Sin Bin

by Maureen Smith

  Logan chuckled warmly. “If there’s anything about the décor you want to change—”

  “No. Absolutely not. Everything’s perfect. Seriously, Logan. The house looks just like a model home!” Her delighted smile came through the phone. “Davion’s little brothers are so excited. When we got here, they squealed so loud I thought my eardrums would burst! They ran from room to room checking everything out and hollering in amazement. Now they’re upstairs in the game room playing video games. I could never afford to buy them Nintendo or PlayStation, and now they have both. And that backyard! The boys can’t believe they have their own swimming pool!” She laughed. “I told them not to say a word to Davion. We’re throwing him a surprise homecoming party when he gets out. You have to come, Logan. Having you there will mean everything to Davion.”

  Logan smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  “Good,” Lakendra said warmly. “Your real estate agent is such a nice lady. She walked me through the house, showed me where everything is and gave me all the necessary paperwork. She says the HOA dues are paid up for several years, and you even arranged for a driver to take the boys to school so they can finish out the year before starting their new school this fall.” She sounded awed and grateful. “You really thought of everything.”

  Logan leaned back against the wall. “I didn’t want you to have to worry about anything. I just want you and the boys to enjoy settling into your new home and community.”

  “Oh, we definitely will,” Lakendra assured him.

  “That’s good.” Logan looked down, scuffing his toes against the bare wood floor. “Uh, there’s one more thing. Our team owner’s company, The Landrieu Group, has a job opening for assistant director of hospitality. I was told that the position coordinates events and works with food and beverage vendors. The salary starts at ninety thousand—” He heard a small gasp “—plus they offer a great benefits package with tuition reimbursement. The current assistant director is relocating at the end of the month, so they need to fill the vacancy as soon as possible. They’ve been interviewing candidates, but they haven’t found a good match yet. I told them about you and your extensive hospitality experience, and they were impressed. I kinda threw my weight around, told them they should hire you. Fortunately they like me over there and they think it’s important to keep me happy. So…” He hesitated uncertainly, hoping he hadn’t overstepped his bounds. “If you want the job, it’s yours.”

  There was more sniffling on the other end.

  He stared down at his feet, waiting nervously.

  “You are a godsend, Logan,” Lakendra said in a heartfelt whisper. “I can’t thank you enough. And, yes, I definitely want the job.”

  “Awesome.” He swallowed hard, working the lump in his throat. “I’ll, uh, tell them to get in touch with you.”

  “That would be fantastic.” There was a tearful smile in her voice. “I would love to have you and your beautiful girlfriend over for dinner sometime. I’ll make a special meal.”

  Logan smiled quietly. “We’d like that.”

  “Just say when and it’s a date.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll check with her and let you know.”

  “Please do.” Her voice softened. “I thank God every day for bringing you into Davion’s life. I don’t think you realize what a tremendous impact you’ve had on him. He thinks the world of you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for him and our family. You’re a wonderful man, Logan Brassard. I hope and pray God gives you the desires of your heart.”

  Humbled by her words, Logan closed his eyes and whispered, “Thank you.”

  “No,” she countered gently, “thank you.”

  After the call ended, Logan lowered the phone to his chest and turned to find Meadow staring at him from the bedroom doorway. Her dark hair was tousled and she was wearing his ruined shirt from last night. The buttons were gone, so she was holding the two halves together over the round globes of her breasts. The shirt engulfed her, hanging well past her knees.

  “Sorry,” she said sheepishly. “I wasn’t eavesdropping. I just…well, I heard your voice and wanted to make sure everything was okay.”

  Tucking his phone away, Logan straightened from the wall and walked toward her. She watched him with a tender expression.

  When he stopped before her, she reached up and curved her hand over his cheek.

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  He turned his face into her caress, kissing the center of her palm. When she brushed her thumb over his lips, his chest swelled and his eyes stung.

  “You need to get some sleep before the game,” she said softly but firmly. “We can cuddle for a while, but we really shouldn’t do anything more strenuous than that.”

  “Cuddle, huh?” He picked her up, carrying her to the bed as he drawled, “We’ll see about that.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  MEADOW

  * * *

  The rebels swept the stars, wrapping up the series in four straight games. Their early finish gave them a whole week off until the second round of playoffs began.

  The Saturday after they returned from Dallas, Cameron had tryouts for a youth hockey league. Logan and Meadow were taking him because Aunt Rosalie had been assigned to cover a police standoff in the idyllic mountain town of Breckenridge.

  While she was getting ready, Meadow cooked a big breakfast and made sure Cam ate so he’d have enough energy for tryouts. After breakfast she double-checked his equipment bag to ensure that her aunt had packed everything he needed. Satisfied that he was good to go, she headed to her room to get dressed.

  She was sitting on the edge of her bed tying her sneakers when her aunt appeared in the doorway, fretting as she buttoned the cuffs of her blouse.

  “Are you sure you don’t mind taking Cam to tryouts?”

  Meadow gave a long-suffering sigh. “For the last time, no, I don’t mind. And neither does Logan. We’re actually looking forward to it.”

  “Are you sure? I know you guys had plans—”

  “And now our plans include Cam.” Meadow smiled. “Stop worrying about us. We’ll be fine.”

  “I know,” Rosalie sighed. “I just hate missing Cam’s tryouts. He’s been practicing for months. I should be there on his big day. Not that he seems to care whether I’m there or not,” she added wryly. “All he’s been talking about is having Logan in the stands. He’s more excited about that than the actual tryouts.”

  Meadow grinned. “Can you really blame him? Logan is his idol. And how many kids can brag about having an NHL superstar cheering them on at hockey tryouts?”

  “Good point.” Rosalie grinned. “Make sure you and Logan behave yourselves. Parents have been warned not to cheer because it’s distracting to the kids.”

  “We won’t make a peep,” Meadow promised.

  Rosalie smoothed down her blouse. “The other parents are going to be green with envy when Cam walks through the door with Logan. My baby has been training really hard and he’s a damn good skater. But if he makes the top team, I know people are going to say it’s because of Logan.”

  “I hadn’t even thought of that.” Meadow frowned. “Maybe Logan shouldn’t come with us.”

  “Are you kidding? Youth hockey is insanely competitive, and a lot of politicking goes on behind the scenes. If Logan’s presence gives Cam a leg up on the competition, I certainly won’t complain.”

  Meadow laughed, gathering her hair into a ponytail and wrapping it with a scrunchie.

  “This is good practice for you,” Rosalie said with twinkling eyes. “Someday when you become a hockey mom, you’ll already be a pro at this stuff.”

  Meadow’s cheeks warmed. “Who says I’m going to be a hockey mom?”

  Her aunt just gave her a knowing smile.

  Meadow turned the tables on her. “You’ve been floating on cloud nine ever since your amazing date with Barrett last weekend. Are you sure he’s not waiting for you in Breckenridge?”

  �
�I wish,” Rosalie half laughed, half groaned. “I’d give anything to spend a cozy night with him at some ski resort. But he’s back on the road, and I don’t know when he’ll be heading this way again.”

  Meadow grinned. “Maybe if you’d been brave enough to tell him how you feel—”

  Rosalie groaned. “Don’t start.”

  “I’m just saying—”

  “Oh! That reminds me!” Rosalie clapped her hands excitedly. “I have wonderful news!”

  “What?”

  “You know how I’ve been in talks with the network executives to get my own show? Well, it’s finally been green-lighted!”

  Meadow squeed. “That’s awesome! Congratulations!”

  They hugged and squealed and jumped up and down like teenagers.

  Grinning from ear to ear, Rosalie did jazz hands. “You’re looking at the new host of Rendezvous with Rosalie!”

  “You mean they accepted the name you suggested?”

  “They sure did!”

  Rosalie and Meadow squealed some more and did a happy dance that left them laughing.

  “Just to clarify,” Meadow said, “you’re still co-anchoring the ten p.m. newscast, right?”

  “Of course! Rendezvous with Rosalie will be a primetime show airing on Friday nights on our sister station,” Rosalie explained. “The format will be live with a studio audience. But we won’t be confined to the studio. We’ll be shooting on location around Colorado to showcase different parts of the state—hence ‘rendezvous’ in the show’s name. We’re pitching it to advertisers as an entertainment talk show that highlights extraordinary Coloradoans. They can be celebrities, business owners, politicians, community activists and volunteers—you name it. If they have compelling stories and are making a difference in the world, I want to feature them.”

  “Sounds wonderful,” Meadow enthused. “When does the show debut?”

  “End of May.” Rosalie grabbed her hands excitedly. “I want you to be one of my first guests.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, you! You can promote your company’s community fair and discuss the care bags that will be distributed to local foster children.”

  “Hmm.” Meadow contemplated the idea. “It would be a great opportunity to help spread awareness about the practice of foster youth carrying their belongings in trash bags. And my boss would definitely appreciate the publicity—”

  “Then it’s settled! You’re coming on the show!”

  “But I’m your niece,” Meadow argued. “Aren’t you worried about accusations of nepotism?”

  Rosalie waved off the concern. “I don’t care about that. If you have an important message to share, you deserve to be heard regardless of who you’re related to.” She beamed. “My executive producer says if our ratings are good after six months, the show will be expanded to a daily format and will replace one of the legacy newscasts on the main channel.”

  Meadow grinned. “You’re gonna be the next Oprah.”

  Rosalie laughed. “From your lips to God’s ears!”

  A horn honked outside.

  “That’s my driver. Gotta run.” Rosalie hugged Meadow and made her promise to text updates on Cam’s hockey tryouts. Then she hustled out the door, calling for her son so she could kiss him goodbye.

  After seeing her aunt off, Meadow returned to her room to grab her handbag. When her phone buzzed on the nightstand, she smiled and grabbed it, thinking Logan might be calling to say he was on his way.

  But it wasn’t him. Unknown Number appeared on the screen.

  “Hello?” she answered cautiously.

  She could hear breathing on the other end, but no one spoke.

  “Hello?” she repeated.

  Still no answer. Just breathing.

  A chill slid down her spine. “Who is this?”

  There was a soft click and the line went dead.

  She swallowed uneasily. Probably just a wrong number, she told herself. But her nerves were on edge and goose bumps peppered her skin.

  “Logan’s here!” Cam squealed excitedly, racing past her room.

  She took a calming breath, stuffed her phone in her handbag and went to answer the door. Of course Cam had already beaten her to it.

  Smiling, she watched as Logan scooped the boy up and swung him around, making him peal with delighted laughter.

  Grinning affectionately, Logan set Cam down and ruffled his curly hair. “Look at you in your hockey gear. You look ready for battle.”

  “I am!” Cam crowed.

  “That’s what I’m talking about.” Logan slapped him a high five and grinned before his gaze landed on Meadow.

  “Hey,” she said with a shy smile.

  “Hey, gorgeous.” He pulled her close and kissed her soundly, drawing giggles from Cameron. When he playfully squeezed her bottom, she laughed and pulled away, wagging her finger at him.

  “Not in front of the little one.”

  He grinned like a mischievous schoolboy. He looked yummy as usual in a long-sleeved white shirt that hugged his chest, a pair of blue jeans and heavy black boots. A Toronto Blue Jays baseball cap was pulled low over his eyes.

  “I hope this isn’t your idea of a disguise,” Meadow teased, reaching up to flick the bill of his hat. “Because it’s about as effective as those ‘nerd’ glasses you wore to the cocktail reception.”

  He laughed. “I’ll never live that down, will I?”

  “Nope. Never.”

  He tweaked her nose, then couldn’t resist leaning down and brushing his lips over hers. This time Cam made gagging noises to show his disgust.

  Logan and Meadow smiled into each other’s eyes, breath mingling warmly.

  “We’ll finish this later,” she whispered.

  “Absolutely,” he agreed before grinning down at Cam. “Ready, champ?”

  Cam beamed. “Ready!”

  As they left the house, Meadow told Logan, “We have to transfer Cam’s booster seat to your truck.”

  “No problem.”

  When she unlocked her aunt’s car, Logan unstrapped the booster seat and transferred it to the second row of his crew cab truck. He secured the seat so quickly and effortlessly that Meadow couldn’t help feeling impressed.

  He caught her admiring gaze and grinned. “I’ve had some practice. Santino and Roxanne have a bunch of nieces and nephews.”

  “Ah.” Meadow smiled, watching as he lifted Cam into the seat and strapped him in. It made her feel all swoony to see Cam handled so gently and protectively by this big, tough hockey player. When he swooped her up and put her in the passenger seat, she melted right into the leather.

  On the way to the ice rink, Logan gave Cam some pointers. “When you get out there on the ice, make sure you listen to the coach and know the drill he’s asking you to do. You don’t wanna be that kid who doesn’t have a clue what’s going on. Don’t stand around, and don’t be the last in line. You don’t always have to be first, but you definitely shouldn’t be last. Remember to pass hard, shoot hard and skate hard. And if you screw up, don’t slam your stick. The coaches are paying close attention, and everything you do matters.”

  Meadow shook her head wonderingly at Logan. “How can he possibly remember all that?”

  “He will,” Logan said confidently.

  She glanced in the backseat. Cam was listening intently, hanging on Logan’s every word.

  Logan met his eyes in the rearview mirror. “Above all else, kiddo, just do your best and have fun. At the end of the day, that’s the most important thing. Feel me?”

  “Yeah!” Cam whooped.

  Logan grinned broadly at Meadow. She grinned back.

  When they got to the ice rink, Logan lifted Cam out of the booster seat and grabbed his gear bag. As the three of them walked toward the entrance together, it was impossible not to feel like a little family, impossible not to wonder what it would be like.

  When they entered the building, Meadow was surprised at how many people had showed up for tryouts. There we
re throngs of parents and children toting equipment bags and hockey sticks, their eyes shining with dreams of hockey stardom.

  One of Cameron’s friends spotted him and waved enthusiastically. “Hey, Cam, you’re—” He broke off, his jaw dropping as he gaped behind Cam. “No freaking way! It’s Logan Brassard!”

  Every head whipped around, eyes widening in shock. A wave of excited gasps, squeals and exclamations could be heard.

  Oh puck, Meadow thought.

  A split second later, pandemonium erupted as a herd of children and adults stampeded toward them.

  Meadow pulled Cam out of the way just as the crowd mobbed Logan, swarming him on all sides and clamoring for his autograph. The starry-eyed kids babbled excitedly about how awesome he was. The dads wanted to talk playoffs. The moms wanted to flirt and take selfies with him. Even the coaches and instructors made their way over, grinning like starstruck idiots.

  Logan took it all in stride, smiling warmly as he shook hands, returned hugs and signed everything from jerseys to hockey sticks.

  While he was busy with his adoring fans, Meadow and Cam headed to the registration station to get him signed in. After he was given a numbered vest to wear over his hockey jersey, Meadow steered him to a bench so she could help him put his skates on. They were already partly laced up, but she found herself struggling to finish the job, grunting as she pulled and tugged at the laces.

  “You’re doing it wrong, Meadow,” Cam whined.

  “No, I’m not.” She totally was.

  Cam wiggled his foot in the skate. “It’s not tight enough.”

  “Well, they’re supposed to be snug, not—”

  “Now ain’t this a sorry sight,” a deep voice drawled.

  Meadow glanced up as Logan squatted next to her, taking Cam’s foot and nudging her out of the way. “Step aside, amateur. Let the pro show you how it’s done.”

  Cam giggled in relief.

  “I almost had it,” Meadow blustered.

  “Uh-huh,” Logan scoffed. “Sure you did.”

  Cam giggled harder, earning a wink from Logan.

  Meadow scowled and stood with her hands on her hips, watching Logan’s nimble fingers make quick work of lacing up Cam’s skates.