Page 4 of For Puck’s Sake (Seattle Vipers #2)
THREE
RIDLEY
Baby Sis: Where are you?
Me: Coffee o’clock, Lia. Indulging myself in the offseason. Why?
Baby Sis: Code Red, Rid. I think you need to pull over for this.
I panic. Looking around at the cars on either side of me I dictate another message to my phone as I try to pull over somewhere. A Code Red is not to be taken lightly. It is essentially the bat signal, letting me know some kind of crazy fuckery is afoot.
Me: Please tell me you’re not pregnant. (smiley face emoji)
I am joking, attempting to make light of the impending drama I have a creeping feeling is about to land in my lap, but when Lia doesn’t reply right away—well, shit. I find an opening, the perfect parking spot a few blocks away from my favorite coffee shop and park my Aston Martin DB11 next to the curb. The Lazy Brew isn’t far from my penthouse but walking there during the peak summer season will get me hounded in the streets by fans. Since our Stanley Cup win, I’ve spent most of my time out of the public eye. Seattle seems to still be in celebratory mode, and if any one of us is spotted, the entire city wants to know. I’ve been sequestered in my penthouse, with the occasional dinner at my sister’s place.
With my newfound determination to reclaim what was once mine, I’ve been celibate for months. Not a puck bunny in sight. I’ve stayed out of the press because when I get my chance to be in Brea’s presence, I want there to be nothing standing in the way of making amends. I want her to see the man I was before, not the fuckboy I became. I ripped my own heart from my chest in order to protect myself from the pain caused when she walked away from us. In hindsight, I didn’t fight hard enough to keep her, fool me. But I will fight for us now. It’s been months since Lia’s birthday and the opportunity hasn’t presented itself yet. The small glimpse of her during the Stanley Cup Final didn’t give me any chance to talk to her. Brea had abandoned her seat next to Lia before the confetti cannons had erupted in celebration. She stayed for me, I knew it, and the tiny gesture gave me the one thing I thought I would never truly feel again: hope. With hope, there’s possibility, a chance, and I’ve held on to it like it’s my lifeline. I guess in a way it is.
Baby Sis: No . . . What? Never mind. This isn’t about me at all. You know what, I will send you the link. Rid, this is bad, really bad.
Me: Okay . . .
I hang my head, wanting to bang it against the steering wheel, but stop myself and the unnecessary pain it will cause. I need a clear head, not a self-induced concussion. Well, hell. Here we go. I climb out of my car, lock it and make it to the sidewalk just in time for my phone to chime with another incoming message from Lia. I stare at the link for a moment, my thumb hovering over the screen. I immediately begin to rack my brain for anything recently that would constitute as bad, but I’ve not been out in months. I’ve been Motherfucking Teresa. Deciding to snatch the band-aid off, I press the link. A podcast audio clip pops up on the screen and a very familiar, very annoying voice filters through the phone.
Podcast recording:
“It’s your girl coming at you from my new podcast. Hockey HomegurlHattie on Ice. By the way, a big thank you to all my bunnies for all your support. They tried to silence your girl but now I am the master of this ship, bringing you the gossip on all things hockey on my own terms. So, let’s jump right into the hottest news of the summer. It seems your favorite hockey couple we love to hate is getting married. That’s right, Tor Bailey is marrying Jaz, wait, excuse me, Alexis Rhodes. #sticktoonename. No news on when the upcoming nuptials will take place, but you know I will keep my ears to the streets. It’s officially wave goodbye to the captain of the Vipers, ladies, he is off the market. I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll hear from the couple, and I’ll be here to give you all the tea.
In other news, I’m literally screaming into my pillow, bunnies. It seems our other favorite Viper, Forward, fuckboy and hottest hottie of them all is having a baby folks. Stop the press. Don’t go past Go bunnies. #sayitaintso. I know what you are thinking. #WHAT? #WTF? Well, my sources say that Ridley Masters is going to be a daddy. Apparently, one of his many one-night stands has come forward with the news. No comment from Ridley Masters as of yet, and my source hasn’t given me the name of the woman in question. We all know that Ridley hasn’t been seen out in months. Is this because he’s been in a secret relationship with this mystery woman? Has he broken her heart and now she’s coming forward with a bun in the oven? Inquiring minds want to know, bunnies. This is breaking news, juicy, juicy, five alarm fire gossip and I am here for this story, honeys. When I know more, you will know more. Opening up the phone lines now, tell me what you think.
I click out of the podcast, my teeth clenched so tight I might break a molar. “What the fuck?” I mutter, looking down at the screen, my eyes narrowing, waiting for the joke to land. A baby? No way. It’s not possible. This is the first time I’ve heard this. I look around, completely dumbfounded. No wonder Lia said this was a Code Red. No, this is an absolute fucking Freddy Krueger type nightmare. A pinch me, douse me in cold water, I want to wake up before I die kind of nightmare. What the hell is happening right now? I run my hands over my head, turning in frustration and trying not to scare anyone passing by me on the sidewalk. I’m confused. I’m fucking pissed. My mind works overtime as I try to remember the last time I had a woman in my bed. I keep my dick wrapped tight. I don’t fuck bare. I’m not an idiot. I’ve been with one woman and one woman only that way, and she— I almost throw my phone but think better of it as soon as it starts ringing in my hands. Brea, no, no, no.
“Hello!” I answer abruptly, not caring who I offend as I practically yell the word.
“Ridley, it’s Hazel. I just listened to the podcast. Your face is all over social media, you’re trending for fuck’s sake, and not in a good way. This is an absolute shit show. I thought things had calmed down on your end. I’m in the middle of a major endorsement deal on your behalf. You don’t need the bad press right now.” She tsks in disapproval, her thick New York accent is more pronounced, and I can almost see the cigarette hanging from her lips as she blows out a breath. Hazel has been my agent since before my parents died. She knew my father, in fact, they went to college together. She is the closest thing to family Lia and I have left. The sound of disappointment and shock in her voice makes this news finally register. This is not a joke. Someone out there is claiming to be carrying my child.
I reach up with one hand, crushing my phone with the other, grabbing my hair and tugging hard to keep myself from freaking out. The last thing I need is for someone to catch me on camera having a meltdown. I take a deep breath, my heart pounds as if I’ve been sprinting down the ice for hours without reprieve. I suddenly feel dizzy, out of control as panic threatens to overwhelm me. I close my eyes, and Brea instantly comes to mind. Her bright smile as she sits on the balcony of our penthouse, Bessie in hand as the rain falls, the gentle strumming of her guitar as she hums the melody she’s creating. Those memories, though heartbreaking now, always brought me comfort and calm. I cling to the image for dear life as I try to regain control of my rapidly beating heart.
“Hazel. I don’t know what’s happening. I have no idea who this woman is. There’s been a mistake, obviously. There has to be. I haven’t been out in months. I’ve been focused on hockey, on . . .” I don’t want to mention I’ve been focused on getting Brea back, on trying to get back to the man I once was. Hazel knows all about the fallout of our engagement, she witnessed it right along with everyone else close to me, my tattered pieces, my grief. I didn’t want her to know why I was behaving the way I was. The hope I’d been clinging to suddenly turns to ash, floating away aimlessly on the wind. Now, with this news, Brea won’t even look at me. Hell, even if it’s not true, this is the type of thing that will remind her of my past transgressions since our breakup. This is my fault.
“Breathe, Ridley. I need you to remain calm. I need you to stay off social media. In fact, don’t comment at all. Don’t talk to anyone. I’m getting the team on it now and will sort this out. I’m thinking this is a publicity stunt, a bunny wanting her moment in the sun. Furthermore, if she is pregnant, you can get a paternity test. We don’t even have to wait, but we will fight this. If she’s not, then we will drag her ass through the mud. What I need you to do is lay low. Take Lia away for the summer, spend time with your family. By the time preseason starts, I plan to have this cleared up. I promise.”
I hang on to every word desperately. Hazel has always taken great care of my affairs, and I know I can trust her to find out the truth. I hate this part of being an athlete. I love hockey, my team and teammates. I never wanted to be in the spotlight. The constant scrutiny, the rumors and lies, someone always out to get something from me. It never stops. I used to pride myself on not drawing too much attention my way. Like Tor, and even Devan, I keep what’s private in my life, private. That all changed two years ago when my very public engagement fell apart.
“I didn’t have plans to do a lot this summer. Lia is busy with her new business, she is sticking close to home for the time being. No worries, I’ll figure something out.” I blow out a breath and let the tension ease out of me. “If you think remaining quiet about this is the best course of action, then I’ll do it.” I shrug helplessly and walk back toward my car. I take a longing look at The Lazy Brew a few blocks away and decide against it. Hazel is right, I need to disappear.
“Good. Good. Let me know where you end up. I’ll be in touch,” she says quickly.
“Thanks, Hazel,” I reply while opening my car door and flopping down in the driver seat with a huff of frustration.
“Hey Kiddo,” she says in that motherly way, indicating she’s taken off the agent hat and put on her familial one. It’s times like this where I miss my father and mother the most. I can almost hear my father’s reaction if he was here with me right now. “ Whatever happens, Ridley, we own our mistakes. We take care of what is ours, no matter what. Be strong, son, be the man I raised you to be.” His voice doesn’t sound the same in my head anymore, but the words, those words will always stay with me.
“Yeah,” I finally reply, my voice sounding way too vulnerable for my liking. But any thoughts of my parents revert me back to the twenty-year-old man-boy, rookie hockey player entering the NHL with a seventeen-year-old sister to be responsible for after just losing them both. I felt like a child then, barely knowing what to do with myself or Lia, hopeless and in need of guidance. I need guidance, I need a fucking miracle, I need someone I can’t have right now. I need my Luna.
“Regardless, we will get through this. I will help you in any way I can.” Hazel’s warm words give me the strength I need. I know whatever the outcome, I will get through it. I will face it, because I don’t run from my problems or mistakes. She doesn’t let me reply though, knowing Hazel she has met her emotional quota for the day, because the phone hangs up before I can utter a word. It’s her way though, so I’m not at all upset.
“Fuck!” I yell once the door is closed and this time I do bang my head against the steering wheel. “This can’t be happening, not now,” I say under my breath as the phone immediately starts to ring again. I answer it and slide it into the holder on the dashboard.
“Yeah,” I call out as I start my car and pull out of the parking spot.
“Do I need to ask?” Tor asks with a hint of amusement in his voice. With all the attention he and Alexis have been getting the past few months, it must be a relief the focus is not on him for a change. I guess he thinks all of this is funny, now the tables have turned.
“You know me better than that, Tor. I fuck responsibly,” I respond incredulously.
He sighs and clears his throat. “Yeah, I know you. It’s the desperate dick damsels who you need to be wary of.”
I huff out a laugh only to hear Alexis praise his use of alliteration in the background, making my smile widen, lightening my darkening mood.
“Damn it, Tor. I’m fucked. I have no idea who the woman even is. I just hung up with Hazel. She told me to leave the city and let her take care of it,” I say in defeat.
“Hazel is the best. Don’t tell Parker that though, he’ll demand more money for putting up with my shit. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that Hazel tried to steal me a couple of years ago.” He chuckles. “I almost took her up on her offer, but Parker and I fit,” he says with a sigh.
“I’m not sharing Hazel with you, Bailey. She only has room for one superstar attention-grabbing hockey player,” I tease, happy to get lost in the random conversation.
“Superstar? Well, I’m not going to hit a man while he’s down, so I won’t comment. Which brings me to the reason why I called. I need a favor,” he says as Alexis laughs in the background. I can almost picture the big smile on her face, a smile that never leaves her now that she’s back with my boy.
“Tell Ridley the baby momma trope is not what I envisioned for him,” I hear her say as her words become muffled and then there is nothing but silence. I keep driving toward my penthouse, waiting for Tor, who I assume has muted their conversation. I groan as I replay her words, she doesn’t mean, surely she wouldn’t . . . Would she?
“I need you to run my hockey camp this summer,” Tor finally says, pulling me from my thoughts. Before he can say more, I cut him off.
“Please tell me Alexis isn’t writing a book with me in mind. Please tell me your fiancée isn’t about to lock herself in her cave or whatever she calls it.” I know I sound frantic, because all the asshole does is laugh. I pull into the underground parking lot of my high-rise penthouse and park. Turning the car off I wait for him to stop enjoying my torment.
“It was either you or Devan, but listen, I have a plan,” he says hastily before I can protest. “I love my hockey camp and the kids, but Alexis and I just got back together. I want to spend my time with her before she does lock herself away to write and we are back on the ice. I want to marry this woman now, Rid, I don’t want to wait. Unfortunately, I have to settle on taking her abroad. Well, that’s what I am telling her and her family,” he whispers the last part, and if I know Tor, I know he is planning to get his way no matter the consequences. “So, I need you to go to Lark Bay and run my camp for me, while I take my Supernova to Paris.” Tor is all business now. He loves Alexis. She is his one and only. I know all too well what that means. After everything they went through, he deserves this time with her. It’s why I don’t hesitate in my decision to take his place in Lark Bay this summer.
“Of course, Tor. I’ll step in for you. You know I’ve got you. Whatever you need. Go, be with your girl,” I reply as he blows out a breath of relief. “You’ll be helping me as well. I need to get out of Seattle.”
“You can stay in my summer house. Parker already prepped it for me and Alexis, so it will have everything you need for the next few weeks. Other than that, you know everything else. The camp practically runs itself after all this time. Devan and Bast are coming up for a few days to help out, so you won’t be alone,” he says reassuringly. I don’t need it though, I used to help Tor run his camp in the past. I am familiar with the volunteers and counselors at the local community center. Returning to Lark Bay won’t be easy with all the memories I created there, but I will do it for Tor.
“You don’t need to sell me, Tor. I got it covered. I’ll leave tonight,” I say as I grab my phone and climb out of my car.
“Thank you, Ridley. I’ll owe you. I promise you it will be worth it. I better go, before Alexis really does lock herself away. Parker is only a phone call away. Talk soon.” He quickly ends the call, leaving me stunned as I travel up to my penthouse.
It’s not until a few hours later, my bags packed and I’m driving away from Seattle that I wonder what he meant by it being worth it. I guess I have the rest of my summer to figure it out. For now, I turn the music up, roll the windows down and head to Lark Bay.