Playoff King (Puck Battle Book 7), page 10
Rianne giggled. “Yeah, for sure. I’ll be back in a few days for the next game.”
“Too bad it isn’t sooner.” A breeze or something muffled the line, making it impossible for her to hear the rest of the conversation.
Sweat broke out across her brow and she leaned against the wall. Her teenage daughter was with a boy. Not a boy from her school, but a stranger she’d never met. This wasn’t the time to freak out she reminded herself. It could be harmless. Nevertheless, she wanted to crawl through the phone and see what was going on and who she was with.
“It was nice meeting you too. Bye. Hey, sorry. Mom are you still there?”
Her foot tapped against the tiles at a fevered pace. “Sure am.” She wanted to bombard her with questions about this young man but held back. “Should I order now or wait?”
“Anytime. I’m only five minutes out. We could share a brownie or anything chocolate sounds good to me,” Rianne answered.
The elevator doors opened, and she stepped on. “I might lose the call shortly, but I’ll see you soon. I love you.” As if on cue, she lost reception and dropped the call.
Once in the suite, she hugged her boys and smiled at her mom. No words needed to be said between them because her mother knew. A mother always knows when their daughters have been up to no good. A simple head nod was all she got, but it meant more than words. Her relationship with Luka wasn’t a secret she had to carry alone, and she had her mother’s support. She breathed easy until her daughter stepped in the door.
When Rianne joined them, she too seemed to be floating on clouds. The smile on her face and the dreamy look in her eyes definitely meant something. There were a few blades of grass in her hair, and Jill didn’t say a word as she picked them out. She kept the conversation generic, trying not to pry. Pretending she hadn’t overheard her talking with a boy took every ounce of her self-control.
Dinner came and went without so much as a peep about her after game activities. They were both keeping secrets, and she didn’t like that one bit. Even though Rianne hadn’t opened up, Jill considered the evening a win and one step forward in rebuilding their relationship.
She retired to her room after putting the boys to bed and watching a movie with the girls. The night was almost perfect. The only thing missing was Luka. He would have enjoyed the low-key evening and confirmed as much when she called him.
“Hotel’s never have enough blankets.” She stretched under the covers, tugging the sheets to her chin. The air-conditioning had turned on, freezing the room.
“If you were with me, you wouldn’t be cold,” he said.
“If we were together, you wouldn’t get any sleep and you need your rest,” she shot back.
He laughed. The deep rumble warmed her like a hug. “Do you think your girl will sneak out again? I don’t live far. You could—”
“Don’t tempt me,” she threatened. They’d decided it was best to spend the night apart, since he needed his rest and she had an early morning flight. “And I don’t think she will. She passed out on the couch and probably won’t move until sunrise.” She had filled him in regarding Rianne’s overnight walk, her conversation with a boy and her behavior afterward.
He asked a lot of questions. His interest and concern were touching. “Keep an eye on her while she’s in this city. Teenagers have been targeted lately.”
“What’s going on?” Her voice became a few octaves higher as she sat up.
“A bunch of kids got caught up with some bad men in a huge drug ring. They shut it down but didn’t catch all the masterminds. You probably have nothing to worry about since I’m sure the players are long gone.”
She exhaled and relaxed into the pillows. “My daughter doesn’t use, but I’ll watch for any signs. Because we’ve moved around so much, we’ve talked a lot about the type of people to avoid. I appreciate the heads up.”
“Sometimes the devil is tough to spot. Look, the sun will rise soon. If I can’t convince you to come to me, then I must say good night. I love you. Feels good to say. I’m glad we cleared the air.”
Her body sung as he said those three little words. She’d never tire of hearing them come from his lips. She’d never get enough of his lips. “I love you. Sweet dreams, Luka.”
Saying it back rolled off her tongue. No hesitation. She meant it. After Terry had ripped out her heart and stomped on the pieces, she’d thought she’d never love again. She’d resigned herself to being a single mom of three and had made peace with it. Luka was a game changer. On the ice and off it.
She fell asleep with his scent on her skin, giving her nothing but sweet dreams. The dead didn’t sleep better, which posed a problem since she woke up late. Their flight was scheduled for the crack of dawn and the sun hovered over the prairie horizon when she opened her eyes. Rushing was not a great way to start the day.
Luckily, they made it to the airport on time and returned home without issue. The flight provided ample time for her to figure out what to do about Luka and her new relationship. Hiding wasn’t an option. She no longer wanted to live a half life.
Terry deserved to know she’d moved on. She feared him finding out about her and Luka by some other source. As soon as they touched down in Quebec, she called and invited him to come over after his meetings. He agreed.
The last thing she wanted was to hurt him. Telling him she wanted the divorce had been hard, but explaining she’d fallen in love with another hockey player would be next to impossible. As she rehearsed her speech, her nerves accelerated. Sweat drenched her palms and dripped down her back. She dreaded the confrontation.
As she sat at the desk, she stared at the hockey mementoes. An old jersey from three years prior hung on the wall. Terry had been considering retirement that year. They’d been pregnant with TJ and weighing the options when the offer from Montreal came. She often wondered how different their lives would have turned out if he’d given up hockey. So many things might have turned out differently.
She shook her head, letting go of the past. It had held her back long enough. Terry wasn’t the same, and neither was she. The divorce papers sat on top of the desk, strengthening her resolve.
No matter how difficult the conversation ahead would be, she loved Luka. He was worth it. Being with him was like being at the top of a mountain. A rush with a beautiful view. How anyone could meet him and not love him seemed impossible to her.
“Dad’s here,” Wayne announced, poking his head in the office.
She followed her son and joined the rest of her family in the kitchen.
Terry looked like a ragged mess. His hair poked at all angles and he’d buttoned his shirt cockeyed. She’d never seem him so worn out.
“Is everything all right?” she asked, approaching his side.
“No. I took some hard hits yesterday and my shoulder is killing me,” he said, leaning over with his head pressed against the countertop.
Instincts took over, and she massaged his shoulders. Before she realized her actions, her fingers kneaded the tight muscles. It was out of habit and the moment he moaned, she regretted her decision. Not that touching him repulsed her, but it sent the wrong message.
“Are you icing it?” she asked, removing her hands and shoving them in her jean pockets.
“That helped. Thanks. I’m following everything the trainer says as usual,” he said, twisting his face towards her. He smiled, and the sweat returned to her palms. “I’ll survive.”
Yes, he would. He was strong and always rebounded. “Are you ready for tomorrow?”
He straightened, towering over her. “They got lucky. It won’t happen again.”
She nodded as the kids monopolized the conversation. They bombarded their dad with questions about the game and about what would happen after. He’d told them win or lose he planned to retire at the end of this season. With the Cup within reach, she doubted he’d follow through. She’d heard this song and dance from him too many times and it never happened. He was an exceptional hockey player. As long as they offered contracts, he’d keep signing.
After an hour of watching her family bond, she lost her courage. The timing wasn’t right, she reasoned. Terry needed to focus on playing his best. She didn’t want to be the cause if he lost. Instead of pulling him aside and announcing she’d met someone, she remained quiet and fixed a late lunch for the group.
“All right, your mom and I need a moment alone,” Terry said, patting Rianne on the back. “Go finish your homework. I’m sure you didn’t do it on the flight.” He sat back casually with his arm draped over the back of an empty, wooden chair.
“No fair. Wayne missed school too, and he gets to watch TV,” the girl protested.
“We’re letting you and your brother miss school to catch the games, but your grades aren’t allowed to suffer. That was our deal,” she reminded her.
Rianne huffed and left her alone with Terry at the kitchen table. They sat across from one another. His chair screeched as he stood and rounded the table.
She gripped the edges of her chair as he stared down at her. “What’s up?”
His smirk caused the hairs on her arm to rise. “You invited me over. Remember?”
“Right. I… wanted to make sure you are okay.” She looked away and knotted her fingers.
“Sounded important. I got the impression you had something significant to tell me.” His hand brushed against her shoulder. “Like you’ve come to your senses about us.”
She laughed, pushed her chair away from the table and out of his reach. “It had nothing to do with us. The only person who needs to accept reality is you. Sign the papers and we can get this one burden off your shoulders.” She hadn’t planned on pressing him for the divorce, but his behavior needed to be shut down for good.
He stepped towards her and leaned down, invading her space. “I’m not signing jack shit.” He reached for her and she slapped his hand away. “Why are you so hot and horny about getting divorced all of a sudden?”
“A divorce?” Rianne dropped the glass in her hand and it shattered against the tile.
Jill thought they’d been alone. This was not a conversation meant for young ears. She rose to her feet only to watch her daughter shrink away from her. “Baby, your dad and I—”
“Are not getting divorced,” Terry finished. “Your mom’s talking non-sense. It’s only a matter of time before I’m back home. You know I love her, and you guys more than anything. Don’t worry.” He kneeled and picked up broken shards of glass.
Rianne hadn’t moved an inch, but her eyes filled with tears. “Mom?”
He always made her look like the bad guy for ending things. She was so sick of it. “Actually…” Seeing the hurt and pain on her daughter’s face felt like someone had sliced her with a knife and twisted it in her guts. “You caught the tail end of a conversation. Please don’t cry.”
“That wasn’t a no,” she said through clenched teeth before running out the back door.
Terry disposed of the broken glass, tossing it in the trash. “I need to grab a nap. We’ll talk later,” he said and left through the same door.
Mission not accomplished.
Her relationship with Luka remained a secret, and she’d alienated her daughter. She slapped her palm against her forehead. That went horribly wrong. She hoped her next attempt would go better.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
T he playoff schedule left little time between games. Every other night the men would face off in a battle of willpower and skill. Luka had arrived with his team in the early evening. He’d asked to see her, and she couldn’t refuse. They planned to meet once she’d put the boys to bed. Sneaking out for a few hours required a babysitter since Rianne hadn’t returned home yet.
Her daughter’s reaction to the upcoming divorce hadn’t surprised her, but she’d hoped to break the news in a more diplomatic way. There was no good way to tell the kids their father would never be coming home. It would take time, but they would all heal. Still, Terry seemed hell-bent on making it more difficult than it had to be. He had to accept the change in their relationship was permanent.
“Mrs. Manor when do you think Rianne will be home?” the babysitter, Stephanie, asked. She lived three houses down and had watched the boys a handful of times since she’d turned thirteen. Since it was a school night, Jill had assured her she wouldn’t be out late.
Jill had no idea when to expect her daughter home, all her calls went unanswered. “She knows she has to be home by nine. I imagine I won’t be too far after her. You are welcome to stay and get paid until I return.”
“Cool.” Stephanie flipped her black hair over her shoulder and flopped onto the couch. After a short search for the remote, she turned on the TV. “I’ll decide when she gets here. You look pretty. Where are you going? Did you tell me already, and I forgot?”
Jill smoothed the wrinkles on her pencil skirt and smiled. “Thank you. I am meeting a friend for a drink. My cell phone number and all emergency contacts are posted on the board.”
Instead of meeting at his hotel, Luka had suggested they meet at a restaurant nearby. He wanted to take their relationship out of the bedroom. She respected his wishes, and agreed, but hoped she wouldn’t bump into anyone she knew. Wanting to go unnoticed, she’d straightened her curls and applied more makeup than usual. It wasn’t much of a disguise.
“Have fun.” Stephanie turned her attention to the television. “Easy night for me. The boys are sleeping, and I’ll be here if they wake.”
“Yes, and I’ll be back soon. Thanks again for coming on such short notice,” she said, grabbing her purse and slipping it into the crook of her arm.
Once in her car, she exhaled and stared at her reflection in the rear-view mirror. Heavy, black mascara and smoky eyeshadow failed to mask her nerves. “It’s normal to have butterflies. You will not throw up.”
Going for breakfast in Winnipeg with Luka had caused minimal anxiety. Spending time with him while in a different province was easy and risk free. The chance of bumping into people she knew was non-existent, but that was no longer the case. This date was a huge step in their relationship. She pressed her hands over her stomach and took several calming breaths.
The restaurant was a short drive from her home. Traffic was light, and she arrived in no time. Luka had told her he’d meet her there. The sun had set but the humidity lingered. She wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt before opening the door.
The wall of windows gave her a sneak peek inside, but she couldn’t spot him. She gave his first name to a hostess, who led her through the busy restaurant to a patio. When she stepped outside, her stomach dropped. Luka wasn’t alone. Her desire to keep their relationship discreet no longer mattered with a quarter of his NHL team sitting around the table with him. Many of the faces she recognized. One of the player’s she knew well. Benny Wilder had played with Terry before they were both traded. This was not good.
An urge to turn around and go home circled, but one look at Luka dismissed the possibility. He sat back in his chair, taking in the surrounding conversation, but not engaging. The chair next to him was vacant because he’d saved it for her. She squared her shoulders and stepped forward. Her heels clicked against the cobblestones, announcing her arrival.
She kept her eyes on him and his handsome face. When he saw her, he rose to his feet. The chair screeched, halting the conversation. She didn’t stop moving until her hand rested in his. The heat and comfort of his touch was all she needed.
He greeted her with a panty-melting smile. “Hello, my beautiful.” His lips grazed the side of her mouth.
“Hi,” she replied, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I thought we’d be alone.” The hug couldn’t last forever. Soon she’d have to face the group but being in his arms gave her strength.
“Later,” he said.
She smiled and let go. “I only have the babysitter for an hour.”
“Then let’s make the most of our time.” He turned her around to face the table and threaded their fingers together. “Everybody, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend.”
“Hello.” She waved her hand and cringed as her eyes connected with Benny.
His eyebrow rose, and his lips thinned. “Jill Manor.” Her name dropped from his lips as he crossed his arms over his barrel chest. “Does your husband know you’re here?”
“Ex-husband,” Luka corrected and pulled a chair away from the table for her to sit. “Jill was married to Terry Manor, but she’s with me now.”
The explanation was meant to squash the questions but made her sound like a puck bunny who bounced from one NHL player to the next. There were plenty of those women out there. She’d never considered herself like them. She’d been with Terry before he made it. His profession had never factored in on her decision to be with him, nor had it influenced her feelings for Luka.
“Like, the Terry Manor?” A pregnant woman with a French accent rubbed her belly and leaned forward. “Thirteen seasons in the league and Centerman with Montreal.”
The handful of men stared at her like she had two heads and the women seemed equally dumbstruck. “You know your hockey,” Jill replied, sinking in to the chair.
“I sure do. I’m Sylvie.” She reached across the table and shook her hand. The diamond on her ring finger sparkled. “His trade was a huge score for our team. We’re in Winnipeg now, but I’m from Montreal. I was so happy when we signed him,” she said.
Luka sat and covered her hands with his. “Sylvie is married to Martin, and she moved to Winnipeg only a few months ago,” he explained. “Both of their families are still in Montreal.”
She recognized the starting goalie instantly. His high cheekbones and slim nose belonged on the cover of magazines. His features were too pretty for hockey. He slicked his hand through his dark locks and smiled.
“It’s nice to meet you. The move was a big deal for us.” She squeezed Luka’s hand and crossed her legs. “Terry loves playing here. It’s a wonderful city. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a great move for my marriage.”
“I hadn’t heard about the break-up. Sorry,” Benny said, dropping his arms and placing one around the raven-haired beauty to his right.
