Winning Whitney, page 13
part #3 of Alaska Blizzard Series
* * *
Whitney was a nervous wreck as she waited for Jack in her hotel room. He’d texted her after the game and told her he’d join her in about an hour, and she’d been pacing for the last forty minutes. Dani had told her he was okay, and he’d finished the game, but another fight had broken out and Kane had been the one involved. She and Hailey had been texting the whole time, even when both men continued to play. The Blizzard beat the Rangers 6-1 but they were battle-weary afterward in a way Whitney hadn’t seen before. Kane and Sergei, the two players she knew best other than Jack, weren’t big fighters, though they did it when necessary. They usually came home from games tired and sore, but not hurt. The blood pouring down Jack’s face had been terrifying and the level of aggression had been higher than she’d ever seen before.
She jumped when she heard the beep of the lock disengaging, hurrying to greet him at the door.
“Hey.” His eye was almost swollen shut and there was dried blood around the stitches, but his smile was genuine as he reached for her.
“I was so scared,” she whispered, throwing herself in his arms and hugging him tightly.
“I’m sorry, baby.” He kissed the top of her head. “It was just a fight. I’ll take some ibuprofen, ice it a few times, and in the morning I’ll be fine.”
“How do you get stitches right there and go back in?” she demanded, taking his jacket off for him and putting it on the back of a chair.
“Part of the game. I’ve done it a dozen times.”
“Really?” She stared at him intently, taking in his tired face. “You look exhausted. Are you hungry?”
“To be honest, I just want to rest.”
“Okay. Should I call down to the desk for an ice pack?”
“Dani’s bringing one up in a few.” He gave her a quick smile before stepping out of his dress pants and shirt and pulling on sweats and a T-shirt.
Dani dropped off the ice pack and ibuprofen, and after a short conversation, she was gone. Whitney brought him a bottle of water and the pills, which he downed quickly, and then got into bed beside him. He rested the ice pack on his eye, holding it in place with one hand while reaching for hers with the other. She laced her fingers through his, unsure what to say or do.
“I’m fine, babe,” he said, as if he’d read her mind. “You don’t have to be all quiet and weird. Tell me when you got the jersey.”
“Right before I left Anchorage. I picked it up at the team store.”
“I would have gotten you one.”
“I wanted to buy it,” she replied, running her fingers along his chin. “And I’ll wear it proudly to every game.”
“I loved seeing you in it.”
“I hated seeing you fight.”
“It’s part of the game, but I don’t do it a lot. Probably why I got my ass kicked.”
“You didn’t get your ass kicked. He was bleeding, too.”
“Yeah, but a cut lip isn’t nearly as intense as stitches in the eye.”
“That part of the body bleeds more. You totally held your own.”
“Since they named me captain I try to set a good example by not losing my temper like that, but I needed to have Aaron’s back. Thank god he didn’t have a concussion.”
“That’s good news.”
“You look stressed. Would you relax? I’m fine, really.” He moved the ice pack and fixed both eyes on her.
“I don’t like seeing someone I care about get hurt.”
“It was a minute-long fight and three measly stitches. I’m a hockey player, babe. That’s a day at the beach for us.”
She shuddered. “I still don’t have to like it.”
“No, but something good came out of it.”
“It did? What?”
“You said you cared about me. Is that true?”
Chapter Eighteen
Jake watched her face as she momentarily froze, a million emotions moving across her features. She seemed torn, wrestling with something deep, but then she dipped her head in that endearing way of hers and whispered, “You know I care about you. Four years after a one-night stand I want to be with you more than ever.”
“But?”
“My life is complicated.”
“You’ve said that before, and I don’t know what it means.”
“It means I have to work through some things without outside influences like a gentle, sexy athlete who rocks my world every time he looks at me.”
“Yeah? I do it with just a look? I’m getting good in my old age.”
She laughed. “You were always good.”
He was leaning up for a kiss when his phone rang. He reached for it reluctantly, hoping nothing had come up with any of the guys. It was Coach Sylvester and he answered slowly, hoping he hadn’t knocked on his door and discovered he wasn’t there.
“Hey, Coach.”
“Looks like that nor’easter is hitting the city. We’ll be heading to Brooklyn in the morning but I don’t know if we’re getting out for the game in New Jersey. We may have to hunker down for a couple of days, so keep an eye on the younger guys in case they get restless and go looking for mischief. Pelletier’s been partying hard this season—have a chat with him.”
“Sure, Coach, no problem.”
“See you in the morning.”
“Night.” Jake hung up and shook his head. “So, that nor’easter is heading this way. Looks like we may be snowed in tomorrow night.”
“That sounds fabulous,” she murmured, nestling into his chest. “Nothing but me, you, and room service for a couple of days.”
“You are seriously easy to please.”
“Not always, but when I’m with you? It doesn’t feel like I need anything else.”
“Damn, baby, you know how to make a guy feel good, don’t you?”
“In more ways than one.” She sat up and pulled her shirt over her head.
The storm hit thirty-six hours later and Whitney moved into Jack’s room. It had been so nice spending time with him, she almost wished the storm would last forever. The game against the Islanders would be postponed, and for at least the next forty-eight hours she would have him all to herself. He’d said they might have to practice one day since the arena was within walking distance, but it would depend on whether support staff were able to get there to open it. In the meantime, they were going down to the hotel restaurant to have dinner since no one wanted to leave the hotel and hardly anything was open.
“Are you sure we should do this?” Whitney asked as she slipped on her shoes.
“Why not?” He frowned. “It’s not like it’s a secret. Everyone knows you’re here.”
“I’m not used to that kind of scrutiny.”
“There’s not going to be any scrutiny other than the normal questions from people who didn’t know we were involved.”
“Are you sure you want to take a chance we’ll be seen together when you’re not legally divorced yet?”
“I’m not worried. I’m not doing anything wrong. I have legal paperwork to back up my actions. Do we need to talk about this again?”
“No.” She reached for his hand. “I guess I’m a little nervous, that’s all.”
“Don’t be.” He kissed the tip of her nose and they walked to the elevators. Dani and Sergei were just getting into one and held the doors for them.
“You coming to dinner with us?” Dani asked with a grin. “Thank god. I love these guys but being the only woman surrounded by thirty men gets old.”
“It gets old?” Whitney asked, arching a brow. “Sounds like heaven to me!”
“If I wasn’t married, maybe, but with the old ball and chain sitting beside me, it’s not nearly as much fun,” Dani teased.
“Ball and chain?” Sergei scowled, a playful look in his eyes.
“We’re going to try to get pregnant this summer,” she soothed, running a hand along his broad chest. “And then I’ll be completely at your mercy, my liege.”
He snorted with laughter. “Okay then. I’ll hold you to it.”
Dani giggled and showed Whitney where she’d had her fingers crossed. Sergei saw them and reached out to close his hand around the fingers she’d crossed, and they laughed.
They stepped into the lobby and walked into the restaurant where most of the team had already gathered.
“What’s with everyone gettin’ it on with the nanny?” One of their teammates, Matt Forbes, asked with a lascivious smile.
Jake tensed but Sergei surreptitiously squeezed his shoulder, stepping in front of him and giving Matt a shrug. “You say that like there’s something wrong with being a nanny. My old nanny is now the assistant trainer on this team, not to mention my wife. My current nanny is doing us a favor while saving money until she goes to veterinary school, and Whitney graduated from Harvard. What’s your girlfriend do for a living?”
Matt’s ears turned red. “You know damn well I’m single.”
“Then shut the fuck up and stop insulting people for no damn reason,” Jake growled, pulling out a chair for Whitney at the table where Aaron and Mikka had saved them seats.
Matt seemed about to reply but Dave wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him away, talking quietly in his ear.
“He’s such a dick,” Dani muttered. “Why is he still here?”
“I think management thought his aggressive style of play would light a fire under this team’s ass, but it seems to be backfiring,” Jake said under his breath. “His days may be numbered.”
Whitney hadn’t said much, merely sitting beside Jake and sliding her hand into his under the table. He glanced at her with concern, but she gave a little shake of her head, and he let it go.
“How long do you think we’re going to be snowed in?” Aaron asked, glancing out the windows where the snow had begun coming down hard.
“At least twenty-four hours, probably longer,” Jake said. “According to the news, the worst is yet to come. They’re expecting two feet of snow, possibly more. If that happens, we could be snowed in for days. There’s nowhere for the snow to go.”
“We got that kind of snowfall in Boston often,” Whitney mused, “but it didn’t seem like such a big deal.”
“Boston’s different. Manhattan isn’t set up for snow. There’s literally no room for it. Once it fills the streets and sidewalks, there’s nowhere to put it when they shovel.”
They discussed the weather, previous storms and taking turns in the hotel’s gym the following day. Dinner was delicious and the company nice, but Whitney had been quiet after Matt’s rude comments earlier and Jake made excuses for them as soon as he could. They’d just reached the elevators when her phone rang and she looked it with a sigh.
“Go on ahead. It’s my grandmother and I don’t want to lose her in the elevator.”
Jake wanted to protest, but nodded and got in. “I’ll see you up there.”
* * *
Whitney took the call and walked back towards the lobby. “Hi, Gran.”
“What are you doing in Manhattan?”
“You check my credit card usage?”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Hanging out with friends.”
“Whitney, what…” Her voice trailed off.
“Gran?”
“You should take care of yourself. There’s a storm coming.”
“I’ll be okay. The hotel assured us there’s food, water, and plenty of blankets should we lose power.”
“Do you need—”
“I’m fine, Gran. You don’t have to worry.”
“Of course, I have to worry—you’re my only granddaughter!”
It was the first time her grandmother had raised her voice to her since she was a teenager and Whitney was momentarily taken aback. There was genuine concern in her voice, which wasn’t like her, and Whitney wondered if this was meant to be a guilt trip.
“We had several blizzards while I was at Harvard and you never called.”
“You were at Harvard—they don’t let students freeze to death there. I don’t know where you are now, what you’re doing, or who you’re doing it with.”
“You knew I was in New York.”
“Just because you’ve chosen to hide yourself doesn’t mean no one recognizes you.”
Whitney sighed heavily, wishing she had someone to talk to. No matter how caring and considerate her grandmother seemed now, she knew better than to trust her. She had her own agenda and Whitney wouldn’t allow herself to be manipulated. Not like this anyway. Her family had plenty of other ways to manipulate her, but a winter storm in New York wasn’t going to be her downfall.
“Aren’t you tired, Whitney Lorraine?”
Whitney winced at the use of her middle name, and though she wanted to say yes, she steeled her resolve and took on the most casual tone she could muster up. “Not at all. I’ve been finding myself, and it’s been interesting.”
“And what have you learned?”
That I’m falling in love with a wonderful man you might actually like. The words she thought were different than what she said. “That I love children. That I want to have a career. That I’ll never marry a man who cheats.”
“Ah, your father’s influence rears its ugly head yet again.”
“I’m sorry. I know he’s your son, but—”
“Just as I point out your mistakes and faults, I’ve pointed out his. Time and time again. He’s been a disappointment to me. Which is why I’ve been counting on you.”
Whitney was surprised; she’d had no idea her grandmother had spoken to her father about his extracurricular activities. “And I’ve disappointed you as well.”
“Not entirely. Your graduation from Harvard quite pleased me.”
“It did? But you said—”
“I say many things, my dear. It’s more important you pay attention to what I do.”
Chapter Nineteen
Her grandmother had left her with more questions than answers, which was the last thing she needed, and Whitney got back in the elevator. Maybe it was time to come clean with Jake.
He’s not divorced yet.
The devil on her shoulder chided her.
She was constantly making excuses even though he’d become more important to her than almost anything else. The idea of walking away from her family and inheritance was nowhere near as scary as telling him who she was. What if he decided a teenage model and heir to one of the biggest oil fortunes in the country was too much hassle? It wouldn’t be the first time and that was why she’d worked so hard to stay anonymous. People were cruel and being rich and beautiful didn’t protect you from that kind of thing.
Her thoughts were still far away as she got back to the room and sank onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
“You okay?” Jack asked softly, rolling onto his side so he could look at her.
“Talking to my grandmother makes me sad,” she admitted.
“Why?”
“I hate disappointing her, but the alternative would be disappointing myself.”
“Did someone hurt you?” he asked after a slight hesitation.
“A lot of someones,” she admitted, leaning against his bare chest and listening to the steady beating of his heart.
“How?” he whispered, stroking her hair.
“Not the way you’re thinking, but it was painful nonetheless.”
“Is that why you don’t trust me? Because you think I’m going to hurt you, too?”
“Hurt is part of life.”
“Small hurts, yes, but no one should have to suffer through the big ones alone. At least not entirely.”
“Was the end of your marriage a big one?”
“The first two miscarriages were big ones. Finding out we both carried a gene that led to the death of our babies was a huge one. After that, there wasn’t enough left to hurt over, so no, the end of my marriage wasn’t a big one.”
“I’ve never given any thought to having genetic testing with relation to birth defects. I guess at my age we think we’re invincible.”
“Not invincible, but genetic mutations and such weren’t on my radar at twenty-four, either. Believe me.”
“The idea of trying again must be terrifying.”
“Yeah, it’s a little intimidating, so I’m in no hurry. There would be a lot of research ahead of time, genetic testing, stuff like that.”
“That’s fair.”
“You don’t sound put off by any of it.”
“Why would I be? I’d want to know if something was wrong so we could make an informed decision about something as important as a baby. I also think adopting a child would be phenomenal.”
“You’re only twenty-four and you’ve already thought about adoption?”
“Being pregnant doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun,” she admitted. “I mean, weight gain, sore breasts, swollen ankles, morning sickness…and then labor? Sounds horrible all around.”
He chuckled. “I have to say I agree. I never thought about it much, and Addy never went past sixteen weeks, but it doesn’t sound all that pleasant.”
“Why are we talking about pregnancy?” she demanded, tugging his hand. “Let’s find something else to talk about.”
“Like?”
“You’ll need to be naked to hear me.”
He laughed.
The storm raged for two full days, longer than they’d been expecting, and snow piled up outside the doors, on the sidewalks, and in the streets. They’d gotten a little bored with cereal, fruit, sandwiches, and desserts, but the hotel was still warm and comfortable. Not being able to take a hot shower sucked, but the power had come back on a few hours ago and Jake and Whitney stepped under the warm spray happily. She wrapped her arms around his waist, inhaling his masculine scent, and wondered if she could have this much happiness for longer than this trip or however long she remained in Anchorage. If her decision about what to do going forward had been difficult before, it was nearly impossible now. How could she walk away from him again? She had to come clean about her dilemma but wasn’t sure how.
“We’re playing the Islanders today, even though this was supposed to be a travel day, but that’s okay, much better than having to fly back out for one game at the end of the season. We lucked out that the arena was available.”
