Chapter 9

Dallas

Cameras flashed as we exited the ice. As always, the reporters wanted to hear from the key players, which included me, Kellan, Braeden, and Justin. While they gave interviews, I tried finding Callie in her section, but she was already gone.

Kellan nudged me in the side. “Look who’s here.” He nodded toward a woman I hadn’t spoken to in two years. She looked exactly the same with her long golden blond hair and radiant smile. Madison Bennett was a sports reporter and my only regret. I’d hurt her by being a fucking moron and still hated myself for it. It was why I never wanted to be serious about anyone . . . at least until Callie Davis showed up.

Madison smiled at us and waved as she motioned for her cameraman to follow her through the crowd. “Hey, guys, it’s so good to see you,” she said happily, hugging Kellan first. Surprisingly, she wrapped her arms quickly around my neck and I hugged her back. “You know the drill. We’ll talk afterward.”

She waved her hand and the camera started. “Good evening, I’m Madison Bennett, and I’m here with Kellan Carter and Dallas Easton from the Charlotte Strikers.” While she interviewed Kellan, I searched for Callie again with no luck.

“So, Dallas, what made you decide to dress up as Jack the Jaguar?” Madison asked. “Is this something we can expect at all the games?”

I shrugged. “I thought it’d be fun for the fans. We might have to make this a tradition.” Throwing my arm around Kellan’s shoulders, I grinned at the camera. “Who knows, maybe this one’ll be under the suit next game.”

Madison giggled and turned back to the camera. “We can all hope so. I’m sure there are millions of fans out there who’d like to get a hug from these guys.” She finished the interview with her closing remarks and faced us with a smile. “That’s a wrap. Thanks, boys.”

Coach Carlisle waved to get Kellan’s attention, so he said his goodbyes and left, leaving me alone with her. For the first time in my life, I was at a loss for words. After everything I did to Madison, she still came to me with a smile. “How have you been?” I asked.

“Good,” she replied, gazing around the coliseum. “I’ve missed coming to the hockey games.”

“Why haven’t you?”

Her smile brightened. “I’ve been following more of the motorcycle races these days.”

“I see. Let me guess, you’re dating one of the racers?” I asked with a grin.

She snorted. “Goodness, no. He’s actually an FBI agent. My sister took over Bennett Racing, so I’ve been spending a lot of time with her and her crew.”

In all seriousness, I was happy for her. She deserved to find happiness after what I did to her. “That’s good to hear. Make sure he treats you well. There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t regret how things went down between us.”

“It’s okay,” she murmured. “I forgave you for the past a long time ago. We’ve both moved on.”

“Easton, let’s go,” Braeden shouted from behind. I glanced back at him and he waved toward the locker room.

“Take care of yourself, Madison.”

She hugged me again. “You, too. Don’t get into any trouble.”

“I’ll try not to.” Seeing her again eased my regrets. If she could forgive me for breaking her heart, then surely Callie would for being an idiot.

Kellan’s idea had worked. I’d gotten to Callie, but I still had a long way to go. I wasn’t about to give up, not after I felt the way her lips electrified when she kissed me. The girl was going to drive me in-fucking-sane.

In the locker room, the guys celebrated our crushing victory against New York. Kellan slapped me on the shoulder in passing. “Nice move, brother. Although I think you messed up.” He nodded toward Justin, who fumed by my locker, his arms crossed over his chest.

Braeden backed up and gave Justin his space. “What the hell was that shit with Callie?” he spat angrily.

I shrugged. “It was a coincidence. I can’t help it she was picked.”

He pointed a finger into my chest. It took all I had to rein in my anger. Hurting him would end the deal with Callie; she’d never speak to me again. “That’s bullshit and you know it,” he growled. “I want you to stay away from her. She’s not one of your whores you can play around with.”

The thought pissed me off. It’d never crossed my mind to fuck around with her like that. “I know,” I huffed impatiently. “I just want to talk to her and then I’ll leave her alone.”

He shook his head, scoffing incredulously. “Callie is an educated, smart woman. She’s not going to waste her time with you. You’re not worthy of it.”

For the first time in my life, words actually stung. What really pissed me off was that maybe he was right. I wasn’t worthy of her time . . . but I sure as hell could be. Satisfied with his remarks, Justin stormed out of the locker room with Maddox alongside him, smirking at me.

Braeden slapped me on the shoulder. “Ready to get to the party?”

“Actually,” I said, grinning wide, “there’s somewhere else I need to be.”

By the time I took a shower and got dressed, I’d missed three calls from my agent and a text from my youngest sister, Lacey: Loved intermission. Can’t wait to see you in a couple of weeks.

Throwing my bag over my shoulder, I texted her back: Thanks. Looking forward to seeing you, too.

Lacey was a medical student about to graduate. I’d promised her she could come down for spring break since my parents were busy expanding the skate shop up in Maine. On the way to my car, I called back my agent.

“I saw your little charade on TV,” Ty answered with a laugh. “What was that all about?”

Clicking off the alarm, I hopped into my red Saleen S7 Twin Turbo. “Thought it’d be good for publicity,” I lied.

“Well, it worked. Good call. Looks like the fans got a kick out of it.” Starting up my car, I entered in the address for my destination into the GPS. Turned out it wasn’t that far from my own house. “You and the boys celebrating tonight?” he asked.

“Nope. Got other plans. Is there anything else I need to know about?”

“Don’t think so. I’ll be flying into Charlotte next month to stay for the rest of the summer for the playoffs and the TV show.”

“Sounds good.”

“Until then, keep out of trouble. Talk to you soon.”

I ended the call and continued on my way. The reality TV show had completely slipped my mind. A part of me wanted to back out and it made no fucking sense. Why would I want to give up ten beautiful women? Not to mention, they were all carefully picked from high society families all across the states with lots of connections. My goal was to get a foothold in the acting world once my hockey career expired, and this was the way to do it. At least, that was what Ty told me.

Pulling into the neighborhood, I slowed down until I arrived at Callie’s house. It was a large, two-story brick home with a three-car garage and circular driveway. Kristen warned me that she lived with her brothers. I knew Justin was going to the party; I just hoped the others weren’t at home. Taking a deep breath, I pulled into her driveway and got out to ring the doorbell. When the door opened, the surprised look on Callie’s face made me smile.

Crossing her arms over her chest, she glared at me. “What are you doing here?” She still had on the same Strikers T-shirt that hugged her breasts perfectly and tight jeans that made me want to grab her ass. There were so many things I wanted to do to her, and with her fighting me at every turn, it only made me want her more.

“I got tired of waiting for you to call. At least this way, we’re face-to-face.”

Her eyes narrowed. “How do you know where I live?” A sly grin spread across my face and she groaned. “It was Kristen, wasn’t it?” When I didn’t reply, she huffed and rolled her eyes. “If she wasn’t pregnant, I’d kick her ass. Might as well get this over with, since my brothers aren’t here. The sooner you get this off your chest, the sooner you can leave.” Stepping out of the way, she motioned me in and I shut the door.

I followed her to the kitchen and stood by the entrance as she sat down at the bar. There was a plate of sliced bananas and a bowl of melted chocolate in front of her. She picked up a piece of banana and dunked it in the chocolate before putting it in her mouth. I wanted to lick the chocolate off of her lips.

Taking her fork, she pointed at the seat across from her. “You can sit down if you want.”

I walked in and sat, watching her eat the rest of her chocolate-covered bananas. “I’m sorry,” I blurted. Her brows lifted but she didn’t reply. “If I’d have known you were you, I wouldn’t have tried to hit you.”

She snorted. “But you would’ve if I was a male.”

I nodded. “Pretty much. You know how it is in hockey. We have to be aggressive.”

Taking her plate and bowl, she set them in the sink and then sat back down. “You don’t have to explain. I do have three brothers who play the sport. I’ve been around it all my life.”

“Then why are you being so hard on me?”

She chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “You’re seriously asking me that? Why do you even care?”

“Because I feel bad for what I did . . . especially after what you did for me.”

“Which was?” she asked, clearly annoyed. “All I did was hurt my hand after I punched you to save you from my brother’s wrath.”

I rubbed my cheek where it still ached. “I thank you for that, but that’s not it.” Her green eyes twinkled, and for a moment I lost my train of thought. Memories from the party a few weeks ago flooded through my mind. I could still feel her hands on my face as she looked into my eyes to make sure I was okay. “I . . . I want to say thank you for what you did at the party. I know it was you who helped me that night.”

Her shoulders loosened and she sighed. “I wondered if you’d realize it was me.”

I nodded. “I’m sorry for what you saw. I was stupid.”

“You think? Having sex with a woman whose boyfriend was in the same house is flat-out insanity.”

“In my defense,” I said, holding up my hands, “I didn’t know she had a boyfriend. She came on to me.”

Callie rolled her eyes. “Like that matters. I’ve heard about you, Dallas Easton. You have a reputation with the ladies. I, for one, don’t want to be a part of your harem.”

“Is that what you think I’m doing here?” I asked. A spark of anger ignited in my gut, but it wasn’t directed at her. Yes, I’d sent her all those flowers and made her kiss me at the game, but I’d never done that with any female. Claiming her as my own has crossed my mind, but I needed her to know I wasn’t as bad as she believed me to be. Well, maybe I was, but it was time for a change.

“I don’t know what you’re doing here,” she snapped, her green eyes blazing. “But flowers and playing tricks on me to kiss you isn’t the way into my pants.” Lifting her chin, she stood and stared defiantly at me. “You wanted to apologize and give me your thanks, and you’ve accomplished that. I don’t think there’s anything left for you to say. It’s probably best you leave before my brothers get back.”

Pursing her lips, she tapped her foot impatiently for me to leave. I got up and slowly headed for the front door. Think, Dallas. There had to be a way to make her not hate me so much. She opened the door and I stepped outside. Before she could shut it, I stopped it, almost getting my fingers crushed in the process.

“Wait, I have an idea.”

Sighing, she opened the door. “What?”

“What can I do to make you realize I’m not as bad as your brothers and everyone else makes me out to be? I’ll do anything you ask just to prove it.”

She studied me for the longest time before her lips pulled back into a mischievous smile. I was probably going to regret saying that. “Anything?” she asked.

“Anything.”

“Good. Then I’ll see you tomorrow. Call you later with the details.” With a wide grin, she laughed and slammed the door. I wasn’t about to give up.