Page 26

TWENTY-SIX

Blake

It’s bad enough that my dad came to town and made a nuisance of himself, but now I’ve got my ex-girlfriend’s father in town adding insult to injury. Even though we’ve made up and are dating again, I can see the distrust in his eyes. Like he wants to clock me.

Jesus, it’s exhausting.

Is it too much to ask to just let me play hockey and spend time with my girl? That’s all I want. I honestly don’t give a shit about anything else. I’m done with dad—for real this time—and my mom is just going to have to get over it. Obviously, I’ll be polite and do my best to show Rowan’s dad that I’m a better man now than I was at eighteen, but the only person’s opinion that truly matters is Rowan’s.

We’ve barely been able to talk because I’ve been dealing with my family and she’s been busy entertaining her dad. We can’t have serious conversations at work, so there have been a bunch of texts, but no time for us to be alone. To continue bonding and finding our new normal. Thinking about what’s next.

I’m falling hard, even more than when we were kids, and I hate being away from her like this. It feels like everything is up in the air. We need to talk—have a real heart-to-heart—but there’s never the right opportunity.

Tonight is game four and we’re down two games to one, so I’m trying not to let all the bullshit get to me. My parents are still here, Rowan’s dad is still here, and I’m terrified they’re going to follow us back to Vegas for game five.

That’s the last thing I need.

“Blake. Wait up!”

I turn to see Jensen Bang coming in my direction.

“Look who it is!” I reach out and give him a quick hug. “How are you? Your arm isn’t healed yet, is it?”

“No, but I’m getting there. It’s killing me not to be out there with you guys, so I figured I’d come down, see how things are going.”

“Everything is okay,” I say thoughtfully. “We’re down but not out.”

“Hell no.” He grins. “But how are you ? I saw that bullshit with your dad. You doing all right?”

I shake my head. “It’s hard. I don’t want to alienate my mom, but she wants me to play nice, keep the peace. Meanwhile, my dad is alternating between contrite and belligerent, and I don’t have the mental bandwidth for it.”

“You need to step away from any and all drama until we’re through the playoffs.” He meets my gaze somberly. “These playoff games have been huge for you. Everyone is talking about you.”

I blink.

“They are? Like who?”

He cocks his head. “Well, yeah. Haven’t you been following the sports pages?”

“Fuck no. It’s too depressing.”

“You’re, like, the talk of the playoffs.”

“I am?”

How come no one told me? Bristol told me a few journalists wanted interviews, but I just figured the veterans on the team didn’t want to be bothered and I was fresh meat. It never occurred to me they actually want to talk to me because they’re impressed with what I’m doing.

“You are. Even that shit with your dad made you look good. How professional you were, how you protected your mom even though your dad didn’t really do anything…it’s been everywhere. Why aren’t you capitalizing on it?”

“I’m just trying to keep my head in the game. Between my dad and my girlfriend’s—” I abruptly cut off.

Shit.

I’m not supposed to say anything.

“Girlfriend?” Jensen looks more intrigued than anything else. “When did this happen? Someone here in L.A. or back in Phoenix?”

“Forget I said anything,” I mutter, pulling out my phone and googling my name.

“Is there a woman causing drama in your life?” he asks after a moment. “Because this isn’t the time for that. Are you listening to me, Blake?”

I look up, irritated. “I’m listening. And no, she isn’t the problem. It’s just…everyone else. It’s a long story.”

He stares at me.

I can practically see the wheels turning

“Jesus fucking Christ. Are you serious?” He looks around and then lowers his voice. “The rumors about you and Rowan are true?”

I groan. “Are there rumors? For real?”

“Not that there’s something new going on but that you guys were high school sweethearts… and there’s been some joking around, but no, I hadn’t heard anything serious. Just a lot of jokes—and usually where there’s smoke there’s fire.”

“Dude, you have to keep your mouth shut,” I hiss. “Her job could be at stake! If you fuck that up for her, I swear to God?—”

“Hey, relax. I’m not the enemy.” He frowns at me. “But if you’re going to be together, people will eventually find out.”

“Hopefully, not until I’m back in Phoenix.”

This time he makes a face I can’t quite decipher. “You don’t really believe you’re going back to Phoenix after how well you’ve played and how the hockey world is talking about you?”

“I haven’t heard anything,” I admit. “I’ve been keeping my head down, focusing on my game, my girl, and keeping my dad from making me crazy. I don’t go online if I can help it.”

“Well, you should. They’re saying a lot of good things.”

“I guess I’ve gotten so used to reading about how I’m not living up to my potential, I just…stopped.”

“Dude, you’ve always lacked confidence.” He meets my eye with a seriousness I don’t usually see in him. “That’s the only reason you don’t live up to your potential. You were badass as hell in college, just distracted and unsure of yourself. And the less confident you got, the more you partied. I watched it in real time, but back then I wasn’t mature enough to understand what I was seeing. But now I do. And I’m telling you—this is your shot. Don’t fuck it up. Not for your dad, not for a woman, not for anything.”

“Big Bang!” Connor comes around the corner and practically tackles Jensen with a bear hug.

“Motherfucker, if you set back the healing of my arm, I will bend you into a pretzel and toss you into the Pacific,” Jensen growls.

“You coming back?” Connor asks, ignoring him.

“Not yet.” They walk down the hall chatting, but not before Jensen glances back and gives me a nod.

Leaving me with a lot to think about.

I head down toward the dressing room when my phone buzzes and I look down.

It’s my agent, Anson Charles.

He probably wants tickets to tonight’s game, which is great. I haven’t seen him in a while and it’ll be good to catch up. And give me an excuse not to hang with my dad after the game.

“Hey, Anson.”

“Blake!” He sounds excited about something. “You have a minute?”

“Sure.”

“So…this is strictly on the down low.”

“Okay.” For some reason, I’m not sure whether I should be intrigued or worried.

“Boston is interested.”

I pause, stopping to look around to make sure I’m alone before leaning against the wall. “What do you mean?”

“You know we’re technically not allowed to talk trades until the playoffs are over, but my buddy over there reached out. He wants to know if there’s any chance you’d go to Boston next season.”

“Seriously?” I’m genuinely shocked.

Excited but shocked.

“Yup. They really love what you’re doing out there, the energy you’re showing on the ice and your productivity. They’ve watched you for a while, but you haven’t had a lot of chance to shine in Phoenix. It’s been a totally different thing in L.A.”

“Shit. That’s… well, I guess I wasn’t expecting anything like this.”

“Look, best case scenario, you walk away with a three-year deal. Worst case, you have bargaining power with the Phantoms.”

I hadn’t considered that.

“Are we talking real money?”

“Probably just over the league minimum, around the seven-figure mark, but they’re keeping it quiet for now. We don’t have a choice. I just don’t want to waste my time if it’s a hard no.”

“Of course it’s not a hard no,” I say. “This has always been the goal.”

“That’s what I think too.”

“Nothing like turning up the pressure right before a game,” I say dryly.

He laughs. “Well, I’m in town, but I figured it would be easier to talk shop on the phone and then maybe we can get a drink or something tonight or tomorrow.”

“Absolutely. You need a couple of tickets?”

“Nah, got that covered. But I’ll see you tonight—and remember, don’t tell a soul. Not your mom, your girlfriend, your therapist—we could both get into trouble if word got out.”

“My lips are sealed. Thanks, Anson.”

“This is what I’m here for.” He laughs and disconnects.

Off in the distance, I see Rowan talking with Bristol, and it’s becoming abundantly clear that we need to talk.

There’s so much happening, and I know firsthand the secrets have a way of coming back to bite you in the ass.

Since I can’t talk to her now, I decide to text her. Not just because we need to talk but also because I miss spending time with her.

BLAKE: Hey… just wanted to say I miss you. Two days apart feels like two years.

She doesn’t react at first, continuing her conversation with Bristol. Eventually, she pulls her phone out of her back pocket, and I see her smile. She says something to Bristol and starts walking back toward her office.

I want to follow but it’s better if I don’t. Being alone together will probably be more temptation than I can resist.

ROWAN: I miss you too. You can stay with me in Vegas. My dad will have his own room. We’ll just have to be more careful about coming and going.

BLAKE: For sure. Let’s find a time to be together.

ROWAN: Vegas is definitely our best bet since my dad is currently sleeping on my couch.

BLAKE: Yeah and he’s not thrilled with me as it is.

ROWAN: He’s fine. He’s just overprotective. But I’ve told him we’re taking things slow and you’re not the same guy you were in high school.

BLAKE: I am definitely not. So, it’s a date. Two nights from tonight, your room. Vegas.

ROWAN: LOL Deal.

BLAKE: See you later, beautiful.

ROWAN: Play well tonight.

I put my phone away and head toward the dressing room.

Time to put everything out of my mind—including a possible contract in Boston—and think about tonight’s game.

We do not want to go back to Vegas down 3-1.