I shrug again. “She was like a rose, you know? Beautiful but thorny.”
“And here I was thinking she was beautiful and horny,” Johnny says.
The guys laugh.
“I hope you guys are staying focused,” Rory Edgar, the team captain, says as he skates by.
“Of course.”
“Good.”
“Alright everyone, break’s over,” Coach says in his loud booming voice. “Twenty laps while handling the puck. Go!”
***
“How was your first day?” Daisy asks Connor as she pulls cartons of Chinese food out of brown paper bags.
“The usual,” he says.
Of course, after ten years on the team, he wouldn’t find the first day as exciting as I did.
“Jack?” Daisy looks up at me. Over the last several days we’ve grown to become good friends. I’ve learned that Connor spends a lot of time running and working out. As he enters his thirties, he’s more driven than ever to stay in peak athletic condition. Meanwhile, I’ve been spending my week holding onto my youth by sleeping in, chatting with Daisy over lunch, and doing my own late-afternoon workouts.
“The first day was great,” I say as I set the table. “It’s incredible to watch so many of my idols up close.”
“You’re not just watching anymore,” Connor says. “You’re a part of it.”
“It’s still surreal.”
Daisy watches me with a look of pride. “I wish I could stay and watch your first game, but I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“Already?” I ask. I know it was coming up but not so soon.
She nods. “Early classes start on Monday.”
“It’ll be weird not having you around.”
“You get used to it,” Connor jokes. Daisy playfully pushes his shoulder.
“You two have to take care of each other,” she says. “Keep each other company and all that.”
“Considering we’re on the same line together, I don’t think we have a choice.”
“You know what I mean.” Daisy looks at me from across the table through her thick glasses. “Jack, you’re a good kid.”
“Thanks,” I say, not sure where she’s going with this.
“Listen, I know a thing or two about opportunity and you have a huge one here. You’re going to be with us for about five months but after that, you’ll be on your own. I want you to think about what your goals are for this time next year.”
“What do you mean?” I ask as I spoon some chicken fried rice out onto my plate.
“I want you to think about what you want in your life at this point next year. Where do you want to be? You know, goals-wise.”
“Ahh, I see. Do you want me to answer now? You’re kind of putting me on the spot.”
She laughs. “No. I just want you to think about it.”
She continues eating.
“I must be lucky,” I say. “I didn’t realize I would have two mentors.”
Connor snorts. “Daisy is a bit hands-on.”
“I have to be considering I’m leaving tomorrow.” Already finished with her plate, she gets up. “I have to finish packing. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight,” we both say.
After she’s gone, Connor and I eat in silence for a bit.
“What did you want?” I ask Connor. “I mean, when you first started in the league.”
He leans back in his chair and puts his hands behind his head as he thinks.
“I wanted to score one point. That was it. Just one point so that I could officially have statistics. As for my life goals, I wanted Daisy back with me.”
I smirk. “It must be nice.”
“When she’s here. I just wish she could stay.” He sighs. “Once she graduates and we get married, I’ll have everything I want. It’s one thing to live here and play. It’s another to set up a life and really live.”
“Yeah.” I stare absently at the table.
After tidying up, I head downstairs and sit in my bed while I stare out the window over the cliff-side. I watch the waves in the bay as they crash onto the shore. Rain is starting to come down outside. I think about what Daisy said. I rarely think a few weeks ahead, let alone a full year ahead.
“What do I want?” I ask myself as I recline in my bed.
In a year, I’ll have so much money that I can buy my own place, possibly work my way up to a second or first line position, and make myself home here in Seattle. At that point, I’d have it all.
Well, maybe not all. It’d be nice to have a Daisy in my life.
My mind wanders to Jemma. Prickly, judgy Jemma.
I’m sure once she gets her money, she’ll be glad to never see me again. And the feeling is mutual. I know I can do a lot better than her. Never have I felt so judged for my life choices by someone partaking in the exact same life choices.
And it’s too bad because she really was great in bed. Our physical chemistry was incredible. Did I tell her that? If I didn’t, I should have.
I smirk to myself. I can’t help but be a provocateur sometimes, especially when she deserves a bit of push-back for the way she treated me. And besides, there’s just something deliciously fun about poking a bee hive, especially when I know there’s honey inside.
JEMMA
Sitting out on the rocks by the cliff-side, I watch the waves gently crashing onto the sandy beach. Breathing in the salty air, I look out at the setting sun casting an orange glow over everything.
After a long week of teaching extra classes, I finally have a few hours to myself. I know I should be answering some of the emails for the new instructor position, but I need alone time to calm my mind and restore my balance.
“What a week,” I say to myself.
A quit, a breakup, a hookup, and a curse.
Pushing the pain aside, I’m ready to move forward.
My plan this year was to build my business into the spa that I dream it’ll one day be. But in order to do that, I’d need to move out and convert the kitchen area into a steam room and my bedroom into a massage parlor. Brendon completely derailed those plans by insisting we keep the apartment at the studio as it is.
I sigh.
It’s time to heal from the pain from that breakup. He promised me the world and delivered nothing. I’m not sure how I’ll ever trust a guy—or a relationship—again.
It’s time to be single and not looking. That means no more visits to the bar.
Jack flashes into my mind. When I close my eyes, I can see his sculpted body in his yoga clothes. I can still hear the sound of his frenzied breathing—the way he sounded when we had sex. I shake the image away. He’s been jumping into my head way too often lately, giving me some sort of asshole PTSD.
I have zero intention of contacting him. His energy is too strong to be compatible with mine, that much is clear. After all, who tells a lady that she has angry masculine energy? If I have any angry masculine energy, it’s because of him. He cursed me, called me a witch, interrupted my class, and called me judgy.
I’d be fine never talking to him again. He can keep his money and his attitude.
And if he happens to contact me, then it’s a sign from the universe. Either I get my money or I never hear from him again. It’s a win-win situation.
Breathing out the stress building up in my chest at the mere thought of him, I focus on some meditative techniques. I’m surrounded by the most beautiful scene a human can see on this earth. If I can’t calm myself here, then I’ll never calm myself.
I listen to the rolling tide of the waves down below. I watch as the white foam crashes onto the dark sandy shores. The warm breeze blows through my hair. Sitting on the rock, I feel the earth beneath me. The red beams of sunlight warm my face.
“Thank you, goddesses,” I say. “Thank you for helping me find my inner peace, and thank you for bringing exactly what I need into my life.”
My purse starts to buzz and my heart races. Could it be Jack? Are the goddesses telling me somet
hing?
I pull open the drawstrings of my bright purple and green embroidered purse—a souvenir from my senior trip to Peru—and find my phone.
“Hello?”
“Jemma Reeves?” A male voice asks.
“Yeah?”
“It’s Gary, your landlord.”
“Oh.” I’m taken aback by this. I haven’t spoken to Gary in almost six months. “Hi.”
“Listen, your rent check bounced. Any idea what the problem is?”
“My rent check?” I furrow my brow for a second before it dawns on me. “Brendon.”
“Huh?”
“My boyfri— my ex-boyfriend used to pay a part of the rent. But we broke up last week so he hasn’t transferred any money over…”
“That’ll do it. Look, I’ll give you a week to transfer the money over. And don’t let it happen again. I get charged fees for this stuff. You probably do too.”
“Right. Okay, a week. Got it. Thanks, Gary.”
“Talk soon. Bye.”
The call ends. I instantly navigate to my banking app to check my balance. Sure enough, I have an overdraft fee.
“Crap.” I close the app. “What the hell, goddesses?”
I sigh heavily and slump forward as I stare at the blazing orange sun which is inching lower and lower in the sky. Wondering what to do, I pick what I assume is the sanest of the options.
Scrolling through my contacts, I select a number. It starts ringing.
“Hello?” A familiar voice asks.
“Brendon, it’s me. Jemma.”
“Oh. Hi, Jemma.” My ex-boyfriend instantly sounds worried. As he should be.
“I know we haven’t spoken since you left. And I’m not calling to cuss you out or rip you apart or anything—”
“—Oh, okay.”
“I’m calling because I can’t make rent this month and considering you gave me no warning about leaving I’d really appreciate any contributions you can make, especially since you spent half the month here. It’s the least you can do.”
“Oh. Err… well, I’m a bit short on cash myself since I’m renting my own place now. And it’s not really fair for me to pay your rent since I won’t be staying there for the rest of the month. Besides, I left all my vintage t-shirts behind, so…”
I instantly see red. “Are you kidding? After two years together, I get no respect? It’s absolutely ridiculous that you didn’t even think to give me the decency of an in-person conversation!”
“I’m sorry, Jemma… I have to go now… Good luck with the rent money.”
“You’re a coward!” I say into my phone before he hangs up.
Red hot anger permeates through my chest.
“Ugh.”
I shove the phone back into my purse and rub my face. I know I’m going to feel embarrassed about this tomorrow but it felt so good to yell at him. I press my palms against my eyes.
“Is this some sort of joke? Come on, goddesses, you have to give me another sign.”
Reaching back into my purse, I feel around until I find my tarot deck. Feeling my way through the deck, I pull out a card. I see the image of a naive person about to step off a cliff.
“The Fool? Seriously?” I look up at the fiery sky. “Come on!”
I know the card is supposed to mean a new beginning, especially a naive person encountering a new beginning. But all I can see is the big zero at the top of the card. That’s exactly how I feel right now. It’s also exactly how much I have in my bank account.
Ugh.
The whole universe is trolling me. But the card is right. I am a fool. Why did I think calling Brendon would be a good idea?
Putting the card back into the deck, I stare at the blurry sun which is quickly approaching the horizon.
What else can I do?
I can host some extra classes this week but my schedule’s already maxed out from accommodating Chelsea’s classes. And the money I’m saving from having to pay her is not enough to cover what I owe. I would still be short on rent.
There’s only one thing left to do.
Grabbing my phone, I look through my messages for the one from Jack. It’s still unread. After our rough encounter the other day, I swiped the text away without a second thought. I was too red hot with rage to pay him any more attention. But now it seems I have no choice.
I open the text and read it.
JACK: Remember when you gave me your number? ;)
I roll my eyes but suppress a smile. I’m annoyed that I find him the tiniest bit cute and clever.
Clicking on his name, I listen as the phone rings. I suddenly realize that I’m breathing heavily and my heart is picking up its beat. I ignore the emotion that he incites in me.
His deep delicious voice sounds in my ear. “You’ve reached Jack. Leave a message.”
Beep.
“Oh… hi. It’s Jemma. Umm, sorry. I wasn’t expecting your voice-mail. So, I was just wondering if you have my money yet? I really need it to pay my rent. So… yeah. Call me.”
I end the call and instantly go over everything I just said.
Oh god, I hope I didn’t sound too suggestive. Call me? I rub my face and cringe.
Even our interaction the other day made me cringe. I was over-tired, over-stressed, and still in shock over getting dumped. Plus I was hungover. A recipe for disaster. Of course I came off a tiny bit deranged. And judgy.
I breathe out the tension.
“I’m a strong, independent woman who owns my own business,” I say to myself. “I have everything in the world to look forward to.”
Before getting up, I look at my phone one last time. I check the text that Jack sent me, focusing on that winky-face. Brendon never sent me any flirtatious texts. At least no winky-faces. And honestly, I’m mainly surprised that Jack could still smile—even in text form—after I treated him so horrendously.
Reading his text again, I smile to myself before putting my phone back in my purse.
The fiery sun finally dips below the horizon, reflecting purple onto the wayward clouds. The breeze instantly becomes a little bit cooler. I take a moment to reflect before getting up and walking along the cliff-side as I make my way back home.
JACK
Early that morning, I join Connor in his car as he drives us to the arena for the Blades’ morning practice.
“So, Daisy’s gone, huh?” I ask as I adjust the passenger side seat to fit my long legs and the gym bag resting at my feet.
“Yep,” Connor says. “But it’ll go by fast. We’ll be on the road soon for the pre-season games so we’ll have plenty of distractions.”
“It keeps us that busy, huh?”
“Oh, you’ll see. Are you ready for it?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Good,” he says. “Pre-season’s your time to shine. It’s your chance to make an impression, and not just on the Coach but on the fans too. Just stay confident and focused. You’ll be fine.”
“Thanks. You know, I really appreciate having you as my mentor.”
Connor smiles as he keeps his eyes on the road. “We’re going to have a good year, I can feel it.”
“Me too.”
“And if you have any questions, I hope you don’t hesitate to ask.”
“I think I’m good for now.”
Digging into my gym bag for my water bottle, I see my phone light up. I have a missed call and a voice-mail from Jemma. I smirk to myself. I knew she’d reach out to me first.
My hubris disappears when I remember how much money I owe her.
“Hey,” I say. “Have you heard about the pay situation?”
“Did you meet up with Margaret last time we had practice?” Connor checks his blind-spot as he pulls off the highway. “She’s in charge of all the financial stuff.”
“Yeah, I filled out a few forms. More than a few forms, actually. Like, twenty of them.”
“Good. It usually takes a week to process, so you’ve still got a couple of days left. Why? You doing okay, man?
”
“Yeah,” I say. “I just owe a friend some money.”
“Ooh.” Connor shakes his head. “This is another lesson. Be smart with your money. Don’t buy anything you can’t afford. Think twice before you buy something you can afford. And don’t lend anyone money. Seriously, being smart can make your money last decades instead of months.”
“Right. Wait… what do you mean?”
“Well, I invested my money in property. I bought my house and another three-bedroom by the bay that I rent out. Honestly, everything pays for itself. Meanwhile, Barkley invested in a sport’s bar on Apple Tree Lane. He owns the space and everything. It’s called A Hard Shot. Great wings.”
I nod in interest. “Good to know. I’ll probably take it slow considering I only have two hundred dollars to my name right now.”
Connor chuckles. “Good idea.”
He pulls into the arena.
Less than half an hour later we’re on the ice with the rest of the team. This practice session is much more relaxed and easy-going. The stress of skating with my idols is slowly melting away as we become more comfortable with each other as teammates.
The third line consists of Austin, Connor, and myself. We practice a zig-zag pattern where we pass it quickly from one person to the next. These guys are beasts on the ice and as I stand tall, squaring my shoulders, I slowly become a beast too.
“It has to be one, two, three,” Connor says. “Jack, Austin, me. Boom, boom, boom. The third shot goes directly in the net. We’ll be so fast they won’t even see it happen. Ready? Go!”
I pass it to Austin, but the shot is wide. I drop my head back in exasperation.
“That’s alright,” Connor says. “This is why we practice.”
We keep doing it until we get it perfect.
“Nice! That’s what I’m talking about!” Connor fist-bumps me.
I smile. “Again. Let’s go.”
We do it again. And again. The practice continues until we can do it without even thinking.
“You think it’s good now,” Austin says, his blond curls dripping with sweat. “Wait until we’re on the ice and the other team is putting on the pressure.”
I laugh. “That’s what makes it fun.”
Jack: An Enemies To Lovers Sports Romance (Bad Boys of Hockey Book 2) Page 6