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Chapter thirty

Silas

Happy New Year to me…

~ New Year’s Eve ~

I hate this. It’s New Year’s Eve, and we’re stuck in Dallas for a game against the Ranchers, then heading out early to Arizona for a night game with the Bighorns.

Which means I won’t get to see Minnie for another two days, and she’ll be spending her New Year alone.

I know she’ll most likely be with Morgan and Aubrey, but it still sucks.

We’re only in first period and I’m already over this game. The Ranchers are brutal and don’t play fair, meaning the penalty boxes are in full use tonight, and we still have two more periods to go.

The puck drops, and I grab it before their center can, shooting it off to Clay, who takes it down the ice toward their net. Greyson skates off on the right side as I stay close to Clay, knowing he’ll pass it back my way.

When our opponents rush over to Clay, he sends it back to me, and I pass it farther down the ice to Greyson, who’s closest to their net with more of an opening.

The second the puck hits his stick, one of their defensemen comes from behind and smashes into Greyson’s legs, sending him flying backwards to land hard on his helmet.

“WHAT THE FUCK!” I shout and skate off toward Ford still on the ground.

I barely make it halfway when I’m slammed to the side by another Rancher.

I fall over but regain my footing quickly, turning to face him right as his fist comes flying my way, but I manage to dodge it.

I send one back, knocking the side of his head, and from there, we’re at each other’s throats, rolling on the ice.

The fight only goes on for a few seconds before we’re pulled apart. The ref pulls me away, but the jerk doesn’t seem to care that it’s over. He gives a swing to my helmet, ripping it off my head, then punches me in the face and splits the skin over my cheekbone.

I fall back, my head smacking onto the ice. “FUCK!”

Back in my hotel room after the game from hell, I video call my girl. She picks up on the first ring as if she was waiting for me to call. “Hey, baby.”

“Oh, Sy. What have you done?” she says with a worried voice.

“It’s fine, this will heal in no time, and the headache is already fading. By the way, I didn’t do anything! I was only going to check on Grey.”

“I know, babe. We watched the game. I just hate seeing you fight, but I’m happy you got a few punches in, they deserved worse. How’s Greyson? Aubrey talked to him not long ago and claimed he was fine, but I wanted to check with you, too.”

“He’s fine, just a minor concussion. He’s lucky it wasn’t worse, just knocked him down for a second.” I set the phone up on the dresser, then grab my suitcase that’s resting in front of it and place it on the bed, staying in view of the camera.

“Oh, good! I was worried there when he didn’t immediately get back up.” I watch the tension leave her body as she smiles.

“What are you girls doing tonight?” I ask her while I go through my suitcase for a change of clothes.

“Nothing fancy. Just wine, movies, and girl time. Emma didn’t come since she was going to a New Year’s party with her boyfriend.

So it’s just Morg and Brey,” she tells me with a sad smile.

I know she misses her friend. Ever since Em started dating that lawyer, we don’t see her as much.

Cecilia still sees her at work, but it’s not the same. “You?” she asks.

“The guys convinced me to go out with them for a beer at the bar in front of the hotel, to celebrate winning a shitty game, the New Year, and my birthday. I wasn’t going to, but they practically tackled me down until I agreed. I just came in to change and call you,” I offer her a tiny smile.

“Good, I don’t want you staying in your room alone all night. Go out, have a bit of fun. You deserve it.” She regards me tenderly. God, I miss her. It’s only been one day, but I always miss her the minute I leave.

“I know, but I’d much rather spend my time with you.”

“I know, baby. I miss you, too. But you’ll be home soon, and then we have four days together before you have to leave again.”

Milo takes that moment to jump into the frame and lick the screen like he would lick me when I come home. It makes me laugh and warms my heart.

“I think Milo misses you, too.”

“Fuck it, I’m not going out. I’m gonna stay on the phone with you all night. I miss you too much.” I’m midway getting dressed but stop and sit at the end of the bed, facing the phone.

“No, honey. You’re going out with your friends. You’re going to have a good time, celebrate a little, then come home to me in two days, and we’ll spend every free moment in bed making up for lost time. Deal?” She gives me a seductive smirk, hinting at what will happen when I get home.

My erection instantly starts to swell in my sweats at the thought. “You have yourself a deal, wife. I’ll only have one drink, then come back to the room and call you at midnight. I promise.” I pick up the phone once I’m ready to go and put my room key card in my pocket with my wallet.

“Good, because there’s something I want to ask you later,” she says with the most beautiful smile and a slight blush on her cheeks. Hmm, now I’m curious.

“Ask me now.” I smile back.

“No, later. I’ll be waiting. I love you, Silas.” She blows me a kiss, love gleaming in her eyes.

“I love you, Minnie.” I blow her a kiss back and hang up.

I exit my room and make my way to the lobby, where Clay stands by the entrance door waiting for me. “I’m only having one beer because it’s your birthday, then I’m heading back to my room,” he says with a businesslike tone.

“Good, that was my plan, too. We’ll leave together,” I tell him as we make our way across the street.

The bar is more crowded than I’d like, puck bunnies everywhere you look just waiting to be the lucky pick for the night. It’s a typical sports bar, nothing fancy or remarkable about it. We look around and find the rest of the team in the back, occupying two circular booths and a few tables.

“There’s the birthday boy! We were starting to think you bailed and about to send someone up to get your ass,” Gabe shouts over the noise from the side of the first booth.

“Hey, doll. Can you get my friends a beer each?” He stops a waitress on her way back to the bar with his hand around her waist, and she turns our way with seductive eyes. It irritates me immediately.

She then looks back to Gabe and puts her hand on his biceps. “Of course, hun. I’ll be right back.” And then she runs off to get our drinks.

We sit down with the guys in the first booth, and a minute later, she returns and places my bottle in front of me, touching my arm with her other hand as she puts it down. “If you need anything, don’t be shy to let me know.” She winks and walks away.

“Ugh, this is why I don’t go out anymore,” I say, brushing my arm where her hand touched me .

“Oh, come on. Don’t be an old grump. Just because you’re married now doesn’t mean you still can’t have fun,” Greyson calls from beside Clay, who sits facing me, sipping his beer.

“I know I can still have fun. The difference is I don’t want to. I’d much rather be with my wife than in a bar with you idiots.”

“Fine, then since this may be the last time we convince you to come out with us, let’s do some shots,” Greyson says and flags down the waitress, ordering a round of shots for everyone. When they arrive, he passes me one, then Clay.

“Nope, I’m good.” Clay pushes the shot away with a grimace.

I look down at mine and debate doing the same. “Don’t you dare! You’re taking that shot. Come on, Hayes! It’s one shot, it won’t kill you,” Greyson says, pushing it closer to me.

I sigh heavily. “Fine. One shot, then I’m finishing my beer and leaving.” I point at him, making myself clear.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.” He nods and laughs as if he doesn’t believe me.

The boys cheer a ‘Happy Birthday’, and we all down our shots of tequila. From there the night goes well, everyone’s having fun, talking, laughing, some even dancing. I finished my drink twenty minutes ago, but we’ve been having a good time, so Clay and I haven’t left yet.

Every once in a while, some puck bunny hops up, shooting her shot in hopes to get lucky. For most, simply stating I’m happily married makes them leave, while others are a bit harder to ward off, but eventually they take the hint and leave, too.

“Here, baby. On the house.” A different waitress appears at my side, slipping a beer in front of me, then winks and sashays away.

I look down at the cold bottle, then up at Clay who frowns. “Time to go,” he says and stands.

I go to stand as well, but Greyson stops me. “Aw. Come on, man. You can’t let a good cold beer go to waste, and anyway, it’s not even midnight yet. You have time to drink it before the clock strikes midnight.”

I look down at my phone, seeing it’s only 11:35 p.m. He’s right, I could drink it fast and be back in my room in time to call Cecilia.

“Hayes, don’t be stupid. Let’s go,” Clay says sternly, nodding toward the exit.

“One more won’t hurt. Then I’ll head up. You can go if you want.” I reposition myself properly in the booth and take a swig of my beer.

Clay shakes his head in disapproval. “You’re an idiot,” he says, then turns his back to us and leaves the bar.

“Since you’re having another beer, let’s have another shot,” Greyson announces with a smile, getting cheers from all the guys.

“Asshole.” I laugh.

CECILIA

It’s 11:55 p.m. when I check the time on my phone. Morgan, Aubrey, and I have been drinking since five this evening. I think we’ve at least had a bottle of wine each, with a couple of shooters. I’m surprised we aren’t drunker than this, only a slight buzz, enough to feel good.

We’ve been dancing for the past hour while waiting for Silas and Clay to call. But now that it’s almost time, I’m excited. I miss my husband dearly.

Having him to myself all summer was perfect, and my mind forgot that it was only temporary. It’s okay though, soon I’ll get to see his handsome face fill my screen. And the day after tomorrow, he’ll be home with me again.

I light up my phone again, sitting on the couch while Brey and Morg keep dancing to a new pop song I haven’t heard before. 11:58 p.m., two minutes. My heart begins to flutter with exhilaration, and I can’t stop the smile from spreading on my face as I watch the digits on my phone change.

Milo hops up onto the couch and rests his head on my lap. “You excited to see Daddy too, bud?” He offers me a little whimper, then closes his eyes as I stroke his fur.

The distinctive sound of a video call coming in pulls my attention. I watch Morg as she squeals and jumps to her phone, answering quickly. “Happy New Year, my love!” she shouts into the phone, kissing the screen repeatedly.

Clay gushes over her, saying he misses her. How beautiful she is and that he can’t wait to kiss her. It makes me miss Silas even more. I turn my phone over and tap the screen. 12:02 a.m.

A knot forms in my stomach, and I know disappointment shows on my features when I see Aubrey looking my way with a sad smile.

“He’s probably just not paying attention,” she offers kindly. Yeah, maybe.

Morgan hangs up with Clay after a million ‘ I love you ’s’ and turns with the brightest smile I’ve ever seen, although it quickly vanishes when she sees my face. “He didn’t call?” she asks quietly.

A lump grows in my throat and all I can do is shake my head.

“Clay said Sy was still at the bar when he left... maybe his phone died and it didn’t turn back on in time. We’ll just wait it out a little. I’m sure he’ll call,” she says with a convincing smile. But I don’t feel it, and the more minutes that tick by without a call, the worse I feel.

Worry begins to creep in my bones the longer I wait.

What if something happened? What if he’s hurt or in trouble? It’s not like him to back out of his promises. No, it’s probably nothing. It’s just the wine talking, I’m being paranoid. He probably just fell asleep before he had time to call me. Yeah, that would make sense.

But the feeling growing in my gut tells me I’m wrong. I don’t understand it, but it’s like my body is trying to warn me of something. I just don’t know what...

It’s 1:15 a.m. when the girls finally head to their assigned guest rooms while I walk to my bedroom with heavy footsteps. My mind is going in a million different directions, and I don’t know what to think. I’ve texted, I’ve called, but nothing. No sign from him.

I plug in my phone and lie in bed, tossing and turning, looking at my phone, waiting for it to light up. For him to tell me he’s okay...

It’s 2:27 a.m. when I finally give up and close my eyes...

He never called.