18. Stampede Forward

CHAPTER 18

STAMPEDE FORWARD

BIG D

I'm ready to stampede someone's face. Appropriate, since we're in Canada, playing against the Alberta Stampede.

Storm's new girlfriend, Misty, the chick who met him when he was streaking naked ass through the hallway of his apartment building, shows up at the game, holding a sign that reads, "#1 has a bigger stick than Sanderson."

Number one being Storm's number, as our goalie. Sanderson being Gregor Sanderson, her ex—and the brother to Scott Sanderson, the rookie I beat up during our game with the Vancouver Ice.

Gregor's out for blood, for mine and Storm's.

Misty's best friend sitting beside her holds another sign. "Sanderson is a douche-canoe." That he is.

Storm is waiting on pins and needles for Brad to call with news that he's got a new contract for him to play in Denver.

I'm clenching my fists, just waiting for the right moment to pounce on Gregor. He's even more of a jerk than his little brother was.

This game gets more interesting as the seconds tick by.

Unfortunately, Kallie isn't here to witness all of this drama.

I glance at the front-row seat against the glass, where she should be sitting. She even promised to wear my jersey. She was to fly in today from Austin, taking a couple of days off to be with me here in Canada, but her seat has been empty the entire first period.

Where is she? My pulse races, hoping she's okay, and itching to get off the ice during intermission to check my phone.

Meanwhile, there's a lot of chirping going on between Sanderson and Storm. Saint and I laugh, hearing some great zingers Storm yells at him. The guy is a real jerk and needs his ass kicked. I offer, but Storm tells me he's got this. And for once, I think he's finally ready to handle a fight himself, whereas usually I take care of it for him.

Suddenly, Duke calls a time-out. And sure enough, he gets word from Brad that Storm is being sent to Denver to play for the professional team, the Aspens, immediately. Damn, I couldn't be more proud—and jealous. I can't wait for Brad's call much longer. I need to be with Kallie.

Before we can resume playing, there's Sanderson making jacking off motions against the glass to Storm's girl. I growl and start off toward him. Saint's mad, too, but Storm beats us to it. He throws down his gloves, and the fight is on.

Gotta hand it to him. He does great, and wins, in my opinion, since he manages to get in some hard punches to the face and yank off his jersey. Yep, Storm is ready for the big time. I'll miss him, but I'm sure we'll stay in touch.

When we finally get to the intermission, I grab my phone in the locker room first thing. The news from Kallie isn't good.

Kallie: Jeremy intercepted me at the airport in Austin before I could take off.

Cody: WTF? What did he want?

Kallie: Another team PR emergency.

The team seems to suddenly be having a rash of those. I wouldn't put it past Jeremy to be fabricating some, just to control her.

Kallie: Mom also called and asked me to stop by to see her. She's not feeling well. I'm sorry.

Cody: So you're not coming?

That's the third time over the past week that her mother's been ill. My heart takes a nosedive into my stomach. But I refuse to be that guy again, worried I'm losing her. This is only her job, stressful as it is. I'm beginning to see long distance sucks.

Kallie: I'm sorry.

Cody: Don't apologize again. It's fine. I know you have work to do, and I hope your mom is okay. I trust you.

Kallie: Was there a time you didn't trust me?

Shit. I have to get back on the ice soon and don't have time to let my girlfriend know I worry about her and Jeremy together all the time. Besides, that's playing to lose when I'm playing to win.

Cody: I've trusted you since day one. We're all in, aren't we, cowgirl?

She sends me about a dozen smile and heart emojis, and they put me back on top of the world.

Later, after the game, Storm and Misty are on their way to Denver, while Saint and I get stuck best-friend-sitting. Anastasia has a flight out in the morning. We're under strict orders from Misty to keep an eye on her.

I'd say Saint is keeping both eyes on her ass. Her tits, too. She's a pretty and curvaceous woman, not the typical type I see Saint with, but I can tell he's intrigued by her.

They keep up a flirty banter, while I keep up with texts from Kallie.

Kallie: How about next week? I have a conference to attend in Denver.

I check the dates with my game schedule.

Cody: I could fly in for a night.

My cock twitches under the table as if to say that's plenty of time for what he wants to do with her.

I check flights when suddenly I get a call from Brad. He must be working overtime tonight, first Storm's news and now me? I hop off the barstool and walk outside to take the call.

"Yeah, Brad? Any news?"

"You ready for this? It's quite the deal. I used every favor people owed me. I got you moving from the L.A. Vipers, to a few other teams, and finally, I got you on the Austin Capitals." He pauses, waiting for my response.

"Yes." I erupt, and pump my fist in the air. "You are worth every penny I pay you, dude."

"So I've been told by every guy who gets the contract they want. But what will happen once Campbell or Whittaker find out you're there?"

I shake my head, unsure, but I have to make this work for Kallie's sake. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

"Okay. Listen though, and I shouldn't really be telling you this, so it's between us. The league will be announcing more expansion teams soon for next season. I'm starting a list of players who want to move. Do you want in, or is Austin your final destination?"

This could be huge. The opportunity to start fresh in a new town with a new team? But is Kallie really ready to leave Austin? She tells me she and her mother are getting close again. But I doubt I want us to stay if her father and ex continue to be menaces.

"Yeah, put me down. Doesn't hurt to see if something better comes along."

Later that night, I have the hotel office print out my new contracts so I can give them a proper read through and sign them. Mainly, I eye the new high six-figures league minimum salary I'll be making. My jaw drops. I could kiss Brad right now for being the top-notch negotiator he is.

I know Kallie says money isn't everything to her, but for the dreams I have for our future, if this is real and forever between us, this money sure makes this poor cowboy feel a helluva lot more confident to boldly go forward, making Kallie all mine.