Chapter 7—On One Edge

Family was a blessing and a curse. At least, Jared’s family was. He loved them immensely but dreaded the questions and the looks of pity he’d get after they heard his answers. There would be no hiding his financial situation once they saw his car and his apartment. And that could be happening as soon as after this game. If he was lucky, they’d go into double overtime.

Jared paced nervously in the corridor outside the locker room. His family and Roberta had arrived after he’d left for the arena, since their flight had been delayed. Their plane needed last-minute repairs and they’d been forced to wait for hours. His mother didn’t like to fly as it was, so he could only imagine what her mood would be. His mom was usually pretty even-tempered, but stuff like this sent her over the edge. Steph would be meeting them here after hitching a ride with Izzy, while Riley stayed home to babysit. Everything had been organized with no thanks to him.

So far, this visit wasn’t starting out on the right foot.

Jared glanced at his cell; he had another fifteen minutes before he’d have to get ready for the game. He heard his name and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Izzy striding down the corridor with a reluctant Steph in tow. Izzy and Coop knew about his plan. In fact, they’d saved him from buying groceries by inviting his family for Thanksgiving dinner. A grateful Jared had gladly accepted. He’d been fretting about how he’d fit everyone in his postage-stamp apartment and explaining why he lived in such a place after the palace he’d previously inhabited with the ex.

Even now, calling Candy an ex sounded foreign to his ears, just as calling her his wife once had. Not because of any residual feelings toward the woman, but more out of embarrassment that he’d botched up so badly when it came to choosing a life partner. His sisters and brother were still single, but he’d been too quick to jump into the pool of marital bliss, which quickly became the cesspool of marital hell.

“Where are they?” Izzy glanced around as Steph loitered behind her, staring at her shoes.

“Their plane was late. They’re on their way from Sea-Tac now.”

Izzy nodded and nudged Steph forward. Jared couldn’t help but stare, any more than he could prevent his body’s reaction to her presence. Just friends, he reminded himself for the hundredth time. Funny how this particular friend occupied a little too much of his thoughts.

Steph wore one of his game jerseys. It was way too big; she’d cinched it around her waist with a belt and tied her blonde hair back with a green and blue ribbon. It was a cute look. Her makeup was subtle, her lips a muted pink. She looked like everything he’d ever wanted, and everything Candy hadn’t been.

He opened his mouth to tell Steph how great she looked but heard his name screeched from behind her. Running toward him was his sister Darcie, just two years older than him. He barely had time to brace himself before she barreled into him and enveloped him in a bear hug. Darcie did PR for the Milwaukee AHL team, and she channeled her enthusiasm into promoting that team like no one else could.

Georgia plowed into him next. Georgia was built like a bulldog and had played college hockey. Now she was an assistant coach for the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team. Georgie was out and proud, also between partners. She wasn’t lucky in the life partner area any more than he’d been.

Next came his mother, a little more reserved and looking harried, as he’d feared. Still, she hugged him fiercely, and he hugged her back. A movement behind her caught his eye, and he did a double take. His brother, Heath, an AHL player, stood there, grinning ear to ear.

“You came?” Jared pulled him into their signature bro hug.

“Yeah, we have a few days off for the holidays. Thought I’d surprise you.”

There was one more person he hadn’t greeted yet, and he steeled himself. Roberta wore a Sockeyes jersey, one of the tighter ones made for females. She smiled tentatively at him, and he smiled back. No reason to be an ass.

“Berts, good to see you.” He avoided a hug and shook her hand.

She smiled demurely at him, but he knew a she-predator when he saw one. She batted those fake lashes at him and stuck out her breasts. He sighed as he had a flashback to meeting Candy for the first time.

Turning quickly, he found Steph backing away slowly in an attempt to fade into the woodwork. He snagged her arm and gently pulled her to his side, wrapping a possessive arm around her trim little waist.

“Everyone, this is Izzy, my captain’s wife, and Steph. Steph and Izzy, this is Georgia, Darcie, Heath, and my mother, Adele.”

The group nodded and murmured polite hellos.

Izzy glanced at the time. “We should be heading to the suite. Follow me.” Her voice was brisk and businesslike. Jared stifled a smile. Leave it to Izzy to size up his family and figure out what approach worked best.

“Good luck,” Jared whispered in Steph’s ear.

She glanced up, worry lines around her eyes. “Am I going to need it?”

“I hope not.”

“That’s encouraging. Remind me to say no next time you need a favor.” With a resigned sigh, she followed the crowd down the hall to the nearest elevator. Jared watched her until the elevator swallowed her up.

“Hey, buddy, put your tongue back in your mouth. We have a game to play.” Brick snapped his fingers in front of Jared’s face, and he jumped. He hadn’t noticed the goalie sneaking up on him. Goalies were like that. You never knew where they’d show up next.

“I—I—”

“Whatever. You don’t have to explain yourself, but you can if you want. Might be fun.” Brick gave his usual shit-eating grin, enjoying Jared’s discomfort. “Nice touch, putting her in your jersey.”

“Izzy must’ve done that.”

“You sure you’re pretending?” Brick knew about his scheme, as did a few other players on the team.

“Yeah. I’m pretending. She’s all wrong for me.”

Brick snorted. “She seems all right for you. Just sayin’.” He turned to Gibs, one of the younger guys, and Brick’s former party-mate back when Brick was still partying. “What do you think?”

Gibs’ smirk was lecherous, and Jared fought the surprising urge to pummel his pretty face. “She’s hot. I’d do her. Since you’re not interested—”

“She’s a nice girl,” Jared said. “Leave her alone.”

Gibs stared at the empty space where Steph had been standing seconds earlier. “She looks familiar. You sure she’s not a puck bunny?”

“She is not a puck bunny,” Jared said through gritted teeth. “She’s a nice girl, so keep your hands off.”

“Nice girls love bad boys. It’s in their DNA.” Gibs made a show of wiping imaginary drool off his mouth with his sleeve. “And she’s got a great rack and a nice ass.”

Jared growled, low and threatening. Gibs blinked a few times and stepped back, puzzled by his teammate’s reaction.

“Hey, man, sorry. Didn’t mean to piss you off.”

“It’s not just me. Coop’s overprotective of her. So tread lightly.”

“Coop? Well, crap.” Gibs held up his hands in surrender. “I get it. She’s off-limits. Sorry.”

“No harm done.” Brick stepped between the two men before this turned into more than a friendly argument. He shot Gibs one of his menacing goalie glares before turning back to Jared. “He didn’t mean anything.”

Jared nodded. He held out his hand to Gibs, who quickly shook it. “It’s all good, dude.”

“Yeah, it’s good,” Gibs said.

Brick grinned and slapped them both on the backs. “Let’s kick some Shark ass.”

 

* * * *

 

Steph should be excited. Her first NHL game.

Hockey had been her escape back in those dark times. Gino had tolerated hockey, probably more because he bet on the games than because of the sport itself, but Steph had learned to appreciate the raw strength, grace, and brutality of the game.

She’d fantasized one of the players would sweep her off her feet, her own personal Prince Charming, and rescue her from her life of pain and misery. Of course, they wouldn’t, but crushing on unattainable hockey players didn’t get the crap beaten out of her like if Gino imagined her crushing on one of his friends or a customer at Dancing Girls.

During the first period, Izzy stayed close like a protective mother hen, while keeping up the conversation with Jared’s family. Steph was grateful for her kindness in what could have been a sticky situation. Darcie and Roberta sat at the far end of the row of seats in the suite, whispering and laughing while drinking beer and eating from the spread of food in the buffet. The first period passed without any real issues. Steph stayed in her seat and clasped her hands on her lap, forcing herself to remain calm, despite the boisterous group surrounding her. She felt their eyes on her when Jared did something cheer-worthy and couldn’t shake the feeling they found her lacking.

When Izzy vacated her seat to fill her wineglass during the first intermission, Jared’s brother sat next to Steph. He was a younger version of Jared, and just as gorgeous.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Heath asked. His smile was friendly and nonjudgmental. He had the same green eyes and crooked smile Jared had.

“Good.”

“Not much of a hockey fan, are you?”

“I love hockey,” Steph said, unable to stop herself. She caught his surprised glance.

“You do?”

She nodded. “I’m trying to maintain my dignity.”

He laughed. “Don’t bother doing that in this crowd. No one will hold it against you if you lose your cool. We’re not a very dignified group.”

“Okay.”

He leaned closer as if to tell her a secret and lowered his voice. “The Roderick women are fiercely overprotective of Jared after the number Candy did on him.”

“I can understand.”

“And Roberta, we’ve known her since we were kids. Mom’s always pushed her and Jared together. They dated once or twice in high school, but Jared wasn’t feeling it. Roberta’s all right, just no spark on Jared’s part. Regardless, the females in my family know Roberta isn’t after Jer for his money or fame.”

“And they don’t know that about me.”

“Yeah. They mean well.”

She turned slightly in her seat to face Heath. “We’ve only been seeing each other a few weeks. It’s nothing serious. We’re really more friends than anything else.”

Heath nodded knowingly. “So you’re the buffer between him and Roberta?”

“You could say that. I just got out of a bad long-term relationship. I’m not interested in another—relationship, good or bad.”

Heath laughed and winked. “Your secret is safe with me.” He lifted his beer to his lips and took a long swig. “I like you, Stephanie. You’re all right.”

“I like you too.”

Izzy didn’t return to her seat. Instead, she stood off to one side, cheering fiercely for Coop and the team. She watched the game with same intensity with which she ran her business, especially when her husband was on the ice.

Steph didn’t usually drink, but she made an exception and sipped on a glass of sweet Riesling, which loosened her up enough to forget nervousness. By the third period, her self-consciousness was gone, and she was as into the game as the rest of the group as the Sharks tied it with five minutes to go.

Steph leaned forward, gripping the arms of her seat, and watched every move Jared made on the ice. He skated with efficient precision in ruthless pursuit of the puck. Racing down the ice, he swiped at the puck, stealing it from the Sharks’ leading scorer and deftly maneuvering it across the red centerline and then passing it to Coop as he flew past, streaking toward the goal. It was a well-orchestrated warrior dance between teammates who’d played together for several seasons. Coop rocketed it to Smooth, who sent a bullet past the goalie’s head and into the net.

The crowd went wild, and Steph leaped to her feet, screaming her lungs out. She impulsively hugged Heath in her excitement. He lifted her off her feet and spun her around. They clinked their glasses together in a victory toast. Heath turned to salute the rest of his family. They simply stared back then turned away.

Even above the din of the crowd, Steph was certain she’d caught the words gold digger and any guy will do if he’s got the bucks.

Steph cringed and glanced at Heath. He was fist-bumping Izzy and didn’t seem to notice.

With her face flaming, Steph escaped to the bathroom. When she finally emerged, the suite was vacant except for Izzy.

“They want you to meet them near the locker room door,” Izzy said. “I guess you’re going for pizza.”

Steph groaned. “Maybe I can say I got my period and have cramps.”

Izzy studied her for several seconds with her typical unreadable expression. “They don’t seem like bad people—maybe a little overprotective of their brother who recently had his heart broken. That’s what family should do, what I would do.”

Steph nodded.

“They’re going to assume all women are after his money until proven differently, and this is all pretend anyway.”

Steph lifted her eyes to Izzy’s and must have given herself away.

“Isn’t it?”

“Uh, yeah, of course. We’re not a match.”

Izzy shrugged. “Funny, I would say you’re both a very good match.”

“No, we’re not, and he’s a client of Forever Matched. I can’t date him. I’m only doing this as a favor with the sisters’ blessing.”

Izzy nodded, but her brows knitted together as if she were contemplating something. “Maybe you’ve had enough for tonight. I’ll text Coop, and he can tell Jared you’re not feeling well and will see him tomorrow.”

“You’d do that for me?”

“I would.” She smiled and linked her arm with Steph’s. “Let’s hit the road.”

Together they walked to the parking lot.

Relief flooded through Steph. She couldn’t take another minute being examined under a microscope by those women. Tomorrow would be another story. She’d have time to rest and recharge her batteries.

She was going to need all the energy and courage she had to get through the next few days. Why Jared’s sisters’ hurtful comments mattered, she didn’t know. Jared wasn’t her perfect guy or even her imperfect guy. He was just a friend, but she always worried too much about what others thought. She’d probably gotten that from her mother, who valued appearances above the genuine.

Thinking of her mother only depressed her more, and Steph was trying so hard to stay positive.

She’d escaped Gino’s dangerous grasp. She was putting together the pieces of a new life.

But she missed her family. She missed being around people who loved her.

Unconditionally.

 

* * * *

 

Jared sipped a beer and leaned back in one of the metal chairs at the folding card table in his small apartment, a far cry from the huge monstrosity that seated sixteen to twenty guests in his former home’s dining room. Oh, how the mighty had fallen.

His brother flopped onto the couch and stretched his legs out in front of him. Silently, he surveyed the combined kitchen/living/dining area.

Jared’s gaze followed his. He knew what Heath saw and winced. He could read Heath’s mind. Last time he’d visited, Jared had lived in a gorgeous waterfront condo with huge expanses of windows, a top-end kitchen, and designer décor. Now he lived in an average apartment close to the practice rink with a view of the parking lot and an office building across the street. His furniture was cheap crap from a discount furniture store. Because he’d decorated it himself, nothing matched. He didn’t have a housekeeper anymore, so the place was also a cluttered mess.

Jared braced himself for the inevitable questions and thanked the creator above it was Heath he’d be answering to, not his mother. At least, not yet. He was postponing the inevitable, as she’d insist on seeing his new abode before she left town.

When his brother said nothing, Jared couldn’t take it. He needed to get this over with. “I know what you’re thinking.”

“And what is that?” Heath’s dark eyes bored into his, completely unreadable. Heath possessed a damn good poker face when necessary.

“Why am I living here?”

Heath shrugged. “The thought did cross my mind, considering what you make on an NHL salary. This looks more like something I could afford.”

“Candy got the condo, but I’m still making the payments and taxes. I hope to have it paid off in another year or two.”

“What the fuck?”

“Yeah, no shit. I got my ass handed to me in the divorce.” And he’d rolled over and let her have her way just to get the nightmare over with as quickly as possible. Money had never meant much to him, but he’d been a fool not to fight some of the unreasonable demands she’d made. In an effort to avoid more drama by having his name dragged through the press, he’d acquiesced to even the most outrageous requests. He knew Candy, and she would’ve done whatever it took to squeeze the last penny out him.

“But still. Don’t you make seven figures?”

“Yeah. Amazing how quickly someone can go through money like that if she has gambling and drug problems. Oh, and pays for all her friends’ gambling and drugs, especially the male friends.”

Heath winced. “It’s that bad?”

“I have credit card bills that would make you shudder in horror. You’d shit yourself if you saw them.”

“Ah, man, that’s brutal.”

Jared saw the one thing in his younger brother’s eyes he’d hoped to never see—pity. Heath had always looked up to him, idolized him, wanted to be him. Now, he was probably thanking his lucky stars he wasn’t stupid enough to be snared by a gold-digging woman.

“I’m pretty much drained for the next year or two until I can get stuff paid off and her maintenance ends. She has two years to get an education and support herself.”

“Is she getting one?”

Jared chuckled ruefully. “Not the one I’m supposed to be paying for.”

“Hard lesson to learn, bro, but stay away from puck bunnies.”

“I am. I’m not like you. I like being part of a couple. I like having a partner.”

Heath frowned. “And you think Stephanie is that girl?”

“What do you think?”

“I think she’s sweet, pretty, and quiet, but I’m not sure she’s for you.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“You’ve always been drawn toward women with runway-model looks and a surly attitude.”

“Maybe I’ve grown up and prefer a good girl now.”

“I think you’ll end up bored with a good girl.”

“There’s something to be said about a traditional relationship. Coming home after a long road trip to a home-cooked meal, cuddling on the couch, and discussing our future. I’d never worry about what she was doing and with whom while I was gone.”

“There is that.” Heath wouldn’t meet his gaze. Something was troubling him.

“What?”

“About Candy.” His brother was peeling the beer label off the bottle, a sure sign he was nervous. He stopped to run a hand over his face.

Jared waited and gripped the side of the card table so tightly that his knuckles were white.

Oh, God, please, no, don’t have my brother be one of her conquests.

He didn’t know how he’d live with that knowledge.

Finally, Heath looked up, and Jared’s stomach did a nosedive off the high board into an empty swimming pool—not a pretty sight. “Candy propositioned me.”

“What? When?” Jared’s fingernails dug into the vinyl tabletop. His vision started to blur, and a wave of nausea swept over him.

“A year or more ago. That’s why I quit visiting. You left for practice, and she walked into the spare bedroom where I was napping wearing nothing but a seductive smile.”

“Fuck. My own brother.” He was going to lose his cookies all over this cheap-ass table. He swallowed back the bile and concentrated on controlling his emotions.

Heath held up his hands. “I didn’t touch. I got the hell out of there.”

Jared relaxed his fingers and released his hold on the table’s edge. He blew out a long, slow breath. His vision started to clear, as relief flooded through him. “Is that why you left so suddenly?”

“Yeah. Wouldn’t you?”

Jared nodded. “But why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“I tried, but you wouldn’t listen. You were so wrapped up in lust with her that you didn’t want to hear anything bad.”

“I was a fucking idiot. I thought she was it. The one. The woman who’d give me forever. Instead, she became my biggest nightmare, my greatest humiliation. The entire fucking team knew she was sleeping around before I did.”

“Dude, that’s brutal.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Next time, let Mom and the girls vet your girlfriend. If she can past their muster, she’s the right one.”

“I guess that’s what I’m doing right now, but I wish Roberta wasn’t in the middle of all this.”

“Roberta’s all right. You could do worse,” Heath said.

“I did worse. This time, I don’t want to settle. I want what Mom and Dad had.”

Heath squinted at Jared like he couldn’t quite see him. “What?”

“Yeah, like they had.”

“What planet did you grow up on?”

“What’s that mean?”

“I was the baby, and I figured it out. They got along because they rarely lived in the same house together. When Dad was home, he was like a houseguest, and they had fun together. Didn’t you notice in the summers, they’d both get really edgy by the time training camp started?”

“I—” Jared cut himself off. He thought back, disconcerted he’d seen the situation so differently from his brother. “I have the same job Dad did, the same work hours. I need an independent woman who can function without me.”

“You haven’t been describing an independent woman. You married an attention slut. When she couldn’t get it from you, she went elsewhere. The ideal woman you’ve been describing is one who needs a man to make all her decisions. I think you’re confusing loyalty and fidelity with dependence and compliance.”

“Well, Dr. Freud, thanks for the psychoanalysis.”

“You don’t have to get sarcastic about it.” Heath rolled his eyes. “Let’s talk about your most immediate problem.”

“And that is…?”

“Keeping Mom and our sisters from seeing this place. I assume you haven’t told any of them your financial situation?”

“Oh, God, no.” The thought almost gave Jared a panic attack, and he was not prone to those. For the moment, he pushed his muddled thoughts about his parents’ relationship, Candy’s proposition of his brother, and his attraction to Steph. He focused on his most pressing and horrifying problem—his mother and sisters finding out how broke he was.