Page 17

Chapter 17

Be the playmaker

Cooper

Sometimes I liked to run outside, smell the air coming off the lake and be fairly anonymous. There was privacy from fans when I worked out at the team facilities, but I was still the captain, and I was on duty while I was there. If I used a gym somewhere in the city, even in my building, people watched. Sometimes they didn’t just watch.

I was paid a lot of money to represent my team, and with that came the responsibility of dealing positively with the public. But sometimes I needed to be me, not “the captain of the Blaze.” Running outside gave me a chance at that. It wasn’t foolproof, since my sponsorships had made me recognizable. But even the most intrusive fans couldn’t be upset that I was working out—and they couldn’t keep up.

I’d asked Seb to join me on my run. Meeting Winthrop, talking to Callie… It had all been unsettling, and after too much time dwelling on that, I needed to shove those uncomfortable things back in a box so I could make it through the wedding. It was a month away, and after that, training camp would start in September.

We greeted each other and stretched. Seb and I ran in silence for a few minutes. It was early, to beat the heat. And with school vacation, enough people were out of town that the boardwalk wasn’t too busy.

“How was your trip to Montana?” I asked. “Mitch’s program going well? How’s he doing?”

Seb wiped a hand over his forehead. “Yeah. The kids and their parents were really excited about having something like this in places without hockey opportunities. And Jayna and Faith there together? There were a lot of girls watching them like they were superheroes. A few boys too.”

Mitch wouldn’t have realized, when he set the program up, that it might help him as well. “Keeping busy with the camps is good for him. That goal still bothers him, but Tempo has been there, can help him deal with it. How’s she doing?” Mitch’s girlfriend was a former teammate of Faith’s on the Bonfire, the Toronto professional women’s hockey team, and had found out in the spring that a knee injury was ending her career.

Seb’s brow furrowed, so he was giving this real thought, not a pat answer. “The camps, this whole summer program, it’s helping her. But she hasn’t processed it all. We talked, and I tried to help.” Seb had retired from playing before his daughter was born, after a bad concussion. He knew what Tempo was going through.

“Glad you could help her.”

Tempo—Jayna Templin—wasn’t my responsibility. But her boyfriend Mitch was our team backup goalie, so indirectly, her well-being affected my team. And I liked her. She’d been a great right winger till this injury took her out.

“She appreciates all you’ve done to help her too.”

I shrugged. I hadn’t done much. And I’d been given so much, it was only fair to help others. “Happy to help.”

“Speaking of helping…”

“Were we?”

He bumped a shoulder into mine, knocking me slightly off-balance. “How come I hear your workout buddies got to meet your new woman before Faith and me?”

I laughed. “Hey, your daughter got to meet her. And she’s just a friend.”

“But Hailey won’t talk about her.”

I bit back a grin. “She didn’t like Callie.”

He frowned again. “Is that something to worry about?”

“You mean like dogs are supposed to be good judges of character? Don’t worry—Hailey was jealous.”

Hunter was quiet for a few strides. “Is there something she should be jealous of?”

Maybe. The thought slipped out. Was that the issue? Hailey was my goddaughter and one of the people I loved most in the world. Had she seen something? Callie wasn’t a typical friend or date.

I hadn’t realized how setting up this agreement would tie us together over the summer. We were…definitely friends. Closer than. I hadn’t even told Hunter about my brother and Vicky. But after meeting Winthrop, and his comments, I’d spilled the whole story. I’d rationalized it because I had to tell Callie what the situation would be when she got to Connecticut, but was that the only reason? For the first time, telling someone had made me feel better.

“So there is something?”

“We’re…friends.”

“Just friends?”

“I’m not fucking her, so yeah.”

“You could be dating without fucking.”

“Have you ever known me to do that?”

Hunter slowed to a walk and then stopped. I did too, wondering if he’d hurt something. There was no one near us here, so we had the illusion of privacy.

“I’d like to meet her.”

I narrowed my eyes. He rarely met my dates, since they normally lasted for one event, and he wasn’t always around. Faith loved to name-check who they were, but they weren’t part of my life. He knew that.

His jaw was set. My protesting wasn’t going to do anything but convince him I was hiding something.

“Okay, come to Briarwood with us Sunday.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

I nodded. “Callie’s learning how to navigate the greens and the clubhouse. Extra eyes to see if I’m missing something would be good.” The day Darcy came with us had been fun, but he knew less about golf than Callie did. And after spilling my guts yesterday, I was uncomfortable with the idea of more time alone with Callie. Seb as a buffer would be good. Maybe Darcy could join us at the driving range. Make sure this stayed an arrangement.

“Sure.” He jerked his head back the way we’d come and we settled into our running tempo again. “And then the two of you can come to our place for dinner. Believe me, Faith is just as curious as I am.”

* * *

That week I had a photo shoot with a watch company. After our morning working out at the practice facility, I met the crew at a hotel downtown where they’d booked a suite for the shoot. I wasn’t going to be showing much skin, but I was pumped up from the workout, which should help with the photographs.

It was an expensive watch manufacturer, putting out a new line called Playmaker. Despite being on defense, I set up a lot of goals and ran the power play for the team, so they thought I was a good face for the product.

They’d promised to provide a wardrobe, but I’d brought my own tux. It would look better than anything they could come up with since it had been tailored for me by one of the best in the city. I was more comfortable in my own clothes.

The sponsor had provided the obligatory partner for the shoot. A willowy brunette, beautiful, poised…my usual type. For a moment I was disappointed that there was no bright red hair. Which was fucking stupid, since there was no chance Callie would be here. We each got ready in one of the bedrooms of the suite, and came out for makeup and to pose on the… Oh hell, they’d decided to put her on the piano, while I sat in front of the keyboard with a glass of fake whiskey in my hand, watch prominently displayed.

I settled in to wait. These things were always slow. Setting up lights, checking the angles for unexpected shadows, perfectionist photographers…it was part of the job.

My co-model, Monique, chatted with me as we waited to be positioned, lighted, touched up and posed.

She leaned a hip against the couch. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. I’m a big fan.”

I stood beside her. We didn’t risk wrinkling our clothing by sitting down. “I’m a big fan of yours as well.” I’d looked up some of her portfolio when this was all set up. She photographed well, and had a reputation for being easy to work with.

Full red lips tipped into a smile. Green eyes peered up at me through dark lashes, and her long, almost black hair moved around her shoulders as she shifted a little closer. “I’m a bigger fan of the billboards than your sport, if I’m being honest.”

“It’s easier work than hockey. Fewer bruises.”

She pouted. “Ever thought of hanging up the skates to do this full-time?”

I barely repressed a shudder. Never was the answer, but that wasn’t the game we were playing. “I’m only here because of hockey. I’m the ‘playmaker.’”

“I’d love to play with you.”

I sighed. I knew the moves, but I couldn’t be bothered today. Fortunately, we were called to the piano then. Monique was helped onto the baby grand that this expensive suite came with, and once she was carefully draped over the lid, I sat on the piano bench and let them pose me.

I was supposed to look off camera, lost in my own importance and playmaking, while Monique gazed at me with longing. Buy this watch, and you too will have gorgeous models pining for you. It was a silly concept, but it worked.

The day dragged tediously. I was uncomfortable, unsettled. I blamed it on Winthrop, and the need to dredge up my past. Normally I’d enjoy flirting with Monique to pass the time, and after, I’d have invited her for dinner and whatever might follow.

Maybe it was the Cup loss, not only Winthrop, because when Monique suggested just that, I declined politely, blaming my grueling training sessions. She looked disappointed but shrugged. She didn’t know me, except as an image on the billboard. She’d have liked it if we’d hooked up, to have the story, another name she’d been with.

The thought of Callie popped into my head again, I forced it back. Callie, thanks to that story from high school, knew a part of me that wasn’t successful and rich and popular. She saw the real me. But she didn’t want anything more, so why was that thought even in my head?

Damn it, I needed to get back on my game. Be the playmaker they paid me for.

* * *

Callie

I was surprised when Cooper mentioned his friend Seb Hunter was joining us at Briarwood. Except for meeting some of his teammates at the driving range, and Darcy hanging out with us sometimes, it had always been just the two of us. Cooper said it would be good to have some additional eyes on how I was doing. Golf-playing eyes. Between the driving range and his friend today, I would be familiar with guys I didn’t know watching me. That should help for the tournament.

Seb was a patient teacher, focused more on the mechanics of golf than the behavior of people golfing. Between him and Cooper, I got a lesson that covered all the aspects of the game that I needed to know. The two men were greeted by a lot of the other golfers on the course, mostly other men, and I was happy to stay back and observe. Blending in was a vital skill, and I worked hard at it.

When we finished our round, I started to head almost automatically to the clubhouse.

“We’ve been invited to Seb and Faith’s for dinner.”

I jerked my head around. “What?”

Seb frowned at his friend. “You didn’t ask her?”

“I wanted her to meet you first. Otherwise, she would have made an excuse.”

My cheeks heated up. Damn, the man knew me too well.

Seb shook his head. “It’s not fair, dropping this on her. Callie, don’t worry about coming if it makes you uncomfortable.”

I smiled weakly at Seb. There was no easy way to get out of this.

“Consider this another lesson,” Cooper said, and if my glare could cut, he’d have been bleeding. “This time a wedding lesson.”

I crossed my arms and frowned.

“My family will be nosy, just like Seb and Faith. But they’ll be more insidious about it. Right, Hunts?”

Seb grimaced. “Yeah, they’re not the easiest people.”

“This is your chance to get grilled by nice people. So you’ll be prepared for my family.”

“Will they be worse than your goddaughter?” My eyes rounded as I realized what I’d said. “I’m sorry—there’s nothing wrong with Hailey, just she didn’t like me.”

Hunter’s eyes were dancing, and the corners of his mouth tipped up. “Oh, I know what my daughter’s like. She’s used to being the center of Cooper’s attention, so this should be fun. You’d be very welcome, and I know Faith would like to meet you.”

Cooper narrowed his eyes at his friend. Maybe he hoped I would say no, because his friends would give him shit. He’d been relaxed all day with Seb Hunter around. I liked seeing that side to him. And it might be fun to see how he was with his friends.

“That sounds nice. Thank you.”

* * *

Cooper parked in the guest slot and we took the elevator up. There was an appetizing aroma when Seb opened the door of the condo and announced we had arrived.

Fast-moving footsteps sounded and Hailey rounded the corner.

“Daddy!”

Seb picked her up. “Are you a good girl?”

She nodded. She caught sight of Cooper and immediately stretched her arms out, saying, “Kook!”

Cooper took her from her father. She patted his chest and grinned at him. And then she saw me.

Her face fell and her bottom lip jutted out. “No.”

Cooper laughed, while Seb looked shocked. “Hailey, that’s rude.”

I had no idea what I should do. Leave? Ignore the kid? Try to win her over?

“Hailey monster, if Callie goes, I go. I’m her ride.”

The little girl squinted at Cooper. “Down.”

Cooper set her on her feet and she stalked away from the three of us.

“You weren’t kidding when you said she didn’t like Callie.” Seb sounded surprised.

Was I the only person in the world the toddler didn’t like? “Maybe I should just go…”

Seb shook his head. “No, she’s spoiled enough. She doesn’t get to decide who’s welcome in our home.”

Yeah, well, for a small person, she was good at making someone feel unwelcome. Cooper reached out his arm, grasped my hand with his and pulled me forward. His hand was callused and warm, and surprisingly calming. My tension eased.

Faith—it had to be Seb’s wife, Faith—was in the kitchen. She was wiping down the counter while delicious smells came from what she had on the stovetop.

“Faith, this is Callie.”

She straightened and offered a polite smile. “Nice to meet you, Callie.” She was tall, blonde and blue-eyed. Obviously Hailey’s mother.

“Thank you for the invitation.”

Faith’s brows lifted, and I realized I was still holding Cooper’s hand. Cheeks warming, I tugged mine away.

“Thanks for helping Cooper with Hailey last week. Normally we meet someone before we co-opt them into babysitting.” Faith glanced at Cooper when she said that. He just grinned at her.

“I don’t think I was much help. I’m not good with kids.”

“Still, everyone survived. How was the round?”

Cooper and Seb held up most of that conversation. I cradled the glass of wine I was offered and we sat in the living room when Faith insisted everything in the kitchen was under control. Hailey reappeared, having decided that pretending I didn’t exist was the way to deal with me. I did the same with her.

“So you’re a lawyer,” Faith said as she curled up on the couch beside her husband with her own glass of wine.

“Yes. I’m with Anderson, Krys and Chan.”

“I don’t know the law firms in town.”

I shrugged. “I don’t know much about hockey.”

Hailey’s head lifted. “Kook play hockey. Mummy too.”

“So did I, pipsqueak.” Hunter pulled on the blonde ponytail on the top of his daughter’s head.

“Daddy a low-yer?”

“He-heck no.” He looked up at me. “Golfing is as close as I come to lawyers most of the time.”

I tried to hold in a smile. “Golfing is as close as I come to hockey players most of the time.”

Hunter laughed. “I guess that’s our common ground. But I think you’ll do fine in your tournament. I wouldn’t have guessed you were that new.”

“That’s because you’re still terrible after all these years.” Cooper smirked.

Hailey tugged on Cooper’s arm. “Me play golf.”

“Sure, Hails.” Cooper tousled her hair with his free hand and she ducked away. “As soon as you’re taller than the golf club, we can do that.”

“Me big,” she protested.

“Not big enough yet.”

I risked a look at Cooper. He was grinning at Hailey but looked up at me and winked. I felt my cheeks flush and picked up my glass.

Cooper turned back to the little girl. “What are you going to do when you grow up, Hails? Play hockey like your dad and mom and me?” Kid certainly had the genes for that.

The toddler turned to glare at me. “Marry Kook.”

Her dad did a spit take, while Cooper threw back his head and laughed.

Faith shook her head. “We’re going to talk about this, Hailey girl. We need to get you aiming a little higher.”

Cooper pretended shock. “I think I’m pretty high-level there, Blondie.”

Faith swiped a hand through his hair. “Watch it, Blondie.”

While Cooper protested and carefully rearranged his hair, Hailey leaning up to “help,” a pang of envy shot through me.

This—this close-knit kind of family circle—was something I’d never had. I envied Hailey having this environment to grow up in. I envied the adults their closeness, the comfort they had with each other. I only had something like this with Darcy. And someday he’d find someone, even if it wasn’t a hockey player the way he dreamed of.

When he did find his person, would I be like Cooper, a welcome addition? Or would I be left behind?