Chapter 36

Callie

Six weeks later

New York was amazing. Watching Lacey graduate was a pretty epic ordeal. She was finally going to be a doctor. Little did she know Dallas and I were there. She’d done a very good job of ignoring us the past six weeks. Not anymore.

Taking my hand, Dallas held it while we rode the elevator to Lacey’s floor. His parents were already at her condo, waiting for Lacey to show up. Our job was to surprise her. A mischievous grin spread across my face. A hell of a surprise it was going to be.

“Why are you smiling like that?” Dallas said with a laugh.

I shrugged. “Lots of reasons. One, the Strikers kicked ass in the final playoff game last night. I’m ready to see you boys win the Stanley Cup again.”

“Oh, we will, baby. The guys are ready,” he said with confidence. I had no doubt they were. They came close to losing one of the playoff games against Minnesota, but they came back fighting. Luckily, there wasn’t another brawl like last time.

“And two,” I continued, “I’m dying to see Lacey. The poor thing’s been so busy with exams, I’d barely talked to her.” It was her excuse, but I knew damn well it was to avoid my questions.

The elevator opened and he squeezed my hand. “You’ll be able to catch up with her tonight.” We stopped at the door. “Ready to meet my parents?”

Pulse pounding, I nodded. I was nervous as hell. “I think so.”

He opened Lacey’s door and his mom was in there, situating dozens of flowers and balloons everywhere in the room. Her head lifted, and when she saw Dallas, tears flooded her eyes. “There’s my baby boy.”

She rushed over and threw her arms around his neck. Dallas hugged her back and smiled when she let him go. “Mom, this is Callie,” he said, nodding down at me. “Callie, this is my mother, Theresa.”

With long blond hair and sparkling green eyes, she looked just like an older version of Lacey. “I’m so glad you two were able to come,” Theresa cried. She hugged me tight. “Lacey’s going to be so thrilled you two are here. She didn’t think you’d make it. Braeden must’ve gotten an earlier flight.”

“He did,” I replied. I thought it was sweet how he hurried up here to see her. It was a shame they weren’t in a relationship. I could totally see them together.

Theresa stepped back and smiled. “I hate we couldn’t sit together at the ceremony. There were so many people there.”

“Yes, there were,” I agreed. “Lots of future doctors up on that stage.” I would’ve loved to have been one of them, but I was happy being a nurse.

Theresa glanced down at her watch. “Lacey and Braeden should be here soon. Are you two going out to dinner with us? We made reservations at one of the best restaurants in town.”

Dallas put his arm around me. “Hell yeah, we’re going. Our flight doesn’t leave until midnight. Braeden and I have to be back for practice tomorrow morning.”

“That’s right,” a man called out from the hallway. When he appeared around the corner, I could see where Dallas got his good looks. Chuckling, Dallas held out his arms and his father hugged him. “Congratulations, son. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”

His father focused on me and his face brightened. “And you brought this beautiful young lady here tonight. I don’t see how she puts up with you.” He winked at Dallas and then hugged me. “I’m David. It feels like I already know you.” He stepped back and laughed. “You two have been all over the Internet for weeks. Your brother seems to be having a good time on the show.”

I snorted. “Tell me about it.” Corey was enjoying his time alone in the house with Hannah while Justin moved into the Rich and Single mansion with ten gorgeous women. There were only four of them left and he was milking it. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’d slept with them all.

Dallas nudged me playfully in the side. “Who do you think he’ll invite to the championship?”

“Hmm, that’s a good question. I’ll be curious to find out.” He was only allowed to invite one of the women to the final game next week. I’d met several of the women, and none of them seemed to be genuine. I could spot a money-grubber from a mile away.”

The front door opened and Lacey walked in, dressed in a beautiful blue pantsuit, laughing about something Braeden had said. She lit up when she saw her parents, but when she saw me and Dallas, she tensed, but then quickly shook it off.

“Hey, everybody.” She rushed over to Dallas and threw her arms around his neck. “I didn’t know you guys were coming.”

Dallas chuckled. “We almost didn’t. We should’ve gotten on Braeden’s flight.”

“Exactly,” Braeden replied with a smile. I’d never really paid attention before, but Braeden was handsome, especially in his expensive suit and tie. Sometimes it was hard to believe he was a hockey player. He had a sophisticated air about him when he was off the ice. No wonder he was one of Dallas’s closest friends; they balanced each other out.

Dallas let Lacey go and she hugged me. “Congratulations, Lacey. I know it feels good to be done.”

“That it does. Thank you for coming.” Clearing her throat, she let me go and waved at everyone. “Give me one second to change clothes and then we can go get something to eat.”

“No rush,” Theresa said. “We still have an hour before we have to be at the restaurant.”

Lacey hurried off down the hall while her parents sat down in the living room with Braeden. Dallas nodded toward them. “Want to sit down?”

“Actually, I want to talk to Lacey. Do you mind?”

He shook his head. “Not at all. Go.”

I wasn’t going to let her avoid me any longer. Stopping at her bedroom door, I knocked lightly and opened it slightly. “Lacey?”

She walked out of her bathroom in her underwear and bra, grabbing her chest when she saw me. “What the hell? You scared me.”

I shut the door behind me. “I knocked.” Averting her gaze, she slipped on her jeans and sparkly black top. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“No I haven’t,” she replied, laughing nervously. With her back to me, she stopped at her dresser to sort through her jewelry.

“Yes you have, Lacey. What are you hiding? You know you can tell me. I know it’s about Maddox.” Her fingers froze in the jewelry box and she stiffened. I slowly closed the distance. “Whatever it is, you can confide in me. I’m not going to tell Dallas or Maddox, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”

With a heavy sigh, she lowered her head. “If word gets out about this, it’ll ruin me, Callie. I want to build my name as a doctor without scandal. I don’t know how I’m going to do it. Eventually, the truth will have to come out.”

“The truth about what?” I asked, chills running down my arms. I could see the worry in her eyes.

Lacey turned around, her fingers clutching something in her palm, only I couldn’t see what it was. “You have to keep this a secret, Callie. I’m trusting you.”

I nodded. “I promise. You can trust me.”

She opened her palm and I cupped a hand over my mouth to silence the gasp. “Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

With a heavy sigh, she closed her hand. “Neither do I.”