Page 13

Chapter Thirteen

JACKSON – FIVE DAYS LATER

F uck. We lost again. I knew the Vikings wouldn’t go down without a fight, and they rallied to win game four, and now game five. Chad’s performance wasn’t great, but I can’t blame him for the four goals against us or the Vikings shutout. Our performance tonight on home ice was abysmal. We were all off, but after Chad let the sixth puck through in the first period, our coach pulled him, which was no surprise.

I tried to get the guys to focus, shouted in the dressing room until I almost lost my voice. But morale was down, and once we got in that state, it was hard to pull it together.

The Vikings have all the momentum now. The media is already claiming it’s the biggest comeback in hockey history. They did what they promised their fans they would—they’re dragging us back to Vancouver. It’ll be a longer flight than usual, especially if I can’t get Chad to speak to me. I did fuck up. I won’t deny that. It wasn’t my intention to tell him about Jane before the finals were over. But his breakup with her wasn’t my doing. She’s the one who withheld important information from him.

Chad and I are the last ones to leave the dressing room. I lingered, waiting for him. He notices that we’re alone and glowers. “What are you still doing here?”

“I want to talk to you.”

“I have to nothing to say to you.” He hoists his duffel bag over his shoulder.

“Fine. Don’t speak to me outside of the arena. Be pissed at me all you want. But I’m still your fucking captain, and you will listen to me.”

His glare intensifies. “Fine. Get it over with.”

“You need to get your head in the game.”

“No shit. Tell me something I don’t already know. I blew it tonight. I know that better than anyone.”

“Is this about Jane?”

His face turns beet red. “Don’t you dare say her name to me.”

“Why can’t I say her name? She’s the reason you’re flushing our Stanley Cup dream down the toilet. Don’t tell me your game hasn’t gone to shit because you’re upset about the breakup.”

“Of course I’m upset!” He takes a step forward, his hands balled into fists. “She’s the love of my life and I was a fucking asshole to her.”

I wince. I was not expecting that confession.

“Let me get this straight. You can’t concentrate on hockey because you want her back?”

He runs his fingers through his hair. “I miss her so damn much. I don’t care about her past, or that she didn’t tell me her father lost all his money. I was angry that she didn’t trust me enough to tell me.”

Ah shit . “Aren’t you a little suspicious of why she didn’t tell you?”

“If you’re going to say it’s because she’s a gold digger who’s after my money… don’t. She doesn’t care about that.”

“How do you know?” I ask, even though I’m afraid if I keep pushing Chad, he’ll punch me.

“Because I know her. I don’t expect you to understand, Darcy.”

Hell. He calls me Darcy only when he’s truly pissed.

“Help me understand, then.”

“What’s the point? You treat me like I’m a little kid who can’t make good decisions. I get that plenty from my parents. I didn’t expect it from you.”

I push my hair back. “I’m sorry, okay? Put yourself in my shoes. What would you do if you thought I was making a mistake? Would you just let it happen?”

“I wouldn’t have hired a PI behind your back. I’d talk to you first.”

Remorse makes my chest heavy. He has me there. “You’re right. I should have talked to you first. I fucked up royally. How can I fix this? I hate that we’re fighting.”

He watches me for a couple beats, then shakes his head. “I’m not sure you can.”

That feels like a punch to my stomach.

Chad’s shoulders slouch forward as the aggression leaves his body. “Are we done with this conversation? I’m tired. I just want to go home and sleep.”

“Yeah, we’re done.”

He walks out, but I stay put. Guilt sits in my guts like a lump of old bread. I get now that hiring Larry was a mistake. I hate that I’m the reason my best friend is hurting. It’s not even about the Stanley Cup. I might have ruined Chad’s chance at happiness for no good reason, and that’s much worse than not winning the Cup.

I might not be able to regain Chad’s friendship, but I have to fix the mess I made. And there’s only one person who can help me.

Izzie Bennet.

Instead of going home, I head to Triana. I have no idea if Izzie’s working tonight, but it’s a place to start. If we’d won the game, we probably would have gone there for a drink or two. But since we lost, no one was in the mood to go out.

It’s almost midnight, and the place is as busy as ever. I make a beeline to the bar and try to spot Izzie. I don’t see her. Hell. Is she off tonight? Wouldn’t that be my luck. I flag a bartender anyway.

“What can I get you?”

“Is Izzie Bennet working tonight?”

He frowns. “What do you want with her?”

My spine goes tense. What’s with the bad attitude with people who work here? “I need to talk to her.”

“Haven’t you done enough?”

“Excuse me? Do I know you?”

“No, but I know you and what you did to mess with Jane’s relationship with your buddy.”

I grind my teeth. So that’s why this guy is giving me the death glare. “Listen, I know I fucked up, and I’m trying to fix it.”

He arches a brow. “Really? You’re going to fix it? Does your sudden interest in helping Jane and Chad reconcile have anything to do with the fact that your team is sucking ass right now?”

“That’s not why I’m here,” I grit out. “If she’s off tonight, I’ll just try her house.”

I turn to leave, but he says, “She’s not home. I don’t know why I’m telling you this, but she’s working the late night shift at the vet clinic.”

My brows arch. I wasn’t expecting this guy to help me at all. “Do you have the address for the clinic?”

He releases an exasperated sigh. “Hold on.”

A moment later, he slides a business card across the counter. “Here. Don’t make me regret this.”