Page 23

CHAPTER 23

Charlie

Sophie

Look…

Me

Is that what I think it is?

Sophie

Do you think it’s the article announcing your relationship? Because if so, then yes!

I slept like shit last night, for probably more reasons than one. I couldn’t stop thinking about everything that happened at the ballet, and if that’s how I feel after one fake date with Cami, I’m not sure I’m going to come out of this unscathed. I promised her we would remain friends on the other side of all of this, and I have to keep that promise.

My feelings after just one night out with her are scaring me, if I’m being honest. I know I have to maintain the boundaries we have set in place, but I was slightly disappointed when she declined my offer to walk her up last night.

Nothing would have happened, obviously, but I wasn’t ready to leave her just yet. I just wanted to be around her, and that is so confusing to me that it’s frustrating. I had to spend an hour on the treadmill when I got home just to wear myself out enough to sleep.

I mindlessly scroll through the press releases on my phone, looking at the pictures of the two of us. I am shocked when I see the first one. We are about half way from the car to the door, and Cami is a few steps ahead of me. My hand is on her lower back as I lead her forward into the building, but she has her head turned and she’s looking back at me. It’s a stunning photo of her. Her big blonde waves swish as she turns, and her eyes are wide and looking right at me. The smile on her face is eager and bright. She looks like she’s smitten with me, and I’m blown away at how good she is at all of this.

Cami is someone who goes on dates often, but never has a boyfriend. She can’t seem to find someone she likes enough to make things official, so it’s a bit of a revolving door with her when it comes to men. There’s nothing wrong with that, and I’ve hopefully never given off the impression that I ever judged her for it. It’s paying off now, though.

I roll my eyes at the headline “Mysterious Hockey Hottie Charlie Cade Spotted with a Gorgeous Woman.” At least they got one thing right, she did look gorgeous last night. I scroll through the article, skimming the words for the third time, and take a deep breath. This is really happening; we’re really doing this. My phone buzzes with an incoming text.

Sophie

Good work last night. Things are looking good so far, lots of positive press. Keep it up.

Me

I don’t really have a choice at this point, do I?

Sophie

You can’t tell me you didn’t enjoy yourself. It’s written all over your face in these pictures. Hers too.

Me

We were faking.

Sophie

Riiiight.

I toss my phone down on the side table and slowly sit up in bed, stretching my arms and groaning as I do. I won’t be playing hockey much longer if my aches and pains have anything to say about it. I’m nearing the end of my time in the sport, approaching my thirties, and depending on how long my body will let me play determines when I retire. If I could guess, I think I have another two years, maybe three. The length of this one last contract hopefully, if I can swing it.

I shower and throw on some sweats before making my way into the kitchen to eat breakfast. We play Seattle tonight, and I have to meet with Coach before the pregame skate, so I need to head out pretty soon if I’m going to get to physical therapy and the gym before that meeting.

“Here’s your breakfast, just like you like it.” Giovanna places the plate down in front of me, then turns her back to me as she goes back to cleaning up.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Who else is going to do it?” she asks as she gives me a look, raising one eyebrow. Giovanna is a woman in her sixties who has been my chef for the last few years. She’s a pain in my butt, always nagging me about this and that, but she means well.

“I don’t know, I can see if cleaners can come by today. I just feel bad making you do it when you do so much.”

“Charlie, caro mio, cleaners do not need to come to wash the one pan and few dishes we used for breakfast,” she says in her thick Italian accent. “I will clean it. It’s no trouble for me. You just eat and get focused on your game tonight.”

I shake my head in defeat and eat quickly, then take a few moments to drink my protein shake while I scroll through the photos again. I just can’t help myself.

“Oh, why are people taking photos of you and Ms. Cami?” Giovanna asks, peeking over my shoulder. “That is not normal?”

“It’s not, you’re right. Cami is um—” I rub the back of my neck anxiously as I wrack my brain for words to describe what’s happening, then decide to just come straight out with it. “She is pretending to be my girlfriend.”

“Scusi?”

“Sophie thought it would help my public image if I was dating someone who was charming and beautiful. I asked her. It’s not a big deal.” I stand and start to gather my things so I can head out, but she stops me with a hand on my arm.

“What do you mean not a big deal? This is a big deal. She is your best friend and you better not hurt that sweet girl. Do you hear me?” My eyes widen at the passion behind her voice. I understand her concerns, I have them myself, but I didn’t expect her to be this outspoken about it.

“I promise I won’t hurt her. She knows what this is and has agreed to help me if I help her in return. It’s all going to be okay, but I really do have to go, I’m sorry.” I lean down and kiss both of her cheeks before turning and heading out the door.

A little while later, I pull up to the stadium and make my way inside. As I approach the doors, my phone begins ringing in my hand. Glancing down, I see it’s my dad and hit ignore. He normally doesn’t call before a game, only after to critique me, but whatever he has to say I don’t want to hear it. It still baffles me how my parents remember to call me multiple times a week, but can’t seem to pick the phone up for my sister. Granted, all they want to talk about is hockey, but still.

I make my way to Coach Smith’s office, and knock twice on his open door before heading inside.

Richard Smith had a stunning record in high school—250 goals and 65 assists—and the Toronto Maple Leafs snatched him up when he was eighteen. He played for them for the majority of his career before being traded to the Rangers and finishing out his time playing there. After he retired he took a few years off, but got a call when the previous Rangers coach retired. He took the spot after him and has been coaching for seven years now. His first year was my first year, and I think that’s created an unspoken bond between us.

“Come on in, Cade, take a seat.” He gestures to the chair sitting in front of his desk. I sit and place my bag down next to me.

“How are you, sir?”

“I’m doin’ well. How about you?” He leans back in his chair and places his ankle on his opposite knee, the picture of relaxation. I’m not exactly sure why he called this meeting, although I can speculate it has something to do with the press release considering it showed up on my calendar just this morning.

“Good. Going to hit up physical therapy before the game tonight so I should be good to go.”

“I heard you went out with the boys a few games ago. I was glad to hear it.”

He has talked to me before about how I need to be more involved with the team, so this is probably a long time coming for him.

“It was nice. I’m trying to get to know them a little better.”

“It’s about damn time. You’ve been a part of this family for seven years now, son.”

“I know.” I look down at my feet, unable to hold eye contact as I speak the sentence. “I have a hard time connecting and trusting people but…I’m trying to change that.”

He just stares at me for a beat. The silence goes on so long, I eventually look up at him to see if he’s waiting on me to say more.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that,” he eventually says. “Was also glad to hear you seem to have yourself a girl.”

My cheeks grow warm and I take a deep breath in, trying to ease the churning in my stomach. Lying to the world? I can handle that. Lying to my coach? That feels a lot different. He is like a dad to me, especially since mine is so shitty. It feels like a huge act of betrayal to lie to him, but I don’t really have a choice.

“Yeah, you remember Cami? She’s usually around. My sister’s best friend.” He nods his head in understanding and sits forward, placing his elbows on the desk and steepling his fingers.

“I remember her, nice girl. I’m proud of you, kid. This is good for ya. I always worry you’re too isolated out there in that big apartment with no one to share it with. You hanging out with the boys and going out with your girl makes me happy. As long as you keep your head in the game.”

“Yes, sir. Don’t worry about that, I promise my game won’t suffer.”

“That’s what I like to hear. You go get ready for tonight, and I’ll see you out there.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I breathe a sigh of relief as I stand and make my way back to the locker room, thankful that the meeting went well enough. This entire situation is a lot, but so far, so good.