Page 10

CHAPTER 10

Caitlyn (Cat)

The team bus is nicer than what the other owner provided. This one has blankets, pillows and a fully stocked snack bar with sandwiches. I’m so tired from the last couple of nights I cuddle up next to the window and fall asleep.

Tatum and I are rooming together at the hotel. We both fall right back to sleep once we hit our room in Toronto. Despite some sloppy shots by Missy, we’re able to pull off a win Thursday night. Missy’s not our best player, but damn, she’s been bad even for her.

The next morning she’s noticeably missing from practice. Coach says she’s not feeling well and puts Steph in for drills. With the addition of Leslie and Steph the team already feels better. Teddie is more relaxed. We’re more united, a true team. No showoffs.

Clark grins from ear to ear. “That was a stellar practice, ladies. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s game. We’ll have a slight advantage because of our new players. Our opponents won’t be familiar with them, but it won’t be enough to count on. Plus, they’ll be gunning for us because they lost last night when they thought they had it. So rest up and be prepared. Dinner in the hotel restaurant is on me. Easy practice tomorrow morning.”

Tatum rushes me back to our room. “Hurry up. We’re going to the coffee shop next door. I was reading up on them and they have a couple specialty brews I want to try. I keep telling my boss we need to shake-up the menu a little at the coffee shop, but he won’t listen.”

By the time I’m ready Teddie, and Leslie have joined us, and Tatum is on the phone with Steph. Megan is begging off to get some sleep. She was studying for a test all week and wants to be good for the game. She’ll see us at dinner. “Yes, meet us in the lobby in five minutes.”

Disconnecting, she shoves her phone in her pocket. “Let’s go ladies.” Inside the coffee shop Tatum grabs the big semicircle booth in the corner and pulls a small notebook from her bag. “Okay ladies, you are helping me with research. We are going to get one of each of their specialty brews and analyze them.”

“It’s coffee, Tatum. It’s gonna taste like coffee.” Leslie frowns.

“There are nuances, notes, flavors. I need to know what you like, don’t like and if it needs to be stronger. Like if it has cherry overtones do they need to be more intense.”

“Why are we doing this?” Teddie asks.

Tatum releases her breath. “Because next summer I’m opening my own coffee shop.”

“What?” Leslie squeals. “OMG finally. This is something you’ve always wanted.”

“Wait,” Teddie interrupts. “Are you leaving the team?”

“Hell no. I’ll be the owner of the coffee shop. I’ll have staff to run the things while I’m away and when I retire it will be waiting for me.”

“I’m so happy for you, Tatum. So glad you’re going for your dream.” Leslie smiles.

Teddie looks at Leslie. “What’s your long-term dream after hockey?”

Her cheeks turn rosy. Clearing her throat, she looks us all in the eye. “I want to be a mom. Just a mom. Watch my kids, maybe someone else’s. Go to school and help the teachers. Join the PTA kind of mom.”

“There is no ‘just’ in being a mom,” Teddie says. “Raising responsible, involved children is one of the most important jobs.”

“What’s your dream, Teddie?” Leslie shoots back.

“My wife and I have a little farm. We raise sheep, organic crops, and honeybees. Currently we sell the wool and honey locally. She works at the antique store, and I’ll probably get a bookkeeping job in the area. It’s the town where we were raised, and we have family there. A chill life. We’re trying to adopt.”

“Steph you’re next,” Leslie prods.

“I’m going to play as long as I can. I already do the books for my dad’s body shop. When I’m done playing, I’ll probably pick up another client or two.”

“And you, Cat?”

All eyes turn to me. This is my dream, one I never expected to achieve. “This is all I’ve wanted since I learned to skate. Other than that, I’m kind of a day-to-day person.”

“Come on. There must be something else you want to do when this is over,” Teddie prods.

I shrug. “Once I found the game, all I’ve ever wanted to do is play hockey. Somehow be a part of it.”

Tatum covers my hand under the table and gives it a squeeze. “She’s going to be the career player. After she’s racked up ALL the awards, she’s going to teach little girls who love hockey how to be just as badass as she is on the ice.” She meets my gaze. “You have such a passion for the sport. You’re selfless on the ice. You encourage everyone and share everything you know. You’ll be perfect as a coach and mentor. The kids will love you.”

A dream? My dream? A career and kids to teach? Could it happen? Someone to love. Someone to love me. My hand trembles as I lift my cup to my lips.

“Somehow I knew we’d find you here.” I glance over my shoulder and get lost in Turk’s smile as Clark continues to speak. “The rest of the team are already in the restaurant and have ordered dinner. Would you ladies please keep the two of us company?”

“Sure,” Tatum says, “you are buying. Let me go pay our tab here.”

“It’s taken care of,” Turk cuts in.

“Thanks, Bro.”

Turk stays close to my side, making sure he gets the seat next to me. After we’ve all ordered, he offers me wine. “Thank you, but I don’t drink.”

He nods and passes the bottle down the table not taking any either. “You don’t drink?”

“Occasionally. But it’s not something I need, nor do I get drunk. I’m a surgeon and sometimes get called in on emergencies at the hospital. Having my head on right is more important to me.

“Clark raved about last night’s game. I can’t wait to watch you tomorrow. I also heard that Steph may be playing instead of Missy. How did practice go today?”

I glance across the restaurant. Coach is with the other half of the team. Missy and Baylor are at a private table for two with what looks like a Champagne bottle between them. Funny she was too sick to practice but is out drinking?

“Truthfully, it felt really good. Steph’s a team player, constantly watching what’s happening. We all just sort of blended perfectly. Almost like our moves were choreographed. I’m excited to see how we work in a game. Sometimes the nerves come out.”

“But when you’re clicking with your teammates that doesn’t last past the first couple of plays.”

“I forget you used to play. Why’d you quit?”

He takes a drink of his water. “My lower left leg was broken in two places the last game of my college career. I’d been signed by the pros but with the pins in my leg and the healing time required, they released me. I wasn’t worth the risk. Orthopedic medicine has come a long way since then.”

“Oh no. That must have been heartbreaking.”

“It took me a while to get over it. But I love what I do now, too. Being able to be part of this team is very satisfying. I love watching you play. You were made for the ice. How’d you get into hockey?”

These are the questions I hate. But my answers are well rehearsed. “My parents died and I ended up in foster care. My foster father coached hockey and taught me. I fell in love with it the first time I hit the ice.”

I don’t mention I was with teenage boys that resented the hell out of me when I was better than they were. I got more than my share of cheap shots, but I came away stronger than I’d ever been. With the knowledge that I was good at something.

“Want to walk off a little of this dinner,” he asks as we leave the restaurant. “The courtyard is enclosed. We can visit the koi pond and fountain. Thirty minutes. My sister will take that long in her bath. Does she still bring her own bubbles?”

I laugh. “Yes. She does like her late-night routine of bath, bubbles and three chapters of whatever romance book she’s reading. She says it’s her good luck charm.”

“Then by all means, let’s give her the time she needs.”

He slips his hand in mine and leads me into the enclosed garden. Heated with tropical flowers, greenery, a wandering romantically lit path, and trickling waterfalls, it’s a calming escape.

“We’ve never stayed here before. This is lovely,” I exclaim.

“It’s relaxing. With all the changes in ownership and teammates, Clark wanted to give the team a respite before the games. Our next few will set the tone for how ownership is judged and the team’s own peace of mind. But you can trust Clark to take care of the team and its members the same way going forward. He learned a lot of what to do and what not to do from his father’s time in the league. Besides. Clark is genuinely a good guy.”

“He seems like a really nice person. The team seems closer under him. Even Coach Parley seems more relaxed. I think the other owner had different priorities.”

“The other owner was bleeding the team dry for his gambling debts. You guys will have an honest shot with Clark.” He pauses and faces me. “You’re good, Cat. You’ve got mad skills on the ice, but you also have team and leadership abilities. That alone set you above a lot of the other team captains. Your instincts are good. Trust them.”

I struggle to swallow the knot in my throat from his words. “Th-thank you.”

“It’s true. I don’t lie.”

“Why are you here with me?”

“Because you’re smart, I like the way you play the game. And you’re beautiful.”

I shake my head. “No, no I’m not. I’m plain.”

“I disagree. I love your long, thick autumn colored hair, your big dark blue eyes. Your lithe body moves like a cat that owns the world it moves in. You’re a strong woman, Caitlyn.

“Your strength and beauty call to me. I’m not a player, Cat. It’s not my nature. I say it like it is. If I’m in, I’m in. I’m honestly attracted to you. I’d love to kiss you right now. But only if you’re interested in getting to know me.

“No coercion. No requirement because of my position on the team. This is just a man, attracted to a beautiful woman. No, means no. You control the puck.”

I’ve never been around a guy that wasn’t half douche or worse. Never had a relationship. Have never wanted a man, not like I want him. I lost my innocence a long time ago. Life is tough, you have to grab what you can when you can. I fist the front of his shirt. “Shut up and kiss me.”

He brushes his lips across mine, then comes back increasing the pressure, then the angle. Soon he groans. “Damn, even sweeter than I’d expected.”

Sliding a palm down to my hip, he cups the back of my head with the other to deepen our connection. His tongue teases mine oh so sweetly. I feel… worshiped.

His lips are gentle, warm as he steadily increases the connection. Each thrust of his tongue, nibble of his teeth increases the heat pulsing through me. I want… more.

The sound of children’s voices slowly penetrates our private encounter, and he pulls back. His heart races under my palm, his breathing is erratic.

“That wasn’t nearly enough.”

I agree.

Wrapping an arm over my shoulder he walks us back to the lobby and sees me to my room. “Get a good night’s sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”