Page 24

Chapter Twenty

Cole

“L ook who has graced us with his presence again,” Benson announces as he pushes his way through the locker room doors.

I eye him warily as I get closer, trying to see if there are any signs he might want to retaliate for what happened to Jensen as I get closer. But it’s all for nothing. Benson is the picture of ease. His duffle is swung over his shoulder, and a lazy smile appears on his face.

“I didn’t have much of a choice. Coach wants to talk to me.” I run my hand through my hair, a nervous habit I picked up over the years. “Cooper told me to go cool off before speaking to him. He was afraid there might be a repeat of what happened on the ice.”

No one needs to know that I finally unloaded years of baggage onto my brother and then left because I couldn’t handle my emotions. Instead of staying and having a conversation like an adult, I ran away like a coward, just like I did when I signed the deal with the Wolverines all those years ago.

I spent the last few hours driving around the city, really thinking about everything that Cooper said. He’s right about some things and wrong about others, but I don’t know if I will ever be able to forgive him for what happened to Dad. But I want to try to stop blaming him for what happened. Try is the important word in that sentence. If what he said was true, Dad’s number was up that day, whether he was sitting on the couch, watching TV with us, or on that mountain. It won’t be easy, and things won’t change overnight, but that’s okay.

“I can’t say I blame him. Jensen is lucky you didn’t take his fucking head off.”

“I have a reputation for being a hothead. Someone who acts and thinks about the consequences later.”

“We all heard you warn him to watch his mouth. It’s not your fault he chose not to listen.” His green eyes narrow slightly. “That fucker deserved everything he got. Although if it were me, he wouldn’t have been able to stand after I was finished with him.”

“That’s good to hear. The locker room in Boise had no qualms about disrespecting anyone, especially women. It always made my stomach turn.”

I can’t even count on my hands and feet how many times my ex-teammates gave me shit for telling them to stop being disrespectful. There is a line between poking fun and being disrespectful to the women that hung out around the arena, more interested in bagging their very own player than the game. I always thought to each their own, even having fun with a few of them after games myself. But I never disrespected or talked down to them. Momma raised me better than that. And there’s no way I’m going to stand for anyone else doing it either, especially not when it involves my girl.

Fuck. There I go again thinking of Michele as my girl, but I can’t say I’m not a fan of figuring out how to make her mine. We kissed and are more than likely headed in that direction, but we haven’t put a label on anything. At least not yet. And once she finds out what happened on the ice today, I wonder if she’ll ever want me to come near her again. Besides, she obviously lives here in Portland, and I’m doing everything in my power to get out of this godforsaken city as quickly as possible. Jensen is one of the front-runners of this season’s rookie class. Coach won’t want me going for Jensen’s throat every time he steps out of line, and there is no doubt he’ll do it again if given the chance.

Benson slaps me hard on the back, bringing my mind back to our conversation. “Chirping at each other is one thing, but disrespecting someone’s girl is something entirely different.”

“Michele isn’t my girl.”

“Sure, she isn’t. And I’m the Dalai Lama.” Benson repositions his duffle on his shoulder, his eyes pinning me in place. “You might not have put a label on it, but she’s yours. You practically pissed on her when you went after Jensen like that.”

“There’s no need to be dramatic, Benson. Anyone else would’ve done the same thing if the roles were reversed,” I respond, hoping that I’m not talking out of my ass.

“Sure. Keep telling yourself that.” Benson glances down at his watch, his eyes widening slightly. “I’d love to stay and chat, but I need to get going. The babysitter should be at my place in thirty, and today is my wedding anniversary.”

“Happy anniversary,” I respond with a smile as he jogs down the hallway toward the exit. I wait until he disappears around the corner before pushing my way into the locker room.

The locker room is practically empty, but that’s no surprise. No one usually sticks around after practice is done, emptying in waves—first the rookies, then the veterans, then a good chunk of the coaching staff. I’m sure Coach is still burning the midnight oil, watching films from the rookie players and critiquing all our performances at practice over the last few weeks.

I should head right to his office and learn my fate, but I find myself heading toward the training room instead. The minute I get to the door, I freeze, wondering why my brothers are still here and sitting next to Jensen, sprawled out on a training bench, deep in conversation.

“I don’t get why you three are making such a big deal about a piece of fucking ass,” Jensen groans as he swings his legs over the side of the training bench. “You need to keep your little brother on a leash, or he’ll cost us the season.”

“What makes you think that?” Beau questions, the tone of his voice sounding deadly.

“I’m the best rookie you got this season and the leading AHL scorer for the last two years. I won’t let the lesser Hendrix ruin my chances at the Cup because he doesn’t know how to share.”

“The fuck you say?” I growl, launching myself at Jensen for what seems like the millionth time today, but Beau stops me, wrapping his arms around my waist and spinning me around so his body is between me and him.

I try a few times to get around him and fail. Beau is a lot bulkier than Cooper and solid muscle. I’m not trying to injure myself just to prove a point to this asshole. Although judging by the look in my oldest brother’s eyes, he has plans on doing it for me.

“If anyone is the lesser anything, it’s you, Jensen.” Cooper reaches out to help Jensen stand, gripping his arms around his biceps tightly enough to bruise.

“Ease up, Cooper. That shit fucking hurts.”

“Good.” Jensen’s eyes swing from me to Beau, likely trying to figure out what is happening here, but he doesn’t say a word. Good on him. The last thing I want to do is bust his lip again after the trainer did such a great job of sewing it up.

“You are on borrowed time, Jensen. I would think twice before crossing any of us. We are your team captains, and Cole is our brother. We will always have his back.”

“Even when he does dumb shit like start a fight with a promising rookie right in front of the coach.” Beau chuckles, wrapping his arm around my throat and pulling me down for a noogie.

He manages a few passes before I pull from his grasp, standing up straight. “Thanks, Beau.”

“What? It was fucking stupid.” He shrugs before turning his attention to Jensen. “But that’s besides the point. Keep our family’s names out of your mouth. The ass-beating Cole gave you will be nothing compared to what we will do to you. You’ll be lucky if you can get a job selling tickets at the arena when we are finished with you.”

“All this for a fucking puck bunny? I swear, the bitch must have a pussy of gold,” Jensen mutters, and I lunge forward again, this time clocking Cooper in the jaw.

“Stop fucking talking before we let him kill you. Also, pack your trash. You’re out of here.” Cooper releases his arm, shoving him toward the door. Jensen stumbles, falling flat on his back, the three of us towering over him.

I lean down slightly so we’re at eye level, needing him to know I mean every word coming out of my mouth. “Please open your mouth again. Say something about Michele again, and I will end your miserable existence on this earth. No one will stop me from getting to you. There will be nowhere for you to hide that I can not find you.”

“And we will help,” Beau responds from somewhere behind me, and I know he means it. It seems my mild-mannered brother, who always avoids conflict, has reached his breaking point.

“Do you understand?” I ask, needing to hear his response.

Jensen nods his head, his eyes wide with what looks like a combination of shock and a little fear.

“Use your words like a big boy, Jensen.”

“I understand.”

“Glad we had this talk.” I smile, grabbing him by the front of his shirt and hauling him to his feet.

“What do you three think you are doing with my patient?” I spin around, almost dropping Jensen back to the ground, to find Michele standing just outside Parker’s office.

My brain short-circuits as I stare at her, my eyes drinking her in. Even standing to her full height, she barely comes to the center of my chest, but she doesn’t back down. Her hands are balled into fists and pressed into her voluptuous hips. Her long, jet-black hair cascades down her back in soft waves, now free from the confines of her high ponytail from earlier, and she’s dressed in sleek, form-fitting athletic leisure wear—high-waisted leggings and a cropped green hoodie that hugs her comfortably, accentuating every curve of her body. Fuck, she’s gorgeous.

“Didn’t your momma tell you it was impolite to stare?” she asks, her eyebrows raised in challenge, causing my brothers to snicker loudly from behind me.

“She did,” Cooper responds for me, smacking me hard on the back. “But you’ve apparently struck him speechless.”

“Laying it on thick, aren’t you?” She strides toward us, every movement of her hips ensuring I remain under her spell. “But you still haven’t answered my question.”

“Jensen said he wanted to grab some food. We figured he wasn’t cleared to drive home, so we offered to take him to get some food. If you and Parker are okay with it, that is?”

“Why do I feel like there’s more to the story than that?” Michele asks, her eyes still locked with mine, imploring me to tell her what’s going on.

“Because you have half a brain,” Jensen grumbles before groaning loudly and bending at the waist.

“Are you all right?” She leans to the side to get a better look at him, but I step in her way.

I can barely keep it together as is. If Jensen makes one comment about how fucking gorgeous she is, I will end him right here in front of everyone and have fun doing it.

“Fine. Just ready to get out of here. Can I go?”

“I have to check with Parker to make sure he’s okay with it, but I don’t see why not.” Her eyes flick over my head to one of my brothers. “Can he stay with one of you tonight? I want him to be woken up periodically just to be safe.”

“Sure. No problem. They’d be happy to help,” I respond, without even bothering to turn around and ask them if it’s okay because, honestly, I don’t give a fuck. They could drop him on the side of the highway for all I care, as long as he is nowhere near me or Michele for the foreseeable future.

“Beau would love to watch over him,” Cooper responds. “Cole and I have to meet with Coach before heading out and have a little chat about what happened at practice today.”

Cooper is coming with me? That’s news to me, but I’ll allow it. I’ll do almost anything to make sure I can stay here and close to Michele for a little while longer.

“I hope you two aren’t in any trouble,” she whispers, looking up at me from beneath her lashes and turning me to complete goo.

“Nah. He’ll be just fine.” Beau throws his arm over my shoulder and winks at Michele. A possessive growl bubbles up my throat, and he laughs loudly. “I don’t know about you, but I’m beat. Let’s get Jensen some food and into bed. Are there any specific things I need to look out for?”

“Just wake him up every few hours. If he’s groggy, that’s fine, but if he slurs his words or anything like that, call us or take him to the emergency room,” she responds, her eyes never leaving mine.

“Don’t you want to check with Parker before we leave?”

“Oh, right!” she squeaks, her cheeks turning a delicious shade of pink. “I’ll be right back.”

She spins on her heel and practically runs toward Parker’s office, knocking softly on the door before entering.

“I hate to see her go, but I love to watch her leave,” Beau says as I spin around and sock him right in the stomach.

“You have a death wish, too, apparently.” Cooper chuckles and throws Jensen's arm over his shoulder, giving him some support. “Let’s get this asshole into your car and back to your place.”

“Wait. Why my place?” Beau coughs, his arm still wrapped tightly around his waist. “Can’t I just take him home?”

“Because you heard what Michele said. Someone needs to watch him and make sure he doesn’t die. I have to go to the Coach's office with this one and make sure he doesn’t make things worse. He also needs to know the shit Jensen was saying about Michele.”

“He’ll be gone for sure,” Beau responds, grabbing Jensen’s arm from Cooper and throwing it over his shoulder.

“Is it really that serious?” I question, my head swiveling between my two brothers. “He was disrespectful toward Michele for sure, but should he really be sent back to the AHL for that?”

Beau chuckles, rubbing his opposite hand across the back of his neck. “You have no room to ask if it’s serious after you just threatened to end his life for looking at her.”

“Says the guy who almost broke Crosby’s ribs last season for calling Alise a puck bunny.”

“He did what!” I shout, my head turning toward Parker’s office to make sure Michele is still inside. “And he’s still alive?”

“Only because we needed him for the playoffs.” Beau rolls his eyes, turning to head toward the door, Cooper and I following close behind him.

“Fair. Not that I’m complaining, I just didn’t know Coach would care so much.”

Beau and Cooper share a look before Cooper shakes his head slightly. “You have no idea.”

“Are either of you going to share your creepy, silent conversation with the class?”

“Nah. You’ll find out soon enough.” Beau gives us both a mock salute before pushing through the locker room doors. Both doors swing back and forth before closing.

“I haven’t missed your cryptic messages one bit.” I roll my eyes at Cooper as we turn in the opposite direction.

“Better get used to it. If either of us has any say in it, you’re going to be around here for a very long time.” He smiles brightly, patting me hard on the back as we turn down the hall, heading toward Coach’s office. One problem solved; one more to go.

It’s no surprise that Coach is waiting for us in his office, his eyes glued to the computer screen. I knock softly on the door to get his attention. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Coach.”

“Don’t lie, Cole. I despise liars,” he deadpans, his eyes focusing on Cooper before returning to mine. “Did you bring the cavalry to plead your case? If so, you can save it. You were out of control at practice today. I’m within my right as coach to kick you off the team.”

“I completely understand, sir.”

“But you won’t. Besides, don’t you think kicking him off the team completely is a little excessive for a first offense, Coach?” Coopers strolls into the office, the picture of calm, while I’m a panicking mess on the inside.

“First offense, huh?” Coach raises his eyebrow at me in question, asking if I’ve told Cooper about what happened in Boise, and I shake my head. Thankfully, Coach doesn’t say a word, only motions for me to take the other seat next to Cooper. “It seems you’ve already decided on a punishment for your brother, Cooper.”

“Not exactly. You have the right to punish him however you see fit. Fine him, suspend him for a few games at the start of the season, or even kick him off the team.”

Thanks for putting ideas into the man’s head, big brother. I thought you were here to help, not sabotage me before I even have a chance to say something on my behalf. “But I assumed you’d want to have all the facts before deciding.”

“Why do I feel a sudden sense of déjà vu?”

“Because you should. This isn’t the first time we’ve had a conversation like this.” Cooper chuckles, running a hand through his hair. “I believe it was one of my first practices back before the playoffs.”

Coach’s brow scrunches as he tries to remember whatever Cooper is talking about until it looks like a light bulb went off in his head, but instead of the memory helping him relax, it does the exact opposite.

“Tell me exactly what was said that made you go after Jensen,” he growls, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the edge of his desk

Cooper opens his mouth to respond, but Coach shakes his head. “Not you. I want to hear it from Cole’s mouth.”

“I know I shouldn’t have gone after a teammate, Coach, no matter how provoked and justified my actions were. I need to work on using my words before my fists.”

“What do you mean, provoked?”

Ah, now I understand what Cooper was getting at earlier. Especially after noticing the gold wedding band on Coach’s left hand. He has a wife and potentially children. I don’t know much about him other than he’s married, but I doubt he will stand by for the vile things Jensen was saying on the ice today about Michele. Not only is she a female, but she is also a valued employee of our team. There must be different rules that apply to any conduct toward her because of the potential for sexual harassment lawsuits. The last thing he would condone is being disrespectful to women.

“We were chirping at each other during practice. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but when we were in the huddle, Jensen went too far and needed to be taught a lesson. It not only bothered me, but Benson, as well.”

“And he told you this?”

I nod my head, sitting up straighter in my chair. “Yes. I ran into him on my way back inside, after going to cool off like Cooper suggested before coming back to speak with you.”

I’m hoping to leave it at that. Giving Coach just enough information to know what Jensen said and that there are other members of the team who aren’t okay with it, but he doesn’t let it slide. I suddenly feel more like I’m in the principal's office instead of talking to my coach. He must be more worried about potential sexual harassment charges than I originally thought.

“What did he say that had you flying off the handle like that?” Coach’s voice is calm, devoid of all emotions, but his body language says something else entirely.

I can see the muscle in his jaw twitch as he fights to keep his cool. Now I’m wondering who he’s angrier with: me for starting a fight on the ice during practice, or Jensen for the foul things he said. I’m sure I can ask him, but I’m not sure I want to know the answer.

“He made several highly inappropriate comments about Michele, the new team physiotherapist. I tried to ignore him, but he kept pushing, and I lashed out.”

Coach clenches his eyes shut before spinning around in his chair, giving us his back. I chance a glance at Cooper, and he shakes his head, murmuring, “Tread lightly.”

Tread lightly? What the hell is that supposed to mean? I don’t intend to tell Coach exactly what was said, mostly because I don’t want to repeat it. But if he keeps pushing, I don’t know if I even have a choice.

Much to my chagrin, Coach keeps pushing. “What did he say? Exactly .”

“Coach, I don’t think—” Cooper begins, but Coach spins around in his chair and stands quickly.

The desk chair slams into the wall behind him with a loud thud as he plants both his hands on the center of the desk, leaning menacingly toward us. Coach is about the same height as the two of us, so his nose is only inches away from ours. His eyes focus on me, his teeth clenched. “You don’t get paid to think. Tell me what he said now, Hendrix.”

I don’t hesitate this time, having a feeling that Coach won’t let this go until I tell him exactly what was said. No dancing around it or trying to be respectful about how I phrase things. There is a time and place for things like that, and apparently, this isn’t one of them. I take a deep breath and tell him exactly what he wants to hear.

“He said that if I was going to claim her as a puck bunny, which I have no intention of doing, that I need to be prepared to share.”

A deep and guttural growl slips through Coach’s clenched teeth, and he clears the desk, using his arms. “I’m going to kill him!” Coach shouts as he picks up the coffee mug, which I thought was empty, off the end of his desk and chucks it against the wall a few inches from my head.

It takes everything in me not to flinch at the sound of ceramic shattering against the wall, liquid from inside the cup spraying across the back of my hoodie and the floor.

My head turns to my left toward Cooper, my horror at what the hell just happened probably written all over my face. “What the fuck just happened?”

He doesn’t seem the least bit surprised, leaning casually in his chair with his arm resting on the back of it, the picture of ease, while I’m currently sitting here trying to figure out what to do next. “That’s seriously the one you went with?”

I shrug my shoulders, my eyes flicking to Coach as he mutters something under his breath. “I figured this was a go big or go home moment. I honestly was trying not to repeat any of it if I could help it, but he kept pushing the subject. I had to tell him something.”

“You couldn’t have gone with, It was too inappropriate to repeat, or something like that? We’re definitely going to need to keep Coach the hell away from Jensen for sure now.”

“You two don’t move a muscle. I’ll be right back,” Coach bellows as he comes around his desk and heads for the door. He pauses for a moment, turning his attention to us, still rooted in our seats. “Where is he?”

“Gone. Beau took him back to his place. Parker wanted someone to stay with him and watch for worsening concussion symptoms.”

“Good thinking, getting him out of the building before speaking to me.”

“We didn’t want to have to bail you out of jail.” Cooper shrugs as Coach nods his head and continues out the door, pulling it shut behind him.

Cooper and I sit in the office in silence, my mind racing as I try to make sense of what just happened. “Why the hell did Coach react so strongly to what was said? I get that there’s definitely the potential for a sexual harassment lawsuit against the team if Michele ever finds out the vile things that were said, but something tells me she’d give it back just as much as she got, from Jensen or anyone else on the team.”

Cooper chuckles with a shake of his head. “You’re right, but that’s not the point.”

I doubt that Coach Mercer, one of the most even-keeled coaches in the entire league, is prone to outbursts like this without a reason. Hell, I don’t think I’ve even seen him yell at a referee after a stupid call during a game or even gotten a technical foul before. Unlike my old coach on the Wolverines, Spencer Chase, who hired two extra assistant coaches last season just in case his temper continued to get the best of him, which it did, frequently.

“I have to be missing something because Coach’s reaction doesn’t make sense.”

“A lot, but it's not my information to tell.”

“That’s fucking bullshit, Coop. What the fuck is going on here? Haven’t we had enough problems with all the secrets between us?” I fight to keep my anger under control, the need to lash out and break something burning its way through my veins.

Damn, that was a low blow, even for me. But I have two choices: convince Cooper to tell me what the fuck is going on or beat the shit out of him. This is not the time to beat the shit out of my brother, especially when I’m in the coach's office for fighting with a teammate during practice.

“Honestly, I’m surprised you haven’t fucking figured it out yourself after all this time.” Cooper runs his hand through his hair. “But Michele is…”

The slam of the door against the wall interrupts him as Coach storms inside. He doesn’t say a word, just grabs his desk chair and pulls it closer to his desk before taking a seat. The desire to ask Coach what his relationship with Michele is burns the tip of my tongue, but I keep my mouth shut. I do not have a death wish. This man holds my entire future in his hands. I’m not doing anything else to piss him off, at least for now. I’m sure there will be something in the future, but that's future Cole's problem.

“A $10,000 fine and a one-game suspension to be fulfilled whenever he is cleared by training to play. No matter what game it is. I don’t give a fuck if it's the Stanley Cup finals. He won’t be playing.” Coach exhales loudly, running his hand down his beard. “He’ll still suit up for all games, and we will keep this between the three of us.”

“Don’t you think that's a little much?” Cooper quips, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the edge of Coach’s desk.

“Last time I checked, that door still says Coach Mercer on it, not Coach Cooper.”

“For now, but you know I’m right,” Cooper responds, not backing down.

The two men have a silent conversation as if I’m not even here, and it is driving me insane. I want to lash out and tell them both to fuck off. That I’ll take the punishment with a smile as long as I can remain on the team, but that won’t do me any good. Especially not with Coach in the mood that he’s in right now. The man hates me. If I even open my mouth without being spoken to, I can ruin everything. I know letting Cooper handle everything is the right thing to do. The problem is that I fucking hate every minute of it.

“Ten-thousand-dollar fine and he has to take part in the Big Brother program this season,” Coach counters.

The fine I can handle, but being forced to hang around with a kid I barely know is out of the question. I’m having trouble keeping myself together right now as is. I’m probably the least qualified person to mentor a child about how to navigate life. Fuck, my big brother is sitting next to me, handling my problems for me so I don’t fuck them up again because of my temper.

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, Coach.”

Coach looks at me for the first time since he came back into the room, his face contorted in disgust as he eyes me warily. “Did I ask you to think, Cole?”

“No, sir.”

“Well, how about you sit there and keep your mouth shut. The adults are talking.”

My hands tighten on the arms of the chair, my anger growing exponentially with each word that escapes from his lips, but I don’t move a muscle. Cooper must notice the change in my demeanor before he places a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.

“Thanks, Coach. We appreciate it.” He smiles before grabbing my arm and pulling me from my seat. “We will leave you to finish what you were doing.”

I don’t say a word, keeping my eyes focused on the ground as Cooper pulls me toward the door. I know I should thank Coach for not kicking me off the team, but I can’t bring myself to say anything. With how I’m feeling right now, Lord only knows what I might say, probably making matters even worse.

“Cole. Stay. We have some other matters to discuss.” I turn around, eyes locking with Coach, his face once again completely devoid of emotions. “Cooper, I’ll see you tomorrow during training. Let Beau know to have Jensen back here bright and early tomorrow so he can clean out his locker.”

“Will do,” Cooper responds, his eyes flicking toward mine before releasing my arm and making his way out the door and turning toward the main part of the locker room.

“I just have to make another call, and I’ll be back to finish our conversation,” Coach says before following Cooper out the door, leaving me alone, waiting for his final verdict.

Coach told Cooper I would get off with just a fine and some community service, but something tells me that is the least of my worries.