Page 42 of Unmasking Love (D.C. Renegades #1)
Aiden
Play Time
Having Harper on the road with me is energizing. My pregame nap was the soundest I’ve ever had with her in my arms. But it was painful to leave for the arena on the team bus. She woke up feeling better but I could still see the wounded younger version of her hiding just under the surface.
While my body feels refreshed it doesn’t look like the rest of the team is feeling the same. Not helping our energy levels is the fact that we are in a slump.
One loss is nothing, two sucks, three is bad luck but four or more is a slump. I keep waiting for Coach to make the call to switch things in net but it hasn't come yet.
It's the middle of the second period, we're down two to one. A few shitty calls have been made against us and we're defending a power play right now.
I watch as the guys maintain their zones.
As they defend the area in front of the net.
The puck sails from one side of the rink to the other at the blue line and the defensemen there holds it while his guys circle around.
He pulls back for a slapshot from the point and from my angle I can see the path for the puck.
He's probably hoping for a deflection or for one of his teammates to shove in a loose puck on the rebound.
But Gavin sees it too and I watch as his eyes zero in on the movements.
He takes the shot and the puck flies towards the net. It's about knee high but Gavin tracks it the entire way. He doesn't get a clean grab on it so there is a rebound chance and a scrum starts in front of the net .
Gavin is on his belly and I've lost sight of the puck. Players are piling around and then suddenly Felix whips it down to the other end earning the team a line change as they hustle to the bench.
But Gavin doesn't get up. He reaches up and pulls his mask off which stops play and will probably earn us a delay of game penalty.
I stand along with the rest of the team and the training staff runs out onto the ice.
They crowd him and I can't tell what is going on but I don't get to find out because Luke hands me my mask, mit, and stick and I head out onto the ice to replace Gavin.
Breath in.
Focus.
Follow the puck.
Breathe out.
Focus.
Stop the puck.
We are assessed a delay of game so it's five on three as I take the net. I get into position for the faceoff and as soon as the whistle blows my world goes quiet.
All I see is the puck and the player who is handling it. I watch as they rain shots down on us in this short window of extra advantage.
The first penalty expires and we get Bryson back on the ice. The puck deflects down to my feet and I flick it up the ice to Bryson as he leaves the penalty box. He breaks away across our blue line and with a quick deke he crosses over and flicks the puck into the back of the net.
The crowd goes quiet and the boys celebrate the short handed goal.
I get a fist bump from Bryson and Felix before they circle up for the face off.
Tampa wins the puck and they still have a five on four advantage.
They move the puck quickly around the zone and behind the net.
An instant later the arena erupts when they score on their power play because of a nasty double deflection off a player in front and then the nob of my stick.
I turn and take a drink and review the play in my head. There really wasn't anything I could have done differently. Sometimes that happens. Pucks get past you. Shake it off and regroup.
Breath in.
Focus.
Follow the puck.
Breathe out.
Focus.
Stop the puck.
I'm about to turn around when I get a bump on the back of my mask. I turn and see Felix smiling at me.
"Good to have you in the game Young Gun. I hope Ironman is okay but you just got a primary assist on a short handed goal!"
"Yeah and then I let a goal in."
"No one could have stopped that one. And no one expects you to stop all of them. Come on, let’s play!" Felix says and then he taps my pads with his stick and goes to line up for the face off.
***
We lost three to two. And Gavin is out with a torn ACL. The trainer said it popped out when he lunged for the puck.
They'll know tomorrow if he's having surgery or not.
I am torn between sympathy for him and fucking glee.
This is it.
My chance .
All I need to do is prove to the team that I'm an asset and I won't be on the trading block come March or later.
I'm the D.C. Renegades starting goalie.
My body is buzzing.
Harper was in the stands somewhere. Johnny didn’t know where Caroline got seats but it felt good to have her there tonight.
I hope my parents were watching.
They tune in for games when I'm scheduled to play but I don't know if they watch the games I'm not supposed to be in. It's late on the east coast but they're mountain time while at the Arizona house so I call them as I climb onto the bus.
"Aiden, darling! You okay?"
"Yes, Ma, I'm fine. I was calling to ask if you saw the game tonight."
"I didn't, I had mahjong at church tonight but your father might have. Ron!" she yells into the background. "Did you watch Aiden's game?"
"I did, that was a tough one that slipped in but you blocked the rest." He says after a shuffle of the phone being handed off to him.
"Yeah, I watched the game tape of it too, the way it caught the side of my stick and then kind of flipped made it nearly impossible."
"That's what I was thinking. So what's the word on Gavin?" He asks.
"Torn ACL. They're going to decide on surgery tomorrow."
"Yikes, but either way you'll be in for a bit then."
"Yeah, that's the plan."
"You ready?"
"Yes."
"How has your diet been? Are you taking breaks during conditioning? I don’t want you to push yourself too far." Mom calls from the background and then I hear shuffling again as the phone is passed back to her.
"Yes, I'm sticking to it. I'll develop a more consistent routine now that I'm playing every game."
"Ok ay, good, and did you schedule that appointment with the cardiologist?"
"Yes, it's in a few weeks."
"Good, good." She mutters and I can see her chewing on her lip with worry in my mind.
"I'm good Mom, I promise. I'm eating well, getting decent sleep."
"Why only decent?"
"It's good sleep, Mom, I'm getting really good sleep." With Harper in my arms.
"Okay, well, your father and I are still planning to come out at the end of the month for your game, unless you want us sooner."
"No, that's the time that works for your schedule, remember? No need to drop everything to come out here."
"Okay, yes, sure. Alright, well, thanks for calling Aiden, it’s always good to hear from you."
"Love you, Mom."
"Love you, too."
The call disconnects and I leave my headphones in as the bus leaves the arena.
I close my eyes and rest my head against the window as we make the short drive to the hotel.
Visions of Harper in my hotel bed start crossing my mind and I can’t wait to get upstairs.
Valentine’s Day is coming up and we’re on the road so I’m hoping I can give her a little gift now.
“Harper?” I call out when I open the door to a dark room and no sign of Harper on the bed waiting for me.
“I’m in here.” She calls from the bathroom. I shrug off my dress coat and cross over to my roller bag. My palms clam up as I retrieve the small box from the front pocket.
I pause outside the door. Maybe tonight isn’t the night. I’m keyed up from the game, from the news about Gavin. Maybe I need tenderness with her tonight.
Lig ht fills the room as Harper opens the bathroom door. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust. But as my pupils narrow they blow wide again. Harper is standing in the doorway looking like a fucking porn star.
Shiny black heels mold to her feet and she teeters towards me on fishnet covered legs.
The patch of trimmed hair above her pussy is visible and my muscles tense as I hold myself back.
The bra she’s wearing is just a black satin ribbon tied in a bow across her tits and untying it will be one of the best experiences of my life.
I lick my lips as she reaches me and her hands skate up my chest. I watch in awe as she unbuttons my shirt and drags it down my arms.
“Harper Daniels, you naughty girl.” I say as my fingers almost crush the box in my hand while I maneuver to take my shirt off completely.
My gift is exactly what we need tonight.
“Is this for me?” She asks as I take a seat in the desk chair and pull her down onto my lap.
“It’s a little bit for me too.” I tell her. She leans back as my hands explore her body. Tracing up and down the front of her thighs, trailing up her stomach, skimming the soft underside of her breast. She arches her back to press into my touch, looks over her shoulder at me, and smiles.
“Can I open it?”
“Please.” I beg her because I am ready.
Her smile fuels my arousal as she pulls open the ribbon on the box. She slowly, torturously, drops the deep purple, eggplant color, satin onto the desk before taking the lid off.
When she sets the lid aside I take the box from her so she can pull the gift out.
“Aiden, can we use these tonight?” She asks and I sink my teeth into the soft flesh on her shoulder. She hisses and I soothe the sting with kisses.
“I was hoping we could.” I whisper into her ear and she shudders.
“Here, let me.” I say as I take the faux leather handcuffs from her hand.
They ’re wide and padded and the chain allows plenty of room for her to be comfortable.
I fasten one cuff to her wrist before holding the other up to her. “Put this one on me.”
Harper's eyes light up as she tightens the buckle. “How is this going to work?”
I push her off my lap and turn her around so she’s standing in front of me. The sight of her bound to me is fucking incredible. I’m rocked with a sense of possession and desire for control that I knew was in me but haven’t felt this intensely before.