperate shout. He wanted to reach through the phone and pull the ring from her finger himself. It was just a fucking ring. A piece of jewelry. He'd buy her another one. Fuck, he'd buy her twenty, he didn't care. It wasn't worth her getting hurt over.

  What was that?

  What?

  I thought I heard someone talking.

  Haley reached around him and jerked the phone from his hand, quickly hit the mute button. Fuck! He hadn't realized, hadn't stopped to think—

  You're hearing things. Natalie's voice, oddly calm and reassuring. Ben held his breath during the long pause, praying he hadn't made things worse.

  Whatever. Start driving.

  I don't—

  Don't fucking argue with me, Nat. Just start the damn car and drive. Jesus, what the hell are you doing? It doesn't need a key, just push that fucking button. Don't you know that?

  There was a faint muttering sound, followed by the smooth hum of an engine. Ben turned to Zach, willing him to drive faster. How much further did they have to go? A mile? Two?

  Too many. They might know where Natalie was now but once she started driving—

  Zach floored it.

  Where am I supposed to drive to?

  How the hell should I know? I'm not from around here. Just...I don't know. Start driving. I need to think.

  You need to put your seatbelt on.

  What?

  I said—

  I heard what you said. Shit. Just drive already and stop worrying about the fucking stupid seatbelt.

  Ben pulled his frantic gaze from the phone and looked out the window, saw that they were getting closer. Would they be in time or would Natalie have already left?

  Are you going to pull out or are you going to sit here all fucking day?

  I don't know where you want me to go.

  This guy you married, he has a lot of money, right?

  There was a shocked silence, then Natalie's cautious voice, laced with a hint of fear. N-no—

  Don't fucking lie to me, Nat. He must have money. I saw where he lives.

  He doesn't—

  Bullshit! I don't believe you. Take me to his place and we'll see just how much of a liar you are.

  Brandon, please—

  Put the car in gear and fucking drive, Nat. Now. I'm done playing games.

  Ben searched the buildings, looking for the temp agency where Natalie had gone for her interview. He saw a shiny black new SUV in the parking lot just ahead, saw the silhouettes of two people inside. "There they are!"

  Zach hit the brakes and cut the wheel to the right into the parking lot adjacent to the one where Natalie was parked. Ben kept his gaze on the SUV and reached for the door handle, ready to dive from the truck as soon as they got closer.

  Dammit, Nat, don't you know how to fucking drive? That's reverse! No, don't—

  The sound of an engine roaring filled the cab of Zach's truck. Ben watched in horror as the SUV shot backward with a squeal of rubber, flew across the parking lot and jumped the curb—

  And slammed into the concrete retaining wall.

  "Natalie!" He threw open the door as the truck rocked to a stop and raced across the parking lot. He called her name again, his voice drowned out by the sharp blare of the horn. The passenger door opened and a man stumbled out, bent over at the waist and shook his head before dropping to one knee. Ben ignored him, hurried around to the other side of the vehicle and damn near ripped the door from the hinges.

  "Natalie!"

  She slowly lifted her head and stared at him through dazed eyes. She blinked. Once, twice. Once more. Then she released the death grip on the steering wheel and sagged toward him.

  "Ben?"

  "I'm here. You're okay. I've got you." He leaned in and cut the engine then pulled Natalie into his arms, tried to tug her from the seat but she wouldn't move. Was she trapped? Did she—

  "My seatbelt."

  Yes, of course. The seatbelt. He reached around her, released the buckle and moved the seatbelt out of the way. Then he pulled her into his arms again, buried his face in her hair and held her.

  Her arms wrapped around his waist and squeezed, her hold almost desperate. A minute went by then another before she stiffened and tried to pull away.

  "It was Brandon. Don't let him get away—"

  "He's not going anywhere." And he wasn't, not with Zach holding him down.

  "Are you sure?"

  "Positive."

  She nodded, slowly raised her head to look at him. "How did you know?"

  He ran one shaking hand over her head, reached out and pushed the hair from her face then pressed a kiss against her forehead. "I made a phone call after you told me what happened, just to be sure he wasn't going anywhere. They finally called me back a little while ago."

  She nodded, lowered her head to his chest and just held him. Another minute went by before she raised her head again, only she didn't look at him this time, she glanced behind her. He didn't miss the wince that crossed her face when she saw the back of the mangled SUV.

  "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wreck your car."

  "I don't care about the damn car, Natalie. I care about you. As long as you're okay, nothing else matters." He ran his hand over her hair again and offered her a comforting smile that quickly faded when he remembered the risk she had taken. "That includes the ring. Natalie, why didn't you just give it to him?"

  "It's my wedding ring."

  "So? It wasn't worth risking yourself over."

  "But it's my wedding ring."

  "Sweetheart, I can buy you another one. I can buy one for every day of the week if you want—"

  "I don't want another one. I want this one."

  "But why? Why take such a risk?"

  She stared at the ring, gently touched it with the tip of her finger, then looked back at him. "Because it's the one you gave me when we were married. And I know it probably doesn't mean anything to you but it does to me."

  Ben swallowed against the sudden lump in his throat. Warned himself not to read anything into her words. He forced a smile to his face, tried to keep his next words light. "You were going to pawn it."

  She looked away, a small flush staining her cheeks. Several seconds passed before she took a shuddering breath and swept him with a shy glance. "I would have never pawned it, Ben."

  His own breath caught in his throat. He reached up, gently cupped her face between his hands, and stared into her shining green eyes. The revelation he'd had earlier slammed into him again, stronger this time.

  He'd never been more sure of anything before in his entire, miserable life.

  And he had never wanted anything as much as he wanted the woman staring up at him.

  "What you said earlier—"

  "I didn't mean it—"

  "It doesn't matter because you were right. About all of it."

  "Ben—"

  "I'm tired of living an empty life, Natalie. Tired of playing the only part my father convinced me I could ever have. I want it all, Natalie. I want you."

  "I don't understand—"

  He silenced her with a kiss, just a quick one. "I'm not perfect. I never will be. And I know I have a lot to learn but...I love you, Natalie. I realized that this afternoon when you
left. Do you think there's a chance you might ever be able to love someone like me?"

  "Someone like you?" She repeated the words back to him in a stunned whisper. A second went by, then another. Ben's stomach clenched when she shook her head. It was too late, he'd blown it.

  He started to take a step back but her hands tightened on his shoulders, holding him in place. He didn't want to look at her, didn't want to see the judgment or pity in her eyes, but he was helpless to look away, especially when she pressed one hand against his cheek and leaned closer.

  "No, Ben, I don't want to love someone like you. Why would I, when I love the real thing?"

  "The real thing?"

  "Yes, the real thing. You, Ben. I love you."

  He stared at her for two seconds then let out a whoop of joy before he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Deep and slow. Giving and taking.

  Conquering.

  Surrendering.

  Yes, definitely surrendering...everything. Because whatever he had was hers, including his heart. Especially his heart. Nothing else mattered. Nothing except Natalie.

  They finally pulled apart as the sirens that had been getting louder abruptly stopped. Two police cars slid to a stop, followed by an ambulance. Natalie finally climbed out of the seat, holding onto Ben's arm for support. She stared at the ambulance then looked back at him and shook his head.

  "I'm fine, I don't need—"

  "Tough shit. You're getting checked out."

  "But the airbag didn't even deploy!"

  "I don't care, you're still getting checked out. You hit that wall harder than you realize."

  She turned and stared at the crumpled rear of the SUV and winced again. "I really am sorry. I didn't mean to do that."

  "I told you, I don't care about the car, I only care about you." He draped his arm over her shoulder and pulled her close. "Besides, I'm impressed with the way your mind works. That was quick thinking, putting it into reverse instead of driving off."

  Risky as hell and he had definitely aged ten years but Natalie didn't need to know that. Or maybe she already did because she tilted her head to the side and gave him a funny look. She watched him for a long minute, started to say something then pressed her lips together in a tight line and shook her head. She looked away but not before he noticed the faint blush staining her cheeks.

  "Natalie, what is it?"

  She shook her head again then released a loud sigh before turning back to him. "It was an accident."

  "What was?"

  She nodded toward the SUV. "That. I didn't know it was in reverse at first until it started moving backward then I slammed my foot down on the brake only I hit the gas pedal instead."

  Ben stared down at her for a long minute. Tried to force his pounding heart to calm down. Told himself there was no need to flip out or panic again. Natalie was fine, she wasn't hurt. She was standing right here next to him, safe and sound, frowning at the car in front of them.

  "I don't think I'm really ready to drive yet."

  His sudden laughter surprised the hell out of him. Not just him, but Zach and Haley and the two police officers who were leading the handcuffed man to a waiting car. Their expressions only made him laugh harder, laughter that didn't stop until Natalie leaned up and silenced him with a kiss—

  And a quick nudge with her elbow.

  No, she wasn't ready to drive yet. Maybe she'd never be ready—but it was going to be one hell of a ride while she learned.

  A ride Ben was definitely looking forward to.

  Epilogue

  Five months later.

  The wedding was a small one—not as small as the one in Vegas, with only the bride and the groom and the minister and a single witness. There were a few more people present for this one—if the entire Bombers team and their dates could be counted as just a few.

  Not that the bride and groom were paying any attention to the guests. They stood on the raised stage, surrounded by an archway overflowing with flowers. The blooms—an unusual assortment of garden roses, freesias, and lavender—had been picked out by the groom. So had the invitations.

  And the minister.

  And the menu.

  And the cake.

  The only thing the bride had picked was the venue—a compromise with the groom since he insisted on having a real ceremony instead of eloping—and her dress. Natalie knew that because she had been with Haley when she picked it out...

  Two days ago.

  Zach had again proposed, right at the end of the Bombers' season. And to everyone's apparent surprise, Haley had finally said yes.

  Ben's hand tightened around Natalie's as the couple said their vows. Was he remembering their own vows from that afternoon in Vegas? Natalie doubted it—the words had been just that: words. Repeated as a matter of course, not from any heartfelt conviction. Their wedding had been nothing more than a formality, the marriage nothing more than a convenience.

  At least, it had been at first. Things had changed in the past seven months.

  Natalie glanced down at the ring on her finger then gently traced the embossed ivy circling the band of gold and platinum. Her wedding band. A smile curled her mouth and she looked up, ready to tease Ben once more and tell him that it was so much more than just a piece of jewelry. The breath caught in her throat when their gazes met and held. Ben's eyes, such a gorgeous hazel ringed in gold, held hers with such warmth, with such emotion, with such love, that tears filled her eyes.

  He ran one finger along her jaw, the touch so soft and gentle. Then he leaned forward, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered.

  "I take you, Natalie, to be my wife from this time onward. To share all that is to come." His raised their clasped hands to his mouth and pressed a gentle kiss against her finger, just above her wedding band, his gaze never leaving hers.

  She frantically blinked, trying to keep the tears from falling from her eyes. "You remembered."

  A small smile curled Ben's mouth, but he didn't say anything as he turned back to watch the ceremony. Natalie squeezed his hand and leaned closer to him, taking comfort in the warmth of his strong body next to hers.

  Taking comfort in the warmth of his love.

  The minister asked the groom for the rings. Zach reached into his suit jacket, fumbled with a box, and promptly dropped it. Laughter filled the room, the sound quickly changing to strangled coughs and murmurs when the groom leveled a glare that encompassed every single person there.

  He bent down to retrieve the box, but Haley grabbed his arm and pulled him back up. There was a gleam in her eye when she turned toward the minister.

  "Is it official now?"

  The minister stuttered for a full ten seconds before finally nodding. "Yes, I suppose—"

  Haley didn't wait for him to finish. She threw the small bouquet out into the crowd then launched herself at Zach for a kiss that sent the temperature in the room soaring.

  The minister raised his hands in a useless attempt to quiet the cheers and whistles. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Mummert."

  The room erupted into applause but Natalie doubted the new bride and groom even heard it. She wasn't the only one who thought so. Ryan Gardel turned in his seat in front of them, a broad smile on his face.

  "I have a feeling they won't be hanging around for the reception. And did you see Torresi's face?"

  Ben shook his head then shifted in his chair, glancing around at the crowd that was already standing. "No, why? What happened?"

  "He's the one who caught the bouquet!"

  "No shit."

  "Yeah, I know. Can you imagine Coach getting married? I mean, who the hell would want to marry someone who's always in such a bad mood?"

  Ben quirked one brow at Ryan then shifted his gaze to Natalie. "I don't know, Gardy. You'd be surprised at what finding the right woman does to a man."

  Natalie opened her mouth to say something but Ben was already pulling her to her feet. The interior of Mystic's was being quickly tra
nsformed from wedding chapel to reception hall while he led her to the bar.

  No, not the bar. He moved past it, tugging her with him to a secluded spot in the far corner. Natalie looked up in silent question, caught her breath at the intensity in his deep eyes.

  "Ben—"

  He silenced her with a kiss. Deep. Slow. Consuming. She sighed and leaned into him, struggled to catch her breath when he pulled away.

  "I love you, Natalie."

  She smiled, started to tell him she loved him, too, more than she would have ever thought possible. But he cut her off by pressing his finger against her mouth and shaking his head.

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, stared at it for a few seconds, then looked up at her. He lifted the lid and removed whatever was inside before she could see it.

  "Ben—"

  He shook his head again and reached for her left hand, cradled it in his and lifted it. She looked down, her sudden confusion changing to a deep warmth that consumed her very being as he slid a diamond ring onto her finger.

  "Oh, Ben. You didn't have to—"

  He silenced her with a kiss then pulled back, just a fraction of an inch. His gaze held hers, deep and warm and filled with the promise of forever when he spoke.

  "A commitment made in love. That's not how we started, Natalie, but it's how I feel now. Always." He rested his forehead against hers and recited their vows, his voice strong and full of conviction.

  "A commitment made in love, kept in faith, and—"

  "Eternally made new." She recited the last line with him, knowing that her own promise and conviction were reflected in her damp eyes.

  The smallest of smiles curled Ben's lips a second before he claimed her mouth and gave her a taste of what was to come.

  Love.

  Strong. Powerful. All-encompassing.

  Forever.

  ~ The End ~

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