Chapter 7

Dallas

“Looking good, boys,” Coach Carlisle called out.

I held up my hand and smiled. “Thanks, Coach.”

He tapped his watch. “Ten more minutes and then wrap it up.”

Everyone else skated off the ice except for him and Kellan, who moved to the side of the rink to talk. I’d spent the whole day working with Josh, trying my best to keep him on his toes. It felt good to slap shoot pucks at his head. Luckily he stopped most of them, which meant he was getting better. Eventually, when I retired, he’d take my place. I had to make sure the Strikers would be taken care of after I was gone.

“All right, Harrison, another round,” I shouted.

I could hear his groan, but one glare from me and he was right back into position. I’d missed the way it felt to glide around the ice and push the puck around. Growing up, I’d played center offense until I found my calling as a goaltender when I was in high school. Ever since then, I’d never done anything else. I was known for my five-star reflexes and superb ratings in speed and agility; one of the best in the league.

One by one, I lined up the pucks on the ice and hit them as hard as I could. Josh never backed down and worked his glove with tremendous speed. I was impressed. Breathing hard, he fell to his knees on the ice.

Chuckling, I skated over to him. “Tired?”

He took off his mask, sweat pouring down his face. “You worked my ass off today.”

“Good. You needed it. Your technique’s gotten a lot better.” Brows furrowed, he stared at me as if I’d lost my mind. “What?” I snapped.

“Nothing,” he said with a shake of his head. “I’m just wondering why you’re helping me now when before you never gave a shit.”

Sighing, I leaned against the goal. “As an alternate captain, it’s my job to help the team. Do I still think you’re a whiney pain in the ass? Yes. But if I’m not around and the game is up to you, I have to make sure you’re the best. I don’t want to be blamed again if we lose.”

One thing Josh needed to learn was to have tougher skin. My words stung and I could see it on his face. Grabbing his mask, he skated off the ice and disappeared to the back. I was just about to head out as well when Kristen came up to the rink wall and waved me over.

“What’s up, sexy mama?” I teased, leaning over the side to look at her. Her red hair was wavy down her back and she had on a strapless blue maternity dress with sandals. “Dressed for summer?”

She rolled her eyes and smiled. “I’m pregnant and hot all the time. It’s March and already in the eighties outside.” Couldn’t argue with her there. Back home in Maine, it’d still be freezing. Rubbing her swollen belly, she nodded toward the goal. “Just watched you and Josh out there. I’m glad to see you actually helping him.”

I shrugged. “He needs it. There’ll be a day when I can’t play anymore and he has to be ready.”

“I agree. I’m kind of shocked I didn’t hear you yelling at him. That seems to be what you do.”

Huffing, I ran a hand through my hair. “Believe me, I wanted to. It drives me up the fucking wall to see a good player make bad decisions. Harrison has the goods, he just has to use them right.”

She nodded in agreement. “He’ll get there. He just needs your support. A simple encouragement here and there goes a long way.” That was why for the first time in my life I’d bit my tongue and tried to say something nice. “Surely you didn’t wave me over to tell me that?”

“No,” she said, laughing. “I came by to see if you’d heard from Callie. I want to know what she thought about the flowers.”

Blowing out a heavy sigh, I threw my arms up in the air. “She hasn’t called.”

“Really? Even after you sent all the ones today, too?”

“Yep.”

“I know she’ll be at the game tonight. Maybe you’ll see her there.” I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere near Callie if she was with her brothers.

Yesterday I’d sent her a vase of flowers and a simple note. I had a feeling she’d be hard to get, but after today, I figured she’d call me out of annoyance, since I sent her twenty bouquets of flowers. Anything was better than nothing. A sly smile spread across Kristen’s face and she tried to hide it. Something was up. “What are you not telling me?”

She snickered. “Okay, I’ll tell you. She called me this morning and told me about the flowers. I have to say, she wasn’t impressed. Your plan didn’t work. She has no intention of calling you.”

“Fuck,” I grumbled. “I need to figure out a way to get to her.” I’d never had to work to get a girl. For the first time in my life, I was clueless.

“What are you two talking about?” Kellan asked, skating up. He tapped his cheek and Kristen kissed him. Even though I’d spent most of my life not giving a shit about relationships, I couldn’t help but be envious of theirs. There was a time when I’d had someone I cared about, but I’d let her go and she moved on to another man.

Kristen nodded toward me. “We’re talking about him and Callie. His flowers didn’t work on her.”

Kellan shook his head. “Playing with fire, brother. Does Justin know you’re doing this?”

“Doubt it. He would’ve said something,” I said. With her not saying anything to him, there had to be a reason why. It was the same reason she chose to punch me instead of it being her brother. “So what were you and Carlisle talking about?” I asked, switching the subject. I had to think of something other than Callie. For some strange reason, I couldn’t get her out of mind.

Kellan’s smile grew wider. “For now, I’m only telling you and Braeden.” His gaze flitted over to Kristen and he reached for her hand before focusing back on me. “I’m retiring once the season’s up.”

Deep down I knew it was going to happen, only I didn’t think it’d be so soon. “Congratulations, man,” I said, patting him on the back. I had a feeling that was why Davis was traded to our team.

Kellan chuckled. “I wasn’t planning on going out this year, but Carlisle’s ready to retire as well. Next season, I’ll be your coach. The owners of the team have already agreed.” He patted me on the shoulder this time. “You and Braeden will take over as captains. I know you’ll keep the guys in line.”

“You’re damn right I will. Sure you want give all of this up?”

He hugged me hard and let go. “I’ve had a lot of good years on the ice. A lot of us don’t walk away unscathed.” That was true. I couldn’t blame him for wanting to get out while he had a promising future. Not all of us had a plan after our hockey careers were done.

Kristen cleared her throat, grinning mischievously. “Now that you spilled the beans and everything’s great, there’s still a problem.” She nodded at me. “Dallas needs a plan to get to Callie. Have any ideas?” Narrowing my gaze, I glared at her and she winked.

Pursing his lips, Kellan focused on something across the rink and then he smiled. “I think I have an idea.”