Decker (Sidewinders: Generations Book 5), page 16
Restlessly, I picked up the phone to call Eden.
This wasn’t the time for the talk we needed to have, but I needed to hear her voice.
“Hey, aren’t you napping?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” I admitted. “Sorry if I’m bothering you at work.”
“My boss is pretty understanding. Besides, I have good news.”
“What?”
“The boot is off!”
I’d completely forgotten about her appointment. “Oh! That’s great, baby doll. How does it feel?”
“Weak. I’ve got a brace on there now for support, but I can wear shoes and put weight on it. I’m going to start physical therapy next week, and the team is paying for everything.”
“So no more boot?” I asked playfully. “I can toss you around now?”
She laughed. “If you like. We still have to be cautious. It’s really weak. I have exercises to do at home to help start strengthening it.”
“Next week we’ll get you on skates,” I teased.
“Skates are what got me into this mess!”
“I hope that doesn’t mean you’ll never go ice skating with me?”
“What? Oh, no, I’m just kidding. I’d love to skate with you. We didn’t really have a chance that day. Freakin’ Lawrence.”
“We have all the time in the world coming up.” I took a breath. “Listen, there are still some things we have to talk about. I need to tell you about my family and things that happened growing up. It’s important to me that we have this conversation.”
“Of course. Your family is a bit of a mystery to me.”
“You don’t know the half of it. Anyway, I can’t get into it now, right before I leave for the arena, but my brother is going to be at the game. He’s in Vegas on business and kind of called out of the blue wanting to go.”
“Is that unusual?”
“He and I have very different views on life. He’s part of that cult-like religious lifestyle I told you about, and I’ve already told you we’re not close, so yeah, it’s a little unusual.”
“Well, it’s his loss.”
“I think he loves me; he just doesn’t approve of my lifestyle. I should be in seminary, studying to be a pastor like our dad, reading the bible every night instead of playing hockey and fornicating with women.”
“Is that what they call it where you’re from?” she asked softly. “Because I prefer making love. In fact, fucking is a more appropriate verb for the act of sex. Fornicating insinuates something bad, and there is nothing bad about the way you make me feel when you’re inside of me, Decker.”
“I know, baby, and that’s one of many reasons we’re not close.”
“Well, don’t worry about him. Focus on the game. And what we’re going to do tonight, after the game.”
“Oh?” I smiled at the thought. “Did you have something specific in mind?”
“Didn’t you buy restraints?”
“I did. And lube.”
“I see.” Her voice was suddenly husky. “What are you going to do to my bum that requires lubricant, Mr. Reese?”
“Put a plug in it.”
“Will I like it?”
“Probably not at first. But remember how hard you came with my finger in there? It’s going to be ten times more intense when it’s my cock. But we have to work up to it. Hence the plug.”
“If I come any harder, I might pass out.”
“Then I guess I’ll have done my job.”
“I can’t wait for tonight, Decker.”
“Me too, baby.”
Hopefully, she’d still want to be with me once I told her everything.
25
Eden
The game was exciting, but I was lost in thought. Despite how good things were going between us, there had been an odd tone to Decker’s voice when we’d spoken this afternoon. As if he was worried about something. I’d noticed it right away, but I’d also picked up on the fact that the guys needed space on game days. Daisy mostly stayed out of Jean-Michel’s way even though they lived together, and I was trying to emulate her when it came to anything related to hockey.
I was still learning not just the game but the lifestyle as the girlfriend of a professional hockey player.
Girlfriend.
I liked how that sounded, and though we hadn’t discussed our relationship in terms of labels like girlfriend and boyfriend, that’s what it boiled down to. Daisy and Zoe had a bet going on how long before I officially moved in with him, which made me laugh. I was nervous about taking that big of a step so soon into our relationship, but where else was there to go? I couldn’t live with Daisy and Jean-Michel forever, and it didn’t make sense for me to spend the money to get an apartment of my own when Decker and I were moving so quickly.
Maybe I was jumping in with both feet, but I’d put my love life on hold since the break-up with Lawrence. I’d been taking time to get my head on straight and graduate. I’d been focused on the future and the present seemed to have fallen into place.
The main thing was, I was happy.
Truly and completely happy.
That had to count for something, didn’t it?
There was still money in my trust fund, and more coming in just over two years, but I wanted to save the next batch. Renee was going to be paying me a six-figure salary, so I’d be in good shape once things got going. For now, she was giving me cash under the table because it would take several weeks to establish the company legally, set up employee profiles, and get the payroll going. She apparently had been paying Margot under the table all this time so now there were a lot of changes on the horizon.
Living with Decker would be one of many, and somehow, I didn’t feel uncomfortable at the prospect of sharing a home with someone I’d only known about six weeks. Emotionally it felt like it had been much longer, and I was so tired of second-guessing myself. I had to stop thinking about forever and just focus on right now. And right now, I had a great guy in my life.
“You think Decker’s brother is in this section?” Daisy whispered to me. We were sitting in the section where the wives, girlfriends, and other family members sat.
“I don’t know.” I took a moment to look around. I’d only been to a few games, so I didn’t know everyone, but the people around me looked familiar. Margot and her daughter Gracie, Sasha with her husband-and-wife bodyguard team, Renee with Jared’s son Braden.
“We should figure out who he is and find out the scoop about Decker’s family,” Daisy said.
I wrinkled my nose. “Decker sounded sad about the situation, and to be honest, I don’t need that kind of negativity in my relationship. I don’t have to wear that bloody boot anymore, I have a fantastic new job, and I’m looking forward to a night of butt sex with my incredibly hot boyfriend. Why the hell would I want to talk to someone who’s going to ruin that for me?”
She giggled. “Okay, you have a point. Wait, did you say butt sex?”
I elbowed her. “Shh!”
“Sorry.” She was whispering again. “But did you say butt stuff?”
“He bought a plug. And lube.”
“Oh, wow. You’re going over to the dark side.”
“You and Jean-Michel haven’t?”
“We do ass play, and I wear a plug, but he’s kinda big, and it hurts with his fingers so I’m not there yet.”
“He’s only used one finger so far, but I liked the burn. It tempers how good everything else feels.”
“Kind of interesting how we’ve discovered all this new stuff now that we’re dating hockey players. Do they have special classes that teach them how to fuck guys in other professions don’t get to take?”
We looked at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing.
“You two must be talking about Jean-Michel and Decker,” Margot said, leaning over. “How come we don’t get to hear all the dirty details?”
“One, because Braden is like, right there…” Daisy jerked her chin in the direction of her little brother. “Two, my mom is literally right next to him—”
“And three,” I interjected. “I don’t think everyone wants to hear our opinions on butt stuff.”
“Wait, butt stuff?” Sasha leaned over. “I like butt stuff.”
“Oh fuck. I don’t get paid enough for this.” Her bodyguard groaned, closing his eyes even as his wife tittered with laughter.
“Just watch the game,” Sasha told him. “You and Solange should switch seats, that way she can join our conversation, and you can ignore us.”
“If only I could sit in another section,” he muttered, obligingly switching places so his wife was closer to our group.
“Now, what were you saying about butt stuff?” Solange asked.
“I’m working up to it, and Daisy is too chicken,” I said, laughing.
“It hurts in the beginning,” Margot agreed. “But then it feels soooo good.” She grinned. “And I’ve done back and front at the same time.”
“At the same time?” I stared at her. “With a toy?”
“Er, no.” She grinned. “With a gay friend who wanted to try a threesome. This was before we were married, though. We’re both too possessive and jealous to do it again, so now we use dildos.”
Our little group all stared at her.
“Do tell,” Sasha whispered.
“What do you want to know?”
Daisy and I headed down to the family lounge as soon as the game was over. The Sidewinders had edged out a 2-1 win, so I expected the team to be busy with the press for a while. That gave me time to stop in the ladies’ room to relieve myself and freshen up my makeup.
“I have to go to the bathroom,” I told Daisy. “Do you need to go?”
“Sure.” She followed me amiably. “By the way, did you see Zoe’s text from a few minutes ago?”
We had a group text that we used to talk on a daily basis, but I hadn’t opened my phone since I’d gotten to the arena.
“No.” I dug the phone out of my purse. “What happened?”
“Apparently she and Slava had a big fight, and things are even worse now than they were.”
“Oh, no.” I glanced down at my phone, noting I’d missed Zoe’s texts along with a call from my mother.
“My mother called too,” I murmured.
“She’s probably been stalking you on social media and wanting to know all about Decker.”
“I hadn’t even considered that. Shit.”
She laughed, disappearing into a stall. “Good luck with that.”
“I’ll deal with her tomorrow.”
I did my business and had just finished washing my hands when my mother’s name flashed on the screen of my phone. I hesitated before motioning to Daisy to go ahead.
“I better take this. It’s my mum again, and she’ll probably keep calling until I answer.”
“Okay. Good luck.” Daisy waved, and I stood outside the bathroom as I grudgingly answered my phone.
“Hi, Mum.”
“Eden, darling. I’m so glad I caught you.”
“I’m at a hockey game, so I can’t really talk. Can this wait until tomorrow?”
“Well, darling, I’m afraid not.”
“What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”
“Your father and I are fine, but it’s you we’re worried about.”
“Me? Why? I’m fine. I got the boot off, and the bone has healed perfectly.” I hadn’t told them about the bump on the head, so she couldn’t know about that.
“Well, it’s about Decker.”
I groaned. I’d only mentioned our relationship in passing, but that had apparently been enough to put him on my parents’ radar.
“Mum, I don’t have time for this right now. I know you hate that I’m moving to the States and probably don’t like me dating an athlete either, but—”
“It’s not about any of that,” she interrupted. “It’s something else.”
“Okay. What’s going on?”
“Sweetheart, I know you don’t like when we meddle, but you’ve been through so much the last five years. We worry.”
“I know. But I’m okay. I’m wonderful, in fact. You don’t have to worry.”
“You’re our only child. Of course we worry, whether you want us to or not.”
I sighed. “And? What did you do?”
“Your father was curious about your young man. We both were.”
“You did a background check.” I groaned this time. “Oh, for god’s sake.”
“It appears it was for good reason.”
“I already know Decker Reese isn’t his legal name.”
“Oh.” Mum was momentarily taken aback. “Well, be that as it may, do you know the rest of it?”
“The rest of what? Just spit it out, Mum. I have to go.”
“We were only looking into him to make sure he doesn’t have a criminal record or anything. We truly didn’t think we’d find anything, and you’d never have to know.”
“The reasons don’t really matter at this point. Just tell me what you called to tell me.”
“Is Daisy with you?”
“No, she’s—Mum!” I was losing my patience. “What’s going on? Tell me already.”
“Well. It appears that Decker is… married.”
“What?” I froze, unsure I’d heard her right. “What are you talking about?”
“Alan Decker Rickman married a woman named Kristina Louisa Lauder seven years ago in June.”
26
Decker
I’d left instructions for Lana to bring my brother back to the locker room after the game. Hopefully, that would keep him from running into Eden. He’d said something about potentially getting something to eat after the game, which would be a problem, but I was hoping my teammates would keep him distracted long enough for me to see Eden and tell her I’d meet her at home.
I had big plans for tonight. I was going to tell her everything, Kristy was on standby in case I needed her to step in, I’d dug up all the paperwork to prove that I was telling the truth, and once we’d talked it out, I was going to ask Eden to move in with me.
“You okay?” Anton asked once Coach had finished his post-game talk. Members of the press corps were filing in.
He knew what was going on with my brother, though he didn’t know I was married, and now I wished I’d confided in him.
“Not even a little,” I muttered.
“You know I’ve got your back with your brother.”
“It’s a lot more complicated than just my brother.”
He gave me a weird look, but I shook my head since a reporter had just come up to us.
We spent the next fifteen minutes answering questions and mollifying the press before Lana escorted John into the locker room. I hadn’t seen him in about four years, and he looked older than I remembered. He was only three years older than me, but he looked at least ten years older. We had the same hair and eye color, similar features, and were the same height, but he’d put on at least forty pounds since I’d last seen him, and his hair had thinned a bit.
“Good to see you, John.” I reached out and gave him a quick hug.
“You were great out there tonight,” he said quietly, looking me up and down. “You’ve packed on some muscle too.”
“Thanks.” I nodded.
“I’ve just packed on the pounds, but Marissa’s a damn good cook, and I spend my days in front of a computer, you know?”
“You still look good,” I lied smoothly. “And it’s even better to see you. Hope the seat was okay?”
“Really good. Thank you.”
“So, uh, I’d like you to meet some of my teammates.” I made introductions to a few of the guys like Anton and Van, since I was closest to them, and they knew I didn’t have much of a relationship with my family.
Luckily, John was somewhat enthralled to be in a professional hockey locker room and seemed to be having a good time talking to my teammates. Most of the guys had started going back to the showers, but a handful had stuck around to entertain my brother, something I’d always be grateful for.
I was just about to send Eden a message to explain why I was going to be delayed when Van came over and whispered in my ear. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I just got a text from Daisy. Something happened and Eden is pissed. She said you need to get down there ASAP.”
I cut a glance at my brother, anger shooting through me.
What the hell had he done? Had he talked to her? Somehow figured out I had a girlfriend and gone out of his way to make trouble for me?
If he had, I was going to kill him.
I stalked over to where he was standing, hands on my hips as I glared at him. “What did you do?”
“What?” He looked genuinely confused.
“Did you meet my girlfriend and tell her about Kristy?”
His eyes widened. “Girlfriend? Decker, what are you talking about?”
“Don’t fucking lie to me.”
“If you have a girlfriend, it sounds like you’re the one who’s the liar.” He met my gaze without flinching, a familiar condescending look in his eyes.
“Oh, no,” I hissed, my fists clenched at my side. “You don’t get to talk down to me when I was the only one who had the balls to stand up to Jeffrey.”
His face paled a little.
“You were there. You know what he did, and you chose to keep quiet. You chose to perpetuate the lie to the whole fucking congregation, full of perverts and pedophiles. And that’s how you choose to raise your own family!”
“Don’t you dare talk to me like that,” John yelled.
“Like what?” I demanded. “Telling my truth? Not letting the past be swept under the rug. Do you do that too, Johnny boy? Now that you’re a deacon and an upstanding senior member of the congregation yourself? Do you leave your daughter alone with—” Before I could finish what I was about to say, his fist shot out, catching me in the jaw.
