CHAPTER THIRTEEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T he playoff schedule left little time between games. Every other night the men would face off in a battle of willpower and skill. Luka had arrived with his team in the early evening. He’d asked to see her, and she couldn’t refuse. They planned to meet once she’d put the boys to bed. Sneaking out for a few hours required a babysitter since Rianne hadn’t returned home yet.

Her daughter’s reaction to the upcoming divorce hadn’t surprised her, but she’d hoped to break the news in a more diplomatic way. There was no good way to tell the kids their father would never be coming home. It would take time, but they would all heal. Still, Terry seemed hell-bent on making it more difficult than it had to be. He had to accept the change in their relationship was permanent.

“Mrs. Manor when do you think Rianne will be home?” the babysitter, Stephanie, asked. She lived three houses down and had watched the boys a handful of times since she’d turned thirteen. Since it was a school night, Jill had assured her she wouldn’t be out late.

Jill had no idea when to expect her daughter home, all her calls went unanswered. “She knows she has to be home by nine. I imagine I won’t be too far after her. You are welcome to stay and get paid until I return.”

“Cool.” Stephanie flipped her black hair over her shoulder and flopped onto the couch. After a short search for the remote, she turned on the TV. “I’ll decide when she gets here. You look pretty. Where are you going? Did you tell me already, and I forgot?”

Jill smoothed the wrinkles on her pencil skirt and smiled. “Thank you. I am meeting a friend for a drink. My cell phone number and all emergency contacts are posted on the board.”

Instead of meeting at his hotel, Luka had suggested they meet at a restaurant nearby. He wanted to take their relationship out of the bedroom. She respected his wishes, and agreed, but hoped she wouldn’t bump into anyone she knew. Wanting to go unnoticed, she’d straightened her curls and applied more makeup than usual. It wasn’t much of a disguise.

“Have fun.” Stephanie turned her attention to the television. “Easy night for me. The boys are sleeping, and I’ll be here if they wake.”

“Yes, and I’ll be back soon. Thanks again for coming on such short notice,” she said, grabbing her purse and slipping it into the crook of her arm.

Once in her car, she exhaled and stared at her reflection in the rear-view mirror. Heavy, black mascara and smoky eyeshadow failed to mask her nerves. “It’s normal to have butterflies. You will not throw up.”

Going for breakfast in Winnipeg with Luka had caused minimal anxiety. Spending time with him while in a different province was easy and risk free. The chance of bumping into people she knew was non-existent, but that was no longer the case. This date was a huge step in their relationship. She pressed her hands over her stomach and took several calming breaths.

The restaurant was a short drive from her home. Traffic was light, and she arrived in no time. Luka had told her he’d meet her there. The sun had set but the humidity lingered. She wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt before opening the door.

The wall of windows gave her a sneak peek inside, but she couldn’t spot him. She gave his first name to a hostess, who led her through the busy restaurant to a patio. When she stepped outside, her stomach dropped. Luka wasn’t alone. Her desire to keep their relationship discreet no longer mattered with a quarter of his NHL team sitting around the table with him. Many of the faces she recognized. One of the player’s she knew well. Benny Wilder had played with Terry before they were both traded. This was not good.

An urge to turn around and go home circled, but one look at Luka dismissed the possibility. He sat back in his chair, taking in the surrounding conversation, but not engaging. The chair next to him was vacant because he’d saved it for her. She squared her shoulders and stepped forward. Her heels clicked against the cobblestones, announcing her arrival.

She kept her eyes on him and his handsome face. When he saw her, he rose to his feet. The chair screeched, halting the conversation. She didn’t stop moving until her hand rested in his. The heat and comfort of his touch was all she needed.

He greeted her with a panty-melting smile. “Hello, my beautiful.” His lips grazed the side of her mouth.

“Hi,” she replied, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I thought we’d be alone.” The hug couldn’t last forever. Soon she’d have to face the group but being in his arms gave her strength.

“Later,” he said.

She smiled and let go. “I only have the babysitter for an hour.”

“Then let’s make the most of our time.” He turned her around to face the table and threaded their fingers together. “Everybody, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend.”

“Hello.” She waved her hand and cringed as her eyes connected with Benny.

His eyebrow rose, and his lips thinned. “Jill Manor.” Her name dropped from his lips as he crossed his arms over his barrel chest. “Does your husband know you’re here?”

“Ex-husband,” Luka corrected and pulled a chair away from the table for her to sit. “Jill was married to Terry Manor, but she’s with me now.”

The explanation was meant to squash the questions but made her sound like a puck bunny who bounced from one NHL player to the next. There were plenty of those women out there. She’d never considered herself like them. She’d been with Terry before he made it. His profession had never factored in on her decision to be with him, nor had it influenced her feelings for Luka.

“Like, the Terry Manor?” A pregnant woman with a French accent rubbed her belly and leaned forward. “Thirteen seasons in the league and Centerman with Montreal.”

The handful of men stared at her like she had two heads and the women seemed equally dumbstruck. “You know your hockey,” Jill replied, sinking in to the chair.

“I sure do. I’m Sylvie.” She reached across the table and shook her hand. The diamond on her ring finger sparkled. “His trade was a huge score for our team. We’re in Winnipeg now, but I’m from Montreal. I was so happy when we signed him,” she said.

Luka sat and covered her hands with his. “Sylvie is married to Martin, and she moved to Winnipeg only a few months ago,” he explained. “Both of their families are still in Montreal.”

She recognized the starting goalie instantly. His high cheekbones and slim nose belonged on the cover of magazines. His features were too pretty for hockey. He slicked his hand through his dark locks and smiled.

“It’s nice to meet you. The move was a big deal for us.” She squeezed Luka’s hand and crossed her legs. “Terry loves playing here. It’s a wonderful city. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a great move for my marriage.”

“I hadn’t heard about the break-up. Sorry,” Benny said, dropping his arms and placing one around the raven-haired beauty to his right.

The young woman was stunning and melted into his embrace. Everyone at the table was a decade younger, reminding her of the age gap. The average age of an NHL player was twenty-seven, but this group teetered below the median. It didn’t bother her since she was used to being around younger players and their partners.

“It’s not widely publicized. For the sake of the kids, we’ve kept it under wraps,” she added.

“Men are horrible with introductions. I’m sure you know all the guys, but I’m Carly, Theo’s girlfriend, and that’s Beth,” an auburn-haired woman said, pointing at the woman beside Benny. She tucked a wayward curl behind her ear and leaned her elbows on the table. “How many kids have you got?”

The restaurant had sat them at a large round table. Patio lanterns hovered above her head like a spotlight. She chewed the inside of her cheek as her mouth searched for moisture. She grabbed the water glass in front of Luka and sipped it. Everyone waited and watched.

She cleared her throat. “I have three. Age range is between sixteen and twenty-nine months.

“How did you two meet?” Benny’s girlfriend asked. “At a hockey event or something?”

Jill smiled, recalling their first encounter. “No, it wasn’t hockey related. Luka saved a puppy from sudden death and we got to talking,” she answered.

Martin laughed and slapped his hand on the table. “And you didn’t run away. This guy’s accent is like nails on a chalkboard,” he joked.

“You’re one to talk, Frenchie.” Luka balled a napkin and tossed it at his friend.

“Don’t interrupt,” Sylvie admonished her husband. “I had no idea our friend had a new lady in his life. He keeps quiet about personal matters, unlike the rest of these yahoos. How long have you known each other?”

“We met recently,” Luka answered. “Though I’m surprised our paths never crossed sooner.” His hand slipped under her skirt and grazed the top of her knee.

She fidgeted and turned towards Luka. His smirk was mischievous. Her cheeks flushed as his fingers drew lazy circles across her skin. She uncrossed her legs and returned his smile.

“I’m glad we met,” she said, staring into his eyes.

The waiter came, refilled water glasses and took her order. They answered a few more questions about their relationship. It seemed like her words were under a microscope and they were hungry for every detail of her past. Information about Terry she wasn’t comfortable sharing.

Luckily, Luka shifted the conversation to the upcoming game. The banter around the table was far more enjoyable than the civil interrogation. Her initial anxiety lifted. She eased into the group, but never fully relaxed.

Time flew by as she laughed at the stories about the Playoff King. Clearly, he didn’t like the title, but accepted the accolades from his fans and colleagues in his stride. His modesty and reserved mannerisms were a stark contrast to her ex’s boastful personality. She adored being around him and soaked up every morsel he shared.

When her alarm sounded, she wasn’t ready to leave. She bid farewell to the others and Luka walked her to her car. “I had fun tonight, but next time a little warning would be nice.”

They walked with their hands joined. “Warn you about what?” He stopped and pivoted to face her.

“I expected it to be the two of us and not your entire entourage.” She looked at the ground. There was a puddle next to the curb from the previous night’s rain. “It’s not a big deal, but I wasn’t prepared for the inquisition.”

He gripped her chin and tilted her face until their eyes met. “Are we together or are you only interested in sex?” His question caught her off guard. “I’m not interested in a meaningless fling.”

Her mouth fell open, and it took a moment for the words to form. “I’m interested in you and being in a relationship. We’ve been over this. Why would you ask that?”

His eyes narrowed, gauging her response for truth. “You hesitated to meet me at the restaurant. When I introduced you as my girlfriend you stopped breathing. Like the word caused you pain. Now you tell me you don’t want to be around others. I’m trying to figure out where this leaves us.”

“Together,” she said, grabbing both of his hands and bringing them against her chest. Her heart rate skyrocketed. “We can stop having sex. I wouldn’t care. When I said I love you, I meant it. I’m interested in getting to know you and seeing where this can lead. But slow down a little.”

“Fine. We will not have sex again until the playoffs are over and you introduce me to your family.”

“Are you testing me?” She didn’t like being backed into a corner.

“No. I want to focus on what is important.” He moved their joined hands over his heart.

“Luka, my kids haven’t accepted my separation from Terry yet. I haven’t had the chance to tell him about us yet either. They aren’t ready to have their mom’s new boyfriend shoved down their throat.” She pulled her hands away from him and stomped towards her car. “I will not hurt them to ease your ego.”

He caught her and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground. “Jill,” he huffed into her ear. “Don’t pull away. We can move slower.”

“You don’t know the meaning of the word,” she spat, trying to wriggle loose. “Let me go.” She kicked her legs and one of her shoes flew a few feet, landing next to her front tire.

“I can’t let you go.” He carried her towards the hood of her car and bent her over. “I love you too much already.”

“If you loved me, you wouldn’t be pushing like this,” she yelled.

He flipped her over and kissed her. Hard. His lips seared her, branding and staking his claim. She pushed against his chest but lost the fight. The battle wasn’t one she wanted to win. She didn’t want to run from Luka.

Pinning her to the car, he kissed her until she stopped pushing back. He kissed her until she kissed him back. “I don’t know any other way,” he breathed against her neck. “Tell me what to do to make this right.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Give us time. Ultimatums don’t work for me, but don’t give up. Keep fighting and telling me what you want. We need to learn how to make each other happy.”

“I can’t say no to you. If you need time, then you’ll have it.” He closed his eyes and tried to stand.

She refused to let him go. “Are we okay? Why do I get the feeling you’re pulling away all of a sudden?”

He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips and untangled her arms from his neck. “We are good, my beautiful. But, you need to get home and I am one second away from lifting your skirt and making love to you on top of this car. If you don’t leave now, I won’t be able to resist.”

She smiled, glancing at his erection. “I love you.” She slid off the hood and retrieved her missing shoe. They shared one last brief kiss before she drove away.

When she arrived home, Rianne was locked in her room and refused to talk to her. She paid Stephanie and watched her walk home. The house was quiet as she locked the door.

Her life was a mess. She couldn’t please anyone and felt like she was letting everyone down. She went to bed with the weight of the world on her chest.